Blogs from Bac Kan, Northeast, Vietnam, Asia

In march 2019, we went with a family on a trip to Vietnam. Our group consisted of me, a spouse, a son of 5 years and my mom. We chose the flight from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) by Aeroflot. We decided to make our way from south to north along the coast. The first item was Saigon. We arrived early in the morning, the city greeted us with the stifling and humid air, a crowd of people and a furious movement. However, as in most cities of Southeast Asia. Booked in advance the transfer from the hotel, chose a hotel in the tourist center, close to the main attractions. It was called Brilliant Hotel. The hotel is located in a nondescript side street, among other buildings. Very modest hotel. But we are only at ... read more

The Czechs have a charming way of describing someone who is peculiar or off their trolley: “he is special.” The kindest thing I can say about the majority of women in Bac Kan is that they are special. If I want to buy bread at breakfast time, I have to pass three chemists1 and four hairdressers2. One of the main monthly expenses for the Bac Kan household is mum’s hair. As a good old fashioned chauvinist pig I am happy to note that the women take care of their appearance but there is a slightdrawback: they spend all day with their crash helmet on. In banks, offices, restaurants, walking down the street, selling, buying ….. high heels, puffy jackets, cloth smog masks and a crash helmet. img=http://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/264840/828765/s/7911574-ng---i-ph--n--ngu-ng--c-2-0.jpg center ... read more

Wir waren nur für einen Tag im Ba Be Nationalpark. Leider war das Wetter nicht so gut und ausser ein paar Bootstouren konnte man hier nicht viel machen. Wir haben in einem Homestay in Nam Mau übernachtet. In Nam Mau gibt es keine Restaurants, so liegt es an den Homestays das Essen für die Gäste zu kochen. Am nächsten Tag machten wir eine Bootstour welche wir im Homestay organisierten. Es gab zu sehen: Eine langweilige Höhle, ein Tümpel, welcher als Feenteich angepriesen wurde und ein Tempel. Naja, da haben wir schon bessere Sachen erlebt ;-) Wir wollen jetzt nicht alles schlecht reden, den die Landschaft und der See im Nationalpark sind superschön. Man könnte allerdings noch ein bisschen das touristische Angebot ausbauen und zum Beispiel ein paar markierte Wanderwege anlegen oder etwas über die Tiere und ... read more

Arrive Hanoi Friday 25th March after an uneventful flight. ( The taxi to Manchester airport developed a flat tyre. The car did not possess a wheel brace and a Manchester taxi had to summoned to complete the journey arriving nearly 3 hours after leaving Clitheroe and in the nick of time for the flight!) Saturday 26th March. An early breakfast followed by a vehicle transfer of approximately200km to Phu Thong followed by a 32km cycle ride to Ba Be National Park for a 1 night stay. In the Far East you soon become aware of the difference in life style seeing many strange things as you go along. We saw a dead pig strapped to the back of a small motorbike on its way to the market. We arrived at the hotel in the dark and ... read more