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Tag - vietnam

2020

New Year New Me

Or so I thought. This year actually took a turn for the worse, for everyone around the world.

I think we will remember 2020 for a long time and it will go down in history as one of those years the human race had to endure a world catastrophe.

Beginning of the end?

It had started well enough.

I attended my 4th wedding in Cambodia as Mr. Sok one of the chefs at the pepper farm got married in March.

It was a very happy occasion for all and it finished off a complete story of Cambodia, one which I will remember forever.

Pre-Covid Plans

But, having been travelling for over 15 months, and as I was entering my third actual dated year of travel. It felt like a good time to leave to discover new things.

I originally left the UK in Sept 2018 and spent most of 2019 living in Cambodia. Having expected to have been back home by this time I suddenly felt the need to visit and see friends and family.

This year it had meant to be the turn of Vietnam and Laos with maybe a finish in Myanmar, where I would hopefully see more of a beautiful country.

But, before all that, it started with a trip back to the UK in mid-march to surprise mum for her birthday. And what a surprise it turned out to be for both of us.

Because the 23rd of March 2020 will be a day to remember for a long time. I surprised her having been away for 18 months only to be surprised myself by Covid and our lockdown restrictions that left me stuck in the UK indefinitely.

Long Stay

It was to be almost 2 years to the day before I could actually get back onto a plane and fly back to  Cambodia where I had left for a two-week holiday.

The Sad part was the loss of several good friends who like many people succumb to Covid-related deaths.

Because we had lockdowns, we had mask-wearing, and a lot of helpful, caring, and compassionate people.

Suddenly away from the pressure and stress of everyday life and have time to help their fellow beings.

However, It came at a price that we now years later, have come to realise.

Inflation, cost of living, and food shortages are all effects of the shutdown of the economy during covid.

It means people’s lives will be affected for decades to come as we deal with the cost of a pandemic. Something that even today has given to speculation is not natural and may have its origins in man-made labs.

LOVE IT 😀

Thanks @jodilmorris for this perfect quote

Sapa

Set around the most beautiful countryside I have seen in South East Asia.

This town has fast become something of a tourist trap. I believe a few years ago this was a brilliant place to visit and use as a starting point to explore the surrounding landscape.

Now it has become more of a construction site with vast hotels springing up across the town.

I think in a few years life will change too much and it will be a booming tourist spot but will it still be attractive?

However the good news is apart from maybe one night when you arrive, the town doesn’t need to be your base for the duration of your time.

So use the time wisely, go trekking, visit a homestay and live in a real tribal village or climb a mountain!

Literally!

 

October 2019

New month new Country!

Yes, that’s right I am now in Vietnam ( 9 months later than planned😂) but as British Rail used to say better late than never.

Okay, I am only staying for a few weeks but this is a reconnaissance mission for next year when I will travel for 3 months from south to north.

So a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi. Go to Sapa and to climb a mountain called Fansipan the highest point in Indochina which at 3.143m is called “the Roof of Indochina”

Also, I paid my first visit to Myanmar and visited a beautiful city called Yangon. Which has some of the nicest people I have met and the best food in terms of taste in South East Asia so far.

Hanoi, Vietnam

A beautiful and unique city where love is really strong, well for me at least.

The streets are crazy and chaotic but have a charm about them. I can sit and watch the world go by for a long time here. It gives me a peace I cannot explain because it is a place that is unlikely to look anything but peaceful.

Sit on the side of the road and try local cuisine. Whilst others dodge the moto’s and scooters as they walk around you on the little side roads. Traffic here has a way of just avoiding everything.

The lake in the centre of the old quarter has a charm that is again unique. I am told it comes to life at the weekends when all the locals visit and picnic around here making it a special place.

 

Street Muriels are a big thing in many large cities, Hanoi is no exception