The villa has this insanely beautiful view of rice fields that are out of the main area of Ubud, which means that it is peaceful and quiet. The rice has been planted for a few weeks right now, so it is literally only just starting to sprout up out of the ground. Already it is so vibrantly green, it almost does not look real. Yet here we are!
We took the whole afternoon to see the Cu Chi Tunnels. It has been the most confronting part of this week for me. Seeing the pictures and uniforms etc in the museum was rough, but actually walking around and through the tunnels is something else entirely. It is challenging to even describe it.
I left Australia for those three months with a fresh degree, no job and no address. I am going back to go to my official graduation, with a job in my dream career field and am excited for whatever it is that comes next. Life is truly too short to stay rooted down if that is not what makes your heart happy.
Wandering around temples to try delicious local foods (we had, at different times throughout the afternoon/night, chicken and rice, prawns, and some bar snack foods with drinks later on when we took a break halfway through), it is easy and enjoyable to get lost in the markets. We ended up enjoying some drinks and sitting down to watch a fantastic jazz band play in a little bar.
Four to six hours long - depending entirely on how often you stop throughout the day - Samoeng Loop takes you past waterfalls, vast valley views, towering mountains, cafes - some of which are amazingly set down in the streams so that your feet dip in the cool pebbled waters while you eat and drink - and fruit and vegetable farms.
With bright blue and sometimes lime green waters, the quarry has filled with water during the monsoon seasons. We spent the day going through the obstacle courses and ziplining our way across the quarry.
The mountains of Doi Suthep are towering and powerful, and the vibrant greenery of the forests that cover said mountains add a charming sense of peace to the landscape. The cultural significance and history here is impossible not to feel as you make your way up the steps and to the entrance temple.
They walk over, lifting their trucks and literally start feeling in our pockets and just taking the bamboo pieces. Two tiny babies, with a group of four adults, were eating bamboo shoots.
We took tuk tuks into the ancient town in the centre, where we explored temples, little street markets, and the like. It did not take long for us to decide that the inner city was where we wanted to be based.
In My Son, there are over 70 architectural temples and structures of the Champa civilisation. These structures were brought up from the fourth to the thirteenth century, and were built in sequelae, a durable material that ultimately has allowed for the preservation of these incredible buildings and structures, the likes of which are remarkable to see for yourself.
The full moon lantern festival happens once a month, and it is essentially a celebration of the moon. As the sun goes down, the streets of Hoi An's old city light up with thousands of lanterns, people come out to celebrate and the moon casts a calm glow over everything. It is magical.
Hai Van Pass encapsulates lush green mountains of emerald and lime green, views of a coastline that is so blue and picturesque it seems impossible, a bright blue sky, and a road that winds through the mountains at angles so crazy it feels like you are on a roller coaster of epic proportions. The road weaves through the mountains, rewarding you with the most beautiful views over the South China Sea.
