Asian Karaoke

Once again do not assume when traveling!! Karaoke, Asia Style is not what you think it is!!

On our last night on the motorcycle adventure we were asked if we wanted to go to karaoke!  “Heck Yeah,” we said!! We ran back to our rooms to get so fresh and so clean to hit the karaoke bar!!

Now when we think of a karaoke bar we imagine of a bar full of people getting crunk with an American Idol reject at the front serenading the crowd.

This is Not the case in Asia.

We walked out of our hotel waiting for a tuk tuk to take us to the bar.  However, all we were doing was crossing the courtyard of the guesthouse we were staying at… and it was Not a bar.

It was a room that you rented by the hour.  Fresh fruit, snacks and beer abound!  Pretty much, you sit on couches with your friends and sing your heart out together.  No audience.

So here we were, sitting in this room with our two Vietnamese tour guides while they belted out love song after love song.

Finally, we broke down and busted out rhymes to “Gansta’s Paradise” by Coolio and flexed our pipes in “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey.  Needless to say, we will be hitting up record companies pretty soon with our newly discovered talent!! 

The next morning we drove into Saigon…

Hanoi ain’t got nothing on Saigon when it comes to motos!!  They decimate the streets!  There are over 4 million motorbikes on the streets of Saigon, and we were in the middle of it.

Near death crashes; Chelsea: 6 Kinsey: 4 Total: 10

These on the verge accidents all occurred within a 20 minute period!!  Insanity!!!

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Easy Ridin’

Easy Riders are abound in Vietnam!  In any city or beach town on the coast you will find Easy Riders that are willing to take you on an adventure of a lifetime!!  A motorcycle journey for 3-30 days based on your wants touring the back roads of this overly touristic country.  They take you to places most travelers never see and all the while on the back of a bike!!  Can you really beat that!?!?!?

As we all know, or should at least know, the Ho Chi Minh Trail was a series of roads, paths and waterways used by the Viet Cong to get supplies to the South during the Vietnam War aka The American War.  The H.C.M. Trail was a pivotal reason why the Vietnamese kicked our Butts!!    Even though it was sad to know what happened here in Vietnam in the past, especially due to the actions of our own country, it was enlightening and empowering to know just how far Vietnam has come since the devastation of the American War.  Here we were sitting on the backs of motorcycles with Vietnamese natives driving us around their country, a country where its people exude a sense of pride from not only their history but their present.  The four of us genuinely got along and there was no animosity towards us for being Americans not only from them but from all the Vietnamese we encountered!

Seeing the barren fields as a result of Agent Orange being dumped on the jungles of Vietnam was humbling to say the least.  Knowing the extent of the damage that the U.S. Government poured onto the lands of this country and its people made us a little ashamed to hold our heads high our there!  These fields are still a kind of waste land where nothing grows even 40-50 years later and where it is still not unheard of for babies to be born with birth defects.

Moral of this country’s story: It is sad that this country and its people are still being punished years after the conflict has ended and relations have mended.  It makes us think that maybe we should take a lesson from this period in time and maybe make better decisions for a brighter future for all of us on this small blue and green ball we call home!!

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Head Out on the Highway!!

Kinsey’s Guide to Better Living, Chapter Nine: Entrails should Never be consumed!!!

Heading out on the highway for a four day Easy Rider adventure with our favorite tour guide…Wang!!!!  From Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City, these next couple of days were going to be Wild!!

You don’t just haul ass for four days straight cause that is just Too hard on your butt!!  Making stops throughout the day to see the sites and flex our gluteus maximus muscles!!

Now when you think of a roller coaster what comes to mind?!?!?  Exactly, a track that people ride in small cars on with really steep slopes and narrow turns to pump up the adrenaline junky in all of us as we barrel down the incline at rapid speeds!!   Boy, were our assumptions wrong on this one!! In the land of Vietnam, a whole nother countray, roller coasters are different!!  How so you may ask??!?!  Well for one you control the speed of the car with a brake that you use to keep the car at a sight seeing pace!! If you go to fast and someone is in front of you, you can and will slam into them at an enormous speed!!  Making you responsible to any and all injuries/lives.  We did not realize these rules until after we barreled into the automatic brakes at the end of the coaster and three attendants were waving and yelling at us to slow our butts down!!!!  Oooopps!!  Thank God all railways were clear!!

Chelsea’s Quick Tips: When in a foreign country, Never assume!

For more photos, Check out our Flickr account! ——->>>

Age: 26

From: Lima, Peru

In the need for a little retail therapy and in Saigon??  There are two major markets in Ho Chi Minh City.  One in the Chinese Market and the other is Ben Thanh Market.  Avoid the Chinese Market unless you are in need of a blender.  Just stick to the Ben Thanh where you can get great souvenirs and handicrafts.

The Vibe: This was a nice little hotel.  Good atmosphere and free internet although it is not that fast.  Also a large delicious breakfast is available in the morning for about $1.50 extra a night. 4 Stars

Beds: The beds here were great!!  Nice and big with decent pillows!! 4 Stars

Whereabouts: Only a five minute walk to the main drag where other travelers are at.  Close to a lot of food stalls and convenience stores. 5 Stars

Staff: The staff were very hospitable making sure your stay was delightful. 5 Stars

Cleanliness: Nothing to complain about here!! 5 Stars

Overall: 23 out of 25 stars!  A nice little stay!!

Highland Adventures

Located in the highlands of Vietman, Da Lat is known for it’s mountain views, great trekking and flower farming!  Most of the flowers grown here grace your tables back home.

We came to Da Lat to get off the major tourist trail, whichplagues the coast.  We decided to hire some drivers and spend a day scooting around & seeing the sights!  That is how we met Quang or “Wang” the best tour guide Ever!!  Even beating out our hilarious guide on The Great Wall!!

This was also the day that we discovered “The Vietnamese Drip” or the world’s Best coffee!!  Thick, strong and iced it has flavor like you can’t even imagine!!  Screw Italian espresso!!!

We loved Quang sooooooooo much that we decided to take a four-day motorcycle adventure to Saigon or Ho Chi Ming City instead of taking the bus we had planned.  Stay tuned for some more Wang Chung!!!!

Get your motors running!!

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Shopper’s Paradise

Just have to have the latest styles from the new issue of Vogue?!?!  Head to Hoi An, Vietnam!!  It’s a cute little city on the ocean smack dab in the middle of the country!  Pretty much the reason you go to Hoi An is to get custom clothes and shoes!! Bring in any photo from the latest pages of Elle and the tailors in Hoi An will whip it up for you in a day!!!   Did we mention for a cheap price taboot!?!?!?!  H-E-A-V-E-N!!!!

If you are heading to the temples of Angkor then skip out on My Son.  There is only one section left with temples that are still standing.  It is a day long event and you only need about ten minutes at the site itself.  They don’t compare to Angkor Wat!!

Since it was sooooo rainy during our time in Hoi An we decided to take a cooking class.  Fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese pancakes, veggie flowers and hot pot were all on the menu.  Martina kicked our butts in every aspect of the class!!  She was the best pancake flipper, carrot flower maker and tomato rose creator!!  What a teacher’s pet!!!

Hoi An Damage: Chelsea: 2 pairs of sandals Kinsey: 3 pairs of sandals, 1 dress, 1 tank top… oops!

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What a Night!!

Snake Village is actually a street of restaurants in Hanoi all serving, you guessed it, Snake.  They farm the snakes to make snake wine and food at the restaurant.  As you can see from the video, you also have the option of killing the snake you will consume, swallowing its beating heart and taking two shots, one of its bile and one of its blood!!  Jaime you are one HardCore dude!!!

Shooting could not continue during our transport to the bars or at the bars, for that matter, due to our extreme drunken states!!!  Damn you Snake Village!!!  Drink safely and responsibly…so you can remember your night!!

Motos, motos Everywhere!!

Watch your step or you might get taken out!! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

It is still very much a third world city.  There is not much to do in the sense of tourist attractions.  The attraction is the city itself.  We spent a full day roaming around and seeing what we could find!!  Motos, street vendors, street side restaurants, shops stuffed to the gills with anything and Everything imaginable and local produce markets make up the streets of this hustle and bustle city!!  Not without character, the architecture of Hanoi had a hint of French chic with the wear and tear of gritty Vietnamese life!!

The food in Hanoi was to die for!! Whether you wanted pizza, Italian, Pho or straight up street food you always had a tasty option within steps!!  Honestly though, don’t let the fear of “the runs” hold you back from exploring the epicness of Vietnamese cuisine local style.  Trust us, you won’t regret it!!

Lots of travelers hit up Hanoi enroute to Halong Bay, Sapa and anywhere south!!! Great nightlife and party vibe!!!

Don’t pass up Hanoi because there is “nothing” there!!

For more photos, check out our Flickr account ————>>>

Age: 22

From: B.C. Canada

Beautiful Sapa is a jewel in the northern mountains!!  Go for amazing trekking!! Make sure to organize your trip in Sapa and not Hanoi because the price can vary!!  It is also possible to do homestays, which give you a great insight into the local culture!!

Nah Trang is a beach city on the southern coast!!  Beautiful beaches to just chill at.  Make sure that you hit up the “Sailng Club”, the best bar in Nah Trang!! Insanely fun and good place to meet people.

If you have time try and make it to Vin Pearl.  It’s a small island off of the coast.  It is only 100,000 Dong or $5 to go for the whole day!!  There is an amusement park, water park and cable car on the island!!