The time flew by. I haven't been in Singapore for a week now. The last few days there were very emotional. We grew so much together as a group and got so used to each other that it was even harder to have to say goodbye to someone when they went home every day.
Now I'm already in the middle of my next adventure. If you're ever in Asia, it's definitely worth exploring the countries around Singapore. I spent the last few days in Vietnam with Hannah, one of my best friends who I met in Singapore.
After the stressful exam phase, we enjoyed “not having to do anything” and led a relaxed backpacker life in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). However, our days so far have been packed with sightseeing activities. For example, we looked at the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. These tours are very touristy, but you should definitely have been there at least once. We explored the core of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) on our own by simply walking with a city map. A special highlight was the “ War Remnants Museum ”. This is basically an exhibition of images from the war. However, these pictures speak for themselves. Simply worth seeing.
After 5 days of HCMC we moved on to Bangkok. There we met a few friends of mine from Nuremberg who were also on the trip. We then celebrated together on Khao San Road, the famous backpacker street. A successful evening.
As in Vietnam, we looked for a hostel nearby in Bangkok. This is super simple and uncomplicated. The next morning Hannah and I went on to Cambodia. Unfortunately, we didn't really do any research about Cambodia before we started our trip and got ripped off in one way or another. For example, we took the bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap and stopped in a restaurant just before the Cambodian border, where all the formalities for the visa were clarified. Here we had to pay 1600 baht. This price was of course overpriced. It seemed strange to us, but by then it was already too late. In the end we arrived safely, but were still a bit annoyed by the event.
Over the next few days, Hannah and I will of course visit Angkor Wat and the other surrounding temples. Later we go to Koh Rong and back to Singapore via Phnom Phen.
We will definitely be more careful and inform ourselves as we continue our journey. It just doesn't compare to Singapore in that regard. There was little or no need to worry about something like that.
I will then spend another two days in Singapore, say goodbye to the country and its people and finish writing the “Singapore” chapter before I start my journey home on February 29th. But luckily there is still some time until then...
Sandra Guldner is studying at James Cook University Singapore in the winter semester 2015/2016. During this time, she writes once a month on our website about her experiences, impressions and what else happens to her during her semester abroad.
Previous posts:
September 17, 2015: From Bavaria to the wide world
October 19, 2015: Are you still looking or do you already live?
November 16, 2015: How to party as a student in Singapore
December 16, 2015: Things I learned during my semester abroad in Singapore
January 18, 2016: 10 tips for students: Eating, drinking and dancing in Singapore
