Vinpearl, central Vietnam and Laos!

Hey Guys its Ben the angry bird dude again.

One morning we woke up all very excited. We were going to a fun park/water park called Vinpearl land! We got there on a cable car across water that took 12 mins. (3k.) First we went to a animal show and saw monkeys walking tightropes blind folded, with cute costumes on. At the end they rode bikes and one was riding a rickshaw. But they weren't treated very well.

Jas excited about going to Vinpearl while we are on the cable car

The monkey show

Daddy & Jas on the roller coaster

Next we went to this big indoor games centre. It had lots of video games and it was all free!! We had great fun running around and playing video games. It also had a 4D movie cinema. It also had dodgems. Next we had lunch. Then we went to an indoor aquarium, it was amazing.

After we went to the water park. We went on a multi slide that everyone could go on together. We went to all these different types of water slides, there was one that we could all go on in this massive round tube. Mum and I had fun together floating down a river while Dad and Jazzie did the big slides.

The family slide - Daddy, me (hidden by spray) & Jas

Sunset from Vinpearl

We then got changed and had dinner. We had a great view of the nice city Nha Trang. After we went to a water laser fountain show. We caught the cable car back and had ice-cream. It was a fantastic day.

Enjoying my time away but missing my dog who is getting fat from our grandparents! See you all soon.

Now Rich blogging as Ben has had enough! Have a bit to catch up on as we have covered some ground over the last 10 or so days.

Have to say how much fun we had at Vinpearl. Was great they had everything there in the one fun park and we were all very tired by the end as we were there from 10am until 9pm! The kids loved it and we went on some great rides. Jas was very brave and went on a ride with me that left us hanging upside down spinning around... took her about 30mins to stop shaking after that one!

Jasmin's favourite new ride - we upside down in this one!

Also enjoyed the last of our beach time in Nha Trang. The beach was pretty good and was nice to have a final beach day relaxing and swimming.

From there we went up the coast of Vietnam and really enjoyed Hoi An, it's such a beautiful city. Had a great couple of days there exploring the old city and seeing the sights. We also hired mopeds one day and took ourselves to marble mountain and China beach. Marble Mountain was very impressive with the various caves and in one of them there were some amazing buddha's that have been built. Clarissa loved it and we spent a bit of time in there enjoying the quiet.

Hoi An - the Japanese old bridge

Marble Mountain cave which was massive

Unfortunately had to keep moving as there is more to see and we are running out of time. From Hoi An we  went to Hue and wandered around the citadel and old city. Only had the one night there as we wanted to head to Laos.

As with lots of developing countries the bus trips tend to be an adventure themselves. From Hue we went across the border into Laos and this trip took about 10 hours. Stayed the night in a place called Savannakhet (not much there) and left early the next day for Vientiane which was another 10hr bus trip. This one was more of a local bus and at one stage there were people sitting all the way down the aisle, there were chickens, Ben was sharing his seat with a local kid and the lady in front of us was being sick every 15mins.

Still, we made it and it wasn't as bad as it seems and the kids were great both days.

Vientiane was nice enough but a big city and we were keen to get to some of the smaller cities in the north of Laos. So back on the bus the next day at 2pm for the 4 hr trip to Vang Vieng. We have found a quiet place to stay which has great views of the surrounding mountains. It's great little town and even though there are lots of backpackers it is easy to avoid the party places.

Hired bikes and had a great ride (about 60mins) through the country to see more caves and a lagoon which we swam in. The water was a beautiful blue colour and there was a tree we were able to jump off. Was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Ben jumping off the tree at the 'Blue Lagoon'

It was great passing through a couple of local villages on the ride and seeing the local kids. Jas made the comment "today has really opened my eyes." We stopped off on the way there and had a drink in this quiet place in the middle of nowhere and had a great chat to the man who lived there. That's one of the joys of travelling, chatting to locals and other travellers and hearing their stories on life, travelling etc.

Vang Vieng

Today was another great adventure day. Did a trekking, caving with tubes, kayaking and swimming day with a group. We all loved it and the cave was awesome, floating through on tubes with headlights on. Came across a couple of small local villages again and was great to the kids all smiling and they loved seeing Jas and Ben.

Jas kayaking in Vang Vieng

The kayaking was great fun and not too strenuous. We passed through where all the backpackers go and drink, party etc and it is easy to see how some of the accidents can happen. Happy to pass through although one of the slides did look pretty good. I later found out that it was called 'the death slide'.

Anyway, a great day and we have really enjoyed this place. Heading to Luang Prabang this morning where we will stay for 4 or so days and then head further north. All looking forward to Luang Prabang as we have heard great things about the place.

Transport in Laos!

Not long to go now till we get home!