Sadly our short trip back in time to traditional Japan came to an end and we headed to the next big city – Kyoto. I prefer Kyoto to Tokyo so was really looking forward to it. However, on the train Adrie warned me that she had booked another more “traditional” hotel in Kyoto too. I hope that does … [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…]
I was expecting a lot of things landing in Japan; great customer service, order, a clean city, sensible traffic. Check. I was also expecting it to be a lot more expensive than South East Asia. Double check. What I was not expecting was it to be 7 degrees when we landed! We still had our … [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…]
Nothing epitomises the perseverance and tenacity of the Vietnamese people during the war quite like the Cu Chi tunnels – a network of underground tunnels near the village of Cu Chi only 30km from the then enemy capital, Saigon. At their peak the network stretched 250km to the Cambodian border, sometimes even within the perimeter … [Read more…]
Our two-week trip through Vietnam was coming to an end and our last stop was Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. The current name was given after the Fall of Saigon in 1975 and honours Hồ Chí Minh, the first leader of North Vietnam. Even today, however, the informal name of Sài Gòn remains in daily speech, … [Read more…]
Unlike many of the other cities throughout Vietnam, Hoi An does not have a list of must-see sights. Instead, visitors come for the made-to-order clothes, shoes or bags, the beautiful lantern-lit streets and, to Adrie’s delight, the food. Needless to day, Adrie is in her element and has a list of all the local delicacies … [Read more…]
Today we are exactly halfway through our sabbatical. From start to finish we have 200 days of holiday. Today is Day 100. What a ride it’s been! But it seemed we had another fun ride ahead of us… We have decided to travel from Hue to Hoi An – about 150km – on the back of … [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…]