Category: Asia

  • Ninh Binh lakes and boats

    Ninh Binh lakes and boats

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    by

    Libbytes
    in ,

    I arrived back from Sapa very early in the morning and had to walk across town back to my hostel where I had left my main bag. Walking with my small bag was so easy that I once again wished that my main bag was small. Although, I do enjoy having the luxury of my…

  • Sapa homestay and scenery

    Sapa homestay and scenery

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    by

    Libbytes
    in

    I finally broke the Sean-Libby team by leaving for Sapa. I had a great time travelling with someone for such a long time, especially someone that I could, and would, be close friends to back home. It makes conversations more interesting than “where have you been?” And “where are you going?”. And it’s nice to…

  • Cat Ba island and Lan Ha bay

    Cat Ba island and Lan Ha bay

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    by

    Libbytes
    in

    On our second attempt, we caught the bus safely to Hai Phong, where we changed to a boat out into Ha Long Bay. When we arrived at Cat Ba island we boarded another bus to take us across the island to the town. The views were incredible, especially since we took the road through the…

  • Good morning… Hanoi!

    Good morning… Hanoi!

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    by

    Libbytes
    in ,

    The 26 hour journey from Vientiane to Hanoi was surprisingly fine! We were on a very local bus, with only myself, Sean and a Canadian couple; the rest Vietnamese. But everyone was very friendly and considerate, especially during one of the toilet stops where the only place for a lady to go was behind the…

  • Being lazy in Vientiane

    Being lazy in Vientiane

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    by

    Libbytes
    in , ,

    Sean and I left for Vientiane by a lovely comfortable bus! A luxury in Laos! We planned to arrive in Vientiane on Thursday afternoon and go straight to the Vietnam embassy to apply for next day visas. However, unknown to us, the embassy was closed for holidays Thursday-Sunday so we spent more time than we…

  • Fun in Vang Vieng

    Fun in Vang Vieng

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    by

    Libbytes
    in , ,

    From Luang Prabang, myself, Sean, Janine, Heather and Lody who we met in the hostel, took a minibus down to Vang Vieng… a very winding route through the mountains and valleys. The journey was tough for me since my seat wasn’t properly secured to the ground and I left the floor every time we turned…

  • The journey to Luang Prabang

    The journey to Luang Prabang

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    by

    Libbytes
    in , ,

    Sean and I got up early on Tuesday morning to catch a mini bus to Chiang Khong; possibly the scariest road journey so far, as our driver carelessly selected songs to play over the speakers on YouTube as he raced dangerously in the middle of the road! In Chiang Khong we crossed the border into…

  • Hitch hiking in Tha Ton

    Hitch hiking in Tha Ton

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    by

    Libbytes
    in ,

    The bus from Chiang Dao to Tha Ton was… interesting! The bus was a local one full of Thais, and of brown paper wrapped parcels. The bus was the size of a standard coach, and was definitely going too fast for the winding roads! We would stop every now and again (or at least slow…

  • The only farang in Chiang Dao

    The only farang in Chiang Dao

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    by

    Libbytes
    in

    After an amazing time in Chiang mai, I decided to begin my journey into Laos and China. On my last day in Chiang mai I visited the Chinese embassy with a visa application form I had completed at home. I found the embassy easily and got my ticket for a queue position. Are an hour…

  • Songkran and Chiang Mai

    Songkran and Chiang Mai

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    by

    Libbytes
    in

    From Sukhothai I caught a direct bus to chiang mai. Although this wasn’t quite as VIP at my one from bangkok, it was still a double decker coach with comfortable seats. On the way there I began to experience what songkran is; the world’s biggest water fight to celebrate the Thai (and Lao) New year.…