Have been out and had more work done on our bikes ... they are becoming the laugh of the town ... today got a rear vision mirror and a louder bell ... well it's not a bell ... its a horn that sounds like a frog being strangled .... but at least its louder that the "tring-tring" of the other bell.
Are staying on here for a while now ... NO go with anything other accomm ... it's either too expensive (for what they offer) or it's dodgy. We quite like our Fawlty Towers now ... and the people who own and work here are really good, and will do anything for us. Think Cheryl will be changing rooms though ... just paid for the first eight nights = $143 AUD .... accomm, brekky, 2.6 kg's laundry, 5 bottles small water, 1 large bottle wate, 5 cans coke and 2 coffee. So, thats not too bad at all ... cost of living, life in general soooooooo different here ... some things break your heart, some things very very funny.
Just got a text from Robyn (my boss) for dinner tonight - who was born in Bundaberg, but has been here on and off for 15 years ... much the same story as Christina Noble - she actually started here by volunteering with her in Ho Chi Minh back in the 1990's. My organisation is very established, Cheryl's is much smaller. I'm working Monday Wed - Thurs and Fri this week. Cheryl Tues, Thurs and Sat ... then on Sunday we're heading up to and further out than Da Nang to an orphanage with about 40 children for english lessons. Will have translator for the first visit, then it's just us. Culture over here ...if you only have one parent, you can be regarded as an Orphan .... Difficulties if you establish a "good organisation" is that parent / just drop their kids off and say they are orphans so that they can get a better life ... Complex systems ... most "street" children aren't ... too much to get my head around at the moment ... so just have to go with the flow .... OK time to go - nanna nap time again ....
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
garlic bread vietnam style
Ooopsie, forgot, the funniest thing ever.
Out last night ... Cheryl orders garlic bread ... it arrives 20 minutes later .... beautifully presented on serving dish :
Bread ..... dry .... cut on a beautiful bias ..... stacked 3/4 inch with with shaved / chopped / flaked GARLIC ..... JUST LIKE BRUSCHETTA .... everyone just sat there with mouth agape ... and NOT because they wanted some .... So, Cheryl tucked in, but had to spend quite amount of time scraping off the layers of garlic .... Not Good ..... but ......... when in Rome .... don't ask for foreign food!
that's it .... time to head upstairs ..... TTFN
Out last night ... Cheryl orders garlic bread ... it arrives 20 minutes later .... beautifully presented on serving dish :
Bread ..... dry .... cut on a beautiful bias ..... stacked 3/4 inch with with shaved / chopped / flaked GARLIC ..... JUST LIKE BRUSCHETTA .... everyone just sat there with mouth agape ... and NOT because they wanted some .... So, Cheryl tucked in, but had to spend quite amount of time scraping off the layers of garlic .... Not Good ..... but ......... when in Rome .... don't ask for foreign food!
that's it .... time to head upstairs ..... TTFN
can you get rabies from cat bites????
Big Mumma phone home - Cheryl attacked by cat .... hand red and swollen .... she's trying to lick her bum after going wee's .... and when she looks at me she's purring ... Help ... she no can talk now! I'm feeling so alone, and its all about ME ! ... Should she capitulate to the dreaded lurgy, will send home in box. Please send replacement.
Real sory is that she was at work today, and was trying to introduce a street kitten (yes, I know it was only supposed to be children) .... to an untrained immature rotweiller who has never met another species from the animal world. Didn't go so well I guess. She had it all wrapped up in a towell, so it could not scratch, but it found other means of attack .... Killer Fangs .... razor sharp, 1/4 inch long. So she took to standing at tap to bleed it out when Linda told her that she'd been attacked same way 12 hours prior, so I guess she has a bit longer left with us .... Hope she makes breakky tomorrow, or I will be lonely.
Attended to with all the anti-everything things that we packed ... and Headed out on the trusty bikes again. Cheryl, of course, it's AL:WAYS her!! ... gets down the road and her pedals, no pedal at all ... so we crash into the gutter ... feeling really safe now cause we have lights on our bikes. Little man from house/shop/business/dining room (it's all one here) came out and fixed for us .... so kind ... Back home, no-one would do that, they'd just drive by and say Ha - there's Cheryl on a broken down bike!
Over the bridge we went again, the rivers gone down a bit again now, but it's sooo brown, and have a most wonderful dinner, then pedal back again to our eclectic Fawlty Towers home. Out comes everyone to greet us, pack up our bikes, make sure we are OK, help to put the chains on the bikes, then I ask if someone would go to my room and fix hot water (I've been having cold showers allweek, but didn't know, cause its been so hot) ... and Cheryl's air-con ... for about the 88th time in the week.
Did find out some goss tonight though ... it will flood here, while we're here ... a few times, apparently .... we're about 1 k from the river, but the only hill there is around here is the bridge that goes over the river ... so ....... we gunna get wet!! ... When it floods, just like home, everything on the ground floor goes up .... and we're UP ... and it's already a bit crowded ... Oh something else ... was sitting on the verandah today and looked down the hall at the lights in the roof .... they just attach light to cables, and one lot of cables must have come through in the wrong spot, so they've just pulled more cable through the ceiling and tacked it up when it should have come through ... Electric cables drip in the rain! Things short out all the time, dear me what's it going to be like in a flood? Workcover would have a field day .... and this is a good place!
OH ... HAPPY FATHERS DAY TOMORROW TO BOTH OUR DAD'S .... see we didn't forget!! It's fathers day there now ... we're three hours behind. but won't distrub you in the middle of the night, you both need your beauty sleep. And you'll be pleased to know that neither of us have found a sugar daddy yet!! :o)
Been here a week now tomorrow ... the most amazing week, feel so alive again. No deadlines, no roadrage, no hurry .... no cares .... NO DIET .... just the opposite I think, for all the riding, we're eating so much!!
OK That's it ............. lover to all .... from both of us .... xx
PS we know people are looking, but no-ones talking back .... please say hi or something!! someone ........ sometime .... (just sooking now)
Real sory is that she was at work today, and was trying to introduce a street kitten (yes, I know it was only supposed to be children) .... to an untrained immature rotweiller who has never met another species from the animal world. Didn't go so well I guess. She had it all wrapped up in a towell, so it could not scratch, but it found other means of attack .... Killer Fangs .... razor sharp, 1/4 inch long. So she took to standing at tap to bleed it out when Linda told her that she'd been attacked same way 12 hours prior, so I guess she has a bit longer left with us .... Hope she makes breakky tomorrow, or I will be lonely.
Attended to with all the anti-everything things that we packed ... and Headed out on the trusty bikes again. Cheryl, of course, it's AL:WAYS her!! ... gets down the road and her pedals, no pedal at all ... so we crash into the gutter ... feeling really safe now cause we have lights on our bikes. Little man from house/shop/business/dining room (it's all one here) came out and fixed for us .... so kind ... Back home, no-one would do that, they'd just drive by and say Ha - there's Cheryl on a broken down bike!
Over the bridge we went again, the rivers gone down a bit again now, but it's sooo brown, and have a most wonderful dinner, then pedal back again to our eclectic Fawlty Towers home. Out comes everyone to greet us, pack up our bikes, make sure we are OK, help to put the chains on the bikes, then I ask if someone would go to my room and fix hot water (I've been having cold showers allweek, but didn't know, cause its been so hot) ... and Cheryl's air-con ... for about the 88th time in the week.
Did find out some goss tonight though ... it will flood here, while we're here ... a few times, apparently .... we're about 1 k from the river, but the only hill there is around here is the bridge that goes over the river ... so ....... we gunna get wet!! ... When it floods, just like home, everything on the ground floor goes up .... and we're UP ... and it's already a bit crowded ... Oh something else ... was sitting on the verandah today and looked down the hall at the lights in the roof .... they just attach light to cables, and one lot of cables must have come through in the wrong spot, so they've just pulled more cable through the ceiling and tacked it up when it should have come through ... Electric cables drip in the rain! Things short out all the time, dear me what's it going to be like in a flood? Workcover would have a field day .... and this is a good place!
OH ... HAPPY FATHERS DAY TOMORROW TO BOTH OUR DAD'S .... see we didn't forget!! It's fathers day there now ... we're three hours behind. but won't distrub you in the middle of the night, you both need your beauty sleep. And you'll be pleased to know that neither of us have found a sugar daddy yet!! :o)
Been here a week now tomorrow ... the most amazing week, feel so alive again. No deadlines, no roadrage, no hurry .... no cares .... NO DIET .... just the opposite I think, for all the riding, we're eating so much!!
OK That's it ............. lover to all .... from both of us .... xx
PS we know people are looking, but no-ones talking back .... please say hi or something!! someone ........ sometime .... (just sooking now)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
tis raining now .... big time
Just a short note tonight ... we're water logged ... went out to celebrate my first day at work .... rain storm ALL day .... trusty push bikes abandoned ... up to our knees in some places, and that's in the middle of the road ... tidal wave when motor bikes pass .... Great dinner at the Cargo Club ....
hmmm my first day at work ... they think I can do all the things that they've given me ??? i don't think so .... and especially not in Vietnamese .... am thinking that i'd have to be here for six months , yes Cheryl is just laughing beside me and commenting probably 6 years !! to get anything done. Things here just done move very fast at all. Oh ... my work hours ... 8 am - 6 pm ... lunch from 11.30 - 1.30 pm ... everyone eats, then the lights go off, shut the door, and they all curl up on the floor like cats and have a sleep. 1,.30 comes around ... all up and moving again. Big Mumma worked through lunch and came home early. If i had to sleep on the floor, I don't think i'd ever get up again. AND, besides they don't snore! BM has a habit of that, which would distress the gentle souls.
Cheryl will have a much better chance of making a difference ..... except her workplace is way out in the boonies ... and right now is probably well under water!
Tomorrow both have the day off, have to go back to town to get a boat! ...no, our new modest clothes ... Cheryl reckons she looks like granny may! .... But a nice granny may ... Once her hair dye fades, she's off for a purple rinse.
Ended up in the markets tonight with a personal shopper (could have choked her, missy missy) .. Cheryl ends up with this cinnamon thing cup thing ... thought that she had to fill it with hot water and drink it .... but no ... its just for smelling nice. But did get super-strength tele-tubbies and x-x- large umbrella's each .... got ripped off again .... paid $3 instead of $1.50, but at least we'll look pretty and nice as we float down the river. Thongs are excellent!
More about work later, when i get my head around the 10 projects i have been given.
Cheryls broken a rubber shoe, still waiting for our washing to come back - been 2 days now. Still waiting for Cheryl's parcels posted from Oz before we left. No mozzies tonight, the rain would knock them out. Couple opf dubious looking overweight, disgusting looking large males with a tiny little vietnamese girl on arm.......Yuk ... just wanna spit on them! Must be living in the seedy part of town .... and we were looking for something cheaper ... maybe NOT a good idea.
OK that's it ... need to break open the pantry suitcase and grab a coffee ..... NO ... had one for the day ... we're on rations! ... Won't ask for any care packages until something gets delivered here ... in tact .... 2 1/2 weeks since first one was posted. Hey Vicki - how long did it take our package to get back home ??? And any goss from home ??? that's it ... we tired, wet, need shower, bed and find an english speaking tv channel that's not the news ...
TTFN xx both of us .............. :o)
hmmm my first day at work ... they think I can do all the things that they've given me ??? i don't think so .... and especially not in Vietnamese .... am thinking that i'd have to be here for six months , yes Cheryl is just laughing beside me and commenting probably 6 years !! to get anything done. Things here just done move very fast at all. Oh ... my work hours ... 8 am - 6 pm ... lunch from 11.30 - 1.30 pm ... everyone eats, then the lights go off, shut the door, and they all curl up on the floor like cats and have a sleep. 1,.30 comes around ... all up and moving again. Big Mumma worked through lunch and came home early. If i had to sleep on the floor, I don't think i'd ever get up again. AND, besides they don't snore! BM has a habit of that, which would distress the gentle souls.
Cheryl will have a much better chance of making a difference ..... except her workplace is way out in the boonies ... and right now is probably well under water!
Tomorrow both have the day off, have to go back to town to get a boat! ...no, our new modest clothes ... Cheryl reckons she looks like granny may! .... But a nice granny may ... Once her hair dye fades, she's off for a purple rinse.
Ended up in the markets tonight with a personal shopper (could have choked her, missy missy) .. Cheryl ends up with this cinnamon thing cup thing ... thought that she had to fill it with hot water and drink it .... but no ... its just for smelling nice. But did get super-strength tele-tubbies and x-x- large umbrella's each .... got ripped off again .... paid $3 instead of $1.50, but at least we'll look pretty and nice as we float down the river. Thongs are excellent!
More about work later, when i get my head around the 10 projects i have been given.
Cheryls broken a rubber shoe, still waiting for our washing to come back - been 2 days now. Still waiting for Cheryl's parcels posted from Oz before we left. No mozzies tonight, the rain would knock them out. Couple opf dubious looking overweight, disgusting looking large males with a tiny little vietnamese girl on arm.......Yuk ... just wanna spit on them! Must be living in the seedy part of town .... and we were looking for something cheaper ... maybe NOT a good idea.
OK that's it ... need to break open the pantry suitcase and grab a coffee ..... NO ... had one for the day ... we're on rations! ... Won't ask for any care packages until something gets delivered here ... in tact .... 2 1/2 weeks since first one was posted. Hey Vicki - how long did it take our package to get back home ??? And any goss from home ??? that's it ... we tired, wet, need shower, bed and find an english speaking tv channel that's not the news ...
TTFN xx both of us .............. :o)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
pushbikes in the dark and in the rain
Well to celebrate Cheryl's first day at work, AND also Vietnam Unification Day, we went out for dinner ... on our new besties ... our pushbikes. Round and round we went, having a gay old time, finding soooooo many great photos to take, over a few bridges, and found a nice little restaurant. Decided to celebrate with our very first touch of alcohol and have a coctail ... Ancient Hoi An .. (nevr again) yukky!! ... and browsed through the extensive menu and found, guess what?.... Chicken - in Clay Pot .... Duck in Clay Pot ... and then FISH in Clay Pot .... turned the pages quickly ... me I stuck to a Hamburger ... meat was ummm tasty, strong, unlike any meat I've ever tasted, Cheryl stuck with a Tuna Salad, on wilting hot luttuce leaf, lettuce leaf, lettuce leaf (there was lots of lettuce) .. with sweet corn ... then the french fries ... or chippies ... salt comes in a little dish mixed with pepper, like it or not.... Then out come a couple of profiteroles .. yummy, so of course we asked for more (think they were freebies) ... and the free tea stuff .... NOT on the list to bring home .... then asked for the bill 165 000 dong - about $15 aussie ...
Absolutely the best day ever ... it was cool .... 10 degrees or more cooler than the last few days. We were cheering.. :o) First day no sweat like pigs.
Night's falling by this time, and we didn't see the rain clouds coming. So back to bikes (we really need to get some lights tomorrow) ... and down comes the rain ... out come the teletubbies ... takes 5 mins to find them in the SMALL back packs ... and another 10 mins to stretch them over heads complete with bike helmets ... so Saturated by then .... Thought we'd do the right thing and buy a candle lantern and float them down the river, cause everyone else was, so we did, didn't quite know what to do with them once we had them ... little lady pointed at a man in a boat ... Great I thought, I have to get in the boat now ... Cheryl's saying no way ... but wrong again ... idead was to just give him the candle and he would float it ... So he did, and then it rained more and then the candles went out. Great ... So back on bikes (must name them i think) .. we were off , Cheryl loses a thong in the middle of the road .. Toot toot .. laugh laugh ... ring ring on my NEW bell .. everyone pointing and laughing .. but no, we knew best down and round and round and across we went, and got ... LOST .. in the dark ... in the rain .. and came to a street sign .... Da Nang 27 k's .... Really knew we were lost then. Asked some boys on a corner ,, they had a giggle and pointed down the road, laughing louder ... but with not many options we just had to go that way, cursing them anyway. That helped!!
Thought if we went right, right, right we'd get back ... can't get map out ... dark, rain, no-one talks aussie anyway .... So back down then street we go ... looks really smooth when all the potholes are full of water ... no so smooth when ya hit em .. one after another after another ...
But finally find out way home, and the people here all come running out to us with towels, and umbrella's ... like we needed them at that stage .... !! nice thought though ... takes 5 mins to get wet telly tubbies OFF again ... standing like drowned rats.
Se we had a great old night ... so decided to blog it before we went upstairs. so down we sit, and what happens ... the staff (ever so helpful) ... turn the fans on FULL onto our backs ... 1/2 dry again now ... pneumonia tomorrow / swine ??? but .. they helpful! ... Would love to upload some of the piccies, but they still locked up in bag, in bag, ... hopefully not wet.
Ok. we've had enough laughing now ... I need beauty sleep before work tomorrow ... take a taxi ?? and pay $1.20 - 16 000 dong .... we thought he said 160 000 dong, and paid up the first time, and he nearly fell over! ... Honest man ... or take push bike ??? Will wait til the sun comes over the horizon to make decision. Cheryl has day exploring on her own ... to pick up clothes, find a plastic container for her 1 kg sugar, that took her two days to buy, and yes find lights for the bikes and reflector things too ... lord only knows where she'll find them. Cheryl scored some crack (ed) pepper today .......... what a great deal. Got some from Linda, who said that you can only get it in Da Nang - bit far on the bike!! And after two days, me bums sore already!
Oh yes, have opened a Tim Tams and Chicken Crimpies .... will need to ration. Can't take the Caramello Bears to the kids in the orphanage ... :o( ... because they can't afford the dentist bill. Bugger .... tell you what things are really really different here .... but we're loving every moment (when it's cool) ... Love to All ............... Cheryl and Lyn ........... Nightie night ......... xxxx
Absolutely the best day ever ... it was cool .... 10 degrees or more cooler than the last few days. We were cheering.. :o) First day no sweat like pigs.
Night's falling by this time, and we didn't see the rain clouds coming. So back to bikes (we really need to get some lights tomorrow) ... and down comes the rain ... out come the teletubbies ... takes 5 mins to find them in the SMALL back packs ... and another 10 mins to stretch them over heads complete with bike helmets ... so Saturated by then .... Thought we'd do the right thing and buy a candle lantern and float them down the river, cause everyone else was, so we did, didn't quite know what to do with them once we had them ... little lady pointed at a man in a boat ... Great I thought, I have to get in the boat now ... Cheryl's saying no way ... but wrong again ... idead was to just give him the candle and he would float it ... So he did, and then it rained more and then the candles went out. Great ... So back on bikes (must name them i think) .. we were off , Cheryl loses a thong in the middle of the road .. Toot toot .. laugh laugh ... ring ring on my NEW bell .. everyone pointing and laughing .. but no, we knew best down and round and round and across we went, and got ... LOST .. in the dark ... in the rain .. and came to a street sign .... Da Nang 27 k's .... Really knew we were lost then. Asked some boys on a corner ,, they had a giggle and pointed down the road, laughing louder ... but with not many options we just had to go that way, cursing them anyway. That helped!!
Thought if we went right, right, right we'd get back ... can't get map out ... dark, rain, no-one talks aussie anyway .... So back down then street we go ... looks really smooth when all the potholes are full of water ... no so smooth when ya hit em .. one after another after another ...
But finally find out way home, and the people here all come running out to us with towels, and umbrella's ... like we needed them at that stage .... !! nice thought though ... takes 5 mins to get wet telly tubbies OFF again ... standing like drowned rats.
Se we had a great old night ... so decided to blog it before we went upstairs. so down we sit, and what happens ... the staff (ever so helpful) ... turn the fans on FULL onto our backs ... 1/2 dry again now ... pneumonia tomorrow / swine ??? but .. they helpful! ... Would love to upload some of the piccies, but they still locked up in bag, in bag, ... hopefully not wet.
Ok. we've had enough laughing now ... I need beauty sleep before work tomorrow ... take a taxi ?? and pay $1.20 - 16 000 dong .... we thought he said 160 000 dong, and paid up the first time, and he nearly fell over! ... Honest man ... or take push bike ??? Will wait til the sun comes over the horizon to make decision. Cheryl has day exploring on her own ... to pick up clothes, find a plastic container for her 1 kg sugar, that took her two days to buy, and yes find lights for the bikes and reflector things too ... lord only knows where she'll find them. Cheryl scored some crack (ed) pepper today .......... what a great deal. Got some from Linda, who said that you can only get it in Da Nang - bit far on the bike!! And after two days, me bums sore already!
Oh yes, have opened a Tim Tams and Chicken Crimpies .... will need to ration. Can't take the Caramello Bears to the kids in the orphanage ... :o( ... because they can't afford the dentist bill. Bugger .... tell you what things are really really different here .... but we're loving every moment (when it's cool) ... Love to All ............... Cheryl and Lyn ........... Nightie night ......... xxxx
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
SETTLING IN ...
Well, it's September 1, and we're in the middle of a heatwave, no sign of the wet wet days we were expecting.
Have settled in to our hotel (we're booked in here for 14 nights) ... and the people are so friendly, can't do enough for us, and they have been doing heaps: fixing the air con. On our first night in we went out exploring, and went right instead of left (as you do) .... got a bit lost, saw a cow come tumbling to its death from the back of the truck in front of us ... Cheryl takes off like a rocket, I'm standing there dumbfounded, but eventually got the legs to just walk around it. 300 mtrs further down the road, we decided that YES, we were getting a bit lost, it was getting a bit dark, so turned back, only to find that the poor calf was still in the land of the living, upright and tethered to the fence (of what looked like a temple place). It was'nt looking the brightest little cow, but at least it survived, to look forward to becoming dinner for the family.
So out shopping we go the next day early, find our way into town properly. Turning left, we are in town in about 200 metres. Found an optometrist, ordered specs (so cheap), bought hats each, as we were starting to disolve again. We must look hot too - every time we stop, the shop people come running out with chairs and put the fans on for us, or stand in front of us and actually fan us. Checking the mirror, we l0ok miserable, wet head, white faces with perspiration streaming down. Not the most attractive visitors they have seen. Then it gots too hot to even walk, but we need water, so we grab a cyclo man each and they get on their phones and order large bottles of water for each of us (21 litres) for a couple of $'s each, and then get us back home. We're passing out by this stage. Have a nanna-nap to re-charge the batteries then head out again.
Down to the Cargo Club to meet up with my boss Robyn, where we spent a very pleasant few hours relaxing, guzzling tonic water and getting to know each other. Robyn is so easy to like and it's so comfortable in her company. She gave us tips on where to go for what etc, is organising new phone numbers for us ... organising new bikes for each of us, and since we have to wear modest and appropriate clothing to work, we went off to her recommended tailor this morning. 3 pairs long linen pants, 1 dress, and 4 sleeved tops, all measured up and will be ready Thursday morning - would have been ready tomorrow, but it's a public holiday - independence day tomorrow. And the cost for all those clothes was $130 AUD. Will be returning there to fill Sue's order of linen clothes .... :o) ... when i check out the quality of my finished garments.
Grabbed push bikes this morning and headed into town early - both nervous nellies. OK the left side of the road is the wrong side of the road, so we have to get used to peddling on the right side, which makes it right, but when we got to corners, we got confused and ended on the left again, which was wrong. Only 200 metres down the road, aussie helmet firmly attached to head, sunglasses fog up, moisturiser runs down face and into eyes, so I'm stuck, can't take hands of handlebars, cause we're wobbly enough, but can't see, eyes stinging and foggy glasses. So rammed gutter to stop (brakes weren't much good), mopped up and took off again. We made it, and by the end of the week, we'll be fine, but at the moment, we're really being careful. Must have looked even worse than yesterday at the shops (probably sweaty hat hair doesn't look attractive either) ... in addition to the chairs, fans, today we've each been given bottles of cold water at each stop. By tomorrow, maybe an offer of a meal ???
Out to dinner tonight with Robyn, Nadine and Linda - both our bosses, to organise start date etc. Will be so interesting, and I'm still nervous, but will be OK when we get there. OK time for a nanna to cool down before heading down the road to look at Robyns available flat above my work .... but we really need a pool to fall into .... but we'll wait and see ...
Hi and bye to all at home ... we're doing fine, we could be back in Oz, doing our normal every day things, but Noooooooo .... rather be here!
Have settled in to our hotel (we're booked in here for 14 nights) ... and the people are so friendly, can't do enough for us, and they have been doing heaps: fixing the air con. On our first night in we went out exploring, and went right instead of left (as you do) .... got a bit lost, saw a cow come tumbling to its death from the back of the truck in front of us ... Cheryl takes off like a rocket, I'm standing there dumbfounded, but eventually got the legs to just walk around it. 300 mtrs further down the road, we decided that YES, we were getting a bit lost, it was getting a bit dark, so turned back, only to find that the poor calf was still in the land of the living, upright and tethered to the fence (of what looked like a temple place). It was'nt looking the brightest little cow, but at least it survived, to look forward to becoming dinner for the family.
So out shopping we go the next day early, find our way into town properly. Turning left, we are in town in about 200 metres. Found an optometrist, ordered specs (so cheap), bought hats each, as we were starting to disolve again. We must look hot too - every time we stop, the shop people come running out with chairs and put the fans on for us, or stand in front of us and actually fan us. Checking the mirror, we l0ok miserable, wet head, white faces with perspiration streaming down. Not the most attractive visitors they have seen. Then it gots too hot to even walk, but we need water, so we grab a cyclo man each and they get on their phones and order large bottles of water for each of us (21 litres) for a couple of $'s each, and then get us back home. We're passing out by this stage. Have a nanna-nap to re-charge the batteries then head out again.
Down to the Cargo Club to meet up with my boss Robyn, where we spent a very pleasant few hours relaxing, guzzling tonic water and getting to know each other. Robyn is so easy to like and it's so comfortable in her company. She gave us tips on where to go for what etc, is organising new phone numbers for us ... organising new bikes for each of us, and since we have to wear modest and appropriate clothing to work, we went off to her recommended tailor this morning. 3 pairs long linen pants, 1 dress, and 4 sleeved tops, all measured up and will be ready Thursday morning - would have been ready tomorrow, but it's a public holiday - independence day tomorrow. And the cost for all those clothes was $130 AUD. Will be returning there to fill Sue's order of linen clothes .... :o) ... when i check out the quality of my finished garments.
Grabbed push bikes this morning and headed into town early - both nervous nellies. OK the left side of the road is the wrong side of the road, so we have to get used to peddling on the right side, which makes it right, but when we got to corners, we got confused and ended on the left again, which was wrong. Only 200 metres down the road, aussie helmet firmly attached to head, sunglasses fog up, moisturiser runs down face and into eyes, so I'm stuck, can't take hands of handlebars, cause we're wobbly enough, but can't see, eyes stinging and foggy glasses. So rammed gutter to stop (brakes weren't much good), mopped up and took off again. We made it, and by the end of the week, we'll be fine, but at the moment, we're really being careful. Must have looked even worse than yesterday at the shops (probably sweaty hat hair doesn't look attractive either) ... in addition to the chairs, fans, today we've each been given bottles of cold water at each stop. By tomorrow, maybe an offer of a meal ???
Out to dinner tonight with Robyn, Nadine and Linda - both our bosses, to organise start date etc. Will be so interesting, and I'm still nervous, but will be OK when we get there. OK time for a nanna to cool down before heading down the road to look at Robyns available flat above my work .... but we really need a pool to fall into .... but we'll wait and see ...
Hi and bye to all at home ... we're doing fine, we could be back in Oz, doing our normal every day things, but Noooooooo .... rather be here!
Monday, August 31, 2009
LEAVING OZ
Time to catch up now... it being Monday arvo. Since Friday night, I found Cheryl, was getting a little worried, but all was OK. Taking off from Coffs, she was sobbing like a baby ... REALLY !! I thought, how silly, as I wiped away my own tears. It's scary when it's finally THAT real. So, down to Sydney we get, grab ALL the luggage, and drag ourselves to the bus stop, onto the bus to International .... off-load bus, in we go, only to find out that Sydney - Ho Chi Minh is via Darwin (well we knew that) ... so the Sydney - Darwin leg is DOMESTIC.... obvious isn't it, when you know .... SOOOOOOOOO .... back outside, with luggage in tow (getting the hang of 10 bags now, between the two of us) ... wait for the bus to come back, and return to Domestic.
Through we go, well tried to anyway, but NO ... too much weight apparently. I tried to tell them that I, personally, had lost over 10 kgs in the past week, and did that count for any credits towards excess weight? NOOO ... hmmm don't think he even believed the weight loss bit anyway. So, over we go to pay (receipt in wallet, ready for next tax year!), and finally get boarding pass.
Now Jetstar is budget .... could you call it cattle??? .... off to Darwin we go, off the plane, (looks like it's a funny town/city up there, ut it needs some rain) ... Cheryl can get on the next flight, but I can't, I have to find my luggage and book again. Dear me ... Cheryl all good, until she discovers that she's lost her reading glasses and can't read a thing. So ... the plane is held up, search the airport for her glasses. NO.... can't find them, so off we go again, and finally get to Ho Chi Minh .... we land... Yeah ... but NO we have to wait a further 30 mins on the ground, they can't open the door, because someone forgot to put a chock under the front wheel of the plane!! ... Things happen slowly over here ... Finally out we get, and are chauffeur driven to the Continental Hotel to have an evening in a great old history ridden hotel. Great brekky again (do you remember Vicki and Sandra?? - was just as good again) ... Oh please tell Sandra that the rubber shoe/thongs afrom Big W ARE great ... THANK HER) ...
Flight up to Da Nang delayed by 4 hours .... so what do we do? Yep .. off to the Tax Dept Store again ... Cheryl NEEDED things .... Helo I'm saying ..... NOOOOOOOOOOO we are too heavy ... like 85 kgs of luggage is a bit much. Dis she listen? No... by the time we get to domestic we are now 95 kgs!! ...Their excess luggage is soooooo cheap! (compared to Oz) .. great scenery all the way to Da Nang ... grab all the luggage and out we go looking for our lift to Hoi An! No ... he not there , so we grab a cab and share with another young aussie girl (come with us we said). Leanne has been working for a month with HIV kids in Cambodia .... The stories she told ... sad ... but our INN was full for the night and she had to go elsewhere ... and we booked ourself in and are being treated with ??? ummmm amusement might be closer ... must go ... only computer on-line at the moment, people waiting, and I haven't been able to get my lap top linked in yet ... Might go and wake Cheryl to see if she can help me .... OK ...
next update are from last nights adventure with the unconscious cow, from falling off the back of a truck in front of us ... to our shopping expedition this morning for a hat and 2 x 21 litres of water .... so come back for the latest update ....
Did I mention that its warm ??? .... Sandra's kinda warm!! :o) .... dripping warm ... LV to ALL ... lyn / BM / Wilson / xxxx
Through we go, well tried to anyway, but NO ... too much weight apparently. I tried to tell them that I, personally, had lost over 10 kgs in the past week, and did that count for any credits towards excess weight? NOOO ... hmmm don't think he even believed the weight loss bit anyway. So, over we go to pay (receipt in wallet, ready for next tax year!), and finally get boarding pass.
Now Jetstar is budget .... could you call it cattle??? .... off to Darwin we go, off the plane, (looks like it's a funny town/city up there, ut it needs some rain) ... Cheryl can get on the next flight, but I can't, I have to find my luggage and book again. Dear me ... Cheryl all good, until she discovers that she's lost her reading glasses and can't read a thing. So ... the plane is held up, search the airport for her glasses. NO.... can't find them, so off we go again, and finally get to Ho Chi Minh .... we land... Yeah ... but NO we have to wait a further 30 mins on the ground, they can't open the door, because someone forgot to put a chock under the front wheel of the plane!! ... Things happen slowly over here ... Finally out we get, and are chauffeur driven to the Continental Hotel to have an evening in a great old history ridden hotel. Great brekky again (do you remember Vicki and Sandra?? - was just as good again) ... Oh please tell Sandra that the rubber shoe/thongs afrom Big W ARE great ... THANK HER) ...
Flight up to Da Nang delayed by 4 hours .... so what do we do? Yep .. off to the Tax Dept Store again ... Cheryl NEEDED things .... Helo I'm saying ..... NOOOOOOOOOOO we are too heavy ... like 85 kgs of luggage is a bit much. Dis she listen? No... by the time we get to domestic we are now 95 kgs!! ...Their excess luggage is soooooo cheap! (compared to Oz) .. great scenery all the way to Da Nang ... grab all the luggage and out we go looking for our lift to Hoi An! No ... he not there , so we grab a cab and share with another young aussie girl (come with us we said). Leanne has been working for a month with HIV kids in Cambodia .... The stories she told ... sad ... but our INN was full for the night and she had to go elsewhere ... and we booked ourself in and are being treated with ??? ummmm amusement might be closer ... must go ... only computer on-line at the moment, people waiting, and I haven't been able to get my lap top linked in yet ... Might go and wake Cheryl to see if she can help me .... OK ...
next update are from last nights adventure with the unconscious cow, from falling off the back of a truck in front of us ... to our shopping expedition this morning for a hat and 2 x 21 litres of water .... so come back for the latest update ....
Did I mention that its warm ??? .... Sandra's kinda warm!! :o) .... dripping warm ... LV to ALL ... lyn / BM / Wilson / xxxx
Friday, August 28, 2009
LAST SUPPER : LAMB CHOPS
Lamb chops, mashed potatoes and veges veges veges .... oh heaven ... tucked in with great gusto, with the knowledge that this type of meal is NOT going to be on the menu for the next three months .... fish in clay pot??? .... 3 months of it ??? may just go vego!!
Packed unpacked, repacked, divided into two suitcases, the poor silver bullet was not lift-able, so two suitcases it is, and having two, created more room for cheese twisties and the like! Yeah Yeah!
All preparations now made, hair and hair removal ALL doneone small problem: travel buddy seems to have gone AWOL. Hmmm ... WILSON where are you??? we're leaving when the sun comes up! ..
First night Continental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh - yeah, well we deserve ONE night in luxury before we head up the track to Da Nang, then back down to Hoi An.
With so many cards, wishes, phone calls and txt's, I didn't know that I had that many friends (who were so glad to get rid of me! heheheh) ... But really, thanks everyone for your donations, support, good wishes and encouragement. It's still a litle surreal, but by ths time tomorow night we'll just have landed in HCM, and reality will hit us (me??? ) in the face big time ... and the adventure will begin ....
Next message from over yonder .... BM ... (who is now going in search of you know who!) ...
Packed unpacked, repacked, divided into two suitcases, the poor silver bullet was not lift-able, so two suitcases it is, and having two, created more room for cheese twisties and the like! Yeah Yeah!
All preparations now made, hair and hair removal ALL doneone small problem: travel buddy seems to have gone AWOL. Hmmm ... WILSON where are you??? we're leaving when the sun comes up! ..
First night Continental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh - yeah, well we deserve ONE night in luxury before we head up the track to Da Nang, then back down to Hoi An.
With so many cards, wishes, phone calls and txt's, I didn't know that I had that many friends (who were so glad to get rid of me! heheheh) ... But really, thanks everyone for your donations, support, good wishes and encouragement. It's still a litle surreal, but by ths time tomorow night we'll just have landed in HCM, and reality will hit us (me??? ) in the face big time ... and the adventure will begin ....
Next message from over yonder .... BM ... (who is now going in search of you know who!) ...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
COUNTING DOWN AND GETTING NERVOUS
6 days til departure .... the trusty suitcase "the silver bullet" is struggling to close. It's moaning under the strain of the essentials; ie food hamper; which is not just for us, but for all the aussie ex-pats who we'll be working with. Wonder if we smile sweetly (me?? sweetly??) at the airport, if they wil feel inclined to NOT chare us for excess weight. Could always tell them that I;ve lostb10 kgs of body fat since we booked the tickets, so that should give me the same weight increase in luggage allowance. Don't think that's going to work. Cheryl can't even close her suitcase, and didn't get everything in! ...
The donations received from everyone are so appreciated .... we'll ensure that every cent goes to the kids who are sponsored. We'll have photos sent home for all to see WHO that are supporting.
This week will be meat, veges and salad EVERY night.... ttfn ... must cook!
The donations received from everyone are so appreciated .... we'll ensure that every cent goes to the kids who are sponsored. We'll have photos sent home for all to see WHO that are supporting.
This week will be meat, veges and salad EVERY night.... ttfn ... must cook!
Friday, August 7, 2009
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