Vietnam: Crisis

After cocktails at the lake, I'm back at the backpackers and browsing the net in bed (not what you're thinking).  I notice an extra large tub of protein powder lying at the foot of one of the beds.  It seems to me to be an unusual thing to take on holiday with you backpacking.  Sure, a small keg of the stuff could be reasonable, but do you really want to lug around a novelty oversized one?

Weirdo.

At around 11pm my first roommate comes in half naked and lays down in the bed next to me.  Not in the same bed as me you filthy minded creature - I mean the bed that was next to my bed.

He's obviously completely drunk, and strikes up a conversation.  He's a proud Canadian eh, boasts about how much rum he has drunk tonight, and how he punched some holes in a wall at a bar.

What a guy!


He then proceeds to vomit in the bed and then go to sleep which makes me rather uncomfortable and more than slightly pissed off as the pool of spew is down the end of the bed closest to my head and the room fan is blowing in my general direction.

Around 30 minutes later and Protein Powder Man comes home, finds it amusing that his friend has vomited in the bed, and then decides that I would be interested in how he has been "banging chicks at the gym".  Needless to say I'm not interested, but he doesn't seem to mind and keeps on talking before finally going to sleep.

Some time later and I'm woken again by another roommate coming home.  This guy is also drunk, and also rather pissed off that the Canadian chap has vomited and fallen asleep in his bed, and so attempts to have an argument with him which is futile as Vomit Boy is comatose.

I'm ashamed to say it but I had a crisis and just had to leave the next morning and check into a nice hotel.

It was the right choice.  I had a wonderful time with a nice room, privacy, nice staff, and an excellent breakfast.

And the doorman was most handsome.

Pro Tip:  Avoid hostels with excellent rating by 18-25 year old Australians, English and American males.  Go for hostels where the young uns complain about not meeting chicks or having parties.

Vietnam: I, N00B

I survive the flight from Shanghai - (I can only assume because every passenger was armed with a metal knife instead of the crappy plastic ones so no terrorists dared to try anything) - and arrive at Hanoi International Airport.

After getting some cash out and feeling like a billionaire with my wad of 100,000VD notes I head to the official airport transport counter to find out what my options are for getting in to town.  The friendly lady at the counter says that I need to take a shuttle bus into town, that you pay at the information counter, and that it will cost 650,000VD.

What the hell lady?  Can airports please fix this shit?

Luckily I learned my lesson in Shanghai and just headed out the door to the shuttle bus queue where I am quoted 100,000VD to take me to my hostel.  As I'm not used to haggling yet and feel rather happy that it's not 650,000VD I agree and jump in.  The guy sitting next to me got the ride for about 65,000VD but hey - it's better than paying 650,000VD right?

ProTip 1: Never use an Airport Transport Counter to arrange transportation.  Go out to the taxi / shuttle stand.

Forty five minutes later I am dumped somewhere in the middle of town and am forced to take a taxi the rest of the way.  Prick.  After a confusing winding drive and 120,000VD later I am dropped at my hostel.  Later on I would find out that it was actually pretty close and should have only been around 40,000VD for the taxi ride if he hadn't taken the scenic route.

I showed him.

After checking in and dropping of my bags it's time for some cocktails next to the lovely Hoan Kiem lake.  The cocktails here are very reasonably priced which is nice.

And almost resemble the drink that you ordered.

ProTip 2:  It should cost about 30-5000VD to take you to one of the Hoan Kiem accomodations from where the taxi drops you off.


ProTip 3: Try and take a Mai Linh taxi.  They cost slightly more per km, but the will take you straight to your destination and not rip you off.