Destination: Vietnam

Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Views [88]

BY THE TIME ANDRE JOINED US for dinner on Friday in Phong Nha, we had already seen 27 species—eight new ones for Connie. While it never actually rained on Thursday, the dense fog and drizzle made photography difficult to impossible. Fortunately, ... Read more >

Photos: Birding Vietnam—Dong Hoi to Bach Ma National Park

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

A Tale of Two Vietnams

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Views [121]

WE SPENT THE NIGHT IN DONG HOI after traveling 170 kilometers from Hue. Booking a private car rather than taking a bus assured a timely arrival and gave us a chance to stop and stretch our legs along the way.          ... Read more >

Inside the Imperial City of Hué

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Views [91]

WITH ITS ANCIENT FEEL, IT IS EASY to forget that Hue’s Imperial City isn’t a contemporary of Cambodia’s 9 th Century Angkor Wat or Sukhothai in Thailand. The country we know as Vietnam has existed only since 1802, when Gai Long—... Read more >

Thien Mu Pagoda in the Rain

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Views [88]

DESPITE THE PERSISTENT DRIZZLE we walked the three miles along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, part of  the Complex of Hue Monuments. The term “pagoda” is confusing, as is much about this entire UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thien ... Read more >

Do You Know the Way to Hue?

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Views [97]

IT’S A LONG WAY FROM SYDNEY TO HUE—nine hours and 4300 miles through four time zones to Saigon another 600 miles to the Imperial City. Fewer than half of the A330’s seats were occupied on the Sydney-Saigon leg so we each had an entire ... Read more >

Photos: Hue to Dong Hoi

Sat, 9 Mar 2024 | By graynomadsusa | Photo Gallery

Photos: Getting Nailed in Dong Hoi

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Photo Gallery

Getting Nailed in Dong Hoi

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Views [720]

The train was not as nice as Europe, but far nicer than Thailand. It was really noisy in the city, and we were happy when it started to settle down. We only had 1 berth-mate, and he was getting off about 4 hours before us. We were exhausted and after ... Read more >

Photos: The Many Modes of Transportation

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Photo Gallery

The Many Modes of Transportation

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Views [433]

Although our room was small, and what can you expect from a small cruise ship, it was pretty comfortable. They had 4 pillows, 3 blankets and the rooms heating/cooling worked perfectly. Although neither of us is sleeping well, tonight was probably the ... Read more >

Photos: Let’s Open the Windows Up and Cruise

Sun, 16 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Photo Gallery

Let’s Open the Windows Up and Cruise

Sun, 16 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Views [380]

  It was an early start, pickup at 0730. We got up, packed and had a beer. Nothing better to start an early adventure. The checkout was a breeze and the shuttle surprisingly was exactly on time. It was amazing, comfortable and had wifi. The ... Read more >

Shop Till You Drop

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Views [277]

Most of the day was used as time to connect, have personal reflection and relax. Life is never easy and there are always speed bumps. Although we did not buy a lot, we really enjoyed the shopping in Hanoi Old Town. During the day the streets have ... Read more >

Photos: Shop Till You Drop

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 | By mitann | Photo Gallery