Well as reliably as ever, im back blogging. Due to the time restraints of a year, this will be the penultimate blog on this, what can only be described as a blog that will go down in history. Scholars will write poems and sing songs of the literary genius that has constructed this overview of his volunteering year. Hopefully everyone has enjoying my slightly, shall we say different style of telling my story. This will cover the last 3 months, including two family visits and a trip to Vietnam.
Well last time i left you i was rather drugged up, unable to walk and had just passed out in an immigration que. Im sure you will be happy to know that i am good as new, no lasting damage done. Upon returning to school, we had a visit from everyone's favourite desk officer to prepare for. Yes, Chris was flying all the way to Malaysia to 'check up' on our progress. He wasn't fooling anyone, he comes for the food. His time at Pasir Tumboh was fairly standard, he arrived and ate some food. We taught some lesson, ate some food. He interviewed us, ate some food. The visit was finished with, of course, a violently competitive game of ping pong. No one remembers the score. His final present to us was a bag of Haribo and mini eggs. We decided not to mention that we had been to Tesco early that week, purchasing a wide selection of confectionery, including Haribo. He was most shocked as we devoured both bags within 15 minutes. "Most vols ration them for months" well we aren't most vols.
The next event in the calender was a visit from James family. Now this is what most people might call a normal family, unlike my lovely bunch. They arrived, decided it was hot and went straight for the air-con and cold drinks. Due to his granny being a bad-ass granny, they were staying in the luxurious 5 star Renaissance hotel in Kota Bharu for the price of a small Travelodge back home. James and myself took full advantage of the complementary nibbles. There visit was a mix of eating food and preparing to eat more food as they were of course pampered by the school. His sisters in particular were a subject of most interest. Many students were curious if i was married to both or just one of them. Well, im good but i think married in 3 days is maybe a little outside my abilities. It was great meeting James family and they seemed to enjoy there time in Malaysia.
Next, the big test was to come. My parents. The trip hit a 'small' initial snag. Dad decided "you know what would make this 10,000 miles trip around the world to seem my loving son even more enjoyable, a broken pelvis". Yes, he managed to fall off his, lets guess? Bike is correct. Unable to walk, 3 weeks before coming out. Thankfully, he put on his game face and played through the pain. He made it, just. It was great to see my two troublesome parents arrive in my small corner of the world after having been free for 8 months. I didn't actually take an official time on the nagging, but i think about 12 seconds rings a bell. As by my advice, my parents were also staying in the luxurious Renaissance hotel. This was mostly for my benefit, having enjoyed the complementary nibbles so much the first time around, it seemed criminal to pass up this opportunity. The trip followed a similar pattern of food food and more food. A MacDonald s was even squeezed, just to check it wasn't any different. We spent a day at the MARA debate competition at MSRM Pengkalan Chepa. This was a chance to experience another Malay school, formal Malay dress and an organised event. What did my parents, sat around and chatted to the other volunteers. It was school all over again, leave the room for 5 minutes and my mum steals my friends, brilliant. After this hectic week, monging out was needed. The Perhentian Islands, the perfect place to do nothing for 2 days. Now, i could have been to these beautiful islands at any time during the past 8 months, however they can be rather pricey. Que Bank of Dad to cover the bill, excellent. Reading, beer, snorkeling and of course, more food ended a fantastic week. We even saw a dragon, well a very large lizard i was convinced was a dragon. Finally it was down to KL and onto the flight. The last food experience was my parents trying Durian. Mum fained some interest, calling it "different'. Dad simply said it was the most bogging thing he had ever experienced. I agree. So it will be nearly 4 months till i see my crazy parents again, will have to fend for myself until then. Hopefully they will be just as generous when i return to the UK, fingers crossed.
So, all that was to do now was to prepare for the final holiday of this amazing year, there was really only one country to do. I was going to NAM. Mostly so i could finally say, YOU WEREN'T THERE MAN, YOU HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT I SAW!!!!!!!
Now to begin with Nam was the perfect opportunity to be reunited with my long lost brother. Liam is based on the Borneo side of Malaysia and we had known each other since we shared a house at selection, the beginning of our Project Trust experience. We had planned to travel together and enjoy the wonders of Vietnam. Unfortunately however he acquired an attachment, with hormones. I joke of course, his girlfriend Hope happened to be the girl i was 'escorting' during the Bali incident and due to that we had become incredibly close having only known each other a total of 6 days. This predicament, traveling with a couple did however lead to much ridicule and nicknames. Captain Third Wheel seemed to be the most favored.. Never the less we arrived in KL full of excitement.
After much teasing of Liam over the weekend, we departed for Vietnam. This was the usual short haul flight, however a hidden surprise was waiting in Hanoi. Unknown to myself, Liam had organised a personal taxi to the hostel, complete with man, name board and even black cap. Fare to say felt more like an ambassador than a backpackers at this point. This quickly changed on arrival at our hostel in downtown Hanoi. Lively,, bustling, full of slight burnt westerners. A proper travelers hostel. Our stay in Hanoi mostly involved lounging in the upstairs beanbags and getting lost in the maze of Hanoi. Even Bear Grylls and his squirrel tracking skills would have struggled in this place, everywhere was the same i swear. There must be 200 shops on every street with the word 'Noodle' in the name. Finally we stumbled upon the central park and lake, peace. Que attempt at arty photos on Liam's fancy camera, he kept complaining he wasn't in any of them however neither hope or I can take a photo. There goes my career for Vogue. The rest of Hanoi passed with lakes, coffee and unfortunately, grenades again. I did however put 8 on the board for Scotland, represent. Then it was time to split the group, due to a mixed interest in hitting up Hai Long Bay. I decided, it isn't going anywhere and it was rather expensive. The three of us felt the need to relax, so we traveled down the the rice farming town of Ninh Binh, located in the centre of Northern Vietnam. This is one of those hidden gems of the world, unknown by tourism. The views were entirely staggering, the most incredible i had experienced in Asia so for. We took a small boat through the rice paddy's, being rowed by a women. Now when i say rowing, she was using her feet. Couldn't work that one out, but she new what she was doing. The limestone caves, hilltop temples and general tranquility of the place was breath taking. I highly doubt i will ever have a more peaceful nights sleep.
So far Vietnam was fully living up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful but also rocking countries on the planet. Our next stop on the journey south was Hue, the old capital. WE rejoined the others coming from Hai Long bay and decided a beach day was in order. We rented the mopeds, put the helmets on and gunned it. Well we reached the beach fine, my navigational skills. There was a small obstacle, a hill. I thought 'I am a man, i know what to do". Stand back ladies, gave it full POWER. I unfortunately didn't notice the hole halfway up. There was a smash, swearing, screaming and I'm pretty sure Dale peed a little. I had broken the bike, no drive. Great. After pushing, yes pushing the bike down the road, i found a mechanic. No English. Eventually we discovered the problem. The chain had broken, into 8 pieces. Only i could manage this, the look on the mechanics face when it fell onto the floor was priceless. So a day at the beach was enjoyed, included amazing BBQ's, drink and sun. Amazing place to just relax, have some great banter with some incredible friends in a stunning part of the world. However then it was time to retrieve the bike. Upon arrival, i was told it would be double the original price. No way. I jumped on and drove off, leaving the original agreed sum. National pride of Britain, save money at every opportunity. The drive back however, in the dark, on Vietnamese roads, was not pleasant. After four near collisions, including one evasion maneuver we made it back to the hostel. Well most of us. In an attempt to constantly overtake me, Danny forgot he didn't know the way. Its far to say, when he finally turned up i felt karma had been sweetly served. That evening was rather eventful, ending with a rather mental girl getting a taxi from the front door of the hostel, to the hostel. She was promptly charged and kicked off at the driver. Hilarious.
So Hue done, we were more than halfway down the country. Next stop, the one i had been most looking forward to. Hoi An. Now for anyone who has seen the top gear special which by the way was all of my research for coming to this country, Hoi An is the very place the boys bought there fantastic suits. I couldn't wait. Arrived, slept, woke up, straight to the tailors. Three piece, full cashmere, black, purple lining. Class. Plus tailored shoes, belt and shirts. I felt incredible, i was ready to receive my Oscar. However, on the way back, something was spotted in a small corner shop. Dark maroon red, white trim. Smoking jacket. I couldn't resist, so for less than 200 pounds, i had the full works from head to toe, plus a smoking jacket. What more do you need it life. The next night, the hostel threw up what i will only describe as the current best moment of my life thus far. There i was, in my dorm, completely oblivious to the life changing moment about to occur. From the next door balcony i begun to hear the chorus of "I wanna dance with Somebody". Without even thinking a jumped up, ran to the window, our eyes met in the dim light of sunset and we both sang our hearts out with 'With somebody who loves you'. I feel myself and Imz will now be friends for life, it was ones of those perfect moments of human communication. So much feeling, love, passion and emotion in one moment, it was indescribable. However it was now time to head out, and of course myself and Imz spent the entire night telling everyone about our moment. Now, the hostel was rather quite this evening so myself and another guy decided to make some nightlife, so after raiding the local hostels and bar, we arrived at the river side with a group of 60. Now this certain establishment had a deal, buy 1 get one free. We promptly asked for 60. They had to bring out crates, on a trolley. What a photo, what an evening. there was however to be a slightly sour end to our time in Hoi An. Due to a dispute over money, my friend got into an argument with a local. The golden rule of traveling, don't mess with the locals. I decided to step in, send my friend home and that would be it. However once my friend departed, a large group of Vietnamese arrived, one of them swinging nun chucks. I was out of there rather quickly. The rest of the evening was spent poolside, simply admiring the stars.
Our travels at Vietnam were slowly coming to and end. After a Valium filled, uncomfortable bus ride with careered into Na Trang. Russian territory. Due to the now lack of funds, we decided the expensive water park was not our favorite. What to do instead. Of course, rent mopeds. We filled them up and drove, and drove, and drove. It was incredible, full throttle, Vietnamese coastline flying past. This was what backpacking was all about, being free. We discovered and abandoned holiday resort on the harbor front, overgrow and spooky. We watched the sunset from the balcony of an old house. Bliss. Driving back, we experienced again Vietnamese traffic at its worst, many ear misses. Don't worry mum, it was safe really. That evening was spent on the beach where someone we managed to walk into an exclusive Russian yacht club. Finally, a trip round Vietnam wouldn't be complete without a midnight skinny dip. However one of our group suddenly remembered he couldn't swim. Cal to the rescue. So after dragging this idiot back to shore, it was most definitely time for back. Just time for one last Vietnamese street sandwich, so much better than any Donner kebab.
The bus to Da Lat left at some ungodly hour, some we were pretty much vegetables when we collapsed in our hostel a few hours later. However this wasn't just any old hostel, this was the Da Lat family hostel. With Mama. Mama is possibly the most crazy, mental, bag of spanners i have ever met. She was however incredible, always singing, dancing and posing for selfies. This hostel as well, no single beds. Slept sixteen all in one giant bed, top and bottom. Plus a sign that simply said 'no single no bed". That was a strange night. We had karaoke, everyone sitting and eating on the floor and backpackers forced to wash the dishes. The next day was my last in Vietnam. Lets go out with a bang huh. Canyoning. A full day of running, jumping, sliding and general water fun. Plus abseiling waterfalls, sexy sliding and jumping 14 foot cliffs. Its fair to say, i was knackered.
The next day also began with a blur of packing, bacon rolls and a bus with dodgy air con, now almost expecting in NAM. On to Ho Chi Minh, the end of our journey and the start for the Americans. I had achieved in 2 weeks what the Americans could never do, travel the length of Vietnam. Ad watched 3 Vietnam war films on the way, best way to appreciate the culture. My night in Saigon involved a rooftop pool and shirtless snooker, where i was beaten by what i can only describe as a snooker god. Also a girl. Jumped on my plane, back in Malaysia this time with no immigration fainting fits. Prepared to take the bus home to Kelantan, oh wait. Delayed 7 hours, fun for me. Finally rolled home at 3 the next afternoon, brilliant, so it was time for bed.
Looking back, Vietnam was my favourite of all the countries i visited in Asia. It had everything you would expect from asia, incredible food, sun, sea, cheap booze, culture, history and finally amazing people. However it seemed to have something else, possibly it was the backpacker vibe that seemed so much stronger as I travelled down this giant snake of a nation. The atmosphere was full of the feeling that the people there were incredibly happy, content with themselves. Living life, not a care, taking everyday as it came. Take what you can, give nothing back.
6 weeks to go, then home to sunny Scotland. Vietnam however will always be in my memories, along with the memories i made there. What a country.
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