You don’t have skydive out of a plane to be a daredevil. You don’t have to eat strange bugs or worms to be an adventurist. You don’t have to act all crazy and shout Whoo-Haa! like a Geronimo madman, to invite a little devilish thrill into your life. Sometimes, adventure and danger can fit into the simplest and most ordinary things; and if you’re a solo traveler, occasionally it’s the simplest things that can feel the most dangerous!
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Video: How crazy is Motorcycle Mayhem in Vietnam?
A short video collage of motorbike driving in Vietnam.
“Just how crazy is motorcycle culture in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)? It’s insane! In HCMC the two-wheeled chariot populates roughly 90% of the roadway (highways included). Thus, the Vietnamese are as comfortable on their motorbikes, the way L.A. drivers are in their sunglasses and cars! People hang out on their motorbikes, leisurely checking their cellphones, eating or reading their morning newspaper; lounge on them like sofa chairs and practice the art of balance by sleeping on them as nomadic beds. In addition, going to the park at night is (more…)
3 “Must Dos” in Vietnam
1. Do a trek and homestay in Sapa.
What more can you ask for? Trekking pristine mountains, streams and rivers, panoramic vistas, meeting hill tribe families and staying overnight in a village!(Northern Vietnam)
(more…)
5 things travelers should know about Vietnam
5 things travelers should know about Vietnam:
1. Guard your wallet and your valuables.
Theft is still a lingering problem in Vietnam, so you should store your money and valuables in a safe place or keep it close at all times. If you don’t believe me, you can read some of the stories I came across on my trip here.
Advice: Don’t make yourself an easy target. Be aware of your surroundings and possessions at all times. Practice street smarts and keep your valuables such as your camera and purse tucked close to your body.
2. Vietnamese aren’t slick hagglers.
They just aren’t. If you want to feel like you’re being played for a targeted tourist just observe a Vietnamese (more…)
Hanoi: Street food, Solo Boredom and Water Puppets
Day # 10
Last day in Hanoi. While I’m ready to leave Vietnam and the insufferable monsoon heat, I’m not ready to return to Korea. Noooo…
Today I need to move hotels. I emailed various hotels to check availability, last night. Vietnam being the way it is, none of them returned an answer, so this (more…)
Solo Vietnam: Theft and Halong Bay in a Day
Day #9: After my Sapa trek, I decided to book another tour with Sinh Tourist– a day trip to Halong Bay. Price tag? $19. Vietnam may not have the friendliest service-oriented people, but they sure have the most affable budget tours!
Ass time. The one major drag about Vietnam is the constant
Trekking Sapa via the mud trail
Falling asleep last night, to the sound of nature’s bugs and crickets felt relaxing. Nature noisy, but completely devoid of urban sounds. My rest was good, the bed was comfy and I was out the moment my head hit the pillow. Next morning we all gathered for breakfast– it came as a generous mound of pancakes, bananas and fruit! By 10:30AM, a new wave of Hmong were perched, sewing, waiting at their stakeout of the …
Unforgettable Sapa: Hill Tribes & Homestays
There must be a mistake, I thought. I went to the front desk of Emotion Hotel (aka Trekker’s Central) and asked why I would have another overnight stay in Sapa. While I really enjoyed Sapa, I was eager to experience the trekker’s high and unadulterated mountain-village life…
World’s Worst Toilets: Roadside Relief (Sapa, Vietnam)
On my trekking tour, I wanted to take a pee break before we entered the gulf of the valley and into bush squatting territory. My guide Kuh, led us to this local roadside rest stop where we could relieve ourselves and maybe pick up a snack for the long haul. There was a low cost admission price to use this











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