Get me outa here!

The other day Sara and I were in Georgetown. A smallish town on the tip of an Island off the West coast of Malaysia. We left Kuala Lumpur (the capital city) quite spontaneously, in search of a town that would offer a little more adventure. Beaches? National parks? Some hiking trails? Count us in!
I dont know how to say this nicely.. We hated it!
After being quite disappointed with the food, the beaches and the lack of anything going on in the city we headed to the national park. Hiking! I was so excited.
Well, the hike was a nightmare! Climbing over massive rocks and through overgrown trails with spiderwebs constantly in our faces. Bugs attacking us from everywhere. There was also a very terrifying loud screech coming from somewhere in the jungle. It was such a relief when the hike brought us to a nice little beach so we could relax.10 minutes later we were surrounded by monkeys. It was so scary! They were all jumping around with eachother and screaming and watching us, one actually stole Sara's granola bar from her. They basically chased us back into the trail. It was the worst experience! I think the minute we arrived back to our guest house we booked bus tickets back to Kuala. Which is where we are now.. Waiting for the day a little plane will take us to Bali.

North Seeth Oust and West

When Sara and I were planning which countries we wanted to visit prior to our trip, I wasn't too excited for the Thailand part of it. I was looking forward to Vietnam, Malaysia and the less common places to travel. 'Everyone goes to Thailand!' is what I was thinking..  I half expected the cities to be full of young backpackers who are just here to party. But I have been pleasantly surprised and the last 2 weeks in Northern Thailand were AMAZING! Ive definitely been having way more fun than anyone reading this blog!

I found these two along the way! YAY!

We discovered some natural hotsprings in the middle of the jungle just outside of Pai. It was actually the most magical place I have ever seen. The little city of Pai was also incredibly cute. It is just like Nelson, one of my favourite cities back home. And we rented motorcycles!

For the Thai New Year they celebrate (for 5 days!) by having a massive, never-ending water fight. Here in Chiang Mai everyone is equipped with hoses, buckets or waterguns attached to water tank backpacks and I havent been dry in almost a week!

Annnnd, we rode elephants, and hiked in the jungle to a village where the people cooked us amazing pumkpin curry and gave us a few too many shots of their homemade rice wine.

We went rafting down a river on a long bamboo raft. It was only a few peices of bamboo tied together so I was slightly terrified. I decided it would probably be illegal in Canada.

We danced our faces off at a live show. A fun Thai jazzy band. Awesome!

We learned how to make curries and pad thai and soups! And we were allowed to eat everything!! 

We floated paper sky lanterns!

We spent HOURS walking through markets, buying funny socks and making sure we tried every food stall. Steamed buns shaped like farm animals, gyozas, spring rolls, mini fried quail eggs, VERY spicy mango salads, cupcakes, lots of food on sticks, crunchy tubes that taste like kettle corn, deepfried sandwiches, and fried Crickets!! Which didnt taste bad with our seaweed chips and Chang beers.

 Jack and Jill chips!

Today Jess and Jill left for Laos. Have so much fun I MISS YOU ALREADY! And tonight Sara and I are heading to Krabi, in the southern part of Thailand. YAY beaches!

That guy looks like Jackie Chan!

Dear Hanoi,
You have been my favourite spot in South East Asia during this last month of travelling. I'll miss wandering aimlessly down your medieval streets in the Old Quarter. I'll miss racing through the traffic on the backs of motorcycles. I'll miss your shoe district. I'll miss your apple pears, your eggplant claypot, your bar peanuts, your sweet and salty popcorn, your coconut cream-filled buns (especially your coconut cream-filled buns) your smoothie lists, and your baguettes filled with shredded veggies, cucumbers, a fried egg and chili sauce (otherwise known as a Banh My, definitely my favourite street food in Vietnam). I'll miss the most amazing coffee I have ever had in my life from Cong Caphe. I'll miss your Megastar Movie Theater. I'll miss your night markets and bargaining for absolutely everything i bought. I'll definitely miss the chocolate buffet feast at the Metropole, I have never experienced happiness like that before. I'll miss the funny things people load onto the backs of their motorcycles (goats, pigs, chickens, their family of 6, dozens of bags of koi fish), I'm going to miss this city so much, it is literally pulsing with life and the people here are so friendly! I feel like I say that everywhere I go but its different here! Hanoi is a completely different world.
I promise to visit again one day. Dont change.

Love, Nicole

Also, thank you Mary for showing us around Hanoi and to all your secret places. It was amazing being able to experience the city in a non-tourist sort of way. Thank you for teaching us the transit, how to barter properly, finding me some hummus, how to cross the streets, and how to say a few things in Vietnamese. Asking politely for hot porridge will come in handy one day!

Here are some phone pictures taken during our wonderful week in Hanoi. 

Ill start off with the chocolate buffet.

Thats only 3 of the 4 plates I ate. I also forgot the picture of the homemade icecream.

 

In the middle of Saturday morning traffic. You should see what rush hour is like here. 

 

 

Sailing through the 1969 islands of Halong Bay!

Making pottery in the Pottery Village with new friends!

 

Farewell Vietnam!