Hoi-an is a tourist trap. All the same its got great ambience and westerners can see Vietnamese Culture while swaddled in the familiar.

Had a great day yesterday with the cooking class. We did a market tour. Basically they  showed us what was available and what the differences were between our supermarket products and the market produce. It was especially interesting to learn how to spot fresh fish...

At breakfast at the Sunshine Hotel Today we are planning a cooking class and a visit to a tailor.

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...