Blogs from Central Highlands, Vietnam, Asia - page 6

We are a 60 year old couple going to Vietnam for 3 weeks in November 2013. We are not back-packers but do not expect luxury either. Flying to HCMC. Intending to stay in the southern half of the country; Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Central Highlands etc. We prefer comfortable small guest houses/hotels in countryside locations. Wildlife, national parks, interesting village and rural life. So far my research into accommodation has tended to come up with quite large hotels in urban locations. Any suggestions most appreciated. Having visited Sri Lanka 3 times and got used to tuktuks is the motorbike the only simple and cheap form of transport other than public transport. Thanks in anticipation. I can offer similar help to anyone considering Sri Lanka in particular.... read more

Dalat was a brief, one-night stopover on our way to Saigon from Nha Trang, reached after a four hour bus ride up an incredibly twisty road. The main objective was to see a little bit of the apparently quirky town, and sample some of the local mountain biking trails. And quirky it was. Dalat was probably the most unusual place we visited, I can only describe it as an odd cross between a run-down alpine resort and a counterfeit Disneyland. Grand, French-built houses were dotted about in the surrounds of the large, man made lake just outside of Dalat's centre, a TV aerial made to look like the Eiffel Tower looms in the distance, and kitschy touches like the 'Valley of Love' - a romance orientated theme park - are in abundance. It's also much cooler ... read more

13 to 16 March 2013 – I didn’t plan to visit Đà Lạt city. I was happy in Nha Trang beach city for a week, but then I lost my money at a market because of my carelessness. This made me sad, so I decided to do something that could make me feel better. I booked a bus ticket and moved on to Đà Lạt city. It is 15 years since my last (and also the first) visit to this city, so I wanted to see how the city has changed. Within two weeks, I traveled from the Central Highlands to the South Central Coast, then I came back to the Central Highlands again! Anyway, I had no fixed plan, so I could do whatever I wanted. Also, it's good to try different routes and get ... read more

OMG ....so many laughs along the way Excellence is something you always remember......take this trip! For my husband and I working as a team when we Tavel is paramount. Lee and his wingmen follow this ethos with committed spirit and carry with them an un-presidented level of expertise. From safety to problem solving every detail of our tour was organised and provided for. We experienced outstanding scenery, views, villages, industry, plant and animal life, fantastic food, waterfalls and most of all the true heart of the Vietnamese people. To Lee and his team - Thank you - we fell in love with Vietnam, so it is not good bye but rather. "Hasta la vista Baby!!!!" See you for Sapa......... P.s. keep Chau and Quang we love them xxx ........above is my note to Lee, Chau and ... read more

Thakhek (Laos) to Hué (Vietnam): 11th Jan 2013 - 17th Jan 2013 Distance covered so far (since 20 Dec): 1879.90 km (YES! Over 1000 miles!) Bouyant from a remarkable game of scrabble (Andy went 'all-out' in his first two goes, and was rather proud of himself, Mel got 'crazed' on a triple word score), the cycle on from Thakhek was predestined to be easy-peasy. It wasn't. What followed was 5 days into a strong headwind. Now... cyclists may be able to appreciate the pain of a headwind, non-cyclists may not. As an analogy, imagine you are making a cake. Not too complicated, you say.... But wait... instead of whisking in eggs and sugar.... you are whisking setting concrete. AND - the only implement you have to whisk the concrete into your cake, is a floppy flannel. ... read more