I know I haven't written anything for a while, but not much too noteworthy has been going on lately, just work and hanging out. Nothing too exciting.

I'm well and truly into the 'routine' now. Although I'm working less since my private students seem to have disappeared, maybe my lack of any real teaching skills was the cause...

Actually, a lot of close friends are 'disappearing' too. Back to their home countries, that is. At the end of the month, I will be the only one of my TEFL class to still be livnig here. But then again there were only 5 of us. It seems to be the time of year for leaving. Even in my school, it seems like most of the teachers are leaving this month. Ugh, I hate goodbyes!

Saigon, while an amazing city to live in, does get a bit samey after 4 months, like anywhere. I'm getting to the point where I really feel I need to see new things. Luckily though, thats just as easy as picking somewhere to go and buying a ticket in the backpacker area, which is like a 2 minute drive from where I'm living. I've decided to start travelling somewhere new every week or 2. This weekend its Dalat.

Its this (fairly touristy) city in the mountainous central highlands. I haven't seen any mountains for quite some time, and apparently the drive there is very nice. All I know is that it has a lot of French architecture, cooler weather and a flower festival.

The plan is to go motorbiking around the city and surrounding areas with some locals I know who are in town. I wanted to ride to Dalat by myself and meet them there, but then I found out that its about a 12-hour ride by moped, so that idea was dashed pretty quick.

Saigon is fantastic as a base for travelling. There are so many amazing places nearby. Not to mention how cheap travelling is in SE Asia. Before I come home I have to do the epic loop of Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia in 2 months. A lot of the tourist attractions in these countries are still developing, and there really aren't a lot of tourists around. I think now is the best time to get out and explore, before the attractions become just more tourist traps.

And now I must pack my bags. Its almost midnight and I've gotta be up at half past six. Pics and stories to follow when I get back.

Ngu ngon (goodnight)!