Though I had been warned strictly by three people that I should be careful with Manila pickpocket. it still happened. And how I was so anxious then the solved it well (I thought so).
How Manila pickpocket happened
My Manila pickpocket happened in a jeepney (not one in picture above)
Manila is a wonderful historical city, and I did enjoy it. But my times was so short and I had to fly to next country. It was my last day in the capital. And I started early to visit the Ocean park. It’s really nice there with a lot of wonderful things to explore.
When back to hostel, I took a jeepney as usual. I really loved this local transportation. But admittedly, three-day staying in Manila was impossible for me to get used to traveling around the city by jeepney.
That’s why I had to look out of the windows (actually, there’s no window in a jeepney, it’s completely open) to find out whether I reached the hostel. It was some seconds unattended. When I jumped out of the jeepney, I was still very hapy for an interesting day.
But when I saw the hostel sign board far away, and I touched my pant, then I realized something wrong. There must be my wallet inside but nothing. I was terrified, and turned back quickly, searching for any sign of my dropped property in hope. But it was hopeless, it’s not on road, so possibly, it must be in the jeepney.
That was so so much scary because I left my visa card in the wallet, along with reserved money for days later. The visa card is also my main payment method for most of online booking, even flights, and really an emergency resort in case I lost all cash, I still call my relatives at home to send money to my bank account, so that I can use visa card to withdraw. It was very chaos and frightening at that time.
How I dealed with the situation
However, as an experience traveler, you have to calm yourself and quickly seek out any possible solutions. My mind came up with an idea: I had to lock my visa card so that my money was protect from any unauthorized transactions. But it’s not easy, my friends.
The common way to lock a bank card is through calling to bank, but my phone didn’t roam (or actually, I didn’t know how to activate roaming manually). I asked the receptionist whether they could help me make a phone call to bank. They replied that they couldn’t make it and I should buy a VoIP card to call, but I didn’t have any peso left, how could I make it?
So I got to the lounge in hurry, in hope of someone’s help with international call. No one could help me, gruzz. Some guys showed their empathy. Poor me.
I couldn’t give up, I tried other solution, I surfed official bank website and searched for any articles mentioning “locking card”. Luckily, I found it finally.
It was in FAQ document, which helps customers to get used to internet banking. Yes, there’s a way to lock the card by logging in my account and following the guide. Phew! I did it. My money was protected after all. Then I could be eased for a while.
However, I still had to deal with 5 days left with tightest budget. Before the trip, I had exchanged vietnam dong into peso, brunei dollar and riggit. Having lost peso, but I still reserved some foreign cash, I had to manage to get back home in time with that a mount of money. It’s still very hopeful for me. Sometimes, hope is the only thing you got, keep it.
P/s: Truth to be told, I was quite upset, and disappointed in Pinoy after the trip. They are famous for drug, pickpockets and other crimes.
Why pickpockets happen in Manila
slums are popular in manila
Three days getting around Manila and Tagatay, I could understand a little the situation in Philippines.
I saw many people doing nothing, just living on sidewalk, days after days. Slums occupied the capital, armored vehicles rolling every corners while an 7-eleven guardian armed with guns, a sheriff bringing a shotgun on his back,.. like a Far West movie, but it’s real.
I thought the people didn’t have a choice between their dignity and poverty. I hoped the thief’s family was fed well with my money, If they did. That was ease to think so.
Trying to understanding and keep learning to become an experienced traveler to protect yourself is better than crying for what people have done to you, I think so.
Travel is to deal with some situations and keep happy on journey
My tips
So, to protect your properties from pickpockets in the capital of Philippines, I draw some tips below, hope them helpful:
1. Split your money through portions and hide them somewhere. In case you lost your wallet, you still have enough money to travel or able to contact the ambassador.
2. Always bring a emergency bank card (visa/ master/…) so that when you don’t have any cash left, your relatives can still support you oversea.
3. Keep your passport at safe place, and do not bring it along through crime reported areas. If it’s lost, you’re in big trouble.
4. Learn how to deal with case of losing bank cards/ passport/ important documents/… so you can quickly adapt to the situations and solve them well.
5. It’s advised to make friend with at least a local to ask for any help because the language barrier and custom procedures would be hell (in some cases).
Be aware of pickpockets in Manila but don’t forget to enjoy your journey, just keep alert a bit
Few people camping here and if you can be one of them, I can sure that the experience is really awesome.
Hon Giao is a famous pass. It slopes from Da Lat city downward to Nha Trang, gets by Bidoup – Nui Ba national forest. Considered one of the most beautiful and longest passes in central highland of Viet Nam, local travelers prefer “Omega”. It’s such a beautiful woman, abandoned and need you to have a talk to her at night – camping.
I don’t know why people name it with the final one in Greek letters. My friends suggest that because of its top-down shape similar to the letter. Another assumption is that it’s the longest pass in Viet Nam. This is the top-down google map:
My adventure – Hon Giao pass camping overnight
The first time I’ve been to here, as a part of the road trip which I made with my friend, starting from Nha Trang en route through Da Lat to HCMC. It was memorable. And from time to time, my mind still remains the picture of cloudy roads stick to the sharp slopes while facing a massive landscape of breath-taking moments.
This time, it’s second day in my trip with new friends and our itinerary was just to ride down the pass for a while, then we would be back for Da Lat night camping.
However, at the height of 1500, we caught a big wave of cloud coming us, suddenly made every visibility zero. It was so impressive that we quickly closed a deal: we would set up a camp fire right there and right at that night. That’s when the idea of Hon Giao pass camping started.
We went on down to the foot of the pass to refuel (one of bike was exhausted and there’s no gas station at the middle). We had 6 people while we brought along only one tent, the other was left in Da Lat for storage because our initial plan was some place around the town. So some of us had to head back to obtain it.
After the refuel, we went together back to the appointed camp site. Then, we decided to divide into 2 groups: 2 boys (including leader) would ride back to take the tent and buy more supplies so that we had a wonderful night with delicious food and beer. The other (me and 3 girls) would be in charge of setting up camp while waiting for them back.
It was adventurous, truly. You will soon realize that there’s no light around but a far far away beneath are lamp posts as tiny as fireflies. Sometimes trucks, cars contribute their light running on road as comets flashing in the night sky.
For the sky, at first, we didn’t see any sign of the stellar. But gradually, when cloud was away, left the whole clear sky. Then we realized how beautiful moments we were enjoying: somehow lonely, little under milky way. As if the night digested us and we were natural as a part of the landscape.
The night at the middle of Omega, you can pack up a handy speaker to entertain, while cooking your meal and singing along lyrics. You can also choose to lie on rocks, look up and watch the sky, try to figure out various constellations,… . Just make your night full and wait for the gorgeous sunrise.
It was our luck when there’s no fog or cloud in the morning next day, so we could happily enjoy the sunrise in the (quite) clear sky. Make some coffee and enjoy moments. It’s worthy.
Pieces of advises
Camping is great when the ground was even, and the surrounding was tall enough to play as wind-blockers. There’s no difficulty setting up tent if you’d like to make a Hon Giao pass camping. It’s cold so you should have a heat reflective layer underneath to make sure you won’t waste your warmth. It also makes your sleep more comfortable inside.
For your vehicles, we rode bikes, so we decided to ride down a bit. So that if any thefts happens then they are likely to make noise to get the bike on road, which alarms us. You can also hide your bikes in the tall grass, it’s easier.
It’s essential that you prepare camp fire for heat and cooking. My experience shows that you should bring along some timber to produce big flame, so that you can heat your body and clothes (if it’s wet).
Cooking is not easy for the first time of Hon Giao pass camping, but as I learnt from other advanced trekking travelers, we successfully enjoyed our full dinner with some tips.
You can grille bread and food cans directly on fire, just make sure you won’t let them burnt out. Make handy instant noodle and coffee is more complicating a bit. You have to make sure that the water level inside container (cup) is always higher than heat impact area. Because the temperature required to make water vaporize is lower than one to smelt container material (usually plastic), so you can cook perfectly, as long as it’s watered enough.
There’s a little stream nearby, running every times so there’s no need to worry about water when camping there. It’s likely to be drier a bit in hot season, but in my trip, its flow was strong and full. I think you can even use it as a natural bath, but take it cautiously because if you fall off, you’ll face 1500 height immediately.
There’s still a little 3G coverage there. I was exciting when I finished an article and submitted easily with internet, so you can live your cyber life and push social posts at camp site. Sound great!
My last piece of advises is that if trouble comes, there’s a forester station nearby. You just ride upward Da Lat few minutes, and ask for help. I’ve never use it, so I don’t know whether officers can communicate English. I think google translate can solve it, just remember to type short sentences and the opposite work out easily.
Another adventure I love is the trip to Vietnam easternmost point . Very natural, beautiful and challenging.
Omega pass is very near Dalat so if you plan to stay there, don’t forget to check this top food list, it’s very useful if you’d love to explore culture through eating (well, I love eating).
It’s over 6 months since I ‘met’ Phu Quoc island, I still remember ‘her’. The following bucket list is great moments I very enjoyed in the island. I love them all. And I wish them for you.
That was my first time on air to the beautiful island. I put my backpack down and looked up. In contrast to the very cool air flows touching skin inside the airport, the tropical sun then showed up her power. It was hot and dry outside.
I was new guy there, alone, and no idea what would be going on the following days. Indeed, I hadn’t had any plans or itinerary before the trip. All I got just a return ticket for 4 days, a contact, a backpack with sleeping bag and a few clothes, and a travel spirit.
But life is the way we can’t predict. It turned out I was not alone eventually, and my sleeping bag was even not in use, I’ve been to many places that I hadn’t expect to visit and my photos were not just me inside frame but my new friends, too. And I love those experience so much.
Around the island on motorbike
To enjoy full freedom there, you’ve got to rent a motorbike and ride around, even when you’re alone or surrounded by friends, motorbike rides always offer an exciting experience that you won’t regret: deeply explore the local culture through streets and local stores, get to remote region to sense peaceful moments, feelings of freedom every minutes away.
It’s very easy to rent a bike in Phu Quoc. At airport, the taxi-bike offer you a trip to town center or you can hire a bike, pay in advance and ride yourself. I chose the latter and it was the best choice I’ve ever made. By the way, riding a motorcycle should be in your bucket list in Vietnam generally.
Making friend: on road and in dorm
I initially was a lone backpacker and had no ideas how to make friends in strange places. But a event happened and I unpurposely have nights in a dorm. And it changed my experience completely.
The first one, a junior worker – same age as me – is the major factor leading me to dorm, which is a historical decision. (ok, it’s boast a bit). I took him a lift to his apartment. That was his last hard working day in the construction site. He tended to leave the next day but I successfully persuaded him to explore the island with me, because it was actually his first time there. So after long riding,
Most of people taking advantage of low price dorms are inter-to-advanced travellers. They’re full of experiences, information and passions of destinations, foods, cultures and so on. I met a man who has travelled for years – a real full-time wanderlust that made me thought of how easy and joyful a travel life is.
Another guy is a sort of photography lover, and we had beautiful moments together. After the trip, I had a collection of so many nice photos of me. He’s a kind man that teach me how to be a good boy. (laughter). And we’re planning to have our next trip at the end of the year. Hopefully I have another beautiful collection.
The last one is dorm host, older than me a bit, looks like a geek guy. He’s very useful and gives a lot of help. He’s fun and running some outdoor sport. And he can cook. I think one of the reason why I should turn back to Phu Quoc is to meet those interesting people as him.
Trekking in Duong Dong reservoir
Duong Dong forest is just 20-minute riding from town. It’s a quiet place, a reservoir for people living here. The pathway is rough and requires handling well or your face hits surface sometimes. It’s quite terrible but exciting when you finished it.
The trail is amazing. I saw big ants and their loud voice under my foot while I was walking through cracky leaves on the surface. Sometimes tree trunks and bushes blocks the route, you’ll need to use knife to chop off and open path. The air is fresh, love to breathe in.
After a long walking, there’s a stop. The landscape is amazingly silent and natural there. It’s a combination of rocks, water and green surroundings, and blue sky also. The local usually come to fish. I noticed many rods and fishing equipments underwater.
Having an ice-cream rolls in night market
Strolling around night market and you’ll see stalls sell ice-cream rolls. It’s admitted that there’s no significant difference between this one and the other kind of ice-cream, but the way they are created is awesome, so much skillful performance.
From preparing ingredient to mix, slash and then spread out to cut off into equal parts, finally make it roll and ready to enjoy. I bought one pax for 30.000 vnd just to shoot whole the process and it’s completely artful.
Admiring sunset at Ganh Dau
Ganh Dau is at the western point of Phu Quoc, and a great location to enjoy sunset. Far away from the land, there’s several isle playing as focal points for your picture of sunset. There’s a fishing village nearby, and at the end of the day, people riding around on their boat make it perfect for shots.
You can buy a couple of beers, lie lazily on the ancient coral reefs and watching sun goes down, paint the whole sky with its splendid red.
Having a seat on speed boat
Thrilling and exciting, speed boat drops you in adventurous moments. You soon perceive the water surface becoming as hard as rock and the boat just surf above it as a car on a rough way.
On boat, you see floating houses in which families are living, they also feed fish, crab and other seafood in cages underwater.
When you’re out of people living area, a sight of sea birds soon comes. They greets you with sounds and dances in the sky, or just get along your boat. It feels like a sailor.
Snorkel and isle exploration
On “hon Mong Tay” (Finger nail) – a tiny isle far away from the southern port, We had wonderful time exploring the marine creatures hidden beneath clear-as-crystal water.
Many many coral reefs with colorful, moving sense. Sun light penetrated through the water and put their track moving along coral, as a guiding sign for us. We touched, felt, experienced the smooth, living, flowing by our own hands. It was very impressive.
I’d never seen sea fish at close range, watching them moving around, some alone, some gathering into shoal and performing various fantastic transformation. It’s absolutely memorable.
After snorkel, you can even explore the local living in the biggest isle – Hon Thom and then having lunch full of sea food, coconut and cool beers in nearby isle which I even don’t know its name, just a stall, some people, hammocks and tropical sunlight make it sound. They are just minutes far away from one another.
Riding through the forest
There’s national forest in the north of Phu Quoc. Go north and ask for the route to Ganh Dau and experience an amazing trail: full of tropical trees with creeper plants hanging, dust in the wind, rough surface, monkeys welcome you too.
Sometimes the tree covers so thick that you have to go dark for a while, just some tiny sunlight getting through leaf dorm, landing on the path as shiny yellow topazes.
Just a few people travel through so it’s really a lonely moment, you can even listen to bird singing, monkey crying, voice of streams flowing when passing over bridges,… It’s a great idea for a road trip.
Walking on the bridge made of trunk tree
In the north, there’s not only a forest but also a unique bridge to explore. After reaching Thom beach, you should ask the local for Hon Mot (“one isle”). There’s a vestige reveal that it used to be a resort project then abandoned for long and finally ended up as a destination for off-the-beaten-track travelers. There are 2 special things there: the mangrove forest at a glance and a timber bridge over water.
Litte mangrove forest offers quite a still water, as a huge mirrors looking up the sky, great for shooting landscape while the bridge is a wonderful place for posing without wet feet. I think many bridal photography happens there.
Visiting an old fishing village
After a long day of exploration, what should we do? Relax and enjoy food at the end of the day. Ham Ninh fishing village is one of the best choice for this.
The seafood price is so reasonable, and you can buy seahorses (this was the first time I’ve seen them swimming lively) or processed starfishes. Traditional medicines, teas and herbs are also available there such as ganodermas, white seaweeds, …
That’s for souvenirs. For food, you can enjoy food which is as fresh as from-sea-to-table style. Sooo delicious!! Then you can take a seat in coffee shop and feel the breeze. Huhm, it’s great, right?
These travel tips originate from odds, especially in third-world countries, when you travel, and one of them is corruption. This is the travel story for my first time experience “travel bribe”. It happened in Cambodia, August, 2015.
My opinion is that these “bad guys” doesn’t represent all Cambodian people. For me, they are still hospitable, lovely and welcome after all. I tell these stories so that you know what occurring in the country and have plans to deal well with these weird experience and enjoy better moments instead of crying as a victim. No, we should learn to become a professional, experienced traveler after years, not amateur anymore, right?
You’re ready? Let’s go!
1. My first story – land border gate
It was at the check-in counter in the Vietnam-Cambodia land border gate. I had read information suggesting that tourists would be asked for money as if a fee though they have a free visa.
I still remember the man at the check-in counter, he’s quite black, bald a bit. When I approached him to receive my visa, he whispered somethings like “30.000 vnd” in Vietnamese, not loud but enough to grasp if you know a little the language or basic numbers.
I couldn’t understand why I gave him that amount of money without any hesitation or suspection. It might be my tense for the first time abroad or I was in a hurry, that I couldn’t deal well with what I was expected to do perfectly. That’s memorable and next time, there’s no excuses.
Travel tips #1: check your visa requirement before-hand and just give the officer right amount of fee, or you’re likely to lose it.
2. My second story – Angkor Wat
The other encounter was at the Angkor Wat. In the morning, we were riding bicycle to the site then stopped by a tourism police. He asked for tickets and we were confusing where to buy them.
The Angkor is a huge area including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. While the local is free to pass, the tourists are required to buy tickets. I thought that there would be booth tickets at every gates to the site. I was wrong. And the police confirmed me.
And then he pointed me the direction back to the ticket station on the Charles De Gaulle street. I didn’t grasp it, so I showed my smartphone with google map on and asked him where was the station in the map. He couldn’t make it. Then he suggested that (I thought) HE would take us back, and we had to leave our bicycles and got on his police motorbike.
It sounded great, a police officer offered you a free-ride to buy ticket to the beautiful world wonder – true good to be true. It was not a fairy tale.
He said that we had to pay 3 usd/ person (that totally paid 6 usd for both if we accepted and he would have a taxi bike ride together to the booth. Oh, it was so surprising that the officer were offering me a out-off-duty deal.
I believe that there’s no reason why people have to pay anything to traffic police officers but fine. So we gentlely denied, and turned our bicycle back to find the booth.
Do you believe that I heard the police bargained: “5 usd for 2,… 3 usd for 2,.. ok, 1 for 2….”. And I just “no, thanks” repeatedly. I hadn’t experience anything odd like that before, a police was doing his own business without any shame for what he was doing.
Travel tips #2: You can have police help, with a price. How much? Ask them ! *LOL*
3. My third story – next day in Angkor Wat
When we found the booth, It was noon, so we decided to buy ticket for the next day. And in the morning, we departed from our hostel, on a tuk tuk small tour with a young rider.
It was usually when we visited the Angkor Wat, but when we moved to other areas, we witnessed some polices stopping our tuk tuk. At not far distance, we used our camera to track what happening and it turned out that the rider was bribing the police with some money.
I had no idea how much but our tour was around 12 usd for a half-day ride, it’s not much to being taken. But it seemed that bribe has become a street custom in Cambodia that people do it fluently. It’s so sad.
Travel tips #3: if you tend to ride a motorbike in Cambodia, make sure you have right license or you will have big trouble on road.
Troubles make you experienced, so expect them, don’t be a victim
There are 4 kinds of people who will love Chiang Mai: natural-oriented minds, budget travelers, culture explorers and adventure challengers. The quick Chiang Mai travel guide below will explain in details.
Get in
The cheapest mean of transportation to Chiang Mai is ordinary train, there’s one at Bang Sue station, only 270 baht. Overnight train but very basic equipment so you’re expected to deal with noise, dust and back ache because they are all wooden seat. It’s cheap but very fatigue.
I’ve taken bus, which I thought it was quite more expensive than train at first (488 baht for a class I seat) but then I found that Bus was really worthy because you’re having comfortable seat, a small convenient meal, air-con whole trip with blanket and window offering landscape view.
The Chiang Mai is close to the city center, the budget airlines as Nok Air usually offer prices at 900 baht, plus 20-50 baht for a songthaew ride, it seem not bad choice for limited-time travelers while still considering budget transportation.
Get around
The old city (center area, square shape if you see its top-down map) is just 2 kilometer square, so it’s relaxing to explore it on foot.
Bicycle is the cheapest mean (if you don’t mind walking), just 50 baht/ day, most of hostels offer these. I rented one, no locker, support light equipped (but you should turn off when day riding because it drains more your stamina).
Motorbike is quite popular, but I read an information mentioning that in festival occasions, you sometimes probably get caught by police and fined for 500 baht if you don’t have helmet or IDP. I didn’t have much to waste 500 baht by chance, so no rental was done.
Songthaew is popular public transport, and I prefer it if time is not your enemy: 20 baht from bus station to old city gate park. If you rent whole ride, it’s 100 baht as songthaew run in taxi mode.
Bus is another good choice, but most of them look outdated. You should avoid them in the evening because of the heavy traffic jam, which you suffer exhausted fume, slow going and so much noise. The price is fix, depending on your travel distance. Ask the conductor to be clear, especially open bus.
Stay
Budget travelers will love the town because there are many budget-friendly dorms/ hostels in town. The lowest price I found was 3 usd/ night (requires at least 2 nights up), usually 5-7 usd/ night is good choice. I experienced 2 dorms – and they are really good compared to the price offer.
My first night I spent in Cham-cha hostel, dorm room with 6 beds for 5.5 usd/ bed. Check-in was quite slow. You will receive a key to open door to dorm area, so it senses secure.
The unregistered guests are even fined 300 baht if they get caught. It is generally clean and neat. Bathroom is awesome. Guest space was relaxing and cosy with bed right at front, you can lazily read book on shelf.
The second dorm I stayed in was Chiang Backpack house, for only 4 usd/ night. I extremely love their coffee space at front, very cosy and open. I ordered a cappuccino and very enjoy while working on writing there. However, the facility was not good, there was a leaking faucet in the bathroom.
My dorm room was not clean at all. The junior staffs were not speaking English, only senior ones (I counted for three). No book area to read but full of tourism brochures. Laundry costs 40 baht/ kg / 24h service and double for fast service. Bicycle rental costs 50 baht/ day as neighborhood standard.
Eat
Don’t forget cho check Food when you read a Chiang Mai travel guide, because food really cheap and truly local.
First, the option for tightest budget travelers (like me in the very last day in Chiang Mai) is instant noodle in 7-eleven shops. You should buy a canned noodle (just 10 baht) plus additional one (6 baht), pour hot water right inside and pay at cashier.
Along some roads in the center of old city, there are stalls selling food for labors, just 15-20 baht/ pax, and it’s as delicious as you have in restaurant with a lot of traditional Thai foods.
There’s no spoon/ fork available can be fixed with cans from instant noodle which you’ve already bought before.
The restaurants often price from 40-60 baht/ dish, mini buffet for 100 baht. Drinks are the same price, which you can easily access in the old city bars or vendors. There’s one more thing: sweet soup is just 7-20 baht and they really delicious.
Chiang Mai center market is also a ideal place if there’s a kitchen in your dorm. All ingredients are fresh, clean and colorful.
Things to do
Chiang Mai is the city of “Wat” (pagoda in Thai), so you are free to access and photograph as much as you can to most of pagoda in the City.
If you don’t have much time, rent a bicycle and cycling around old city, spend 10-20 minutes for each so it takes merely a morning to experience “Wat tour”.
Many Chiang Mai travel guides suggest traveler attending the famous Yi Peng – Loy Krathong festival, where you have chance to release big flying laterns into air with thousands of local people, watching the sky glowing beautifully in very sacred ambiance.
The first time visiting Chiang Mai, I missed it after all. So to avoid any nonsense reasons preventing you from taking part in full course of festival, do some research before backpacking to Chiang Mai.
If you love adventurous sense then Doi Inthanon – the highest spot of Thailand– is a great choice. There are many gorgeous waterfalls, adventurous trails and a peak to challenge. The temperature is quite hot but when you get higher, be aware that it’s getting cold quickly, especially in raining case, so taking along some warm clothes is better.
Doi Suthep is another choice, but it doesn’t brand the highest spot and just another pagoda complex which is very popular in Chiang Mai. That’s why Inthanon was chosen.
Many Chiang Mai travel guide lure travelers as Thailand is Elephant country so people make it become a must-do experience while plentiful activists warn us not to put the elephant shows in our checklist due to the animal protection. Indeed, I prefer see wild elephants South Africa safari then.
And don’t forget to visit various night markets in Chiang Mai, you will be full of surprise for what you see.
I didn’t plan for this, it came to me by chance. Doi Inthanon tour wasn’t in my head firstly, but the phrase “the highest spot in Thailand” really lured me when I was searching for anything matters around Chiang Mai. And It turned out the right choice.
Why Doi Inthanon?
Waking on bus seat, a beautiful morning outside the window. Green vegetation, white clouds, a blur on the window, it was such a highland sign. I visited Chiang Mai by chances. A Chinese girl told me that would be festival in town instead of cancellation because of the King’s death as I’d known before.
Not well-equipped information, so I opened some website to research, hopefully found something interest. There are usually 3 main things to do in Chiang Mai: visit Wats (pagoda), join adventurous tours and meet elephants.
Doi Inthanon seemed the best choice. The idea of check-in the highest peak in Thailand really made my eyes open wide and my adventurous blood running fast. I found a map which showed points of interests: Waterfalls, Caves, Bird-watching, trekking trails and for the top of it: Doi Inthanon summit.
But Doi Inthanon tour was not a budget choice as I consulted more on cost: transportation in long distance, with a songthaew ride, thousands baht for a day trip, hopefully to meet a group to share or get over it and stay in Chiang Mai. So many things I hadn’t done before in a strange place (That was my FIRST TIME to Thailand and FIRST TIME to Chiang Mai). My comfort zone suggested staying at Chiang Mai only, but my adventurous heart encouraged me to challenge the highest spot of Thailand.
After a long negotiation between heart and mind, finally, I decided to take risk.
I persuaded myself “Life is too short not to do something matters right? And this experience would not be a deadly trip, maybe I get lost, but it is not a big problem when we have smartphone with googlemap installed,… C’mon. I’m traveling, let’s do something memorable. OK?”
So right after putting first steps in Chiang Mai bus station, I asked for songthaew to Doi Inthanon. There were many songthaews in the bus station, most of them are in red. A driver approached me and asked for 2000 baht for a full-day Doi Inthanon tour. After some bargain, the fixed price was around 1500 baht.
It was not a bad deal because the mountain is quite far from the city center. But I preferred a share ride. Poor me that all travelers I met simply chose to get songthaew to the city center instead of countryside. It seemed a dead end at that time.
I told myself: there would be another way, hopefully got a better one. I wandered around for a while, then the driver faced me again, and showed the city map which his finger pointed at the old city gate – “station, songthaew, to Chom Thong”.
I knew what he meant: Chom Thong is where Doi Inthanon locates. Reaching the town and I could transit to the peak.
“How much”
“40 baht”
“20 baht?”
“Ok!”
“Ok”, just go with it. “Chiang Mai is very cheap” said my guru. And I had to figure it out myself. Solo travel is somehow scary at that moment. You would feel not sure for anything, and have to trust that everything would be okay after all.
The red songthaew took me to somewhere near a market, and guided me to take an yellow one. I waved a songthaew and a friendly face asking where I would like to go. “Doi Inthanoi” “How much” – and my hand dancing to describe I was asking for the price.
The man was not speaking. Instead, he showed me two 20-baht, which means my trip would cost 40 baht.
I remembered my friend’d suggested it was just 40-50 baht to Doi Inthanon, so I firmly knew the price was good and no need to bargain with a non-English-speaking driver, which quite tough and time-consuming. I jumped to the back and joined the passengers. There was a foreign traveler couple, I asked them whether that was the right songthaew to Doi Inthanon. You know, all they wished me just “hopefully you get the right car”. Yes, hope was only mean I had.
After minutes, the songthaew was far enough so I could see how Thai countryside was. It’s nearly the same as ones in neighborhood nations like Cambodia, Vietnam. Dusty, green, quiet, sometimes interrupted with noisy local markets. The songthaew played as a open bus with hop-on-hop-off passengers. It’s quite interesting to meet many sorts of people.
I tried hard to establish a conversation with the local but it seemed that few Thai on the car could speak English. If any, very limit words. So you shoulld write down your destinations (better in Thai) and show them. Yes/ No answers are almost what they can help you.
Eventually, I got to Chom Thong. The driver kindly put me right at the bus station, so that I could easily get on another songthaew to Doi Inthanoi. It was 12:00 PM and It was dry and hot extremely but not really bad weather for a exploration day.
My initial plan of Doi Inthanon tour was to camp a night and wait for the next morning to experience trekking through adventurous trails, check in the summit also because Doi Inthanon is a real complex requiring a full day to get around. I’d just visited Dalat 3 weeks before and love to check whether they had any difference, Vietnam highland and Thai one.
Steps on Chom Thong center, my next mission was to get another songthaew to Doi Inthanon. After minutes, I found a yellow one nearby, which there were 3 people inside. They confirmed me that was to Doi Inthanon peak. Phewww!
The new friends were from Bangkok, and they rent a half-day Doi Inthanon tour, and waiting for other people to share ride. After a while, the driver approached to discuss whether we could share the ride and started the tour. Some bargain was made.
Finally they three agreed to pay 1500 baht in total for three stops at waterfall, twin pagodas and summit. I paid 200 baht as an extra seat because I planned to stop at camping site, which was just a quarter of journey.
First time fare invasion
The hosts of Doi Inthanon tour were among Thai: Nok, Boom and Bird. Their english was limit but we happily trying to communication with all hearts, hands and imagination. That’s was the most lovely ride in my first trip to Thailand after all.
The funniest thing of the journey was fare invasion. As usually, the foreign would be charged 200 baht/ adult, but Thai was only 50 baht. So the driver and three Thai friends decided to keep me as a local! I had to keep silent in any circumstance not to reveal my true identity (Asian is really a strength here for budget experience).
Nok went out. After few minutes, she came back with four tickets, cost totally 200 baht. The feeling when you’re hacking something was cool.
Wachirathan waterfall
The first destination was Wachirathan waterfall. The road was rough sometime, with V-shape turns forced the driver to slow down and carefully handle the wheels. I loved the kind of road, reminding me memories of my road trips around Dalat, touch-and-go driving feeling.
We stopped at the parking lot and walking via stairs to reach the waterfall. For the ambience: very moisture, green grass plantation with rocky stepping stairs. It’s really cool! When you get close to the waterfall, make sure your electric devices are waterproofed or you’ll be sorry for the malfunction.
We didn’t stay for long, because there’s nothing much to explore, just take some check-in photos and call the driver, head toward the next one: Doi Inthanon summit.
Doi Inthanon summit
There is a radar station there that you can see at a distance. Went deeper through rock stairs, we encountered the Memorial Shrine of King Inthanon, featuring a rock column at the center, accompanied by two elephants. All in moss and decorated wreath.
There were also incenses and neat-wrapped flowers available so that you can worship if you’d like.
A grave stone elected nearby shows you a piece history of the shrine: It was on an excursion to the peak of Doi Inthanon, a royal consort ordered to establish the shrine to deposit her father’s ashes, King Inthanon, the 7th ruling prince of Chiang Mai.
There is another rocky board to the left but the letter are completely in Thai, which I had no idea what it meant.
Head to a wooden trail, you will discover another shrine. The moss wooden path was really stunning, well-preserved and surrounded by big trees and thousands of shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses.
Really green and cool so just slowly walk and enjoy the atmosphere! At the end of the path, there is a big temperature banner, but I don’t think it’s updated continuously.
Twin pagoda
The final visit was to Twin pagoda. It was impressive, colorful, well-designed with King’s pagoda in brown and Queen’s one in Purple.
There are many beautiful flowers, which make it look like a park than a religious site. A truly must-visit location for a Doi Inthanon tour.
Getting close-up and you’ll see walls which features reliefs depicting story of the pagoda. From there, a majestic scenery lures your sense.
A combination of floating big clouds sometimes hiding the surroundings, a nearly top-down view of plantations below and human works.
Each pagoda is accompanied by a distinctive garden. I really loved every moments there, like you get lost in a paradise.
The only shortage which prevents you from fully enjoyment is dozens of tourists around with noise and no really clear shots are likely to be made. But we should happily share our space with the other because it is a tourism attraction.
When you get tired, just leave the pagodas for cafeteria at the gate, it offers delicious roasted pork, sweeter a bit than usually, for my own judgement.
The toilet is amazing too. I was impressed that Thai use the local lemon to de-odour, which I appreciate as it is very natural and creative. The lemon smells very good compared to any artificial deodorants.
On the way back to the Chom Thong town, we passed stores which are well-displayed with so many various specialities that you will love to spend some money to purchase. I think you should do it. They are very fresh, unique taste and beautiful. Many ones pick some as gifts for friends.
We bought a roasted sweet potato and very enjoyed splitting it, smelling and tasting every bit. A hot food is perfect for cool ambience like Doi Inthanon usually offers.
After getting the ride, I felt like it was enough for me for Doi Inthanon travel experience, that I started to miss Chiang Mai and wonder how it was instead of setting a camp. I revealed my thought with Thai friends and saw them confusing. Maybe they wonder why I changed my mind so quickly.
I couldn’t answer the question at that time, but now, sitting in a cosy coffee and write these words, I think that I’ve experienced many highland camping in Vietnam before flying to Thailand, so I REALLY didn’t want it anymore.
This is Nok – my Thai friend on the tour
P/s: Many thanks to my new friends: Nok, Boom and Bird. I owe them alot for my Doi Inthanon tour experience. They are the most funny and kind people that really made up my first time travel to Thailand. This post is for them!
How to get in and around Hua Hin? What to eat and Where to go… My travel guide to Hua Hin will find out the best experience!
My friend, who usually visits Thailand as a hardcore-budget traveler, suggested me join his journey to Hua Hin, as he introduced “Thai King’s resort”. I and (maybe) many ones, have never considered the town as a must-go destination among Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi,… But my experience proves that you’ll hardly find anything new in old places.
Get in
He recommended me experience Thai train, which he said “very cheap”. Cheap is not always a comfortable option, you have to keep the mindset if you think budget travel is your choice. However, “cheap” option is likely the way ordinary people do, so you’re expected to live a very local life. For me, it’s worthy.
After landing, we headed for Don Muang train station, just few steps from Airport and you can easily access via skywalk. To get to Hua Hin, we would transit in Bang Sue station instead of Hua Lam Phong to save 30 minutes. Ticket to Hua Hin surprised me, just 44 baht, for 200-kilometer distance in 4 hours. Very cheap!
My friend pointed me to the ticket booth, and revealed a more incredible information: it was free to Thai. The key to receive the previlige is to behave or talk in Thai style, so that the officer think you are Thai and sell you Thai ticket. So it’s a advantage if you are Asian, especially look like a Thai. You can check Thai railway website for more details, notice that Ordinary train/third class is likely to be free for Thais.
Budget tip #1: Train is cheap, Thais are even free, only for third class of ordinary option.
Get around
Hua Hin is just 40 km in length to explore, so riding a bike is the best option to explore the town from north to south. The cheapest vehicle is old scooters, which are very popular used by foreigners, cost 150-200 baht/ day.
So if you’d love to ride in Hua Hin, as well as anywhere in Thailand, consider owning a IDP (license) and helmet to minimize the risk.
Budget tip #2: not riding means not taking risk of being fined and traffic accidents, so you can save money and maybe your life, as well.
Accomodation
So you have checked hostel/ dorm in booking, agoda, traveloka,… and find most of the price ranges 300-400 baht. Don’t be fool, just take a walk around backpack town, especially Nares Damry Alley, to see the real room price. Much cheaper than internet booking, just 100-200 baht/day.
I suppose the websites are likely to hide the cheap option, so when you walk and choose a certain hostel in town, check if it’s available booking through above website, which sometimes can save a bit more money via promotion program.
My experience in a hotel offering dorm room option in Hua Hin: Traveloka platform run a deep promotion, but when I searched in the app, it didn’t show anything cheap. Just when I found a cheap dorm in Agoda, then I typed directly in Traveloka search box, then the hotel showed up.
There’s no fan dorm room left, so I had to unpurposely book the air-con option, which was more expensive. I thought that the room was likely to be full occupied when I check-in.
I was wrong, I was the only one in the room. In fan room, my friend was also a sole dreamer that night. So in my opinion, hardly is there not available rooms in Hua Hin, get in the town and find a true bargain yourself.
Budget tip# 3: consult online booking, but prefer traditional booking to save even more money.
Eat
I love Hua Hin because it offers very reasonable price range and food tastes very good and cook by unique recipes. In the morning, I ate in a local food stall at hua hin 74 (หัวหิน 74) which only costs you 30 baht, full of energy and local smells.
Some street foods are even more cheap and very delicious. I really enjoy a food that I cannot name it, it includes some crispy pieces, sliced steamed rice rolls, sweet soya sauce and decorated by scallions and coriander. Just around 10 baht. I love it.
My another love is roasted marinated fish. The flesh was soft, fresh and sweet, well-roasted so it completely smelled good. Just 35 baht for a fish. I and my friend, we had it mostly, except for bones.
All the ingredients, spices, skin, marinating herbs, flesh,.. can be eaten all. I’m quite sure this is a must-eat food in Hua Hin. There are also some roasted dishes in vendor cart: chicken, pork, cake,… buy one by one to enjoy all because they are all cheap. I think they just costs you 70-100 baht in total.
You can find the couple vendor I met, who usually wander around the backpack street. This is how they look like.
Another choice to find cheap food is school neighborhood. There’s a very insight that ordinary pupils are not rich, so the food serving them is possibly reasonable and in some case, very colorful.
Drinks are from 10 baht, foods are from 20 baht. I love wandering and enjoy view when the class dismiss and kids get out of their school and crowd at vendors, yelling for their food or drink in very childish manner.
There’s indeed a food court near backpack street, it looks like picture below, but the price is really for tourists but locals. And as usual, beach is the rip-off heaven. But lying in a beach chair and have a coconut in sunset view. Admittedly, it’s worth spending some money for a tropical experience.
There is a HUGE night market in Hua Hin and it’s very easy to locate in Hua Hin 72 street, not far from clock tower. Various foods are displayed, price is not deeply cheap as other local food store but it’s not really expensive compared to other destinations in Thailand.
You should notice that food is quite salty and spicy and will be likely to make your stomach cry for help and your asshole be in hell. Be ready!
Budget tip #4: school, street vendors are budget-heaven while beach and backpacker town are likely to be rip-off hell. Night market is a good place to spend some money.
Things to do
There’s a photography spot in Hua Hin 61 alley – Phetkasem road intersection, where hundres of starling perching on electric wires, making it look like a note sheet when you look up. They cry aloud so it’s quite annoying when you get close.
Hua Hin beach is also a great place to swim and sunbathe. Clear water, nice sand and coconuts decorating along beach. My friend said that it is as beautiful as Pattaya but living cost is much more cheaper.
There are some amusement parks nearby in Cha-am, I visited Santorini park, Swiss Sheep farm, Venezia,… built up to serve the people who wish to be in Europe once. The structures are duplicates of Europe ones.
On top of that, I love PlearnWan market and recommend it for the successfully vintage style. Venezia is most expensive, Swiss Sheep farm is more reasonable while Santorini is just 150 baht for foreigners and PlearnWan offers you free entrance.
Budget tip #5: Europe parks are most suitable for ones who love artificial Europe scenery, If you’d like to get there or Europe-born, consider ignoring them.
Best Places to Visit
Hua Hin is listed as one of the most all-time favorite destinations in Thailand by both locals and travelers. Exotic beaches, ancient temples, impressive palaces, numerous shopping areas make Hua Hin become more lured and worth trying to visit once. Therefore, with Hua Hin attraction guide right below, you will know best places to drop by when coming to Hua Hin for the first time.
King Mansion (Maruekhathaiyawan palace)
This palace is also called “the palace of hope and love”, first built by King Rama VI in 1923. It wows all travelers coming to this spot with such gorgeous buildings painted in yellow and white. There’s a long and straight corridor stretching to the beach where you can take some beautiful photos. The Maruekhathaiyawan is located between Hua Hin and Cha Arm for your information. According to Hua Hin attraction guide, this spot deserses a visit right when coming to Hua Hin because you will learn a lot about the history as well as the unique beauty of the palace.
Hua Hin Railway Station
Hua Hin railway station was also constructed in Rama VI majesty but it lies quite far from the heart of the city. The most outstanding feature of this railway station is its designs and decoration which give off feelings of Victoria majesty and Thai architectural styles. Though being colorful, vibrant, this place still remains some ancient, solemn factors inside. That makes it not only more mysterious to discover but also one of the most favorite destinations highly appreciated by a lot of travelers.
Hua Hin night market
Hua Hin night market is a must-go destination in the list of Hua Hin attraction guide. Lying in the center of Hua Hin, this night market draws a great number of travelers to it everyday. From 6 pm onwards, the market suddenly turns alive with lights, stalls and flocks of people. By walking around for a while, you can find a variety of goods sold such as crafts, handmade items, delicious Thai food,… Other than that, Hua Hin night market also owns so many restaurants that serve best seafood dishes you’ve ever tried. If you’re in Hua Hin, don’t forget to give this night market a try!
Plearnwan shopping village
This is also another spot for those wanting to buy some stuffs and taste Thai dishes. It’s just been built recently with special architecture and decoration bringing images of ancient Hua Hin villages. If you are in Hua Hin. Furthermore, Plearnwan village also has many game booths, a ferris wheel, an outdoor cinema… to help all travelers feel more entertained. That’s why Plearnwan village’s very preferred in this Hua Hin attraction guide.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
It takes about 40-45 minutes driving from Hua Hin to one of the most magnificant and mysterious caves in Thailand. This cave belongs to Khao Sam Roi Yot national park and quickly becomes a favorite destination to many travelers from all around the world.
The cave is really huge and owns a lot of amazing stalactites. It receives light from a big hole up above and that makes this cave give a vibe of hidden charming paradise and bring you a lot of excitement when seeing this scene.
Hua Hin Hills vineyard
No one should leave Hua Hin without visiting this interesting tourism spot. It’s located to the west of Hua Hin, approximately 35km driving. On the way to this place, travelers are taken aback with such idyllic and vibrant countryside landscapes.
Here in this vineyard grows many kinds of best quality grapes. These grapes are usually grown and used to provide for some wine labels as Siam winery, Monsoon Valley… So don’t forget to take this Hua Hin attraction guide and drop by Hua Hin Hills vineyard when staying here.
Santorini park
For a change of air, you can pay a visit to Santorini park where can bring you to a paradise of stone-paved road, domed towers, colorful windows, white constructions… reflecting exact the images of Greek island with the same name.
In this area, you can also find out many restaurants, shops, stalls, amusement park… to spend your whole day relaxing and entertaining. From here, travelers are given wonderful cliff-top sights of the beachfront and the sea that make this park worth a visit right away.
Hua Hin floating market
According to Hua Hin attraction guide, it’s a big mistake if lacking one of the most popular destinations like Hua Hin floating market. On the man-made banks of river, you can see a lot of shops displaying all kinds of goods. These shops owns an attractive retro-style design that brings you back to Hua Hin’s old days.
One special thing of this market is you can buy some unique handmade souvenirs that you can’t see them elsewhere. If you feel interested, you can take paddle or Thai boats to discover many other corners of this floating market. To visit this market, you should head to the south of Hua Hin on the way to Khao Takieb.
If you are looking for a Con Dao hostel in budget style, I recommend Uyen’s house for its very relaxing and romantic experience.
As the only one hostel in the island, I loved its wooden style at the first sight. There’s a mid-size signboard “Uyen’s house – Bed & Room” at front with some bird-house-like props on.
The house looks like a garden in a-style-of-no-style, various plants, put in various places, along with some art installation. The typical materials are woods, glass and metal mainframe.
the ceiling at lounge
There are many plants in both exterior and interior details. A rolling bench is put at front, with a table made from a timber block, a wooden ashtray on, watching small fish pool. If you’d like to do some fitness, there’s a weight lift and a horizontal bar at the corner of the hostel yard.
The hostel is a two storey building. Downstairs is dorm room while upstairs is private room. When standing by the balcony, I felt it shaking a bit because of the wind blows. I thought it needs to strengthen the structure a bit while still reserves beautiful aspects.
Yard Top-down view from balcony
The lounge is more attractive, most of furniture are wooden, from the long bench, wall covers to plate shelf. It’s also decorated with a dry creepers hanging on ceiling, some lights on. That’s for looking up, if you look down, a various cement tiles would amaze you.
There is a kitchen with full of tools and spices to make meal. I was impressed by the fact that the nearby Infinite coffee and the hostel belongs to the same founders, which are said to be cooks in Six Sense resort.
the timber table
The dorm is designed very nature-friendly with brown tone of woods and forest leaves hanging up. I sense that every things above my head were hung artfully: fans, lights, private lamps,… Books are piled up right beside your head bed, so no worry if you are a book digester.
At the lounge, near receptionist, there’s a map of national park which provides a lot of useful information of the wild life in the island. Remember to consult it before go out for a wild day.
Dorm room at night
The hostel is at the town center, so you’re likely to walk around to visit all historic building, complex at very relaxing pace. In the morning, it’s great to shoe up and take jogging along the shoreline pavement.
Once I requested some food but there’s nothing, even instant noodle available. However, you can buy anything in the nearby grocery at very reasonable price. Uyen’s house is also very close to Con Dao market, so it’s ideal to collect some ingredients for cooking.
For the price range, it’s quite high compared to the average dorm in Vietnam, but it’s still very budget compared to the hotel, resort in the island. That’s why I chose it for the first time visiting Con Dao.
You think you’re born to solo travel? I don’t think so! Here are the reasons
You’re always busy
It sounds not right but solo travel demands a greater time to prepare before trip. You have to read alot, about the destinations, what’s cool, what food you should try, how to travel from A to B, where you should live,… to build up a Itinerary, so that you make sure there’s no time to be wasted when you’re there.
The budget travel is requiring much heavier work loads, you have to compare prices among many booking platforms (some of budget flight will conflict so you’re rearranging), read deep to know where to locate a local market with nice prices, even learn some local phrases to communicate with the local (rule of thumb: speak local to receive local responses, in this case, is price).
With tons of research and booking need to do beforehand, and you’re playing solo, there’s likely to be no one doing for you. You have to do-it-yourself and if you’re stuck in work, then booking tour is better.
I usually travel solo, but truth to be told, sometimes I don’t have enough time to research thorough destinations I would visit. It results in I just wander around the city to sip coffee instead of taking bus around to explore points of interest.
You’re not well-prepared
There’s some similarities between a solo traveler and a scout: you have to prepare well or you’re getting trouble when it comes.
Before making a solo trip, always ask yourself kinds of question “what if…” and fill it up with bad situations like stomachache, passport loss, being unable to communicate with the local in emergency case,… then store in your backpack helpful stuff.
For instance, I always have some spills helping me when my stomach got problem because when it comes in public areas, no one would take care of my belongings, or worst case: there’s no toilet nearby.
You’re afraid of being alone
Solo travel – that phrase suggests the life of a person, whose only friend, most of the time is his/ her backpack.
When you travel solo, you’re still making friend on road easily, but it’s not all the time. You know a guy in dorm, you would like to accompany him but his itinerary is not appeal you, you see it wasting your time, so you decide to follow your own plan, which means, you’re alone.
Loneliness happens not only when there’s no one around you but also whenever you feel like you’re not belong to where you’re standing. Trust me, it’s not romantic at all.
You’re in deep sorrow
I’ve met many ones who choose a solo life after a shock in their life, maybe love hurts, family conflicts or have no idea what to do,… list can last forever.
Some solo traveler do a extreme trip, like the guy in the work “into the wild” did: go to alaska to achieve something he even had no idea what it was, but a strong belief.
However, the situation of human absence and being alone for too long will be likely make your sorrow more severed when your mind have nothing to do but dig deep into the pain.
My suggestion for someone’s sadness was not only to travel alone to have more time but to read good books to guide their mind through. Solo travel just gives you time of loneliness, use it wisely or it will kill you silently.
And for the last, Solo travel is not for you, if you feel so after doing once. I encourage you to live it for a time, maybe It’s my life, maybe it’s not yours.
The prologue of my Con Dao travel story covers how I manage to get onboard a ship at budget price and first glance of the beautiful Con Dao
Getting onboard
I had few days off and a plan for Con Dao. There are 2 options to get to the island: flight or boat. Airline is not a budget choice, there’s no cheap ticket at all, so it must be getting on a boat for more reasonable price.
When I got to Vung Tau, I thought that the port routing to Con Dao and HCMC was the same. I was wrong. They are two places independently, and 10 kilometer away from each other. It’s was late afternoon so I rushed to the port, in hope of the tickets were still available.
It’s not a large-scale port. On the contrary, the ticket station was very small, divided into 3 sectors: ticket booth, passenger lounge and goods transfer ticket booth. Though, I highly rate the restroom for its neatness and cleanliness.
When I asked for ticket, the ticket seller requested my ID card, which I was surprised at first. I didn’t think it must be strict like that. But it’s OK, I gave her my ID and soon she provided my the ticket, 85000vnd. Nice!
The next task, buy another ticket for my motorbike. At first, I was down when I was told that it cost 50000vnd, more than the number I’d researched before, only 30000vnd. He pushed me to bring my bike to the docking bay in hurry because it was nearly departure time.
I showed the vehicle ticket for an officer who was in charge of loading goods onboard. He said I had to pay 30000vnd for loading fee, so my bike cost total 80000vnd, mostly as same as my ticket price. The officer then used a big bottle and plastic pipe to draw fuel out and reminded me to keep the ticket to take my bike, along with fuel, also. I was regretted a bit when my bike was full fueled, it’s quite wasting.
16:30, I was embarking, just like other people. There were 2 conductor guarding the only way to the ship. They requested the boarding ticket along with ID card. There was a old man stuck with the problem that he didn’t have ID card. He insisted so much, I thought he was successful, because I saw he sitting on deck and chatting with the other later. So it seems the procedure was not completely strict.
A night on the ship
Passing the ticket gate, people were walking in queue to the basement. It was very noisy, the engine roared every time. But the cabin was very clean, I spotted no trash on the ground. There are 3 room for beds but only one room equipped seats.
I heard some one suggested hanging hammock for more comfortable night. It was perfect truth. The desk performed up-and-down while the basement make you sick with left-right-swinging, the hammock will keep you balance, which is nice if you are a seasick guy.
I seated a while, but the closed atmosphere forced me to go out for fresh air, so I staired toward deck. Wind flows welcomed me, I saw the last light of the day, a blend of orange-red and blue color, it was beautiful, simply.
On the second time, the ship was on water, not far from the shoreline, it got darker, the lamp posts were lit and city was drown in warm artificial orange light. People gathered on deck to chit-chat, enjoy windy ambience, photography, or just have dinner. The canteen offered hot soup with scallions, a boiled egg, a slice of pork bologna roll. They only sold purified drink. I think the next time I would bring some cooler beverages.
The third time I’d reached the deck, there was no one there, the city was far far away, the ship was swinging strongly with stronger winds and higher tides. It’s resting time.
I came back to my seat then, and tried to sleep. But it was not a comfort night, though my room was not air-con equipped, the cold flew from the next room. The whole night turned completely hell when I had to manage to keep body warm.
The ship was swinging continuously. Some one had seasick, I heard the sound of vomiting in the next door, then a guy had seat at the center line with some ones like his parents. They used medicated oil to ease him, which the smell even made me possibly turned to vomit as a crowd affect. It’s hard to hold on.
Having toilet in the ship was more terrified, your body remained frontward-and-backward making it extremely difficulty to do the job.
My sleeping was interrupted sometimes. When I opened my eyes, and looked at the watch, it showed 1:30, 3:30 and the last time at 5:30, I decided to go on deck to watch sunrise. It was the cloudy sky, winds blew powerfully, twilight sea. Few people there, but soon after, more ones joined.
The island finally appeared. When the sun was high and everything was clearer then it’s time to disembark. I stepped down and few minutes later, my bike was brought out of the ship. I paid loading fee (30000 vnd) and guided to the barrier station to refuel.
First glance of the island
The landscape was astonishing. Ben Dam port was a large area, covered by several islets, making it still enough to be perfectly docking. The distances from the ship disembarking location to the refuel place was around 500m. I loved that 500m, giving me a glance at how beautiful the island was.
At the barier station, I showed the vehicle ticket to a man, and he was back to the room, then brought out a big bottle of gasonline, he poured into my bike just one litter, which was enough for a journey to the town center, where I should do a full refuel.
The road was rough, some holes appeared accidentally, requiring my full attention. However, the weather was great. Sunlight on everything, green lines of tree, lamp posts with linking wires, free ride on a coastal road, where I was excited by what I see.
I stopped near a monument, where the best view on the turquoise beach and wild shorelines, somewhere mountains meeting the sea in stunning shape. That was amazing! A sense of adventurous blood run in my heart.
