When Google Maps Sends You Through a Rainforest… in Vietnam

You know that feeling when Google Maps says, “20-minute walk, no problem”? Yeah, not always the vibe.

We had a bus to catch but didn’t want to be too early, so we stopped for sushi and sake. With 30 minutes to spare and Google Maps promising an easy stroll, we set off, feeling smugly efficient.

Then it started to get… weird.

"We have to walk through a rainforest?"
"Wait, is that a swamp? But I see buildings on the other side!"
"Oh. A fence. Shoot."

Picture this: two travelers, loaded with luggage, snacks, and backpacks, standing in the middle of nowhere, realizing we’d been duped. A friend’s words echoed in my head: "Google Maps told you to walk through a rainforest, and you kept going?!"

Yep. Until we didn’t. Back through the swamp, back through the rainforest, back to the street.

With just 5 minutes left to the bus, panic set in. What do you do? 👉 Flag down a scooter, of course.

Somehow, the driver squeezed us, all our gear, and a lot of laughter onto the bike. For a $10 tip, he raced us to the station while laughing at our ridiculousness. We arrived drenched in sweat… and the bus? Over an hour late. 🤦‍♀️

My travel partner? Fuming. Me? Laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe.

Because isn’t this what travel’s all about? Sure, we could’ve taken a taxi or flown, but where’s the fun in that?

Instead, we got a story: dragging luggage through a swamp, negotiating with a scooter driver, and sweating it out at the bus stop.

And the bus itself? Full of locals with unspoken rules we didn’t know. What did I do? Shared my sweets, smiled sheepishly, and offered a polite “I’m sorry” hand gesture. They forgave me, laughed, and made the journey memorable.

This is travel: not perfect plans but wild, messy, hilarious adventures that become the best stories later. 🌏✨

Note: Photos of actual adventure chronology 😂