Saturday 14 March 2015

ANZAC Day in Vietnam

If you're in or around Vietnam on ANZAC Day, get down to Vung Tau to watch the Vietnam Swans take on the Singapore Wombats in this years Asian AFL match up. And any other year check out the Swannies web site to see which team they have invited to the inaugral 'friendly'
.
I've played, attended and even umpired in these matches and I can confirm its a fantastic day all round. This year, as ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday, the games will follow the morning service at Long Tan.
I flew over from Malaysia to play in the 'Legends Match' and watch my team mates play in the Main Event.

Vietnam has a habit of brining out the patrotism in me.. which I really would say I normally have a great sense of, however one cant helped but be moved and reflect on the stories and history you will undoubtable hear whilst in Vung TAu. This very ground infact is where the aussie diggers would play during R&R from the front lines during the Vietnam / American war.  Probably due to my attendence at many of these games, and my time living in southern Vietnam, I definately changed my perspective on that particular war, and of war in general. Although Im not willing to share my personal perspective here on a blog, suffice to say I developed a greater appreciation for those on ALL sides who have fought for their countries. 

Anyway, don't take my word for the ANZAC day frienship match - Please visit the Swannies web site for all the details.



Friday 13 March 2015

Biked to Brunei for brunch

Miri to Kuala Belait, just across the Brunei border, is around 65km. The border crossing takes a few minutes (for Australians anyway) as you need to get a visa - for $20. They only take Brunei currency so its good to prepare and grab some B$ before leaving Miri. The other reason for doing that is there is very limited drink stops between leaving Miri and KB. When you cross the border you may need to re-fuel at the one gas station you will pass. I ran dry and bonked too - by the time I got to KB I was spent and had to scoff 2 danishes and a sweet ice coffee to recover. The ride back was a breeze -admittedly I had a tail wind and with no visa to process coming back in, I was door to door in around 2;20 hrs.


The only high lights of this ride were the big bridge just before the border on the Malaysian side and KB itself was interesting, other wise its fairly flat and uninspiring scenery.