James McDonald

Pronounced H'way we arrived in Hue at about 8AM. Coming off the overnight train from Hanoi. Train travel 'deluxe class' is ok but although you get sleeper berth the rail lines aren't as straight and level as they are in other countries so you get shaken from side to...

Ha Long bay was cool and  misty for us we didnt have great visibility butthat didnt stop us from going Kayaking and having a climb of TiTop Island

8AM waiting for bus to Ha Long bay. Other travellers are filtering in to Kangaroo Cafe. Seems like it will be a good group size. A french family and a few aussies... At the moment. Apparently the owner of Kangaroo Cafe is  a Labour man. There is a picture of Ho Chi...

Boarded the Train at Lao Cai we were in a 4 berth cabin, so far so good. Lisa and I took up 2 berths leaving the other two empty. I made the mistake of not locking the door thinking that only people with the correct ticket would come in. Apparently not. At a stop 4...

Waiting for Bus driver to return with train tickets. He has plonked us down outside Viet Emotion Cafe. So I'm having a Bia Lao Cai

Today I had a cooking lesson and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe when I get home I will be able to entertain with an Vietnamese dinner night. The first dish we made was a Green Papaya Salad I found cutting everything nice and small to be challenge. My...

H,mong retreat is nestled half way up a mountain overlooking a valley filled with rice paddies, villages, schools and a river. The cabins are constructed of palm leaf roofs, mud lathe walls and half round timber floors. During the day you can see light through the...

At the moment we are waiting in a place called the Sapa Rooms which is a very stylish place owned and operated by an Aussie named Peter. He also owns the H'mong Retreat which we are staying at tonight. The H'mong Retreat doesn't have hifi so I'm getting my blogging...

Just in Sapa Rooms having breakfast. Lisa had Pho Nam and I had Bun Thang (Mushroom Noodle and Chicken, mushroom, egg and noodle respectively) The bowls are huge We are currently waiting for our Sapa Sister guide to take us to Ta Phin a town north of Sapa for the day...

Yesterday we went for wonder around Sapa town and saw the Black H'mong a mongolian looking racial group with a skill in weaving and embroidery that allows them to make delightful blankets, hats, purses and clothing. This was in the morning before 8AM. The reality of...

This woman is a celebrity in Vietnam. When the locals find out she speaks Vietnamese they spend the time to find out why she can speak the language and as a byproduct they are especially helpful. Which I find really comforting because I get stressed when I dont know...

Took an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and a minibus to the Sapa Eden Hotel which currently overlooks a misty valley. We have arrived early 5:30AM so we have to wait till about 11AM to check into our room. So for the moment we are having breakfast in the top...

Went 6.3 kms tonight at 6:30 in a Taxi and it took 1 hr 25 minutes and cost 70 Ringit. The return trip at 10pm took about 10mins and cost 10 ringits. But the Taxi rides allowed for some good shots of the KL nightline

Had a nice tour to the observation level of the Petronis Tower 2. The obs lvl is enclosed so no exposure to the elements @ 362 m above sea level. I was a bit disappointed at how hermetic the tour was but just seeing the engineering of the towers was worth it...

Just met up with a couple of friends. Booked in to go up the Petronas Towers tomorrow. KL isnt pedestrian friendly but the public transport options are many- Bus, monorail, train... Seriously westernised city.