0209 Independence Day – Trip over the Hai Van Pass

We had a national bank holiday in Vietnam on Thursday, so I decided to go on a motorbike trip over the Hai Van Pass in the direction of Hue.

I stepped out of my house in the morning to buy some baguette and every single house had a Vietnamese flagged hissed outside their home. It looked really nice (have a look at the picture on my street). The 2^nd of September 1945 is the day Japan formally stopped fighting and admitted defeat in World War II and Ho Chi Minh declared independence in Vietnam.

I met Tony (another English teacher) for some tasty breakfast in the “Bread of Life” before we went on our motorbikes up the Hai Van Pass. It is a stunning, very beautiful scenic road. The view is amazing :) We stopped in-between to take some pictures and I just enjoyed the scenery! This was one of the best motorbike trips I have had in my life :) The best thing is, that most of the cars and busses drive through the tunnel and don’t take the scenic old road. So most of the time the only people you meet are on motorbikes and it is not much traffic at all. Up on the top of the pass you can still see some bunkers, which are left from the American War. The way down to the other side is as stunning and it was so enjoyable to drive. We came to a small town called “Long Co” which we passed through. After another long ride on another road we found a lovely small village where we had some nice seafood directly on the beach.

We had stunning weather during the morning and the afternoon until we drove back over the Hai Van Pass. We were half down the mountain, when it started pouring rain. But if you live here in Vietnam you get used to these tropical downpours :) If you have a proper raincoat with you it is not bad at all.

And what are the latest news from the teaching front?! There is a lot of work ;) Which is good!

I have been teaching the “Da Nang’s people’s committee” for the first time last night. They are all public servants and we had such an enjoyable lesson. That was the best lesson I had since I am teaching in Vietnam. It was great the rapport with the adults and their experiences at work. We had the topic “Coping with stress” which was very close to my heart as you can imagine from previous IBM times ;)

Next week I will be teaching 22h! These are the longest hours so far and lets see how I can cope :) However I thought as I am going on vacation soon, it is good to work a bit more beforehand so I can spend some money in Cambodia as well.

I will be teaching a Medical Company next week that is coming over from Laos. It’s exciting for me as I have been teaching “only” Vietnamese so far and I am so looking forward to meet these people.

Hope you are all well back home or wherever you are right now! Looking forward to hear from you all again soon :)

New English teaching classes - Trip to BaNa Hills

More then two weeks are already over since I have started to teach the new classes in the University and in the English Language Institute. A lot of new impression ;) In the University I have unbelievable big classes – up to 43 students! I can tell you, this is a challenge of a kind ;)

Teaching in ELI twice in the evening is very refreshing. I have only 8-10 students between 16 – 45 years old. Very nice class and you can even discuss topics properly :) I really like it. However you cannot compare these two places. The students have completely different backgrounds and both places have pro’s and con’s. I think it is good for me as a teacher to experience both so.

Yes and there are news about the paperwork, seals and stamps for the work permit – the story continuous I can promise you…..now I don’t even know where I need to get the stamps which are missing and on which paper exactly they need to be stamped on…..no comment!

Just met an American guy in a bar tonight and he told me it took him up to one year to get all his documents together until they issued a work permit to him….Am I surprised?? No not really…… so patience needed :)

Last Saturday I went on a trip to BaNa Hills Mountain with my motorbike and Mai & Tony came as well along with their bike. The way to the mountain was anything else then pleasant – the streets were unbelievable busy, dirty – a lot of trucks, sand on the street and so on…..madness! Glad we returned in one piece all of us. But the trip was worthwhile! You have a stunning view from the cable car on the way up – we could see even Son Tra Mountain with the white lady Buddha and DaNang! And there are so many lovely mountains around BaNa Hills, it is an amazing scenery. I really liked it. Unfortunately it got a bit cloudy up the top and in the afternoon it even started to rain. After the rain it cleared up again and the view on the way down with the cable car was amazing so.

In-between we had to wait for over an hour to get down from the hill again as the cable car is not running all day. They have in total 4 breaks of an hour each and of course it is all written in Vietnamese, so we had no clue!

Does this surprise me? No, not anymore! We looked at rooms in both hotels up the top and it is worthwhile to stay there one night at some stage.

Must be an amazing view in the morning if you wake up and look out of your window :)

I did spend a lot of time on planning the trip with my visitors which are coming over in 6 weeks already :) Can’t wait!

Will meet Annette in Saigon and then we travel to Cambodia by bus. Starting in Phnom Penh, then Battambang and Siem Riep with Angkor Wat before we take the flight to Hanoi where we are going to meet Jan & John :) Then we have booked a trekking tour up to Fansipan next to Sapa. Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina with 3143 meters!! This is going to be a challenging hike and we sleep one night in a tent up on the way to the top :) Ohh… but I am so looking forward to it!

And after 3 month I finally started running again!!!! Yes, yesterday evening after 6pm I gave it a try. 30 degrees still outside, over 80% humidity…..I was as wet as I would have come out from the shower with my running gear ;) But it felt soooo good! I made it at least to 30min, which wasn’t so bad. And I loved it to see the coastline with all the lights on and the white Buddha on Son Tra mountain!!! I was thinking, I should have started running a long time ago in Da Nang! So now there is no excuse anymore, I will continue running on the beach ;)

Back from Singapore :)

Five days in Singapore and I am back in Da Nang ;)

This is almost a culture shock after 11 weeks living in Vietnam if you arrive in clean and rich Singapore! It is still as green there as I remembered it from 2005, but more Shopping Centre than you can imagine....you can spend so much money there, unbelievable.

I enjoyed to sit in lovely coffee places, had some nice coffee latte's and cappuccino's and to meet Nicole & Dennis again :) Nicole and myself had 2 days of great shopping and we had real fun! The weather is a lot cooler in Singapore, so I actually enjoyed not sweating so much as usual.

I visited Sentosa Island, which had changed so much in 5 years that I was almost shocked how commercialized it was. Actually a pity I think as I loved it beforehand. It was a great escape of the bustling city life. Anyway, it was a great day out and the Cable Car Ride over to the Island is worth every penny. Such great views, amazing.

Nicole and myself also had a look at the brand-new 5 star Marina Bay Sands Hotel - impressive one, but disappointing that the Skybar wasn't open yet. I hope to do that next time, because I am sure the view from up there is impressive. You must have an amazing view over the Formula One Circuit as well and I am sure all the drivers will stay in that brand new hotel in September:)

I got a lovely birthday cake from Nicole & Denis and we had some really tasty fizzy drink with it! In the evening we went to a lovely Italian restaurant called "Trattoria Lafiandra" where we got some homemade pasta :) So tasty!

The last night in Singapore we had a great BBQ at the swimming pool area of Nicole's & Denis Apartment with some nice neighbors, colleagues and friends joining.

On Sunday evening I almost missed my plane from Saigon to Da Nang as my first plane from Singapore to Saigon was already delayed and I had not much time left between the two flights. But I have to say, the airline staff of Vietnamese Airline were so helpful and quick, so I was able to make it on board running from the international to the domestic terminal :)

Arrived in Da Nang I took a Xe Om (Motorbike taxi) home with my small suitcase on the bike. Not a problem in Vietnam ;) It's nice to be back.

Now it is time to prepare my classes - I am teaching two new classes today :) Fingers crossed and lets see how it goes. I am excited!!

Let me know how you all are and post some comments if you have a second!

My new motorbike “Yamaha Sirius R”!

Oooh, I am so proud of my new motorbike :) I just bought it yesterday. After two weeks of thinking about what Honda model I should buy, I decided on Thursday that I didn’t like any model as much as to spend money for a new bike. So I stopped on my way back from the University at the nearby Yamaha dealer and I liked 3 bikes straight away.

Friday morning I drove then together with Mai & Tony to 3 different dealers to negotiate the price. As Mai is Vietnamese it was brilliant to have her with me.

It turned out that the closest dealer to my house gave us the best price and they also had the friendliest staff.

So we agreed the price, Mai rang my landlady to come down to the shop with her ID and I got the money for the bike to pay it.

Even before noon I drove home with my brand-new motorbike. It is so pretty! I really love it. It is so much lighter and easier to change the gears. And the colours are gorgeous!

Have a look yourself and let me know what you think :)

So I am off to Singapore on Tuesday and I am so looking forward to it!

Tropical Rainstorm - Trip to Monkey Mountain – Flat tyre – How to buy a motorbike in Vietnam – Visa Extension

In the last 5 days it has happened so much that I don’t even know where to start.

Was so looking forward to my day off last Friday and I had so many plans what to do. However, I woke up and heard heavy rainfall. First time since I am living in Da Nang really. Oh well, wasn’t bothered as I thought it will stop in an hour or so. 14h later the rain stopped! I checked the news and they said it is a tropical rainstorm, which is heading towards Hanoi and China! Unreal how much water came from the sky. I stayed all day at home except going out to get some fresh baguette. But at 7pm I thought I need to meet some people as this rain is too frustrating.

So I put on my raincoat, helmet and I drove in pouring rain to the Waterfront Bar. Good decision. So good to talk to some people – I had a really nice time so. Just when I was on my way to drive home it stopped raining :)

Saturday morning than it finally felt a bit cooler and we had some clouds on the sky. So I drove to Hoi An in my favourite ancient town. Got some food and bought some presents and lampions for my house.

Sunday morning the sun was back and it was already 30 degrees at 8am in the morning. So decided to go to the beach! In the afternoon than I finally took my motorbike to the Monkey mountain, which is just 15min from Da Nang!

What a journey and adventure at the same time. If I look back it was maybe a bit dangerous to go there completely by myself. I drove up the road to the “White Lady Buddha” and followed the coastal road – after 25min or so I came to a kind of gate and first of all nobody was able to speak English. So I had no clue if I am allowed to drive through or not. The other option was to go back (which I didn’t want to) or to go up a small tiny road, which was very steep. 3 men were talking in Vietnamese and all pointed to the steep road and saying “Da Nang”. Ok, so I was praying that my motorbike will make the steep road and start driving up there…and I drove through lovely scenery and forest.

However the road still went up and up and I had to drive in the first gear. Driving for another 15min or so I didn’t meet any other person – no motorbike or anything. I felt a bit queasy.

Around the next corner there were three young Vietnamese guys who waved at me and told me I should stop. I did so and they explained to me that they saw monkeys. So I parked my motorbike and waited with them curious for 10 minutes. However no monkeys did show up. So decided to continue driving. I was so glad that I meet some people with motorbikes on my drive up to the top of the mountain. It was all worth it when I reached the top! What a view !!!! So many mountains around Da Nang! Breathtaking! Guess what happened to me on my way down ;) I saw two monkeys, which just were on the way into the forest! So cute – they were maybe around half a meter high. The Vet I met in the bar recently told me that there are 150 monkeys in total living up there in that mountain.

Now the “How to buy a motorbike in Vietnam” story started Sunday afternoon.

A Vietnamese woman which lives in Da Nang and I know her by looking at one of her apartments which were for rent told me her Dad would sell his motorbike. He wants to buy a new one. The bike is only 4 month old. So after my Monkey Mountain trip I met Trang and looked at the bike. Lovely new bike, Honda Wave in dark red. I even took a test drive and what a difference to the one I am renting right now! Wow! Now the fun starts. I told Trang she should please ask her Dad how much he would sell it for. So she came back to me and told me a price.

In the meanwhile I drove to a Honda Shop and asked how much this bike would cost me when I would buy it brand-new. Not if that would be possible here as foreigners are not allowed to own a motorbike in their own name. Anyway this bike was a rip off and I walked away.

On Monday afternoon after teaching from 7am for 4 hours I picked up Mai (a nice Vietnamese woman) who promised me to help me. We wanted to visit Honda Dealers and also so called “Cam Do’s” (which sell 2^nd hand motorbikes where people cannot pay the leasing or payback rates anymore as they gabbled a lot during the World Cup).

We just drove 5 minutes down the road (I had Mai as a co-passenger) and I had a flat tyre on my back wheel. Thank god I had Mai with me who arranged quickly in one of the small local stalls along the street to check my bike. The tube had a whole, was already fixed one’s – so I got a brand new tube in 10min and it did cost me 2.5Dollars! Amazing, I have to say!

Now the motorbike hunt could begin. We went to 3 different Honda Dealers and to a lot of Cam Do’s. The essence of all of it was, that it only makes sense to buy a new one! All the other options are too dangerous – paperwork might not be easy or even possible. So now decisions need to me made – what motorbike do I buy? What colour? Which model? Decisions, decisions, decisions etc.

But the good thing is that my landlady will own the bike as I cannot do this. Anyway, everything will be sorted.

So imagine I would have been on the top of the Monkey Mountain on Sunday and I would have had the flat tyre….oh I don’t think about this now ;) All is good and soon I will have a brand new motorbike! Yippie!

I also extended the lease of my house until February 2011!

Oh and I did pick up my Visa today – took me 1.5 hours to get my passport with my new stamp, which says: “Allowed to stay until 5.11.2010”.

One thing you have to learn in Vietnam is to be the most patient person in the whole world ;)

Looking forward to hear from you all!

Teaching contract signed for 6 month :)

So now I feel even more settled than beforehand. At least I know that I can stay here in Da Nang for another 6 month and I will have a job :)

My new teaching contract is signed and sealed (with a red stamp) and I can bring this paper with me tomorrow for my Visa extension!

As I wrote beforehand, signatures and seals are the most important things in the Vietnamese world.

But I am always surprised over and over again. During my contract negotiations with the University I was trying to get an agreement that the University might cover some of my costs I had already for my paperwork (translations, medical certificate etc.). I had myself prepared mentally for Budget restrictions etc. and have a guess what happened! The director and his assistant talked for one minute in Vietnamese and then the response from the University was: ”Do you have the red receipts for it?” I looked at them and said: “The red receipts? Yes, I have receipts and if I can remember correctly they are red”. Then everything was fine :) They can reimburse me if I hand in my red receipts.

So one more chapter in Vietnamese experience on what's important: “red receipts” ;)

Today then I got even another offer from the English Language Institute here in Da Nang to teach for them. I really liked the centre when I was there for an interview in June, so we agreed I will start with 4 hours teaching per week - I can fit this in with my work at the University. So I am very happy today, that everything seems to work out so well!

The University is closed the last week of July so I decided to fly over to Singapore to meet up with Nicole & Denis! So looking forward to my trip. Only one more week to work so ;)

Please have a look at the gorgeous pictures - I took them in Hoi An last weekend (the cute ancient tailor town) which is just 40min away from Da Nang! I just love this town :) Good food, good tailors, jewelries, shoe shops and art galleries!

Power cut in the 2nd half of the Semi-Final!

Another day to remember.....here in Da Nang. I had a good one I have to say - I found a studio where they have Yoga lessons, I got my documents back translated in Vietnamese and I got my hair cut for $4,5 and it looks good :) So far a pretty good day.

Until the match started.....and we had a scoreless 1st half. The Germans were scared and had too much respect for the Spanish! All their self-confidence which they showed against England and Argentina was gone. We got a bit better in the last 15 minutes of the first half.

I was still positive and believed in a great 2nd half! And then exactly when the 2nd half started the power went off in Da Nang!!! At 2.30am in the middle of the night! I was sitting in a pitch black room with no TV - nothing. Thank God my 2 mobiles were still working (Irish and German) so I at least could text.

However I went in front of my house where quite a few Vietnamese people were out there and as annoyed as me about the loss of power. I couldn't talk with them as they cannot speak any English and my Vietnamese is very limited!

After 10 minutes I decided the power is not coming back. I got on my motorbike and tried to find a place with a power generator and a TV on. I only had to drive 500m and there it was. There were a few Vietnamese men sitting there watching our game in black/white. I didn't care and they invited me to sit with them and watch. The next minutes the place filled up and we were around 40 people in this living room watching the game. The goal for Spain happened and the Vietnamese were shocked. All the Vietnamese people were cheering for Germany!!!! But unfortunately it didn't help. We lost anyhow. Now we need to win the game for the 3rd place.

Surprisingly enough after the game, I was just home for 10min, the power came back on.......was that a coincidence?!

Please have a look at the pictures I posted - the Lady Buddha is watching over Da Nang from the mountain Son Tan. The cousin of my landlady brought me there with her Motorbike. You have a gorgeous view over Da Nang!

Hope to hear from you all very soon.

Medical certificate and Notary translations

If you think Irish or German bureaucracy is difficult or frustrating than come to Vietnam ;)

The administrative work that needs to be done to get a work permit is unbelievable!

Firstly you need to get a Medical Certificate done. I started by ringing the Family Medical Centre in Da Nang as they could speak English, but they are not authorised from the Government in Vietnam to issue a Medical certificate for a work permit. They did send me to a place called Hospital C in Da Nang. I went there on Tuesday morning before 8am (otherwise they don’t take you). I showed them my paper that said in Vietnamese “Medical check for work permit” which I looked up on Google translator. However as I cannot speak any Vietnamese they refused me and I had to call my University and Ms. Duong had to come over. Now the fun started. I got one A4 paper with my name, date of birth and picture on it and 7 different receipts as I had to pay 73 US$ in advance. If you believe it or not but I had to see 15 different doctors!!!! They took a blood sample, urin, looked in my ears, nose, tested my eyes and I got a chest x-ray. Other doctors just wanted to chat to me as I was a Western person and then I got my signatures and seal on the paper.

It took 3 hours and at 11am I finally had my paper, stamped and sealed and I passed the medical check. Have a look at it - I scanned it!!! Unreal, how many signatures and seals you need in Vietnam for one piece of paper.

So today then I decided to make an attempt for the 2^nd step. I needed to get my degree and police check translated into Vietnamese. The biggest challenge was to find out where I could get it done. The University didn’t know! The Director from the English Languages Institute actually helped me out and gave me an address and phone no. So I rang them and I was able to go there this morning before I was teaching. I came in the building and there were 10 people sitting behind glass barriers, some reading newspapers others writing receipts and seal papers.

I found the woman I talked on the phone beforehand (seems to be the only one who can speak English there) and showed her my papers. She looked at them and told me before we can do anything I need to get 3 copies of each in the copy shop. I actually shouldn't be surprised anymore, as the most important thing here in this countries are Copy shops, signatures and seals ;) So I walked to the place, got my copies done, got back to the woman and she took all my papers apart and told me she need to give some to the German translator and others to the English translator – I really don’t want to know how this translation will sound in Vietnamese ;)

Anyhow, I will get it back next Wednesday (fingers crossed). Now it was time to pay! It did cost 25US$ and I think they wrote 5 receipts and filled in so many papers, that I don’t have a clue what they are for ;)

One woman actually only sealed papers during the time I was there. And that was at least for one hour. You sometimes ask yourself how this country survives ;) Anyway, lets see what I am getting back! And then lets look at the next steps.......I also need to get a business visa and we will start this process next week ;) That will be fun!

Keep you fingers crossed for Germany on Saturday!!!!!