It is so hot, the mercury touches mid thirties or more (or rather the App on the phone says so). The old parts of the city are compact, a breath of air at the many crossroads but stifling everywhere else. Around the lake brings a release but Hanoi is a test of endurance. Over the last few days we made it to the second of … Continue reading Hanoi, Hot & Hectic
Our final excursion takes us to the far north east of the country to the provinces of Ba Be & Cao Bang. Whilst we knew lakes & waterfalls were on the agenda we never realised tiny fish and crabs, complete with faces and everything would also be on the menu! Organised for us by our hostel we find ourselves on a very new comfortable mini … Continue reading Watery weekend & food with faces….
Having visited Hanoi twice before we have ticked off the obvious sights, so this time we have been looking out for the more obscure. With help from other blogs and travel forums we have found some gems… A railway bridge designed by Gustaf Eiffel, the nearby world record breaking mosaic, a downed American B-52 bomber half submerged in a lake and a street where the railway … Continue reading Off the beaten track in Hanoi
Another smooth comfortable bus journey brings us to the mountain side town of Sapa (or is it Sa Pa?). We were here over 3 years ago when the weather was less kind, spoiling the magnificent views, hoping for better this time! Early start the following morning for our day of trekking, we’re a group of 15, a good mix of age range & nationalities, we’re … Continue reading Achey legs, karaoke & chickens on the bus…..
In Hanoi there is no better way to relax than with the local fresh beer sat on the very small stools – think primary school and then think smaller! What is equally small is the price, at 5 Dong a glass that is about 16 pence. There is very much a technique to these stools, you need to be firmly in the centre, anything else … Continue reading Hanoi – Bia Hoi Heaven!!
The next leg of our journey north brings us to the coast and Cat Ba Island. Involving bus, boat & another bus the route here was interesting. Initial pick up from Tam Coc was fine, a reasonable bus, but no seat belts or arm rests made cornering a bit tricky! At the ferry port confusion ensues as we’re abandoned without information of which ferry to … Continue reading Cat Ba Island – Hot, Hellish Climbs & Hospital Beds…
With the weather at best iffy we don’t hire cycles today, instead head off on foot walking. Thai Vy Temple is the initial destination, not that far out of town. Soon on our journey we come across four industrial sized wheelie bins, surrounded by at least a dozen goats, all shades and sizes! Very brave of them this close to town, as they are a … Continue reading Tam Coc Triathlon!
It was always going to be an early arrival into Tam Coc, we were advised 5am – fine, the sun will be rising…. We said goodbye to Hue during a downpour, the thunder was rumbling as we boarded the sleeper bus for a twelve hour journey. Very dubious reports on TripAdvisor for this bus company, but for this route not many options. Hoping for the … Continue reading Tam Coc – Early arrival…
Hue is most famous for it’s 200 year old Imperial City & outlying Royal tombs, so a visit is obviously on top of our agenda whilst we’re here. Opting to visit the city under our own steam rather than on a guided tour, with Lonely Planet in hand we’re in business. Without going into history book mode, this is our take on this impressive attraction. … Continue reading Emperors & Tombs
We left Danang on the SE10 train just before 10am Sunday morning. All went smoothly, platform two meant carting your bags across the rails of what is presumably platform one. The train was comfy, the views were excellent, the weather was …. disappointing! As we left the station it was all cloudy skies, but like the scenery it was to going to change! Our journey … Continue reading Hai Van Pass and onto Hue…
After a fairly leisurely 3 weeks, today our journey to the north of Vietnam begins. First stop Danang, a bustling less touristy city on the coast. It’s our gateway to the north as this is where we will take our first Vietnamese train on Sunday. More of that later…. We arrived in Danang via the local bus from Hoi An, 40 minutes of minor discomfort … Continue reading 36 hours in Danang
Okay, were not talking the luxury end of the market for our travels. Each Homestay, Guesthouse or Hostel has been scrutinised and selected on the following criteria….location, reviews, free breakfast and being cheap (£5 – £10 per night). We have had some great stays, some average, but all have been clean. Facilities vary…… What is it with twizzling taps? Twelve locations in and all but … Continue reading Twizzling taps, Bum guns and Wardrobes?
Oldest On the Bus 