An Intrepid Group of Travellers

Tour guide Bo told us “Tourists travel to see the sites, travellers travel to learn about the histories of cultures through the mouths of those cultures”. Intrepid Tours focuses on the latter, and boy, have we learned so much, confusing and alien as these cultures histories are. Most on the tour are very seasoned travellers. I’m a rookie tour neophyte. These folk usually tour with Intrepid, as past experiences have been so positive. And they have big tourist cojones!!! Most live with gusto and zeal. And they party hard. We are on a group chat on What’s App and the pics and videos I’ve seen of their after hour’s festivities are kind of scary. Too noisy and crazy for this old codger. The Canadians say that they drink the Aussies under the table; regardless, they all look quite tired in the mornings. 

Here’s the crew:

Mike and Julie - the only couple on the tour. Mormons who moved from cold Washington state to blazing hot Utah. Not partiers. 

Greg (father), Ares (son) and Scott (son-in-law) - Aussies from North Australia. Have travelled extensively. Greg has a mulberry tree farm, Scott is in finance, Ares is a student in animation.

Dave and Al - friends from Calgary. Dave in real estate, Al retired after selling his 4 hotels. 

Alice - Fram São Paulo Brazil. Student in economics. Must come from money as she has travelled a lot and is always dressed extremely well put together.

Helen 1 and Helen 2 - travelling friends, Helen 1 born in Ireland, worked in Japan, Australia and England. Currently lives 10 minutes from both the Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills Distillery. Has relatives in Peterborough ON. Helen 2 has travelled all over Europe and Asia, not sure what she does. 

Jane - Lives in London, England. A grandmother who always has a thermos of hot tea on hand. Despite her age and girth, she is an Everyready Bunny, always ready to be challenged. 

Andrea - from Limerick Ireland. Her father recently died, and she is using this trip to turn the page. Keeps to herself.

Alex - born in Belarus, now a British citizen in London. In banking and finance. 

Swita - British of East Indian extraction. A parole officer in the British justice system. A salty tongue and parties  hearty. 

I’ve decided I’n not a group tour kind of guy. While arrangements are done for you, the tendency is to group together to see the sights - an example of  “sticky rice”, a term Bo uses to cross intersections with hordes of scooters who don’t stop for anything. It’s a rodeo! Group safety. I was more at home with Jesse and Carl as we followed our noses. So this morning I walked around the hotel section of HCM City instead of doing the Hop On Hop Off bus tour. We are doing a city tour tomorrow. Soaked in sweat as the temp is 35, and very humid. So second shower and a clothing change (including undies) now. Hotel doing my laundry, haven’t had to hand wash with the packets of Tide yet.