Apr 6, 2019 - Hangin' in Danang

Staying at a hotel a couple blocks from the ocean. We're not right in town center, but also means not in the center of traffic & noise. We're only here a couple days before flying to Saigon for a day before then flying to Singapore for a day before flying home. So the intent in Danang is to relax. We walked over to the beach and into the ocean. Beautifully clean and slightly cool water; an absolute pleasure into which to immerse oneself. Walking along the riverside promenade in the early evening Lidia saw a Tai Chi 'line-up' underway and so...

Apr 3, 2019 - Drive to Hoi An

After breakfast we set out to drive along the coast south to Hoi An. Firstly visited Lap An Lagoon which is famous for its farmed pearl industry. We then proceeded up to the summit of Hai Van Pass. Great views of the coastline below both north and south from the summit of the pass at ~500m above sealevel. The pass is up & over the Annamite Range that juts west/east into the East Vietnamese Ocean (aka South China Sea). This mountainous penninsula has a summit of 1,200 meters and seperates north & south Vietnamese climate. It was also...

Apr 2, 2019 - Bach Ma National Park

Dat called early Sunday morning to say the trip was on ! He was feeling much better, as the medicine was successful. He & the driver would be to the hotel in an hour for the 1 hour drive drive to the sea level entrance to Bach Ma National Park. Once into the park we drove along a narrow very curvy uphill road about 10km. The driver let Lidia, Dat & I out and we walked along the road till reaching the driver parked in a lay-by where other vehicles could safely pass around he & the car. Along our walk we began teaching Dat about bird...

Apr 1, 2019 - The Perfume Pagoda

With most museums in Hanoi closed on Monday, and rain in the forecast, we decided to book a day trip to Chau Huong, a mountain complex of many Buddhist pagodas (shrines). This is the site of the longest lasting festival in Vietnam, which lasts for three months - bookending the lunar new year, called Tet in Vietnamese. It began to rain just as we left the hotel. Once out of Hanoi the drive took us through low-lying lands where many of the rice farmers also keep symbiotic creatures in their paddies - ducks and fish. Villages along the way...

Mar 31, 2019 - Touring Hue and Planning Next Steps

The hotel staff directed us to a nearby neighborhood for restaurants. Walked in & around the area but to no avail; coffee shops glore (VERY popular drink in Vietnam) but no places to eat that we considered acceptable. It must have been serendipitous because we did stop into a Travel Agency to ask about a nearby place to eat, and instead met a really nice young man, Dat. Dat looked like a little chipmunk with one cheek full of nuts. Turns out he had a tooth infection and his jaw was terribly swollen. We got to talking (albeit painfully !)...

Mar 29, 2019 - All the Way to Hue

It was to be a 12 hour overnite train journey from Hanoi to Hue; the last Imperial Capital of Vietnam. Not sure where the delay occurred, but we arrived an hour later than scheduled - not a problem, another hour to sleep. We still arrive into Hue at 09:00. The Taxi Hawkers descended upon mass right at the trackside. The first guy says 150,000 dong - now firstly, which I've not really addressed yet, is Vietnamese currency. There are approximately 23,000 dong to a dollar; nope, no extra 0's. So one must start to think of being very rich in...

Mar 27, 2019 - Terraced Hills of Sapa

Our return from Cat Ba Island had us back in Hanoi around 17:00. Our overnight train to Sa Pa does not depart till 22:00, so we hungout at the travel agency office. Lidia worked on her eBird postings, and I on the Travel Journal Entries. We had booked all 4 berths in the train cabin so as to be less cramped, and have a more quiet cabin for sleeping. That worked out well and got a pretty good sleep during the journey. Almost an hour car ride from Lao Cai to Sa Pa due to constantly curving uphill climb thru dense fog. Best tactic - close your...

Mar 24, 2019 - Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay

Ha Long Bay is the world famous area (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 40km east of Haiphong; the harbor city 100km east of Hanoi. Upon some research we learned that Lan Ha Bay on the southeastern side of Cat Ba island has the same geology as Ha Long, but far fewer tourists. So we took a bus from Hanoi to Haiphong and then a short, 'rapid' ferry to Cat Ba Island, and another 30 minute bus ride from the ferry terminal to Cat Ba Town. Our hotel, The Oasis, was built into the hillside and our room was up the hill with good views of the waterfront -...

Mar 22, 2019 - Hanoi in the North

A quick 2 hour flight transports us from Hot, Humid Saigon north to Cooler, Gray Hanoi. We are staying in the old town center a few blocks from Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi feels less frantic & brash than Saigon, but the 'motorbike rules' is still in effect. Crossing an intersection feels as though one is trying to avoid the blades inside a pulsating food processor; just keep thinking 'sticky rice, sticky rice' and keep moving; miraculously, the 'blades' will avoid emulsifying you ! The lines of people awaiting entry to the Ho Chi Minh Masoleum...

Mar 20, 2019 - Cu Chi Tunnels

Although we are not fans of military/war sites, the Cu Chi Tunnel complex outside of Saigon is noted as being a worthwhile visit. Unfortunately our guide's English was limited. But the tour group behind us had a well spoken knowledgeable young lady guide. So, we joined that group, and she did not mind, even when we asked questions. The 75 mile tunnel complex was just a small section of the immense tunnel complex throughout Vietnam. Attempts in 1966 & 1967 to destroy the system were largely unsuccessful due to their strategic design, and...

Mar 19, 2019 - Exploring Saigon

First excursion in Saigon we decided to do was the 'Hop On/Hop Off' Bus Tour of the city; convenient method to get an orientation of the city, and to decide where maybe to explore in more detail. Decided the Fine Arts Museum would be worth a visit, so off we went. BUT, as is the case thru-out the world, Monday is 'Museum Closed' Day ! Who knew (remembered) it was Monday ?! So, off we went to the 'Palace'. The image of it earlier in my lifetime was of the person clinging to the helicopter landing strut as it lifted off from the Palace...

Mar 18, 2019 - Cambodia to Vietnam

The bus ride from Phnom Penh was advertised as five hours long. It actually took eight hours, but was comfortable and gave us the opportunity to see the transition/differentiation between Cambodia & Vietnam. As soon as you cross thru customs and are on Vietnam roads: #1-paved roads and, #2-much more modern & well maintained construction, commercial & residential. Obviously, Cambodia is far more poor than Vietnam. There are still roadside/sidewalk markets & shops in Vietnam, but the condition thereof is 'cleaner' & again, more...