A little bit of South East Asia: 2014

Monday, 17 March 2014

And home we go........

We have now arrived home safe and well after a lovely holiday.

We both agree that it was well planned and really not a lot we would have changed given the chance.

Our favourite place has to be Luang Prabang, it is just beautiful and I get goose bumps every time I think about it. The feeling you get just being there is amazing.

Hoi An comes in a close second, such a pretty place with the magical lanterns lit up at night, hit to mention the delicious food! Love those deep fried wontons! And our hotel in Hoi An was also just lovely.

Biggest disappointment was the weather in Hanoi, I know weather can't be helped, but we've never been anywhere where it has rained non-stop!

Overall, it was a great trip and certainly not an expensive place to visit. If anyone is thinking of heading over to Laos and Vietnam, I say do it, you'll be sure to enjoy an amazing trip just like we did!

Saturday, 15 March 2014

Last night of holidays!

We had such a great night in Hoi An for the last night of our holiday! We found a wine bar and enjoyed a few glasses of wine, some snacks and dessert whilst people watching. It was a full moon tonight so all the businesses lower their lights which makes the lanterns all the more prettier. They also have lots of street performances and you can light a candle to place in a lantern on the river.

Friday, 14 March 2014

Gorgeous Hoi An

Such a pretty place, the lanterns make it all the more spectacular.

Thursday, 13 March 2014

Happy Birthday Pete

Today we celebrated Pete's 38th birthday!

Sun set in Hoi An

Hoi An by day

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Pretty Lanterns

Hoi An is very pretty all lit up at night! Will post more when we get home as the internet is so slow here!!

Hoi An

Pete getting out and about in Hoi An

Anantara Hoi An

Our lovely room at the Anantara Hoi An, just beautiful here!

Monday, 10 March 2014

The Citadel, Hue

Have had a great day today wandering around the Citadel. It is a lot like the forbidden city in Beijing, but in a way we found it to be in a better state of repair!

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Pete the school boy

The weather is not on the improve! We put some washing into the laundry, do in the mean time poor Pete is dressed like a school boy in his shorts!!

Hue Serene Palace

$30 us a night, can't go wrong!!

Overnight train

I'd heard horror stories about the overnight train, really, it was pretty good! We both slept well and shared a cabin with a Dutch lady and a local man (he did not say much). Yes the toilets were a little smelly, but we survived!!!

Friday, 7 March 2014

More Hanoi Street scenes

Little temples

There are loads of little temples around the street in Hanoi.

Eating on the street

We ate our Bun Ca at a little street side restaurant. Chairs were not exactly comfy!

Bun Ca

Yum! Lunch today was Bun Ca. So yummy, cost less than $5 for both of us!

Thursday, 6 March 2014

Hanoi old quarter

Hoan Kiem Lake

Down by Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

It's a bit drizzly here today, but we are still getting out and about, thankfully it's not cold!

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Art Trendy Hotel

With free pick up from the airport we arrived at Art Trendy Hotel in Hanoi.

Omg, most enthusiastic staff ever!! So incredibly friendly!!

A welcome drink and fruit platter was on offer, and then we were shown to our room.

Lovely room with the most comfy bed! I think 3 days here will be simply divine!!

Scary propeller plane

I'm not a fan of these types of planes and seeing it on the run way knowing we are getting on board scares the poop out of me!

But, it was a great flight, not a bump or any turbulence.

Thanks Laos Air!!

Farewell Laos, And now for Vietnam

I've been trying to keep the writing on the blog to a minimum and just use photos, but sometimes Internet has been a bit slow to put on heaps of photos.

We are now in Vietnam after a safe flight from Luang Prabang.

I just wanted to share a few thoughts about Luang Prabang.

It truly has been one of our most favourite destinations. We have left feeling completely relaxed and just in awe of the beautiful feeling that you get from being there. There was not one thing that stood out as being our favourite thing about it, but overall, it has just been a true delight. We were so sad to leave and will be sure to return one day.

We did not do a lot, we did not venture out and do the touristy tours. We just wandered around the town, walking heaps and seeing some of the wats and enjoying the food & drink. That being said, there is loads to do in Luang Prabang if you want to. We were just happy though sleeping in, eating loads and enjoying the holiday feel.

I highly recommend it as a place to visit!

Now onto the hustle and bustle of Hanoi! Stay tuned for more photos!