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BangCamNamKong
  • Julia Warmington
  • Paul Hersey
Feb – Mar 2019

BangCamNamKong

A 55-day adventure by Julia & Paul Read more
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  • BangCamNamKong
    Cai Rang floating market
    Cai Rang floating market11Great view from the rooftop pool.Water melons at the Cai Rang floating market

    Floating Market

    March 2, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Up early ready for boat at 7am to take us the 40 minute ride to the Cai Rang floating market which sells wholesale fruit and vegetables - lots of water melons, tomatoes, pumpkins, onions, sweet potatoes etc. The traders tie an example of the fruit they are selling to long poles on their boats to advertise what they have. Smaller sampans weave in and out either buying goods or selling food to the other traders and shoppers. We were then taken to a rice noodle factory workshop. Nothing is wasted in the process - the rice husks are burnt to fuel the stove and then used as fertiliser. Walked through some nice gardens and then taken to a local market selling fish, meat and vegetables. The fish, crabs and frogs were all still alive - couldn't get any fresher! From here we were driven back to Ho Chi Minh City in the minibus, stopping for lunch on the way at a nice restaurant. Arrived back in time for a nice swim in the rooftop pool before going out to the night street food market for food, beer, live band and good company.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Climbing out
    Lifting the cover.EmergingVentilation moundWhere's Paul?

    Cu Cui Tunnels

    March 3, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Lazy morning and afternoon trip to the Cu Cui tunnels. Met at the travel agents and after a other few pick ups we set off. The guide that did not speak to us in English up to this point then brings out his karaoke microphone and starts to sing Vietnamese folk songs. He had the microphone connected to his phone so we had music too and all quite loud. The first song got a polite round of applause but his second song got no applause - too loud and just too long! Not to be put off he went for a 3rd song. Finally he understood that none of us wanted any more! Just out of the city we stopped at a handicraft place where handicapped people produce lovely pictures and items using eggshell, mother of pearl inlay, paint and lacquer. At the tunnels our guide took us around the points of interest. The Vietcong were ingenious in misleading the Americans - putting the tread on sandals the wrong way around so the footprint looked like they were walking in the opposite direction. They disguised ventilation for the tunnels as natural mounds found in the forest and when the USA troops used sniffer dogs to sniff out the smell of the Vietnamese to gas the tunnels the Vietcong used the uniforms of the US troops cut up small to use around the ventilation holes so that the sniffer dogs couldn't smell the Vietcong - only Americans. I had to admire their determination, ingenuity and tenacity but I found it difficult that they seem still to celebrate the death of American GIs. The Vietcong are their heroes. We were taken along a short section of tunnel - having to crouch right down all the way and Paul 'hid' in a tunnel as they would have done. Brought back to Ho Chi Minh City and went to a food market for dinner. Back to the apartment to pack.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Hoi An market
    Thubon river viewPaul browsingLantern stall

    To Hoi An

    March 4, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    11am flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. Collected at Da Nang airport and taken to Hoi An. The taxi driver didn't speak English but he used an app on his phone to translate for him - at least he made the effort to talk to us! Not impressed with our first room at the hotel - toilet didn't flush, no water pressure and a musty smell so complained & room changed - at -£12.50 a night I am not sure what we were expecting! Had a nice walk into the old town - looks lovely with a large market.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    The Japanese Bridge

    Hoi An - City of Lanterns

    March 5, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Went to a local bakery's/deli for breakfast- Paul had full English and I had eggs Benedict - good home comfort food! Walked into the old town. So hot we needed to stop for a drink when we got there. Spent the afternoon wandering the streets enjoying looking at the shops and stopping for drinks and people watching. Seems funny that when you are sitting in a cafe other street traders come in to sell you fruit & snacks. As the sun sets all the lanterns light up - really pretty. Walked around the markets and watched the boats on the river.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Hoi An Traditional Art Performance
    Dragon statue in the Phuc Kien Assembly HallPhuc Kien Assembly HallA Vietnamese stout

    Hoi An day 2

    March 6, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Walked into the old town and having bought a Ancient Hoi An tourist ticket, visited the Quan Cong Temple, Quan Am Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Old house of Phung Hung, Museum of Folk Culture and a live performance at the Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House. All very different and interesting. Wandered around the markets and sat in street cafes watching the world go by. On the walk back to our accommodation we came across a micro brewery so had to stop for a beer or two!Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    An Bang beach

    Day at the beach

    March 7, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Spent the day at An Bang beach. The waves roll in quite strongly but the sea was warm and shallow and all very clean. Sat watching the paragliders, swimmers and a fisherman mending his net on his coracle. In the evening we returned to Hoi An town to see all the lanterns again - it is a very beautiful town.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    View from the train
    Live band in the 'Army bar'View from the Da Nang to Hue trainDragon boats in HueFood market stall

    A spectacular train ride

    March 8, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Up early so that we could go to our favourite deli for breakfast. Then collected by taxi from our hotel and taken to the train station in Da Nang. The train arrived and left on time. Seats were very comfortable and the train clean. After leaving Da Nang at a reasonable pace the train slowed as it wound it's way around the coast with fabulous scenery, clinging to the hillside, with some quite sharp corners for a train, creaking and groaning all the time. Quite eerie as the mist came down. Certainly an experience we are glad we have done. As we travelled north the track straightened, the speed picked up and mist turned to a little rain but by the time we reached Hue the rain had stopped but was much cooler than Hoi An. We checked into the hotel and went for a walk passed the dragon boats to the other side of the river. The night food market was setting up - so colourful & lots of interesting dishes! In the evening we found a bar with live music - a lovely way to end the day!Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    The gardens in the Citadel
    Ceiling in a passage between buildingsSunset over the Perfume River

    The Imperial Citadel in Hue

    March 9, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Walked to the Citadel after breakfast and started at the Purple Forbidden City - the old Royal residences until 1945. Lots of buildings, temples and gardens to look at. As it was a very hot day we tried to keep in the shade between buildings. Much of the original site was destroyed in the war so 76% has been reconstructed but this has been done well in keeping with the age and design of the original buildings. We were surprised to find it was so peaceful at times despite the large tour groups and school trips - the site is so large. Leaving the citadel at 4.30 pm we walked back along the river, stopping to listen to school students playing musical instruments at the band stand.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    The River Perfume
    Insence sticks outside a temple

    Hue - a blustery afternoon

    March 10, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    After breakfast we walked to Dong Ba market. Some stalls selling tourist souvenirs but most of it was a market for locals selling vegetables, fish, food, meat and household items. Found the market too hot and airless to stay long so we then walked into the outer part of the citadel, along the river and back to our hotel. The day started very hot and humid but in the afternoon it became blustery and much cooler - much more comfortable.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Getting comfy!
    Train arriving at Hue

    Overnight sleeper

    March 12, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌫 21 °C

    Packed our bags (leaving them at the hotel), checked out and went in search of sleeping sheet bags for our train journey. Walked back to the main market but no luck as wanted far too much for them but did find some later in a shop for £3 each - 100% silk they say! After a late lunch near the hotel we collected our bags and got a taxi to the train station. The train was an hour late arriving 'due to obstacles' but we were kept well informed at the station. Pleasantly surprised by our cabin - both given bottom bunks and shared with 2 Vietnamese guys (one after the other) who gave the guard backhanders for cheap journeys. The train shakes, rattles and rolls a lot but without the music! It did not live up to the romantic image I had of being gently rocked to sleep listening to the clickety clack of the train gliding across the rails.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Dancing in the park at 6.45am
    Playing badminton at 6.45amMain rail line running through the townHoan Kiem LakeSt Josephs Cathedral

    Hanoi

    March 12, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌫 19 °C

    Managed to get a little sleep on the train but arrived in Hanoi tired! On our walk to our hotel we were surprised to find so many people in the park taking part in ballroom dancing, playing badminton and doing tai chi at 6.45am. Checked in early at our hotel to catch up on a little sleep. Woke up hungry so headed out in search of food towards Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) which is in the centre of the old quarter. Had some brunch and then visited Ngoc Son temple which sits on an island In the middle of the lake connected by a bridge and then continued to walk around the lake visiting St Joseph's cathedral on the way. In the evening we went to a local restaurant for a meal and sat listening to live music.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh
    Dong Xuan marketDecoration in Bach Ma TempleBuddhas at Tran Quoc TempleTran Quoc pagodaSmog on the lake

    Being a tourist in Hanoi

    March 13, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Walked to Bach Ma Temple stopping to get a cache on the way. The temple had beautifully decorated roof trusses and uprights. We then walked to Dong Xuan Market selling all-sorts including fish, crabs, soft shell turtles, birds, fruit, veg, household items and souvenirs. From here we walked to catch the 'Hop on hop off bus' for a tour of the city with audio guide on the top deck which was very interesting. Having done the full circuit we hopped on the next bus and went back to see the Tran Quoc pagoda and temple. Nice pagoda and the temple had an impressive set of gold Buddhas. Looking across the lake from here we could see the smog. The pollution in Hanoi is dreadful at the moment - it can be smelt and tasted in the air. A teacher told us the sensor in the nursery school he teaches at here registered the air quality at 300 yesterday! We looked it up and 300 is hazardous! How do people live here? We caught the bus back to the old quarter, stopped for a drink and shared a piece of cake. Walked back to our hotel stopping to collect our laundry on the way. In the evening we went back to the same restaurant as last night - The Hanoi Social Club- as we wanted to try the burgers we had seen served. We were not disappointed.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Boats returning from the bay in the evening.
    Halong bay boatsLanterns lit up outside our hotel.

    A trip to Paradise

    March 14, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Collected from our hotel to be taken to Halong Bay in a very posh minibus so we had a very comfy journey. Great scenery on the way. Checked in to our hotel - in a lovely big room in the Paradise Suites Hotel. We walked around the area watching all the boats going in and out - very busy! The islands look impressive even from the shore. In the afternoon I had a 'sensory spa journey' - a mix of types of massage followed by a body scrub. It was lovely. In the evening the port was still busy with boats coming back from the bay to drop passengers but not many people staying in the hotels - all just seem to be in transit.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    View from top of Soisim Island
    Ga Choi Islet - the fishLimestone karsts, Halong BayEntrance to Hang Luon LakeGa Choi Islet - fighting cocks or kissing hens.Steps have been built around growing trees on Soisim Island

    A journey through the dragons teeth.

    March 15, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    According to legend a dragon came to defend Halong Bay from invaders and dropped pearls into the water which turned to stone in the shape of the dragons teeth which defeated the invaders. The dragon liked it there so much she decided to stay. The name comes from this legend Ha meaning descending and Long (dragon). We set off mid morning, still a little misty but reasonable visibility. We slowed to see various rock formations given names as they look like animals - Ga Choi Islet - fighting cock (looks more like kissing hens) from one side and looks like a fish from the other side. We were given a buffet lunch on board which was very good with plenty of choice. It was surprising that despite the number of other boats around it was incredibly peaceful cruising along and the scenery was spectacular. Our first stop was Hang Sung Sot - The Surprise Cave. 100 steps up to the entrance, then 100 down into the cave and another 100 up to get out again. Lots of stalactites and stalagmites in huge caves. Back on the boat and taken to Hang Luon where we transferred to bamboo boats to go through a tunnel into the hollow centre of the island. Back on board it was lovely to sit on the top deck appreciating the scenery. Many times it looked as though we were heading for the rocks before an opening between islands appeared. Our last stop was as Soisim Island where we climbed many more steps to the top of the island. The view at the top was worth the climb. It was nice to see that the trees have been allowed to grow through the steps and we had to clamber around them to climb the steps. Back on board for coffee and biscuits and, despite the mist turning to light rain part way, we had a very relaxing, peaceful journey back to port. Collected by coach and returned to Hanoi.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Hanoi opera house
    Good beer - Happy Paul.

    A night at the opera (house)

    March 16, 2019 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We both slept until gone 11am so missed breakfast at the hotel. It was a dull drizzly day which on the good side seemed to have improved the air quality - washing the dust to the ground - but on the down side it was a bit damp to be outside all day. Walked to a restaurant for lunch and then to the opera house to buy tickets for the evening performance of the Bamboo Circus. As part of the deal we were given vouchers for 2 free beers at a local bar so after a little window shopping at a posh shopping centre - Prada, Dior, Cartier etc - we went for our beers. Nice bar with proper beer. We were disappointed with the opera house (not as grand as expected) and the show (certainly no cirque du soliel) and the show only lasted 75 minutes. We consoled ourselves by returning to the good beer bar for a couple more beers and some food.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Favourite bakery!

    Hello Hong Kong

    March 18, 2019 in Hong Kong ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Time to say goodbye to Hanoi & Vietnam. Sad to leave Vietnam but ready to leave Hanoi - just too polluted. We had a taxi to the airport for a 10.30am flight with Vietnamese Airlines. The flight time was only 1.5 hours so we were impressed to be served lunch with a drink and coffee in that time. Caught the MTR express to Hong Kong Island and then the metro close enough to walk to the hotel - all so impressively efficient. After checking in our first stop was the bakery we went to every morning last time we were here - so happy it is still here.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Star Ferries crossing Victoria Harbour
    Avenue of Stars on the waterfrontBruce Lee statue

    Markets, handbags & shirts

    March 18, 2019 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Having bought rolls (ham & egg, sausage and cheese) at the bakery we caught the metro to Kowloon and walked along the Avenue of Stars on the water front. The only stars we recognised were Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. We then walked through Kowloon park stopping to look at the birds in an aviary - lots of macaws, cockatoos, parrots & pigeons but also a rhinoceros hornbill. We visited Tin Hau temple where the incense sticks and coils created an overwhelming aroma before continuing to Ladies market which mainly sold clothes and bags. I couldn't resist buying 2 handbags and Paul bought 4 polo shirts. A little weary we walked down Temple Street, through the night market and caught the metro back to Hong Kong Island.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    The pathway down
    Decoration of the main templeView towards the airport

    The Big Buddha

    March 19, 2019 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Following our visit to the Po Lin Monastery 2 years ago when we couldn't see 10 feet ahead because of the mist we always wanted to return. As today had the best weather forecast we set off on the metro to Tung Chung on Lantau Island where we caught the bus up to the Monastery as the gondolas were shut for maintenance (as they were last time we visited). The monastery lies 1700 feet above sea level and the bronze Buddha is a very impressive 112 feet high - one of the largest seated Buddha images in the world. The main temple is impressive too not only with the gold Buddhas statues but with all the decoration inside and outside. From here we walked back down the 4 miles to Tung Chung. It was a steep path all the way down on the edge of a woods with good views out towards the airport. An added bonus were the caches we collected on the way down. Back on the metro to our hotel feeling a little tired.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    View from Hong Kong Island towards Kowloon
    Light show on Hong Kong Island - looking from KowloonLight show

    The light show

    March 20, 2019 in Hong Kong ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    A hazy start to the day so spent some time around Central square visiting the gardens, the cathedral, shopping malls and walked along next to the peers. In the evening we went back to the Avenue of the stars in Kowloon to watch the light show that takes place every evening on the skyscrapers. Lots of people were there to watch and it was a good atmosphere.Read more

  • BangCamNamKong
    Mid level escalators
    Mid level escalators2Time for a beer & glass of prosecco at the airport.

    Time to go home

    March 21, 2019 in Hong Kong ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Got up packed our bags and took them to the 'in town check in' on the metro where we dropped off our main bags and set out to enjoy the rest of our day in the city. First stop was the mid level escalators - the longest covered outdoor escalators and walkways in the world - about 1km total length. Up to 10am the escalators are set to descend to bring the workers into the city. Then they switch to ascend for the rest of the day (taking 20minutes to change the direction). We caught them all the way to the top (only having to climb the steps for the short section under maintenance) and then walked down. Glad we did it that way around! We did a few caches in the afternoon walking around Kowloon before stopping for dinner and then catching the metro to the airport. The plane we were on was an Airbus A380 - 800 - a double decker & the largest plane either of us had been on before. It was just huge with massive wings in length and width. Flight was good & we managed to get some sleep despite the legroom being a little cramped.Read more

    Trip end
    March 31, 2019
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