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The Wow TravelsThe Wow Travels
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The Wow Travels

august 2024 - juli 2025
  • ehy-oh-kay
Gjeldende
Hi friends! Here, I will show you my journey, exploring new places and eating all the things possible! Along the way, I am hoping to pick up some volunteer work! Les mer
  • ehy-oh-kay
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  • Indonesia Indonesia
  • Kambodsja Kambodsja
  • Macao Macao
  • Hong Kong Hong Kong
  • Kina Kina
  • Vietnam Vietnam
  • Malaysia Malaysia
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Kategorier
Verden rundt, Backpacking, Kultur, Fottur, Natur, Selvoppdagelse, Alenereise, Idrett, Villmark, Dyreliv
  • 40,5kreiste kilometer
Transportmidler
  • Flyvning22,5kkilometer
  • Tog2 947kilometer
  • Sykkel1 038kilometer
  • Motorsykkel374kilometer
  • Ferge172kilometer
  • Haike101kilometer
  • Bil81kilometer
  • Går-kilometer
  • Fotturer-kilometer
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  • Buss-kilometer
  • Campingvogn-kilometer
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  • Padling/Roing-kilometer
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  • Cruisebåt-kilometer
  • Hest-kilometer
  • Skikjøring-kilometer
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  • 146fotspor
  • 335dager
  • 2,1kbilder
  • 534liker
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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Da Lat Market Place at day
    Mario KartThe gardenKamehamehaSwing at Mario KartGuinea PigCapybaraDoggySlideDa Lat at night

    Da Lat, the Cameron Highlands of Vietnam

    23. mai, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We arrived in Da Lat at 3am, as we took a bug infested (ugh) sleeper bus from Quy Nhon at 8pm. Our hotel had 24h reception (I still felt bad when we woke up the reception from her nap), so checking in was no problem.

    The same day, we slept in and then explored Da Lat on foot, enjoying the cool weather (finallyyyyy). Our spirits were not even damped when we got into rain. It reminded me a lot of Cameron Highlands, my time in Malaysia with my father, where we also fled from the heat of Georgetown, going up to Cameron Highlands, where it was also cool and rained a lot.

    Next day, we did the mario kart track, something every tourist does in Da Lat. There even was a swing and a garden where we played out Dragon Ball.

    Afterwards, we went to Puppy Farm, a Farm with dogs, a capybara, racoons and a slide.
    Was it 100% ethical? Nooot sure, but the animals seemed taken well care of and the dogs had a place to go to if they didn't want to interact with people (though they really wanted to be petted).

    Here, we got some rain again (every day, it would rain at around lunch time). We waited it out and went home afterwards.

    In the evening, we explored the maze bar, a crazy bar/cafe that is like a labyrinth, with funny interior design.
    Lastly, a walk through the night market and two days of Da Lat were already over.    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Nice cafes in Vietnam
    Ba Nah HillsHoi AnRice fieldsFried WontonVanessa fitting her dressesFirst time in Sleeper Bus

    Going to the Middle

    11. mai, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After some rest days in Hanoi, I took the plane down to Da Nang.
    The plane?? Are you really budget traveling Kayley??
    Yes, I am, the plane was a mere 30chf, while sleeper buses down would have ended up costing me 45chf plus a lot of nerves.

    So I took the plane down to Da Nang (after my flight of Vietjet got delayed two times and I asked the ticket counter guy if I can have a different flight and he gave me an earlier flight for free) and met up with Vanessa.
    Vanessa, the daughter of the best friend of my father, became a good friend of mine after I spent time with her and the rest of the family in Hong Kong. So she asked me if she could join the backpacking trip after my tour through the northern mountains.

    So we met up and enjoyed Da Nang together.
    Da Nang truly is an Expat Town, with lots od westerner restaurants, lots of white people and tourist attractions.
    We couldn't leave this out, so we went to Ba Nah Hills, which felt like the smaller, asian version of Europapark. There were no rollercoasters, but they did basically build a castle on top of a mountain.

    After Da Nang, we took a car down to Hoi An, where Vanessa could get tailor made clothes. I was thinking about it, but after consideration, I felt it didn't make sense to me as I wear loose clothing anyway and those don't need to be tailor made. But Vanessa was very happy with her selection.
    We also took bicycles around the rice fields, but unfortunately, it was burning time, so instead of greenery, we were met with fire and smoke. Was still nice though.

    After a few days of Hoi An, we went further down to Quy Nhon, a fishing town. What we did not expect was the absolute heat and humidity there. I knew down south was going to be hot, but with a real feel of 43 degrees celsius, we had to flee to airconditioned cafes while we watched the seasoned vietnamese uncles sitting outside and sipping their iced green tea.
    Honestly, we did not manage to explore Quy Nhon too much, since with this heat, it would have not been enjoyable. How will we manage Ho Chi Minh? We will find out later.

    But we still enjoyed our time together, even eating in a korean bbq place with amazing meat (haha), for merely 450'000 dong (15chf) for two people.

    The second day, we took a sleeper bus up to Da Lat, successfully fleeing the heat for good.

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Ban Gioc Waterfalls
    Mark Stone with China in the backgroundEndless roadsMy ride throughout Cao BangBa Be LakeOn the way

    Cao Bang Tour Part 2

    9. mai, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    The second highlight of Cao Bang came right in the morning: Ban Gioc Waterfalls. Waterfalls literally right at the border of China (the river is the border, so I could wave to some chinese people right there!).
    There wasn't much water when we where there, but they were still nice waterfalls. It was quiet hot, so we took a boat that took us closer and we could cool down, getting into the mist of the water.
    Then we went on, enjoying some more of Cao Bang. The day was over fast and we spend one more night in Cao Bang city, giving away my motorbike (as I said; "no police." Van laughs when I say this).

    The next day, we made our way back to Ha Giang. Not in one day, of course. We visited Ba Be National Park, took a boat tour around the lake before driving for one more hour and stopping at a random homestay along the road.

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Ha Giang
    1Left: Me, VanKhau Coc Cha Mountain Pass at the footKhau Coc Cha Mountain PassGod's Eye MountainMe being happy!StunningMe showing off my motorbike skillsAround Cao BangDong Nguom Ngao CaveDoi Co CHai Vinh Quy Hills

    Cao Bang Tour Part 1

    5. mai, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    After Hong Kong, I went back to the northern part of Vietnam, as there was one place I haven't visited yet but desperately wanted to see: Cao Bang.

    So I made my way to Ha Giang, where I met up with Van. When I told him I wanted to go to Cao Bang, he suggested going on a tour from Ha Giang to Cao Bang.
    So we met up and spend the first two days just getting to Cao Bang, as it was not a short drive (the whole drive was maybe 7 hours, but on a motorbike. With breaks and breakfast and lunch, we got slowed down a lot).
    I am glad I did the detour, because this way, we could drive over the Khau Coc Cha Mountain Pass. A dwindling road up before it would go down again. At the top of the pass, we made a stop and hiked for 30 minutes to a viewpoint, just so we could get some nice pictures from the pass itself.

    Going over to Cao Bang, we spend one night in Cao Bang city, where I got my own motorbike. Van was not sure about me riding, as I don't have a license. In the morning, he was watching me get on the bike and said: "I think there will be police."
    I just said: "No, no police."
    Our first stop was God's Eye Mountain, my highlight of the tour. It was because of this mountain that I decided to go to Cao Bang.
    And it was absolutely beautiful, the mountain standing there, in front of some grassy, low hills, inviting to stay for a while, drive around and enjoy the quitness of this place (unlike Ha Giang, Cao Bang is not as popular, so there were only a few other lone drivers around).

    At some point, we did have to go, so we continued on to Dong Nguom Ngao Cave. It was nice, but I am more into actually climbing a mountain, not going into it (especially after visiting countless caves in SE Asia). But still, a nice spot.

    Then we went off to Doi Co CHai Vinh Quy Hills, an area with some grassy hills.

    More driving and enjoying the landscape before we settled for the night. No picture included, but one of the hardest beds I slept on. Not sure if there really was a mattress under the covers.

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Big Buddha
    Tai HoHong Kong at Victoria PeakFamous red taxiStocking tea (extra strong milk tea)Prison WardHiking at Discovery BayLast evening together

    Hong Kong, for real this time

    1. mai, Hong Kong ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The last days in Hong Kong, I met up with Kelvin, a friend whom I met back in Osaka, Japan. He is staying with his family in Hong Kong for a while, so it was perfect for us to meet up. Together we went to Big Buddha, Tai Ho (small fishing village) and Victoria Peak.
    The Big Buddha was nice. Easy to reach, entry free (for now) and a good connection to Tai Ho.
    Tai Ho was cute, with houses on stilts and nice little streets.
    Victoria Peak, we could also go up with a bus. After getting some nice pictures, we walked down to Hong Kong island again, where we walked through temple street (market) and enjoyed milk tea together. Then it was already late and I made my way back to Discovery Bay.

    The next day, Vanessa showed me some more of Hong Kong, like the Prison Ward, not used anymore but now free to enter (and leave) with some information about how people used to live there. The cells were tiny! I could barely stretch out my arms.

    We also went out with one of her friends, watching a horse race but leaving soon, as there were too many people. Visiting two bars and getting a little bit too drunk, we took the bus home at 2am.

    After that, I still managed to go on a hike with Dudi, hiking up tiger mountain behind the apartment complex. Even though it was not too sunny, it was still crazy humid and after finishing the hike (and successfully not throwing up while still having an hangover), we came back fully covered in sweat.
    A nice shower and a little nap and then it was already time for one last dinner, as this was my last day in Hong Kong already! Time flies!

    We ate at an italian restaurant. I was happy to do so, I don't think I had this good european food since I left Switzerland (except the raclette in the beginning of my Hong Kong trip). Pizza and Pasta on point.
    I did leave out the wine though.

    And that was already one week in Hong Kong. But it was a great time and I was really happy that I made this detour on my travels.
    For now, I had to say goodbye to Family Hugentobler, though I am gonna see Vanessa again soon, as she decided to join me on my trip through the south of Vietnam! I am already looking forward to seeing her again and showing her the beauty (and heat and humidity) of Vietnam!

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Church facade in Macau
    Casino in the backgroundTempleIn ParisIn EnglandIn a ferry wheelBook store in ShenzhenRestaurant in ShenzhenHotpot!

    Macau and Shenzhen

    28. april, Macao ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    The day after I arrived, Dudi and his wife Jo took me to Macau. Like Hong Kong, it kind of but doesn't belong to China (meaning they have their own passport and immigration process).
    Still, for my swiss passport no problem for a day trip.
    Very efficiently, we took the bus. Macau is connected to Hong Kong with a big bridge that also goes underground for some time.

    Macau is known for its casinos and buildings that were left by the Portuguese, when they colonized them. So we visited the facade of a burnt down church and some places of expensives hotels built like any place but Macau. So you have the Big Ben and the red Phonebox, the double decker bus and eiffeltower. Inside a hotel was also Venice.

    We also visited a small temple, just to experience a little bit of Macau.
    We ended our trip with a delicious dinner, drunken ginger chicken and some nice beef, with bread and rice.

    We were back in Hong Kong at around 11pm. A good day!

    And the next day, Jo, Vanessa and I went to Shenzhen, a city in China right in front of Hong Kong.
    Like Konstanz to Switzerland, Shenzhen is a place where Hong Kong people go shopping cheaply. Even I was able to stock up on lip balm, sunscreen for my face and sunscreen for my lips.
    For dinner, Hotpot! Just like the Hotpot in Japan or Taiwan, absolutely delicious. All kinds of soups are still my favourite meal of all time.

    This time, we also returned late, as we were stuck in traffic. At least I learned a cantonese swear word; Dengle o fei (probably written very badly).

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Entry to a souvenir shop
    Left: Davit, meCoolest catKaraokeAirport Garden of BeijingFamily Hugentobler1Raclette1Dessert

    Rest of China and going to Hong Kong

    26. april, Hong Kong ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Rest of Beijing was more about walking around pretty streets, drinking Mixue Lemonade and helping one confused chinese lady back out her car, when she accidentally hit the curb.

    I walked with Davit around some night club areas, watching some street karaoke and enjoying a Beijing pastry snack with rose-flavour.

    Next early morning I took the metro to the airport, where I walked into the airport garden to kill some time.

    My flight to Hong Kong was without any problems and immigration went by like a breeze (as always).
    Dudi picked me up, the childhood best friend of my father. Together, we went back to his apartment, where the rest of his family welcomed me warmly. After some apero, Dudi showed me around the area, we enjoyed some raclette, which was welcome after all these months exclusively eating asian food or badly made western food (McDonalds and Pizza Hut).
    Maybe some people hate me for it, but cheese and pineapple go incredibly well together!
    Yes, I am also a hawaiian pizza lover.

    Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Terracotta WarriorTerracotta horseGardenJingsha Park Sunset

    The Forbidden City

    24. april, Kina ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    The Forbidden City (aka Imperial Palace) is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the number one hot spots for tourists.
    The blogs said to purchase a ticket in advance, but when I realized you needed to do that 1 week before and not 1 day, I decided to just turn up there (after making sure that I can purchase on-site).

    So I arrived there at 7:30am, the ticket office opening at 8:00am.
    It opened at 8:20am, which wasn't too bad. There were only a few people before me, so I got it pretty fast.
    Then through security and bam, I was inside what once was forbidden to enter as an ordinary commoner like me.
    Some fun facts about the city:
    - It is super big and you would need at least one whole day to look at everything, even though only 40% is open to public.
    - It used to be the palace for the imperial family, so nobody except those (and a shit load of servants I suppose) were allowed to enter.
    - It has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1987.
    - There are several palaces, gardens and museums inside. Random side note, there were even terracotta warriors displayed in one of the museum. Never thought I would see them! (Even if it was outside of the tombs)

    I ended up spending 3h there. I could have done more, but sightseeing like this was rather tiring.

    I went back to the hostel and had a break and some lunch.

    Later, I also visited the Jingsha Park, right above the Forbidden City. From there, I could watch over the city.
    This, I did with Davit, who also wanted to get some sunset pictures.

    Nice!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    At Temple of Heaven
    The Temple of Heaven1Me!Tiananmen SquareBean SproutsPeking Duck

    Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square

    23. april, Kina ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The next day, after the Wall, I slept in and afterwards made my way to my second hostel in Beijing. The first hostel I was staying at was too far out from the other sightseeing spots, so I decided to move closer to the center. I found a hostel not far from the Forbidden City.

    When I arrived there, I put my bags in the storage room and then had a conversation with Davit, a guy from Georgia, a country next to Russia.
    He also just arrived in Beijing and together, we made our way to the Temple of Heaven.

    The Temple of Heaven became a UNESCO World heritage site in 1998, and was used for rituals like sacrifices to the heaven. Also some important people met here, apparently.
    It is the biggest building of prayers of China (which is impressive, given how big China is).
    The whole site is 4 times the size of the Forbidden City, which is already massive, haha.
    There were also some museums and stuff.

    After the temple, I went to Tiananmen Square. There is no entry fee, BUT you need to register one day beforehand on a mini app on WeChat. I did that the day before, so I could enter Tiananmen between 12:00-17:00 o'clock.
    The Square is a historical place, where a few interesting things in chinese history happened. But I leave you to google what happened there.
    Unfortunately, most of the Square was closed off, so I could only walk along the side. I tried to snatch some pictures, but everything was basically too far away. So for me, the visit wasn't really worth it. But that's fine :)

    I returned to the hostel, met up with Davit and together we went to eat the famous Pecking Duck, along with some other chinese dishes.
    Personally, I like the taste of Pecking Duck, but the oil is a little bit off-putting. But the bean sprouts were soooo good!

    Another day well spent! Wow!    Les mer

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  • ehy-oh-kayReisendeThe Wow Travels
    Train Station

    Great Wall of China, Badaling

    22. april, Kina ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Arrived in Beijing, checked into my hostel and some hours of research later, I knew how to get to the Great Wall.

    I woke up early in the morning, taking the metro to the South Railway Station of Beijing. There I could take the high speed train directly to Badaling.

    There are different sections of the Great Wall that you could visit. All sections are reachable by bus, but only Badaling is also connected to the train. It is the most accessible and most famous section. That's why I went early in the morning (less people).

    There were still a great deal of people when I arrived there, but everything was quite efficient and I purchased a ticket and went up with the gondola available. I was able to squeeze through the people jam at the entrance. Already I could catch a glimpse of the landscape, hills covered in trees with the bluest sky above it. The wall was cutting through the forest, but in a soft way, as if it really belonged there.
    I followed the wall, up and down, up and down, up and down, while less and less people were next to me. Not long and I was almost alone, enjoying the peace and beautiful weather in silence (and heavy breathing after a steep climb).

    As the wall is one of the few historic places I actually know some things about, I want to share these facts with you:

    - The wall is almost 3000 years old.
    - The mortar used cooked rice as an ingredient, that's why it lasts so long.
    - It is about 22'000km long.
    - The wall is not just one single blockade, it is actually several parts distributed in China to protect the border.

    I watched a documentary some years ago. When watching this docu, I never thought that I would actually be standing on the wall one day. I didn't even know I would be doing that when I started traveling, haha. Funny how life turns out when you have free will.

    Wow!

    Anyway, Badaling section was 5km, then I walked back to the entrance, where I was able to catch a bus back to Beijing. Yay!    Les mer

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