A Year of Living Awesomely

In which we take our last big trip. SE Asia and Europe Read more

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A Year of Living Awesomely
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Day 72
Friday, March 22, 2024
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Malaysia Sydney Lake 3.128663, 101.6846513°7’43” N 101°41’5” E
Return Trip to the Botanic Gardens
March 22, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
We returned to the Botanic Gardens this morning so I could film. We arrived much earlier than on my previous visit which allowed us to have at least a little time before the heat hit.

Firstly breakfast at the Waterfall Cafe, chicken & rice, and roti with egg and tea, all up $4.50.

The gardens at this time are full of people, no doubt taking advantage of the small window of daylight that is cooler to do some morning exercise. The monkeys were pretty active as well. By the time we’d finished an hour later we were drenched.Read more
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Day 73
Saturday, March 23, 2024
⛅ 35 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Malaysia Sydney Lake 3.128662, 101.6846543°7’43” N 101°41’5” E
Hawker Centre Hokkien Mee
March 23, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C
A routine day. We returned to the hawker centre across from the temple for breakfast and this time had the hokkien mee which was really delicious. We have sitting near this stall each time we’ve visited and watched the preparation and serving so it was about time we tried it.

We ventured out in the heat of the late afternoon for some beers at the nearby bar.Read more
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Day 74
Sunday, March 24, 2024
☁️ 35 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Malaysia Sydney Lake 3.128662, 101.6846513°7’43” N 101°41’5” E
Last Day in Penang
March 24, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C
Our last day in Penang was spent preparing for a big travel day ahead. Resting, laundry, packing and one last nice dinner in the air conditioned noodle place that is remarkably cheap.
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Day 75
Monday, March 25, 2024
☁️ 34 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Malaysia Sydney Lake 3.129936, 101.6855393°7’48” N 101°41’8” E
Back to Kuala Lumpur
March 25, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Our day begins with a bus to the ferry terminal in Georgetown. Our train to KL from Butterworth departs at 12:45 and until we are on it I’m a little anxious. The bus takes about half an hour. We miss the 11:00 ferry, the next one is 11:30.

We have just enough time when we reach Butterworth to grab a quick lunch then make the ten minute walk to the station, only to discover the train is delayed by about 10 minutes which means a train full of waiting passengers crammed into and overflowing from a waiting room until we are permitted onto the platform.

The journey is around four hours and very smooth and comfortable. We arrive in Kuala Lumpur by 5:00 and attempt to find our way to our accommodation. Google maps doesn’t make it easy, it’s drizzling but we get there eventually.

The apartment is beautiful! Our view is straight out onto Little India although we haven’t realised this yet. We head out for dinner and literally stumble from our building straight into Brickfields.Read more
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Day 76
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
☁️ 35 °C
Altitude: 58 m
Malaysia Batu Caves 3.237756, 101.6812193°14’16” N 101°40’52” E
Batu Caves
March 26, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C
We ummed and ahhed about whether to go to Batu Caves. We have been there before but it was a long time ago and to be honest, apart from the huge staircase I have little memory of it. But it is very different now. From the striking rainbow paint job the staircase has undergone to the addition of the imposing golden statue of Lord Murugan, also known as Skanda, the Hindu god of war, the changes are certainly not subtle.

We were also under the impression that getting there might be an ordeal but it turned out to be very easy with a direct train from KL Sentral straight there.

In the end we decided that some of the other sites I had earmarked could be dropped in favour of a return visit.

We have arrived early and beaten the heat and the crowds, so head for breakfast first. Richard has volunteered to do the climb and I am happy to take photos and video from below.Read more
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Day 77
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896026, 108.3651515°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Central market and river of life
March 27, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We were off early to explore the central markets and the mosque at the confluence of the two rivers. Investigated which bus to catch, had the money ready and…no money on KL buses. Only bus cards used. 🙁. A taxi driver saw our plight and took us down the road to the markets for 15 RM. $5. AUD. Strolled down to the river as markets opened at 10am. Nice walk along the river. Stopped for juices. Had a flagon of watermelon juice. $5. Took a while to drink but nice. Markets opened and its air cond. Thank you!Read more
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Day 78
Thursday, March 28, 2024
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896052, 108.36523315°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Vietnam - Hoi An
March 28, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Our last day in Malaysia. Will miss my Roti Teleur (egg) and Tea Tarik. Decided to catch the bus to the airport. Walked to KL Central and off we went. Takes about an hour, and far cheaper than the train. Saved about $50. Drama with one of our bags. Overweight so had to check it in. Always arrive early at airports as queues were awful. A 2 and half hour flight and welcome to Vietnam! Got a Grab to Hoi An. A 1 hours drive south of Da Nang. Checked in. Nice hotel between the river and the beach. Banh My with a free bottle of beer on the beach. 🏖️Read more
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Day 79
Friday, March 29, 2024
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896066, 108.36518915°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
First Day Hoi An
March 29, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
When we checked in last night we realised that breakfast was included 🙂. And what a breakfast! Choices of western and Vietnamese food, pastries, fruit etc etc. Lynne organised lunch with a fellow virtual guide Hoi. Had the best spring rolls I’ve ever tasted. And Duck as a main. Headed back to the hotel. Went to the beach. Nice and clean. Water temperature refreshing. Couldn’t really swim in Malaysia. (West coast). Water quality cloudy, litter and plastic everywhere. This is a real problem in Malaysia. People just chuck things on the ground.Read more
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Day 80
Saturday, March 30, 2024
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.89606, 108.36521115°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Hoi An Old Town
March 30, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Took the free Shuttle Bus to the Old Town. Plenty of shops, stalls and street markets. Grabbed a coffee, then just wandered around. Found an old building packed full of tailors and fabric. Lynne ordered a shirt and got one of her shirts repaired.Read more
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Day 81
Sunday, March 31, 2024
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.89606, 108.36521115°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Lazy day
March 31, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Took it easy today. Swim at the beach and the pool. A couple of beers across the road. Beers here in Vietnam really cheap. $1.50 for 330ml.
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Day 82
Monday, April 1, 2024
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.89606, 108.36521115°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Back into town
April 1, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Headed back into the Old Town to pick up Lynne’s shirts. All up cost $50. I also needed new shoes. Ended up going for hand made suede and leather uppers. Measured up and made arrangements for pick up that evening. Got back in to town 6.30pm. Put on shoes and off we went down to the river. Nice atmosphere with lots going on.Read more
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Day 83
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 9:26 AM
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Vietnam Mỹ Sơn 15.764242, 108.1248715°45’51” N 108°7’30” E
My Son Sanctuary
April 2, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Organised a tour to My Son. About an hours drive. A number of temples from the 3rd to 13th century. Discovered by the French about a hundred years ago. All built in brick with no mortar. Used tree resin instead. The area was comprehensively bombed by the Americans during the Vietnam war.Read more
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Day 84
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896629, 108.36534915°53’48” N 108°21’55” E
Da Nang
April 3, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Morning trip with Huy to Da Nang. Going to see his dentist and barber 💈. First dentist for check and clean. I also wanted to see what the cost of an implant would be. Well. The check and clean cost was $18. 😁. The 2 x implants will be $4,000. and can be done within the week. Seeing that in Australia the cost would be $11,000. it’s not a bad deal. On to the barber. Haircut $3.00. 🙂. Back home over the Dragon Bridge. Later Dinner at a local on the riverRead more
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Day 85
Thursday, April 4, 2024
🌬 29 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896643, 108.3654115°53’48” N 108°21’55” E
Quiet day
April 4, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
Not much today. Up early for sunrise. Went for local iced coffee. Locals morning routine. Later gym, beach and street dinner
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Day 86
Friday, April 5, 2024
🌬 28 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896568, 108.36525715°53’48” N 108°21’55” E
Quiet day 2
April 5, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Pretty much the same. Watched the gardener climb the coconut trees.
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Day 87
Saturday, April 6, 2024
🌬 30 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896055, 108.36521415°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Local market
April 6, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 30 °C
Just up the road is the daily local market. Fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, spices. Friendly people who always say hello. Dinner and beers on the beach tonight.
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Day 88
Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 2:20 PM
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Vietnam Hoi An 15.875778, 108.34695515°52’33” N 108°20’49” E
Implants- Da Nang
April 7, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Well. All ready for the Dentist to install 2 x implants. Until…the surgeon (who flew in from Saigon) wasn’t happy with the bone density. So instead of one week turnaround it was going to be 2 months. As we are travelling and not sure of dates etc. decided not to proceed. They were really nice and gave me a full refund. 🙂. Got our driver to pick us up. We were hungry so he took us to his family’s restaurant. Tried local Hoi An dishes. Very nice.Read more
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Day 89
Monday, April 8, 2024
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896045, 108.36520415°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Frogs
April 8, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Nice to see frogs around the hotel property. We’ve had them in the room and bathroom. Heading over to breakfast there are several tiny frogs, no bigger than your fingernail.
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Day 90
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896033, 108.36517315°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Massage
April 9, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
So. We finally buckled and went for a massage. There are several right near our hotel, and promised everyone we would visit. 😬. It was a great massage. 1 hour for each of us for $30. total.
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Day 91
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896064, 108.36517315°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
T shirt
April 10, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Low key day today. Bought a T Shirt on the way to coffee.A homage to Vietnam telecommunications.
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Day 92
Thursday, April 11, 2024
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.89618, 108.36530315°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Night Tour- Old Town
April 11, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Lynne did her livestream night tour in the Old Town. It is quite spectacular with the lanterns in the town and on the boats. Before we started a young Vietnamese couple approached us and asked if they could practice speaking English with us. Now, a few days ago we met a fellow Aussie traveller who told us she was approached but she thought they were selling something so she said no. Later she was told that they actually wanted to just talk in English. Based on this we got talking. Lynne started her tour and left me to keep chatting. Well, guess what, they were selling Timeshare. Unfortunate. 🙁. Ended the night with a Street stall banana pancake. Very nice. $2.45.Read more
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Day 93
Friday, April 12, 2024
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896296, 108.36502815°53’47” N 108°21’54” E
Paddy trip
April 12, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Up early for our morning bike ride. Plenty of little paths through residential and rice paddies. Stopped at a coffee shop in the middle of one field. In the evening we caught up with Huy in a restaurant looking over the Old Town. Magical.Read more
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Day 94
Saturday, April 13, 2024
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896265, 108.36525715°53’47” N 108°21’55” E
Day off
April 13, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Not much today. Took it easy. Read. Watched TV etc. Added a couple videos from yesterdays coffee shop excursion
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Day 94
Saturday, April 13, 2024
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896096, 108.36522715°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Coffee, Food and Buffalo
April 13, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Off on the bikes early to another rice paddy coffee shop. This one was a little further and worth it. Passed rice drying on tarpaulins on the paths to this hidden gem. And the price. $2.50 for 2 x iced coffees. 🙂. Lunch a Banh My and chips. Dinners an excellent Pho and Duck Curry. Have noticed most of the restaurants are residences with food out the front. Family kitchen prepares meals fresh and tasty.Read more
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Day 96
Monday, April 15, 2024
🌬 31 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Vietnam Sông Để Võng 15.896102, 108.36517515°53’46” N 108°21’55” E
Massage and Pedi
April 15, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
Our last massage and pedi in Hoi An. Foot baths consisted of lemongrass and sliced Pomelo. Coffee afterwards and a nice dinner later in the evening. A really nice fish meal at one of our locals.
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