Scooter Hire

So today we decided to hire scooters after lunch, I’d handed over all my dirty laundry for the trip to date over the day before, so was hoping to get some of it back before we headed out,  but that wasn’t to be so we headed out anyway.  We both requested manual scooters, and after a while of me trying to figure out how to change down gears “the scooters had a separate gear peddle for changing down”  though you could also generally change down with the main gear peddle like i’m used to it just required a lot more effort and apparently also has some limitations, the rear gear peddle while much easier was in a horribly inconvenient position for someone used to changing gears with their toes only.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 7 →

Dual Tailored Pickup day.

After Enjoying my biggest breakfast to date, i decided to relax a bit in our Hotel room, before heading to the Shoe Tailors first at 12pm.

Putting the shoes on, “with my orthotics already in place” they didn’t appear to be any different to any other pair of new shoes i’d ever tried on before (what did i expect?,  no idea).  Given they fitted and they looked liked i’d requested I decided I should probably pay them(photos below).

Continue reading Vietnam Day 6 →

had breakfast a bit earlier today “still pretty late” , so was able to get some shots of the breakfast outlay we are offered each morning,  quite impressive considering our rooms are dirt cheap and breakfast is included.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 5 →

Our first day in Hoi An city was a bit of a Lazy day,  after moving about so much of late, its nice to be somewhere we can properly explore for a change, its here we are thinking of hiring a scooter later in the week to see what we can find, there appear to be many seperate and winding paths only wide enough for scooter or bicycles so will see where some of them lead.

Forgetting I was now sharing a room, I forgot to turn off my audible alarm clock overnight, and my “automated” alarm woke both me and my Travel buddy Mark up earlier than either one of us would have liked. As a result we only actually arose out of bed with about 10 mins left to grab breakfast “breakfast closes at 10am we’d been told”.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 4 →

Enjoyed another fantastic home cooked breakfast, at the Jade hotel in Hue.  This time helping myself to three courses. Corn flakes with yogurt, fried eggs and banana and honey pancakes. All on top of the fruit selection each guest is provided with every morning upon first sitting down.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 3 →

Overnight  Train from Hanoi to Hue

after a very rocky completion to my 13hr Train ride, which arrived into Hue at 8:30 am the next day.

During my Train Station Pickup to my Hotel, I began contemplating, abandoning the Tombs tour we had scheduled for the day,  in favour of a fully sized and unmoving bed.  After a little  internal contemplation, the logic that i  may only be in this part of the world once prevailed after a fantastic breakfast provided by my new accomadation, “prior to me even completing checkin”  I’m amazed how friendly and exceedingly helpful the Vietnam hospitality staff have been to this point, i just love how thoughtful they are, and the restaurants are the same.

NZ hotels don’t even come close.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 2 →

Day Touring Hanoi

as a result of Day 0’s early bed time, I awoke about 4am local time, and started getting myself ready for what would be my only day in The Capital of Vietnam,  shortly afterwards i enjoyed a  fantastic free breakfast buffet as part of my accomadation deal,

See First course below.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 1 →

Well I’m at the end of day 2 now, but theres been so much going on I Havn’t even started my right up of Day 1 yet.  What an incredible  start to  my Holiday, not even sure  were to begin. I’ve met up with My mate now, In Hue.

Didn’t realise just how difficult and challenging it would be keeping to our rather tight pre-planned  itinery  and with all the moving about we’ve  been doing  this far, its been a challenge just keeping all my electronic devices charged, so they  can keep capturing photos and vids.    I’m transferring 21GB from my GoPro prsently,  when i’ll get to go through it all,  heaven knows.

Day 1 write up to follow after dinner tonight or if  not maybe tommorow night.

lol,  fun but so very busy of late.

Well I made it, but what an awesome experience it was.

Flying China Airlines the whole way, (free meals and coffee on all flights are just part of the service)

After Leaving Auckland Airport at 8:35pm Friday night, I had a 3hr flight and 2hr layover in Brisbane, a 9hr flight and 3hrs transfer in Taiwan “was more like 5 by the end”, and FYI you notice the smog immediately upon landing at the airport.” I wondered why i’d never noticed so many passengers beside me wearing masks earlier in the journey. Damn good thing I never had to leave the Airport, for anything.

Continue reading Vietnam Day 0 →