Phu Quoc – the four S’s

I clung to the back of the moped as the tiny Vietnamese lady threw it over ruts in the road. She was about half my size and I thought if I held on to her she might topple off. Theo was back at the tourist office about a mile ot two back and I was, … Continue reading Phu Quoc – the four S’s →

Saigon – Into the Dark

Saigon is what you'd get if you took the commercial and tourist-friendly vast metropolis that is Bangkok and crossed it with the Vietnamese motorbike chaos of Hanoi, and then the two exploded. It's like any big city I suppose, chain brands and busy backstreets. Like a lot of Asian cities it's got that shiny modern front but it's … Continue reading Saigon – Into the Dark →

Hoi An – Floating Lanterns and Occupied Beaches

Our train ran right along by the coast. When the trees parted you could see the cliff dropping straight down beside the tracks. The sea crashed against the rocks at the bottom then stretched out for miles. Da Nang was a large, busy city with lots of trendy clothes shops and restaurants. Naturally it was … Continue reading Hoi An – Floating Lanterns and Occupied Beaches →

Hue – Royals, Riches and…Rengiss?

Our first contact with Hue wasn't a great success. Tired and sweaty from the train we stumbled out on to the busy streets. I got us lost, we got hassled by touts, Theo almost threw up and there wasn't an empty taxi in sight. Things picked up later after we had recovered and in the … Continue reading Hue – Royals, Riches and…Rengiss? →

Ha Long Bay – A New World Wonder

"You must see Ha Long Bay!" the Vietnamese woman screamed at us. She worked in the hotel next to ours, arranging Ha Long Bay tours, and resembled a small cyclone (see previous post). "Now there is storm but in two days should be fine but just in case don't book anything! You must, must see … Continue reading Ha Long Bay – A New World Wonder →

Hanoi – Motorbikes, Mayhem and Moist Marionettes

Our first glimpse of Hanoi was as our plane circled over a flat and rural landscape. I thought we must have been in the wrong place when I looked out at the insular clusters of habitation spread out across the farmland. It took a while to get the visas sorted out, the guys in the … Continue reading Hanoi – Motorbikes, Mayhem and Moist Marionettes →