It seems we all loved Hanoi with it's massive amount of great street food, excellent restaurants, ancient culture, and so many crazy fun things to do. But alas, we must move on to other adventures... such as the overnight train to Hue. Trains are an enviable part of the past, where one could sit, relax… Continue reading Good night and Good bye Hanoi
As a Canadian East Coaster I have always said that even setting foot on a boat makes me hungry, and this has been proven out many times over the years and was also true for the Halong Bay overnight cruise! We traveled by bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay and we very pleasantly surprised by… Continue reading Ethereal Beauty On the Boat at Halong Bay
As all true foodie troopers our second day in Hanoi was replete with food and food and more food. The Hotel breakfast was marvelous, the lunch was exceptional, and dinner was ...well the same as the previous two... only better! Ah Vietnamese food, how do I love thee, let me count the ways... This would be… Continue reading Hanoi … Oi…and it’s only day 2!
As we arrived in VietNam we realized that the weather was going to be warmer and the food was going to be hotter...but not yet. We arrived at our Hotel to find our guide Lilly waiting to take us on a street food tour...we could hardly believe our good fortune. So, 12 weary, hungry travelers… Continue reading Welcome to Viet Nam…street food too!
A modern and upbeat city Vientiane is bustling and busy but has a bit of a laid back quality as well. Some fantastic architecture, bakeries, and yes, silk factories such as Carol Cassidy's Laos Textiles... where I bought another silk wall hanging of exquisite design and work womanship! Our hotel, the treasure Hotel, was brand… Continue reading Vientiane – The New Capital of Laos – Beauty meets Modern
The next stop on our whirlwind tour of this area of Laos was a small town where we stayed in a Guest House called the Vilayvong. Check it out here: https://www.galahotels.com/en/Hotel/lao_people_s_democratic_republic_124/vang_vieng_652661/vilayvong_hotel_1888942 Located close to the river there were numerous water sports to participate in around the corner. Waterfalls, swimming, kayaking, and tubing can be purchased… Continue reading Vang Vieng Town and Vilayvong Guest House
This lovely village of Vang Vieng is located just outside the main town. It took a few minutes to navigate the dirt roads and get to our center village. Our home stay hosts were awaiting us. After some quick introductions we were whisked off to get settled in our rooms and… Continue reading Vang Vieng Home Stay…Yay!
The Ock Pop Tok silk factory was incredible! They make the silk from scratch...well from silk worms...they do all the making work! They use natural vegetable dyes and hand spin and hand loom the threads into incredible masterpieces! Yes I bought one! Ok 2! From the history of the silk worm (a highly guarded secret… Continue reading Ock PopTok Silk Factory in Luang Prabang and more food!
This evening we had the great fortune to have dinner with a local Lao family. The family prepared a traditional meal, gave us luck bracelets which tied us to the family and granted us permission (by the ancestors) to enter the home and be peaceful within. We had a beautiful ceremony with two elders and… Continue reading Evening with a Lao family
The slow boat to Luang Prabang was delightful! We passed beautifully carved mountains and even stopped at a Buddhist Temple carved out of the rock where natural caves are located. Interesting and beautiful the many Buddha icons are everywhere! But, we were in for a wonderful surprise at… Continue reading The last day on the Mighty Mekong…to Luang Prabang
TravelSpirit-The Hungry Traveler 