Getting to our hotel in Xi’an ended up being quite a mission… from the cab driver in Beijing who tried to double-charge us, to the lack of information at Xi’an airport about public transport, to a further struggle to get a cab for the last part few kilometres to our hotel. And all the while it was raining. Bleugh. But … [Read more…]
We were on our way to China. My first time; Derek’s second (one too many, according to him). Of all the places we would visit, this was the one he was least looking forward to. He visited China about eight years ago and loved it, but really struggled with the people and the food. While … [Read more…]
Many people say a visit to Japan is not complete without a stay in a ryokan. Derek, on the other hand, would say a visit to Japan is not complete without fighting off ninjas, but each to his own. Historically, the Japanese have worked diligently at perfecting the art of relaxation and ryokans are prominent evidence of … [Read more…]
Actually, I should be more specific… Since Derek got a stomach bug right at the start of our two-week trip through Vietnam, he was not so keen on all the weird and wonderful food so it was mainly ME eating OUR way through Vietnam. Although, he did participate in the Happy Hour 2-for-1 cocktails!! In fairness, he did try … [Read more…]
Where Hue perhaps lack famous city sights, it makes up for in temples, pagodas and tombs – it is almost impossible to see them all! We took advice from our hotel and picked three of the most interesting and elaborate of the emperors’ tombs to visit around Hue, as well as the Citadel – the city’s most … [Read more…]
I am going to say something controversial. I really didn’t like Halong Bay. Full disclosure: 1) The weather was not great and 2) I was travelling on my own (will explain later). But despite this, I was very disappointed in Halong Bay. Let me explain why. After a pretty grim first day in Hanoi, Derek’s … [Read more…]
To many, Vietnam is a war and not a country. Derek and I spent at least one long evening discussing this sentence, trying to establish just where the invisible “line” might be between people who see it as a war, and those who see it as a country. We never really landed on an answer, but … [Read more…]
The second part of our short time in Borneo would be spent on a very small island called Seligan Island, just off the coast of Sabah. Known as Turtle Island, as the name suggests, it is one of three islands in the region where Hawksbill Turtles and Green Sea Turtles come to nest. Our guide, … [Read more…]
Of the various flights and journeys we have planned during our travels through Asia, there is really only one or two that are likely to be quite tiring. One is the flight from Vietnam to Japan in April; the other was ahead of us – the flight, or rather flights, from India to Borneo. Our first … [Read more…]
After breakfast we were on our way to Jaipur – a colourful city with chaotic streets and a fabulous mix of old and new. Not even five minutes on the old city’s roads and we were dodging camels and elephants, with the ever-present dogs, cows and goats wanting in on the action. According to Raj, … [Read more…]