Ho Chi Minh/ Saigon and Mekong Delta

Finally it was time to leave Brunei and begin our travel back to New Zealand. We booked a month long trip to Vietnam in February so that was the path we were taking. Arriving in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) after a real rush in the morning through LCCT we were greeted with the news that one of our bags was not with us. It was either my fault for taking the wrong bag in LCCT (KL) or the other person took ours. We knew Air Asia had a month to find it so we weren’t worried about it yet. The bag thankfully did turn up 3 days later which was last thing that we needed to sort. Our hotel in Saigon was great (Signature Saigon Hotel) the staff are really amazing. We stayed there for 3 nights where we did the markets, National Museum and the Reunification Palace.

The markets were the same as any but the sellers in the stall kept grabbing the kids arms. Liam got annoyed by this and was more forceful when they tried. Liam did really well again bartering he has the knack for it now! The museum was disappointing. The building was better than the artefacts as you could see the history of the building and appreciate their struggle. We moved on to the Palace, which again was not much. It was interesting to see the bit of history where the tanks rammed through the gates for the North Vietnamese to win the war against the South. The rooms within the building were all the same shape with little creativity on the walls or within the room itself. So picking they were not creative and arty way back then.

We allowed the boys to relax abit in their room as a lot had just happened with us moving countries again. Amanda and myself ate at a local restaurant a couple of times without the boys as they were playing on the ipods and with their cars. Not bad each meal coming to about $2 each plus our beer at 50 cents for a bottle.

After the 3 nights in Saigon we went on the Mekong Delta. It was a pretty good trip where we saw the floating market, went to the place where they made coconut candy and also to where they make vermicillie (which is bloody nice). We chose to stay in a homestay that night but it was more like an eco village. Our meal  that we had was fantastic and well worth the decision. The next day we went to the floating market, it itself was a little boring but the boat ride was pretty good. We then headed to a local village where we decided to go biking through. Unfortunately there was not enough bikes so I had to go on the back of a motorbike of a boy who the bikers were to follow. The boys did really well and I think they enjoyed it!

After the ride we decided to get some food to try. Rat and snake bbq by the family. We all gave it ago except Jordan. Liam and myself ate the most which Liam is very proud off. His aim for his bday is to eat a snake 7 ways and swallow the beating heart. It was after a long day a long trip back to Saigon (4hrs). It was great to get back to Saigon and chill for another night before our next journey to Mui Ne the next day.

A great restaurant in Saigon

Reunification Palace

Dinner at homestay after first day on the Mekong Delta

Our homestay accommodation at the Mekong

Riding through a village on the Mekong

Aaron eating rat

Liam eating bbq snake

Aaron eating bbq snake

Leaving Brunei!

After 13days away from Brunei we thought it was time to write about leaving Brunei for good. We decided to leave as the schooling for the boys at ISB (International School Brunei) was very bad. Aaron accepted a position in Blenheim so that will be our next chapter.
There were mixed feelings about leaving especially from Liam as he was going to miss all his mates but to be honest if there was no travel his parents wouldn't miss Brunei at all. Jordy was happy to stay but also excited about the prospect of going back to see the Nanas.
We ventured a few times over the border to Kulua Lurah for a bit of normality and to enjoy our time with Momison. She looked after us at her restaurant over the 2 years and the girls were fantastic to the boys. We said our goodbyes to the people we enjoyed spending time with although in a country like that you meet some idiots that aren't in the real world.

Kuala Lumpur and our only Brunei Visitor

So after departing Johor and Aaron the boys and I flew to KL to met up with Anissa.  We were all looking forward to our first visitor from home.  Off to the markets in the morning, where Anissa tried to keep the local economy going for several years with purchases of many handbags, which Jordan keeps reminding me about.  Later that afternoon we met up with one of Liams friends from Brunei who now lives in KL.  They picked us up and we had a great afternoon at their house, Liam was invited to spent the night with Canute, who already had Harry (another ISB friend staying).  That gave time for Theresa (Canutes mum) Anissa, Jordy (yes he loves shopping) and I to do some more retail therapy.

Liam spent the whole next day with Canute, which was great for us all as Liam hates shopping we took the opportunity to do the markets again and shopping centres.  One very tired Liam returned after playing football all day and talking all night with his mates.  Great for him to get the opportunity to visit friends he has made in his travels.

Monday saw us taking the boys to Kidzania, where they get to try out different jobs.  The concept is fantastic but unfortunately we were a little disappointed with the overall experience.

The next day we relaxed as it was our first day to relax and Liam was still very tired.  Anissa once again took this opportunity to do yet more shopping!!!!  We went to Aarons favourite restaurant for dinner.

Off to Sunway Lagoon for a very full on but fun day.  Once again this waterpark is not as good as the ones in the Gold Coast, but still well worth a visit.  After a morning of water rides, we spent the afternoon on the theme rides.  Anissa didn't open hers eyes once whilst on the pirate ship and I don't think she appreciated Jordy saying now it goes right over (meaning we where completely upside down).  In fact she disliked the ride that much when I took Liam to another attraction she made Jordan go back on it on his own.  What sort of Aunty does that!!!!

Our final day saw us do one last shopping experience at a large mall, followed by another great meal at Aarons favourite restaurant.

Then we were Brunei bound.  Anissa filled with excitment with the wonders that Brunei had to offer.

Singapore and Johor Bahru

Our trip in October got changed a few times due to the incompetence of the Bruneain Govt and changing the school dates for holidays. So version 3 saw us going to Singapore for 4 days and then onto Johor Bahru for a couple of days to visit Legoland. Amanda and the boys would then travel onto Kuala Lumpar to meet up with Anissa for a week and then fly to Brunei while I was to fly to Brunei after Johor Bahru for the start of school.

As we didn’t know if we were leaving Brunei at the end of the year we decided to do the 2 day pass at Sentosa Island. Day one saw us visit Universial Studios which was fine except the major rollercoaster was not working which was a shame. It was a good day however the park was no where near as good the Gold Coast Parks. Day two allowed us free rides on about 15 attractions such as the; Sedgwick, luge trapez and cable car.This was a full on day which was great as we were able to go on things that we would possibly not on another day. The boys really enjoyed it and we were at the park for about 10hours.

The next day we went to a waterpark near Changi. Liam loved this day and it gave us a chance to chill abit. Rides such as the torpedo where the floor just disappears and you hurtle so many meters straight down was pretty exciting. There was a ride there called the “slime up”. Best ride! You go on a tube and ride down on a ‘U’ shape backwards and forwards. So freaky as when you start you cant see where you are going as the shape doesn’t allow you to see the sides of the ‘U’ so you feel like nothing is there.

It was a full on Singapore experience which saw us visit the Marina Bay Sands. A building that is so expensive to purchase anything in it is well worth a look. Jordy liked the Ferrari Shop while Liam just wanted to leave (not a shopper).

It was a quick stop to Johor as we walked over the border and headed to the hotel to drop our bags off. Once done we taxi to Legoland. A really good day where we all enjoyed the attractions. Not because they were thrilling but the cleverness of them and how well they catered to the children who were able to enjoy and relax on a variety of rides. We were there all day and returned back to the hotel at about 7pm with 2 very tired boys. The boys travel so well now and apart from the bit of moaning (get it from Amanda) they relish the opportunities. The next morning we were to part, me to Brunei and Amanda and the boys to KL.

Cambodia's Beach Areas

When we originally visited Cambodia in August 2012, the then Manager of Hotel 9, advised us of the beach areas around Cambodia to visit, in fact he put together an itinerary for us, including recommended hotels to stay in, so on this return visit we decided to make use of this inside information, thus seeing a new and different side to Cambodia.   We hired a private car to drive us the 4 hours (no planes fly this route currently, but they are looking to in the near future) to Sihanoukville.  We found the accommodation ok, but not as we had expected and it was rather touristy.  Unfortunately I got sick on the second day and spent the next two in bed.  The boys and Aaron explored the local area and beach.  Feeling better the next day we took a tuk tuk to the recommended beach area, we were spend a great day relaxing, boys swimming and playing in the sand, good food and the compulsory beer (only for Aaron as I was obviously sick as I didn't have any)  The next day Jordan was feeling a little under the weather so him and I stayed at the hotel (it was raining anyway) and Liam and Aaron found a hotel with Xbox 360, so both were happy.  Upon their return Aaron and I found a great bar directly across from the hotel called the Purple Midget.  We ending up staying late into the evening and participating the local quiz night, which was very entertaining.  The next day we departed for Kep about 2 hours drive away.  This is a very sleepy settlement, which reminded us of Akaroa before it was developed.  Our hotel was right on the beach front and as it was monsoon season, there was only us and one other couple staying.  Kep is famous for its seafood and pepper fields,  so the first night we ventured to the seafront where we had a magnificent dinner.  Aaron had local crab, Jordy prawns, Liam squid, me pork, beer, wine, milkshakes all for under $50.  The next day we did an island tour to Rabbit island, which was very tranquil and relaxing, the boys spent most of the day in the sea swimming,  it has local shacks for restaurants, serving everything you could want.  It was a great day out, followed by another spectacular dinner the same restaurant with large servings of seafood for everybody (except me who ate more pork, anybody would think I currently live in a country that doesn't have pork, oh that's right I do!!!)  Then is was time to head back to Phonm Penh for the last two nights for last minute shopping and final goodbyes to our Cambodian friends.  It was once again with heavy hearts we left Cambodia.  We will be back.