The Hoi An tailor experience Day two in Hoi An. I spent most of the day running from one tailor to another for fittings of the clothes I ordered yesterday. First off, I went to check on the blouse I’d…
Shop ’till you drop
Today’s plan: Shopping! With nearly 400 different tailor shops, Hoi An is paradise for anyone seeking tailor-made suits, dresses, shirts, skirts, trousers or even shoes, all at a fraction of what you’d pay for them at home, and all ready…
Over the Hai Van Pass
Top o’ the mornin’ to you Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! (And Happy 60th Birthday to my mom, who as far as I know is one of the only people who actually reads this blog. Hi, Mom!) It occurs to me…
Pagodas and dragon boats
Goodbye, chilly and damp. Hello, hot and humid. After a somewhat unpleasant thirteen-hour train ride, I arrived in the former Imperial City of Hue (pronounced “h’WAY” for anyone who’s wondering) around 8am today. I think I’m officially done with overnight…
Islands, prisons and trains
An early start today, as we were woken up at 6:30am in order to eat breakfast before climbing to the top of Ti Top Island. With its 400+ steps, Ti Top Island offers panoramic views of Ha Long Bay from…
Junk boat in the bay
Refreshed after a fourteen-hour sleep, I departed early this morning on an overnight tour to Ha Long Bay. The so-called pride of Vietnam, Ha Long was recently voted one of the “new” seven wonders of the world. Even though I…
Back in Hanoi
Lest you think that travel is nonstop glamour and excitement, here’s a nutshell summary of my day today: My train arrived at the station in Hanoi just before 5am. I’d managed a bit more sleep on the return train, so…
More from Sapa
We woke up with the rooster’s crow at dawn, and promptly went back to sleep for another three hours or so. It was warm under the blankets and freezing outside, so getting out of bed was difficult, to say the…
Highlands, hiking and hill tribes
Party on the Sapa Express Last night, I took the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai station, up in the mountains of northwestern Vietnam. The train was an interesting experience, to say the least. No announcements or information…
Education and brainwashing
Day two in Hanoi, and I haven’t been run over by a motorbike yet. Wow, I’m practically a local! I woke up early this morning and enjoyed another giant buffet breakfast. Being over my jet lag and fairly well oriented…