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Vietnam 2023
  • Will S
  • amy shepherd
  • Dylan Shepherd
  • Will S
  • amy shepherd
  • Dylan Shepherd
  • Jake Shepherd

Vietnam 2023

Une aventure de 34 jours par Will, amy, Dylan & Jake En savoir plus
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  • Début du voyage
    28 juillet 2023
  • Vietnam 2023
    11

    Day 1 - Arrival in Hanoi

    29 juillet 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Taxi from airport to our nice apartment.
    Head out to stay awake and see Old Town Hanoi.
    Watch a woman whack a fish and then gut and sell it
    Mopeds everywhere.
    First meal at "Michelin" restaurant - very tasty.
    Dylan buys a Hanoi football kit for £3.
    Find a bar to watch cricket.
    Foot massage for all 3 of us on the way home.
    Then drink and a bun 'snack' on Train street before home to bed.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 3 - Hanoi

    31 juillet 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Coffee on balcony watching scooters, talking about cameras.
    Walk around lake, man catching a fish, lunch to avoid rain.
    Frog in batter followed by chicken hot pot, watching the lightening and hearing the thunder.
    Coconuts then full body massage on way home.
    Evening at sports bar before slightly earlier night with 5:30 start tomorrow.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 4 - Hanoi to Pu Luong

    1 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    Up at 5:30 to get out and catch bus (from the opera house) at 7 am
    Found the right bus at the 2nd or 3rd time of asking, and then enjoyed comfortable (if bumby) 4.5 hour trip with great sceney.
    Spent afternoon checking out the new place - lunch, feeding fish, swimming and relaxing with books (phones) and a bit of poker.
    Nice duck dinner in restaurant then early to bed.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    Jungle LodgeUmbrella4Massive armsSweat or Water on the shirt?Google translate and stomache ache leaves2Lime JuiceUbrella CrewScenic RestRice feilds and Sweaty ShirtsView of Market Village

    Day 5 - Pu Luong

    2 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    Up early with breakfast and rice to set us up for the day ahead.
    We followed Doan on a 12k walk through rice fields and ethnic villages.
    Steep concrete paths made for slippy early steps, but views made it worth it.
    Doan showed us lots of cool stuff with local vegetation - blowing bubbles, smelling leaves, tasting fruit, recommending stuff for tummy aches!
    Said hello to lots of villagers ( plus ducks, chickens, puppies, and cows)
    See swing photos in follow-up album.
    Coffee, Dragon fruit and present for Betsy half way round.
    Then it started to rain..... ☔
    Soaking wet, but fun walk back to hotel with leaves as umbrella's.
    Back to hotel for chilled afternoon - lots of reading after drying off.
    Walked to bar with amazing view of villages in valley for pre-dinner drinks and fried spring rolls (delish!)
    Home for dinner and bedtime ..    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    1

    Day 6 - Pu Luong

    3 août 2023, Vietnam

    Really early start today, although because of heavy rain, we didn't leave till 8am.
    All 3 of us hopped on the back of mopeds driven by our 3 guides.
    We followed a similar route to our walk yesterday - much quicker, but a bit nervy on the downhills.
    First stop Doan (I think) market. Lots of fish, vegetables, live animals, medicinal cures and of course football tops to look at.
    Then on to a bit of bamboo rafting after another chunk of moped riding.
    The water was pretty fast against us, but our driver (with pole) did his best.
    And then on to the amazing bamboo water wheels used to water the fields.
    Sugar cane juice to reward the hard work.
    Afternoon of snoozing and swimming in the pool before we hoped on bikes for a pre -dinner ride and drinks.
    Chicken and pork for dinner then back to our room...    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 7 - Pu Luong

    3 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Quietest day yet!
    Lie in for the boys, and then because of rain, we sat around for a few hours in the hotel restaurant playing poker, and having lunch..
    Then grabbed a couple of hours walk in the afternoon.
    Dinner at a local restaurant famed for its water buffalo steaks!
    Was a fun night with translation chuckles, good conversation, but very chewy steak (plus bread and jam)    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 8 - Pu Luong to Hanoi

    5 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    Not so much to report today....

    Raining again, so despite getting up for breakfast, little to do for the morning, although boys managed a swim in the rain.
    Then goodbye to Pu Luong Jungle Lodge and 1pm bus back to Hanoi. Uneventful bar the occasional herd of water buffalo in the road.
    Jumped off bus and short walk to Hanoi train station where we get the SE18 overnight train to Dong Hoi.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    211

    Day 9 - Phong Nha-Ke Bang

    6 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Arrived at Dong Hoi Station just after 6am, then straight in to taxi for short 40mins ride to Phong Nha.
    All quite tired, so after dumping bags, walk in to town for coffee and then breakfast (Catfish & Noodles for Will, Tofu and fried rice for Dylan, Spring rolls and french fries for Jake).
    Checked out trip, hairdresser, massage and dinner options in town.
    Back to our lovely homestay, rooms now ready, so showers all round.
    Then back to town, stopping first at Sy's massage for a full body each. Then on to the highlight of the afternoon - a boat trip in to the enormous Phong Nha cave system.
    Incredible size, with immense stalagmites and stalactites - clearly very old.
    Back to town for pizza dinner, and then talked to Tu Tu (the owner of the homestay) and booked tomorrows tour.....    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    112

    Day 10 - Phong Nha-Ke Bang

    7 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Caving trip today - 2 caves in fact.
    Early start after a pancake breakfast then pick up by mini-bus.
    First cave is Paradise cave - the longest dry cave in Asia at 31km.
    We climb up to the entrance, and then pass 1km inside. Very big, very impressive!
    Then lunch of BBQ pork, chicken, and goat (I think) before cave #2.
    The Dark Cave is across the river, so Jake and Dylan travel by zipwire, Dad by canoe.
    We enter the Dark cave in trunks, lifejackets and helmets with lights.
    No electric lighting in this cave (could you guess by the name), so soon only the light of head torches to see by.
    We progress through a ravine with sand underfoot and the occasional rock to climb over.
    Our destination is a small cavern, with a pool of mud for us to bathe in.
    Back out at the river we canoe across the river and then play on a couple of smaller ziplines that end in the middle of the water.
    Back home, we borrow bikes and cycle to the Funky Beach for a couple of drinks and snacks.
    And then back to our homestay to eat a delicious Vietnamese feast with the other guests and Tu Tu.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    1

    Day 11 - Phong Nha-Ke Bang

    8 août 2023, Vietnam

    First of our 2 big days trekking in the Jungle.
    Breakfast at Dawn Homestay and then off to Jungle Boss for our briefing.
    First stop - our own private tour of The Elephant Cave. In the dark, with head torches, we descended into these amazing caverns with sensational stalagtites with different colours, and some shining (with the silicon?), And hundreds of bats (mostly) hanging from the ceiling.
    Included a few climbs and scrambles, and the boys dropping into a smaller cave.
    The cave system was used by the N Vietnamese during the war given its proximity to the Ho Chi Minh trail which is where we headed next.

    We walked along the trail for 15 minutes (actually a minor road now) and then struck into the jungle.
    We had been advised to tuck our trousers in to our socks because of the leaches.
    Dylan spent the first 10 minutes asking 'Messi' our guide about them - do they hurt, what do they look like, had he seen any yet...
    After 15 minutes we had to take our walking boots off - next hour of the trek was through the river.
    We saw chains of blue, white and black butterflies, and lizards,

    We arrived at our Camp for the night, which was alongside an amazing deep blue pool.
    So we cooled down from our exertions by swimming in the pool and jumping in from the rocks (some higher than others)

    Evening meal was a feast eaten sat cross legged on a mat with the guides and porters:
    Pork, fish with bamboo shoots collected from the jungle, tofu in tomato, chicken, soup and many tasty vegetables..

    It was dark by 7:30pm, so we got in to our tents to sleep for the night just after 8.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 12 - Phong Nha-Ke Bang

    9 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Up early with soup noodles to get us ready for the days activities.
    Once camp is packed up, we have an up and down trek through the jungle to the base camp for the Tra Ang cave.
    A scramble up a series of rocks in our trunks, sandals and helmets and we arrive to the cave entrance.
    We swim 300m into the cave, and all natural light disappears after 100m.
    The cavern is vast, we see an occasional bat in our torch beams, and the echos of Dad's singing is beautiful!
    The current in the cave is in our favour for the return leg, and we pull ourselves back up in to the light.
    Time for more expedition food!
    We are made BBQ chicken and pork laid out in a pile with cucumber, some leaves and rice paper to make our own spring rolls.
    Then across the river and final section of the hike. We return to the road and our van which has a cold drink waiting for all of us.
    Back home for a well earned shower.
    Dinner in town at the Indian curry restaurant!    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    1

    Day 13 - Phong Nha-Ke Bang

    10 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    We enjoy a lie in after our jungle adventures, so wake up late for chocolate pancake and iced coffee breakfast!

    With a rented moped (Dad and Dylan) and an easy rider for Jake, we head to the Botanical Gardens.

    It's a good 90 minute walk - effectively through the jungle, but with a marked trail. Quite hilly, with occasional points if interest including a couple of bomb craters from the war.
    It's very sweaty, but we decide not to swim in the waterfalls, but push on to our next stop.

    We ride for 30 mins or so, including a section of main road (lorries and buses to look out for!) to the 'Pub with cold beer'.

    Chewy chicken, swing and a nice looking pool that we didn't use. Sort of lacked atmosphere...

    However the Duck Place, our next stop was great fun. We kicked off with a snack of peanut, salt, and a peppercorn.
    Then to the Ducks - watch the video! And a spot of water buffalo riding for the boys.
    We finish with an unecessarry pancake snack. Great value for £12 total.

    Back for a swim in the pool at Dawn Homestay and then another amazing dinner with Tu Tu and other guests (from Belgium and N Zealand)    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 14 - Dong Hoi

    11 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    In to Phong Nha for last time - early lunch at Bamboo Chopsticks - very tasty!
    Taxi to Dong Hoi.
    We enjoy our pool at nice hotel, and a brief wander to the beach.
    Then on to our blind massage - very much a sports massage - it was a bit hard for some!
    Then a Korean BBQ for dinner - steak and seafood hot pot.
    Dong Hoi looks really nice place to hang out along seafront - lots of coffee shops, restaurants and nice shops. We must come again!    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 15 - Dong Hoi to Hanoi to Ninh Binh

    12 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Time to head to Hanoi to meet up with Mum and Betsy.
    We wake early, buffet breakfast at the hotel and then taxi ride to Dong Hoi's small airport.
    Very short flight to Hanoi but by the time we collect and store our bags, we have only a couple of hours to kill before Mum and Betsy land.
    So taxi to a small town/ suburb near to the airport. Bit of mobile phone shopping/ looking and then a street-side banh mi (sandwich).
    Then back to the airport ready to welcome the rest of our travelling family!
    ...... Unfortunately took a bit longer than expected to find the bags, and add to that the traffic around Hanoi, we finally made it to the Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow.
    Gorgeous looking place - time for a swim, and a nice dinner overlooking the rice fields.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 16 - Tam Coc

    13 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Chilled out day in and around Tam Coc.
    We spent time in the pool under the lovely morning sunshine. Gorgeous place for a swim and a sunbathe.
    And then a wander in to Tam Coc itself - across the rice field on our little lane, and in to the bustling centre with its many restaurants and massage spas.
    Restaurant first for some lunch, and then on to a massage for the five of us. Very relaxing!
    Back to the hotel after a spot of shopping.
    For our evening meal, we had a whole fish cooked in a pile of burning rice husks.    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 17 - Trang An

    14 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Amazing (& hot) boat trip down the river to visit 9 caves in Trang An. We saw temples, caves and many fish. We all got super sweaty.

    After the boat trip & via quick lunch we went to Bai Dinh pagoda & Buddhist temples which was like something out of Lara Croft or a Marvel movie - quite spectacular.

    We got drenched and managed to get a ride on an electric buggy to avoid the rains to the top.

    Back for swim and out into our town Tam Coc for dinner and back via the karaoke bus to hear the back packers singing. Jake and Dylan looking forward to doing that when their older!    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    4

    Day 18 - Hang Mua

    15 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Lazy morning in our ‘Tam Coc wonderland bungalow’ in the pool, then borrowed some bikes from the hotel and cycled for a coffee (Amy’s first since landing) and off on the bikes to Hang Mua which was like a much shortened version of the Great Wall of China.En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023
    11

    Day 19 - to Hanoi

    16 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Departure day from Tam Coc.
    Time for breakfast and a swim before 2 hour drive to Hanoi.
    Once checked in to our hotel, Betsy chooses a destination for lunch, and using the map from the hotel, navigates us through the streets of Hanoi to the Gourmet Corner Restaurant
    Poshest meal of the holiday so far.
    We then split up - 3 for massage, 2 for haircut (only one perm though)
    Then back together for a drink, and watch England women beat Australia, and meet a nice couple from Brisbane in the process.
    Then off to the same restaurant that Jake, Dylan and Dad ate at when we arrived nearly 3 weeks ago.
    Last stop at a cafe on Train street for a drink, then home to bed.
    Calista Hotel    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 20 - to Halong Bay

    17 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Early start from our Hanoi hotel to hop on the bus to Halong/ Lan Ha Bay
    We stop at a service station that along with a toilet and coffee, gives us an education on the process of farming pearls from Oysters
    Speed boat for the 5 of us and our luggage to the Unicharm.
    Couple of hours chugging firstly through Halong Bay and then in to Lan Ha Bay, watching the gorgeous scenery, exploring our home for the next 48 hours, and enjoying good seafood for lunch.
    Once we reach Lan Ha, we transfer to the tender, and head to the floating activity centre and jump in canoes.
    2 hours canoeing round Halong Bay and swimming from a beach. It's all beautiful but there is a lot of rubbish about.
    Back to the boat for Happy Hour, making spring rolls, and then dinner.
    Night sleeping on our lovely boat!    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 21 - Lan Ha and Cat Ba Island

    18 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Woke up very early for breakfast on board!
    We got onto the small boat for a trip to Cat Ba the WOMAN island !
    We walked uphill through the jungle for an hour or so - very sweaty, but great views.
    Then a walk through a long cave, used by the N Vietnamese during the war.
    Lunch, then an afternoon on a gorgeous beach, jumping in the waves, and catching rays.
    Back to the boat - the kids jump off and do a quick lap and on to a nice evening plus early night....    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 22 - Leaving Lan Hah

    19 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Very early start today to fit in a last trip before leaving the area.
    On to the small boat after a light breakfast, and back to another part of Cat Ba island.
    In a big group we cycle up a couple of steep hills, then down in to a traditional village.
    We try kumquat tea, and fish massage, before cycling back to the port (slight accident for Betsy as we exit the 'echo' tunnel)
    Back to the boat to pack, brunch and departure back to the bus.
    Few hours to the airport, quick flight to Danang, and equally quick taxi to the Premier Villages resort    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 23 - Danang

    20 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Full day of luxury!

    3 bed apartment with our own pool.
    And then a beach and big proper pool (with bar)
    Betsy took a break mid afternoon to bake some cakes in the kids club.
    Otherwise sunbathing all day!

    Dylan and Dad head to a local restaurant/ sports bar to see England Women lose the World Cup Final (luckily Dad has Spain in the sweepstake!)

    Everyone else joins us for burgers, chicken etc - a very un- Vietnamese night.....    En savoir plus

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  • Vietnam 2023

    Day 24 - Hoi An

    21 août 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    A late check-out allowed us plenty more pool time once we had finished our buffet breakfast.

    Then a taxi to our penultimate stay - Zest Spa & Villa

    We spent a few hours in the pool (plus checking out our two lovely bungalows, the fishing, the pool table and the gym)

    Bus in to Hoi An for dinner, and the quick wander/ shop, and back to the hotel.    En savoir plus

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