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Sonja's Travels - A lone western female traveling the Far East - Continued...

So, after the hustle, and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City I was very glad to once again be heading down to the coast. I had heard very good reports about Vietnams’ beaches, but nothing prepared me for the shock of just how wonderful they really are.

Nha Trang is a different world compared to Ho Chi Minh City, and the beach there just seems to go on forever. Once again accommodation can be found very easily, and very cheaply. I stayed in a really great place called the Huu Nghi hotel. Bedecked in dark oak wood with cable TV, air con, and a fridge/freezer for a mere five Dollars a night I was very happy with my stay there.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Nha Trang. If you fancy doing some diving there then head down to Jeremy Stein’s Rainbow Divers. If you let either Grant or Martin know you’re with Mermaids then they will look after you to ensure a pleasurable stay. If you would rather stay top side of the ocean then why not take a boat tour around all the Islands, or if you would rather not get your feet wet at all then make your way to the Oceanographic Institute.

In my time in Nha Trang, I must admit that I mostly had drinks with the locals, and lazed on the beach. There are some cracking bars around the town, a lot of which do really good work for the community. Head down to Crazy Kims bar where a percentage of every drink you buy is donated to the Hands off the Kids campaign. From there you can also find out more information about Rainbow Divers.

I did spend a long afternoon visiting the local attractions on the back of a moped. If you can find a good taxi driver he will take you to the out of reach places with many good photo opportunities which is great for the folks back home, especially if you are travelling alone. Among some the places I went to that day were the Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Giant Buddha, and the Hon Chong Promontory. So, you can see just how easy it is to get around visiting different sights in one day.

With my schedule now beginning to get tighter I headed up to Hoi An. In my time I have done some pretty crippling road journeys, but let me tell you that absolutely nothing prepared me for the Vietnamese public bus service.

After my coach not turning up at five thirty in the morning due to the lack of customers that had booked onto it I decided to give the public service a go rather than wait around all day for the night coach. Do bear this in mind when booking onto early morning coaches, if you’re on a tight schedule then you’re probably better off planning the night buses into your trip.

So after twelve hours or so being the only Westerner (And, the biggest person!) on an extremely overcrowded wreck of a mini bus I arrived in Hoi An. I have to say that although it really was a complete nightmare of a journey I wouldn’t change it for the world as not only was the scenery out of this world (That is when my eyes weren’t closed tight thinking that me, and my fellow passengers were about to go for a very long dive straight over the edge of the road to the waters edge!) but, the experience on a whole is certainly one I will never forget.

Hoi An is also on the coast of Vietnam, and again the beaches are stunning. It’s so easy to lose a day or two there. Instead of just heading straight to the beach though it’s defiantly worthwhile spending a day about the town. The French influence there is amazing. I really enjoyed the walks around Hoi An, the town really is a beautiful place with every building very Châteaux like, and pretty. It really is like stepping back in time.

For those girls who will be staying in Thailand, and South East Asia for a while (And, are slightly larger than the average Asian lady!) then Hoi An is a must as you can get practically any item of clothing tailor made to measure at very high quality for next to nothing. There are girls here that are size eights and, are a triple XL in Thai sizes! So, if you pass through Vietnam and, plan to travel South East Asia for a while then stock up.

From Hoi An I went onto the last leg of my journey to the now capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. The capital is even more bustling than Ho Chi Minh City, and navigating your way around calls for a little more patience as too does crossing the roads. The trick here is to step out very slowly and, in plain sight so the motor-cyclists can clearly see you, and (hopefully!) pass around you. If you still feel a little anxious about crossing then get behind a local and, wait for them to go.

Accommodation in Hanoi can be very cheap dependant on the level of luxury you’re looking for. For budget prices expect to pay roughly similar prices as to the rest of Vietnam, but do look around as there are some very luxurious places at cheap rates also. I spent one night in a hotel called the Sunny which was very posh indeed! However, be prepared to be kicked out if they find someone willing to pay more for the room. You can haggle down the cost if you opt out of the free breakfast and, internet deals. Aim to stay around the Hoam Kiem lake area as this is where you will find the best restaurants, and bars. Head to the Little Hanoi for food, and then onto the Funky Monkey for great cocktails, and tunes! For those who crave a little more culture then you certainly won’t be disappointed by the Water Puppet Theatre. With two shows per evening at six, and eight why not role a night of culture and, debauchery into one.

As Hanoi is so busy I used motor-cycles to get around the city. Expect to pay roughly two to four thousand Vietnamese Dong for a short hop, haggle the price for journeys farther a field, and be very clear on the price as accents can confuse.

Hanoi has lots to offer for those that can stomach city life. If you start to feel slightly suffocated then book onto one of the excursions to Halong Bay to explore one of Vietnam’s natural wonders. The cost of these excursions can add up dependant on how many nights you stay for. For those who fancy their hand at some jungle trekking there are beginner, intermediate and, advanced trips available. Again, you chose how many nights away you would like to spend which makes it easy to plan into a budget.

If you would rather stay closer to home then check out the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which features beautiful art collections from over the ages, and, houses everyday items gathered from Vietnam, and its tribal people. Alternatively, head to the Women’s Museum which as its name suggests pays tribute to the female soldiers of Vietnam and also exhibits different everyday clothing worn by the women of different tribal groups. Both museums exhibits are clearly labeled in English, and French.

From Hanoi I flew back to Bangkok where my mini adventure came to a close (For the time being!). I managed to get my flight very cheap at forty pounds plus tax. Make sure you look around on the internet for the best deal, and be sure to book in advance to secure the best price.

So, where ever you decide to roam in South East Asia, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, I hope that my traveling tales have given you an insight into just how easily it can be done whether you do travel alone or not.

Many of you will find that you will have to have proof of an onward journey when entering Thailand so what better way than to begin your adventure than planning your next one! Happy traveling to all!

Sonja’s Top Ten Travel Tips

1/ Have a rough plan in mind of the route you want to take, time frame, and budget. Be sure to let several people know your itinerary, and when you move on from one place to the next.

2/ Buy your travel guides from book exchange shops outside of Thailand, and UK. It’s a lot cheaper this way.

3/ Travel light, clothes, and necessities are cheaper to buy as you go.

4/ Don’t carry your passport or credit/bank card unless absolutely necessary.

5/ Keep your bag/wallet secure at all time especially when on the back of motor-cycles or in tuk-tuks.

6/ Don’t carry valuables on you during coach journeys. Store them safely in your rucksack in the holds. If you fall asleep they have a tendency to go missing.

7/ Carry a basic first aid kit with you at all times, you never know when you may fall into a sewer, and need it.

8/ Check that you can use your credit/debit cards before you leave for your next destination as many places in South East Asia still don’t have ATMs".

9/ In the words of the wise Douglas Adams in Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy……”DON’T PANIC!” If something happens un-according to plan you are much more likely to get help if you remain calm.

10/ Smile! It goes a long way in this part of the world.

Like scuba diving where safety is paramount so too is safety when you are guest in someone else’s country. Where the peoples ways are unknown, and new to us be curious, but be safe. If you would like more information about a lone female travelers perspective of Cambodia, Vietnam or Thailand please feel free to email me on sonj999@hotmail.com