As we have both been to Bangkok before (Pete twice), we have seen most of the tourist sights therr already but as our visits were 20 years ago we thought it would be fun to spend a day and night in the city and see how it has changed. Since Read more
We rented a moped and, despite the stormy clouds and dodgy weather forecast, took to the roads to explore the island. We went to a waterfall on the East side of the island, called Tranh Stream. By the time we walked up the rocky path to the small falls, we Read more
We decided our last few days of our SE trip should be spent on an island, soaking up the sun. So from Hanoi we flew to the very South of Vietnam to Phu Quoc. After a 2 hour direct flight we checked into the Eco Beach Resort in Ong Lang Read more
We arrived in Ninh Binh and for once checked in at a gorgeous homestay in Tam Coc and got ourselves sorted all before a beautiful sunset. Our accommodation was really quiet and we had soft mattresses – bliss! !!!! We just need to get a message to the cockerals that Read more
A false start, brought about by waking up to heavy rain and thunderstorms, we delayed our trip by a day and spent an extra day in Hanoi catching up on blogs, research, booking of flights etc. Finally we strapped our luggage to the Honda XR150 motorbike and hit the road. Read more
For a second time we are in Hanoi and we were all set for a road trip in the mountains today but woke up to a thunder storm and torrential rain. We decided to postpone for a day but our hotel room was already booked. After a night of dodgy Read more
So everyone has heard of, or seen pictures of, Ha Long Bay and that was where we were thinking of heading until we heard how many cruise boats (junk boats) were all visiting the same places plus within a two day trip you only got to kayak for about half Read more
We have just spent a few days in Hoi An and loved it. Other travellers told us it was their favourite part of Vietnam and we thought it was because of the beaches, but Hoi An is so much more. Hoi An has an old preserved colonial town full of Read more
We kept our motorbike one more day so we could explore the sights around Da Nang. Da Nang itself is a strange place with lots of big hotels but no real centre. It has lovely golden sand beaches and we stayed near My Khe beach – a huge golden beach Read more
Our trip around The Golden Loop had started as an idea of riding the Hai Van Pass, a pass made famous by Top Gear and one which Jeremy Clarkson said was “the best coastal pass (pause for dramatic effect) in the world”. And today was the day to ride this Read more
We headed to Da Nang and rented a 155cc moped from Danang Bikes. Pete navigated the crazy traffic to get us out of the city (in what world does no traffic rules seem like a good idea? – but somehow it does kind of work here) and set off towards Read more
Back on the coast we arrived at Hue to find it raining and cold. We expected that weather in the mountains, not here! Oh well, we dug out our jeans and coats from the bottoms of our rucksacks and it almost felt worthwhile carrying them around for the last two Read more
Da Lat was spared from heavy bombing in the American war so the are still many French Colonial buildings there, however now these are joined by many flash new hotels to cater for all the weekend visitors who fly in from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, as well as Read more
Ooh where to start ?????? We spent a few days on the coast in Mui Ne. It is known (and surprisingly popular with Russian tourists) for its wind allowing for kite and wind surfing – or lots of local fishing in a most bizarre and unstable-looking sea-going vessel (like a Read more
Pete’s foot is finally healing well, no longer swollen and today was his first day back in flip flops! Bliss! Now it is Janet’s turn. After a sore throat for the last eight days and, the last two days with swollen glands in the neck that looked like the growth Read more
Often you visit places and the history is so old it doesn’t really seem relevant to you. Here in Ho Chi Minh that is definitely not the case. Most of the history we have been reading about is since the Second World War with lots of twists and turns and Read more
Sometimes it is the random acts of kindness that stay with you and really make your travels special. We have had some great examples of this on our trip so far such as a hotel receptionist coming to find us at the bus station at 10pm even though it was Read more
In South East Asia you get many opportunities to see elephants but not always in the best way for elephants. We have already seen elephants being ridden with big baskets on their backs in two different places and we passed “sanctuaries” in Thailand where the elephants had no space to Read more
Here in Modulkiri Province there is a lot more jungle, hills and greenery and suddenly no people living at the side of the road for miles. Only as we came into Sen Monorom were there once again lots of houses, shacks, stalls, shops etc. It is also cool (or not Read more
We have been trying not to look at weather forecasts or temperature gauges for fear of phsyching ourselves out, but let’s be clear, it is hot hot hot!!!! Our last hotel had a gauge behind reception (which was hard to miss) and at 9am yesterday it read 29 degrees centigrade Read more
So after the last sombre post we thought we should show you some of the lovely parts of the city. The Royal Palace is open in parts for you to wander around (although you can’t always take photos and have to cover up to show respect). The whole of the Read more
So I have found my limit of not wanting to rent a bicycle or moped. We arrived in Phonm Penh on Friday afternoon and took our lives in our hands walking about 1.5km. The pavements are filled with parked cars, stalls and waiting tuk tuks. So mostly you need to Read more
Stop the press! There is big news – we wore our jackets for at least 10 minutes the other day!!!!!! We went up the Bokor Mountain to the old abandoned colonial Hill Station and going up through the hill mist on the scooter we put on our jackets!!!!! Even though Read more
We have taken a fast craft (1 hour) to the very north of Koh Rong Samloem (the smaller island to the very popular Koh Rong) and are staying at the rustic Sunset Bungalows (very aptly named). In this part of the island (M’Pai Bay) there is little wifi (I am Read more
We made our way to Otres Beach 2 which is a small part of the Sihanoukville area that thankfully hasn’t yet been developed by the locals and Chinese. We found some locally owned bungalows and a little strip of maybe 15 accommodations with beachside bars and restaurants – bliss! From Read more