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Asian Odyssey.
  • Karry Long
  • Karry Long

Asian Odyssey.

A 24 day trip starting in Japan and then travelling to Vietnam, back to Tokyo to fly home. We’ve been to both countries before but there is always something different to see. Read more
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  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler
    Drying hemp.HempWaiting for us.Just hanging around.Ditching his driver.The final river

    Ha Giang Day 4

    June 7 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We are almost done. Last day today, I tried to have a day of no photos but some of the views are too hard to resist. Then of course there was a waterfall and a washed out road so I had to film those.

    First stop was the waterfall just up the road from our homestay. It is really hot this morning and by the time we had all walked only about 500m we were dying to get in the water. So refreshing and a rock to jump off. Interestingly with a Danger/ No Jumping sign that obviously nobody took any notice of. It kept all the children amused for a good while at least.

    Getting changed after a waterfall visit is not that much fun. Rather awkward, sticky and cumbersome. By the time we got back to the bikes we were boiling again.

    Luckily it’s cool while you’re riding and we had a few more photo stops before we got to the almost impassable village road.

    Pretty impressed I managed to video and hang on at the same time on that shocking road. They had another big downpour last night and that along with a landslide they had last week has created havoc on the local village road.

    We stopped in the village for lunch which was another version on the same theme as yesterday. Guess they know what the riders want. Goodness it is hot in the valley villages though.

    We’re all getting buses either back to Hanoi or to Sapa so it’s a hive of activity when we get back to the hostel. Showers, goodbyes, phone charging, grab food. We’re finally on our bus about 5.30. Only 6 hours to Sapa woohoo!    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler
    In the cable car
    In the cable carSo many waterfalls on the way upAnd rain coming down.Rice fields.Passing the other tramMore rice fields.Tram rideStraight over the rice fieldsHighest mountain in IndochinaThe sun almost came out.Most expensive coffee in Vietnam. Lucky it was good.The big BuddhaWalking downThe templesThese topiary like trees were everywhere near the top

    Fansipan Mountain

    June 8 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Our first day in Sapa and while it is quite hot and sunny in town there is still cloud on the mountains. Weather is so changeable here, it could clear up or it could get worst.

    We are going to take our chances and go up Fanispan Mountain. Our guide arrived this morning and she says today is as good a chance as any.

    First the tram ride up to the base of the mountain then the cable car up into the clouds and then another funicular ride up to the summit, unless you want to walk up 600 steps. At an altitude of more than 3000 meters I don’t think so! All of these required a long queue. So tedious! We thought we were going to be lucky, the sun almost burnt through the clouds when we were at the top but no they came back after a few minutes. Oh well no view, but we did see the Buddha, flag and temples. We came prepared to be cold up here but it’s actually pretty warm at the top.
    Pan our guide took us to a lovely little restaurant for lunch. Sizzling beef, pork and spring rolls.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler

    Cat Cat Villiage

    June 8 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    This afternoon we’re going to visit Cat Cat village. Luckily there is no queue there and it’s pretty quiet at the moment.

    Cat Cat Village is a picturesque, H'Mong village just 2 km from Sapa. Cascading waterfalls, traditional stilt houses, and terraced rice fields. Lots of traditional craft demonstrations an instrument and dance show and plenty of pretty views along the way.

    Looking up at Fansipan Mountain it is clear this afternoon. We can see the peak and the Buddha from the Grab. By the time we got to the hotel the clouds were dropping again.

    Going out to dinner with Rosanna and Jack tonight. Two young friends we met on the bike ride.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler

    Sapa in the Rain.

    June 9 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Woke up to drenching rain this morning. We had a tour booked for a walk through the villages and a visit to the glass bridge. Neither of which we wanted to do in the pouring rain.

    We had a morning wandering around town, having coffee, visited the museum and the co-op ethnic gift shop attached. Did a bit of shopping and found a lovely place for lunch just opposite our hotel.

    It was quite nice to have a slow day but after we’d had rest on the afternoon the rain had lifted so we set off to find something to do.
    Watched the tram and the cable cars going up the mountain for a while and then decided to hire a couple of grab bikes to take us for a bit of a tour.

    We did a couple of laps around the streets of Sapa and then with the help of translator we decided to head down the hill to see some rice fields.

    We spent 2 hours with these two lads and saw so many rice fields, little villages, cute kids, water everywhere, rode down and up impossibly steep hills, got lost a few times. They kept having to ask for directions. Obviously they don’t do this too much with tourists. Had to wade through ankle deep mud because the road was washed out with the heavy rain.

    It was great fun and I think the boys enjoyed it as much as we did. Turned a bit of a boring day into a great memory.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler

    Back to Hanoi

    June 10 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    We’re getting another bus back to Hanoi today. We’re not looking forward to it since the other two were horrid. But turned out to be third time lucky. We have a small limousine bus this time and it is lovely and comfortable. The 6 hours on the bus seemed to go very quickly.

    Cara was pleased to see us still in one piece and our room on the 7th floor this time is lovely.
    We spent a couple of hours wandering the old quarter before coming back to the hotel for a rest. Expensive drinks at a roof top bar and then an amazing delicious cheap dinner.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler
    Who wants to have a cocktail in this ugly thing?
    Who wants to have a cocktail in this ugly thing?Water puppetsBlock paintingBird trap.Inside the dwellings.LoomThis baby basket was so sweet.42 foot long communal village house.A tomb believe it or not. I'm saying a man was buried here.The tomb surrounded by these wooden sculptures42 feet long.Cool ladders to get in and out.Bahn Mi. Thanks Jack for the recommendationWe were lucky enough to be first, but this happened while we were eating our Bahn mi hi!St JosephTraffic isn't too bad this afternoon.

    Wandering Hanoi

    June 11 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    One last day in Hanoi, how to fill it. Our young friend Jack from the ride was telling us about an ethology museum not far from the old quarter so that was the first port of call.

    It was a very well done museum with lots of information about the different tribes on the inside and then a great outdoor display of the different tribal houses and communal buildings. I was really impressed with how well maintained all the buildings were.

    Jack also told us about a great Bahn Mi shop, Bahn My Mama, just near St Joseph Cathedral. So a quick ride back there and we couldn’t believe there was no queue. No sooner did we get ours than the line started and got longer and longer. Just one lady making all these Bahn mi. They were first class Bahn mi.

    Bit of last minute shopping for bowls, shirts and elastic and just a general wander around.

    A couple of cocktails at our favourite 4th floor bar and dinner at The Old Viet Restaurant and we were ready to head off to the airport.

    First leg of our journey home.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler
    Pagoda in the rain
    Pagoda in the rainLittle bit of eel for entreeWet, wet, wetPretty housesSakeAnother entreeTeny tiny fish!This eel place is the stuff of legends.Still cooking in the rain, everything else was closed but they were still doing a roaring trade.Favourite brand.Nothing crazy here, chicken wing and mushroomsI think this was chicken heartMy friend, eventually!These guys were so funny.Friends for the night.World famous chefWho knows what they're doing?😂🫣

    Two days in Narita

    June 12 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    We had an overnight flight from Hanoi to Tokyo arriving at 7 o’clock in the morning. Neither of us got much sleep on that flight and the plan was to go do something for the day and then come back to the hotel at 3. We decided just to pay for an extra night so we could go to bed for a few hours. It was a good decision.

    After a much needed nap, we walked over to terminal 2 and caught the train to Narita Station. There is a very old temple there and a lovely traditional street leading up to it. Wandered along the street having a look in several shops. At the bottom of the hill is the temple, with of course the requisite steps heading up to it.

    The rain and thunder had been threatening for a while and just as we got to the top the heavens opened and it pelted down.

    The rain eased off after a while but everything was so sodden we decided to leave seeing the gardens and the top pagoda until tomorrow.
    Back in the shopping street we tried some eel at one of the little cafes. Seemed to be a speciality here, so many little cafes selling eel.
    Totally disgusting seeing them skin them and chop them up but they really are very tasty.
    Back up near the railway station we tried another restaurant but after a beer and a few skewers we weren’t really getting a great vibe from it so we moved on.
    Found another little bar that looked more our thing. Graham quickly befriended the guy next to him and then another older man sat next to me. He was a bit standoffish to start with but he warmed up as the night went on. Lovely way to end our last night in Japan.    Read more

  • Karry LongAsian Odyssey.Traveler
    There is always stairs.
    There is always stairs.Inside the templePagoda at the topI had to concentrate way too much for this.Dissecting the eelEntrance to the templeSame pagoda but blue skyEntrance to the gardenMaple treeLots of carp and so bigIt was pretty hot we were glad of the wash fountain.The green tower of peaceMake a wishHa ha our lunch translatedWe so tastyWhat did I wait for the last day to try a Lemon SourAustralian lamb chopsLemon SourOur lunch spot.One last Sake at the airport

    Time to fly home!

    June 13 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    One more day to fill in so we went back to Narita for a second look, hopefully with better weather.
    It’s Saturday today so it’s much busier than yesterday. Lots of more people at the temple too.

    Naritasan Shinsho-Jo Temple was built around 940. There is a large number of building on the site with the icing on the cake The Great Pagoda of Peace. It was breathtakingly beautiful inside.

    Headed back towards the station to find some lunch and then a few hours to kill at the hotel and it was time to head to the airport.    Read more

    Trip end
    June 14, 2026