Vietnam

Vietnam – 2016 Country 48!!! Over the last year and a bit, I have done an insane amount of travelling. I have visited and experienced some incredible places and things with some amazing people but I have to confess that Vietnam is turning into one of my favourite places ever!!! It is one of the friendliest, vibrant places I have visited. Hanoi – love at first sight! The tiny buildings no more than 3m wide in the old town where we stayed, give the place such character, the millions of scooters obey their own rules.

The only way to cross the road is to keep walking and not look at the oncoming traffic and hope for the best (the green cross code does not work here and road rage does not exist!). The shops oh my heavens the shops, I decided to travel light, just a carry-on bag for 2 months… Day 5 (three of those I was on a boat!!), I bought another bag, I’m shopping, it’s awesome for shopping, the bargains (you have to have your barter hat firmly on your head to get the deals) – did I mention the shopping…. The food, diet out the window, if I had to eat Vietnamese food every day for the rest of my life I would be happy… The only thing I have a problem with is the tiny tables and chairs borrowed from the kindergarten you sit on – seriously only for people under 2ft!

Halong Bay – a bucket list for me, we stayed on a boat for 2 nights motoring through thousands of beautiful islands, paddling, visiting stunning caves a bit of hiking incredible food (found the green papaya salad from Burundi again – so good) it’s one of the 7 wonders of nature, Cape Town is also one…!