Rose and Sam's Excellent Adventure

Hello Guys and Gals!

Well some people have been commenting, saying things like: “Why aren’t you posting?” and “Rose it’s been so long where are the updates?” And I’m all like “Whatcha talkin’ bout People? I post all the time – much more than that Samboy lazy bum.” And then I checked the blog and I was like woah man! there were NO posts in October. None. Nada. Zilch. The awful truth is that on the Rose and Sam’s excellent adventure it’s like October didn’t exist! In fact, if a month goes by and you don’t blog it did it really happen?  While you mull that over,  something happened between September and November, so sit back and I’ll tell y’all about it.

The months’ highlight was a de-fucking-lightful visit from Nerissa, who spread her wings and left Perth for the first time  (well she insists she has travelled over seas before – but no Nerissa,  once again, Rottnest does not count!) She was a natural on the bike and on the roads, which take some time getting used to, mainly because you have to throw every previously learnt instinct about walking in front of moving vehicles out the window.

What a bloody difference $30 makes, I hunted out a reputable tour company for our trip to Halong Bay and unfortunately for you the comedy of horror and errors from the previous experience was missing entirely. How boring! On the trip down to Halong  we were hardly sitting on what you would call plush seating- they were small fold out chairs but bolted firmly to the floor and there were at least 4 or 5 people that would have gone through the window and windscreen before us, so I was quite happy. We suffered through having a guide that spoke excellent English – it does take the fun out of it when you can understand what is being said.And I was quite disappointed as he didn’t blow a whistle at us once. We were unfortunate enough to be able to only wait for 5 minutes in the sun for our boat as opposed to previous experiences of 40 mins, but somehow, someway we coped.

It was of course further disappointment when we got on the boat and were greeted by smiling staff with warm towelettes, and mango juice. I also nearly insisted of getting off the boat when instead of facing threats of repercussions of losing keys, remotes and canoes and refusel of entries to room before 4.30pm they gave us our keys and asked if we wanted to relax before lunch.

I mean, who did they think they were fooling?! And then it got worse.The rooms were spotlessly clean, with lovely bathrooms, complementary soaps, shampoos, conditioners, razors, shower caps and toothbrushes. Then I saw it. There were rose petals on the beds in the shape of a heart – disgusting – I nearly demanded my money back on the spot.

Nerissa and I then went exploring to see what else could be wrong with this boat. And I found it – upstairs on the top deck – 16 lounge chairs, with,  wait for it – ALL WITH MATTRESSES AND PILLOWS! And that it when I knew we had made a deal with a devil ship.

I wish I could tell you that lunch was better, that we were herded onto too few tables and ordered to not move, but alas, I can’t lie. We were allowed to sit where and with whom we wanted. I don’t even want to tell you the rest, how the delightfully friendly staff brought serving after serving (a veg dish to match every meat one) 7 in total until I was too full to move, how the food was the best I have eaten in Vietnam, how the guide was friendly and helpful without being overbearing.

If lunch was bad dinner was horrendous. The staff were still friendly and helpful and after another 7 disgustingly delicious courses they had the audacity to give us cake and champagne, as a couple on the cruise were on their honeymoon. The guide then sang them a song to “wish them love” – I mean who wants to go on a trip with people who try to make it memorable?

After a comfortable sleep I woke up rested and bite free – and they took us Kayaking around the lime stone caves, just our group, no people selling their wares, no big boats nealy killing you as they went past, just limestone cliffs, crystal water and the morning. Don’t they know that they’re meant to cram it into the first day when you are too tired, can barely walk, and it’s nearly dark? Not a leisurely morning meander around.Amateurs.

We then went for a cruise in the boat and barely saw anyone else all day, another spectacular lunch (when will it end?) and it was time to go home. The crew waved us off – like they actually liked us being on the boat, and went about awaiting the next lot of guests – poor people little did they know what wonderful, efficient friendly service they were about to receive.

Then it was home and take out. Nerissa got quite used to our lifestyle (it is an acquired taste – getting delivery every day is difficult. Do you want Indian, or maybe Thai, or do you feel like Italian today?) and I think she was a bit sad to leave – we were definitely sad to see her go.

Anyway – in all seriousness the Halong Bay trip was fantastic – so I am going to plug them a bit: Columbia cruises $99-$120 USD for a 2 Day one Night trip. Best deal, if you want to head to Halong go with these guys.

We also had Sam’s Birthday so he is all old and in the last year of his 20’s. We decorated the house with balloons and had cake and hung out with friends. The teachers at school made a big fuss of him, and he got a pretty good horde of presents, one of his favourites was from Nerissa – 6 seasons of the Macgver TV series, so a BIG THANKYOU to Nerissa for that. I mean, I don’t know if I can express in words they level of gratitude that I have that there are 6 season of MacGyver in my house to be watched and enjoyed and watched and watched and watched. (You know Riss – there are 22 eps a season- that is 132 episodes in total.)

Anybody want 6 seasons of MacGyver?? Anyone??

Well some other things happened in October but I can’t remember them, so I will update you on November soon. Love to you all!

A kiss and a Hug. (This is just for people I know)

Rose

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This entry was posted by Rose on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 am and is filed under Vietnam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.