travelShrimp

Beauty from the books If you're looking for beautiful countryside landscapes, this is the place to go. I was there today and Hoa Binh offers all you want : great landscapes, mountains, rivers, rice fields, buffalo's on roads, buffalo's in the water, very charming houses, very charmings houses on hilltops, markets, climbing opportunities, you name it they got it. The drive through Hoa Binh today was fenomenal. We visited Hoe's mom's grandparents, sister and brothers there, they all live in and around the city. I am going back there for sure when I have more time to spend around that area. Unfortunately we were also there to visit a family member who's daughter has recently died in an accident. I haven't written about it before (although we heard of it upon arrival in Vietnam) and I ... read more

Last day in Saigon We'll be leaving to Hanoi again in a few huors. Hoe's grandfather's birthday is coming up, and I also have more family to meet (and convince of our relationship). A lot has happened the past few days, coupled with the hot and humid weather, it tires me out quicker every day. But there's food to recharge me, and Coca Cola to provide for my sugar needs. The food So far you've read about the bird eggs containing baby birds and the field mice. Those we're, I guess, the strangest things to read about. In the mean time I can add pigs ears, goat meat, goat kidney and goat brain to that. Yesterday Hoe and I ate hot pot (for a change =) with her nephew and his wife. Hoe and I just ... read more

But I'll try to throw in a quick update Luang Prabang We spent a few days in Luang Prabang. A very charming town, with nice people and good food. Relaxing evening markets and a beautiful environment. The best moment for us (surely for me) is when we crossed the Mekong to get away from everyone else. There's a waterfall you can go see near Luang Prabang, practically all tours, organisers, guides, ... will take you there. However, there's also another waterfall, which is actually closer, on the other side of the Mekong. So we got ourselves a 2 euro (for both) boat ride across the river from a local and got off at Ban Xiem (if I remember correctly). Just a short ride, 5 minutes on the water, give or take a minute. But what a ... read more

But I'll try to throw in a quick update Luang Prabang We spent a few days in Luang Prabang. A very charming town, with nice people and good food. Relaxing evening markets and a beautiful environment. The best moment for us (surely for me) is when we crossed the Mekong to get away from everyone else. There's a waterfall you can go see near Luang Prabang, practically all tours, organisers, guides, ... will take you there. However, there's also another waterfall, which is actually closer, on the other side of the Mekong. So we got ourselves a 2 euro (for both) boat ride across the river from a local and got off at Ban Xiem (if I remember correctly). Just a short ride, 5 minutes on the water, give or take a minute. But what a ... read more

Hello again Today I slept late. Not because I went to bed late but because Hoe's brother is a very active sleeper. And when I say very, I mean very! Some snoring added to that and a cold night (yes, it's warmer in Belgium these days) and a small blanket thrown in the equation totals to waking up often in the middle of the night. So when I was awake at 8am, I had no chance to get out of bed. I asked Hoe to wake me up after a short while (meaning, 1 more hour) but she woke me up 2 hours later. Good for me of course but in the mean time one of her uncles came to visit and it turns out he doesn't like people that sleep long very much ... a-ha. ... read more