Husbando and I have talked a lot about opening a bar. We dream of selling up and running away to a foreign land, preferably somewhere warm although we’re not totally against the cold, to open a pub of our own. Sometimes it’s a retirement plan, other days its a joint mid-life crisis that is the […]
Vietnam Diaries – Hoi An Pt. 2 (Day 12)
Magical land of Hoi An. Canary yellow old town adorned by the floral fireworks of the bougainvillea. Tea shops by the hundred. Racetrack of the cyclo-rickshaw. Up early to beat the heat and the crowds. Leave our fellow hotel guests to their sun loungers. We head for the ticket booth. You can walk the old […]
Vietnam Diaries – Hoi An (Day 11)
Magical land of Hoi An. Old city of canary yellow buildings and hot pink bougainvillea. Refuge of the digital nomad. Postcard perfect picturesque Instagram hotspot. Southeast Asian trading port relic. Having walked and toured ourselves to the point of sore calves and blisters, we decide its time for a rest day. Only after we pick […]
Vietnam Diaries – Hai Van Pass (Day 10)
One last breakfast at the Saigon Morin Hotel. Seriously, how do I move in here? I’ve enjoyed pretending to be lady of leisure… in my dirty shorts and old bikini. Farewell old girl, I’ll be back someday. We’re making tracks for Hoi An via the infamous Hai Van Pass. Yes, that Hai Van Pass. Made […]
Vietnam Diaries – DMZ (Day 9)
Another day in this unbelievable country, another tour. In the words of Robin Williams as Adrian Cronauer, ‘time to rock it from the Delta to the DMZ’! Hue lies about 2 hours south of the area once known as the Demilitarised Zone, during the Vietnam War. We take another breakfast in the glorious courtyard of […]
Vietnam Diaries – Citadel (Day 8)
Today, we take on the hordes at the famous Citadel of Hue. Before that though, another sumptuous breakfast in the courtyard of the grand old lady. Beneath the shady trees, strategically perched within wafting distance of the pedestal fans. I’m still under dressed in tights and my t-shirt; other ladies drift through the buffet in […]
Vietnam Diaries – Tombs (Day 7)
Tombs of the Vietnamese emperors today. Breakfast at the Saigon Morin, under the leafy trees in the courtyard. Calm, tranquil start to the day. A refuge from the heat, noise and dust that awaits us outside our five-star fortress. Pedestal fans waft the humid air amongst the guests, as we are served tea, coffee and […]
Vietnam Diary – Hue (Day 6)
Travel day. Fly out day. We’re headed for central Vietnam, to Hue. Aboard Jetstar Asia, so pray for no delays. Thanks to genius planning on Husbando’s behalf, we’re right next to the airport and have only a two minute drive to the domestic terminal. There’s barely enough room in the hotel room for the both […]
Vietnam Diaries – Cu Chi (Day 5)
Awaken again to the sounds of earthworks in the vacant lot next door. Shower, pack, breakfast, check out – in that order. A big day today. Off to Cu Chi and Tay Ninh, then checking in to our new hotel close to the airport ready for our next leg tomorrow. Traffic is astoundingly slow this […]
Vietnam Diaries – Bargaining is a contact sport (Day 4)
All hail the rest day. It’s been a big couple of days since we arrived, and last night the party goblins got out. We ticked off the last of the craft beer places on our Ho Chi Minh City list. Sleep late, early lunch pool side. Sunbathe, then walk to Citibank branch on Nguyen Hue […]