Kenya Cranford

17 January 2022

Virginia Bucket List Wineries – Stone Tower Winery

My bucket list journey to visit all of the wineries in Virginia has just begun. But, I believe I have found my favorite winery…at least for now. Stone Tower Winery, a family-owned winery located just about an hour west of DC. It is beautiful and inviting has some of the best wine in Northern Virginia. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences when it comes to wine, but I think Stone Tower has good options for everyone.

I always enjoy a nice glass of wine or bubbly. I stumbled across this gem during COVID-19. Staying in the house was no longer an option and I needed to do something besides a hike. Wineries were a good option and spring was just around the corner. I did not have any real expectations about Stone Towar vineyard and at the time I did not care. It turns out, the wines are so good that I have been back multiple times and I am now a member.

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There is a large variety of wine at Stone Tower! I do not like most Virginia wine but they have some of the best wine I have had in the state. Virginia is really a difficult place to grow good grapes for red wine. Somehow, they have figured out how to combat the terroir to do just that. Usually, I exclusively drink red wine. But, I have tasted pretty much everything they produce. My favorites are the rosé and rosé brut, petit verdot, and the merlot. I even like the chardonnay, and like I said–I do not care much for white wine. [/penci_fancy_heading]

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My first time at Stone Town Winery was lovely. Its beauty was a surprise. It is super inviting and the atmosphere is great, even when it is crowded (and it is usually very crowded). The barn-style buildings with a backdrop of rolling hills and vines are picturesque and exactly what you would expect to see at a winery. There are so many reasons to visit; after a stressful week at work, a day out with friends, or even a solo day. I always exhale when I pull up to the winery.

Stone Tower Winery has a great ambiance to include its cozy indoor spaces. I have done a few tastings, eaten lunch, or and t hung out with friends in several of Stone Tower’s buildings. There has never been a time when I wanted to leave when I had to. [/penci_fancy_heading]

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One of the best things about Stone Tower Winery is that they have several events and wine experiences every month. And, if you can not catch something the first time around, they almost always run the same events time and again. My first introduction to Stone Tower Winery was at one of these events. I went to the wine barrel tasting of its 2019 red wine wines. Usually, wine tastings are of only maybe 3-6 wines. But I was shocked to see that the winery had placed 10 nearly full glasses at my table. The tasting included a food parring of cheese, charcuterie, and other small treats.

My second experience at the winery was the Executive Experience, which included a tour of the property, lunch, and wine tasting of about 8 wines and port. This was a good chance to taste most of the wines the winery produces, and the tour guides are fun and lively. Beware, if you are a lightweight, this tour may be a tad much for you. The pours are generous and there are plenty of them. I loved our tour guide, Joe. He is very knowledgeable and is clearly enjoying his retirement working at Stone Tower.

Besides the wine events, you can visit the property any time for a wine tasting or enjoy their menu. My favorite things on the menu are the wood brick pizzas and the parmesan truffle French fries, especially when they are fresh out of the fryer!

If you are a wine lover or just want to have a good experience, I highly encourage you to spend an afternoon or day at Stone Tower Winery![/penci_fancy_heading]

26 September 2020

Traveling as a Black Woman

I absolutely love to travel. When I boarded a plane for my first overseas trip in 2000, I had not considered what it meant to travel as a black woman. As a matter of fact, I did not consider it at all until years later after I had visited several countries. I was naive to think that the rest of the world would see me differently than how all races, including my own, viewed me in the United States. I would later discover that when I crossed international waters, I did not leave behind the rank I was born into as a black woman in the US or the outward racism that black and brown people face every day. During my travels, sometimes being an American trumps being black, but my blackness is the first thing people see. So, it is the first thing people judge me on.

Since my first trip, travel has become my passion and in one way or another it has taken up a lot of space on my bucket list. Before COVID-19, I traveled to a new country every year. And, with age and experience, every time I set foot on foreign soil, I have a few things running in the back of my mind. How will they receive me as a black woman? What will they think of me? And, will I be uncomfortable for the duration of my trip?

Why now?

You may be wondering why am I talking about this subject now, especially since my blog is focused on my bucket list and solo travel experiences. With everything going on in my country concerning race, it is hard to stay silent about how race has impacted my travels. While the dominant race in the US has a long history of trying to keep everyone in their place, almost every country has also had some sort of system to rank its people. In many ways, those systems may not be visible to those who are not regularly affronted by it, but they are there. For that reason, I am sharing my travel experiences through perspective. I want to highlight that there are constant reminders about where people THINK you should stand or rank in society no matter where in the world you are.

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Black Girl Meets The World” _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” title_color=”#000000″]How I have felt during my travels is not something I have even talked about with my friends or family. The fact that I do not get to shed my skin color when I board a plane and cross borders and international waters, not that I would want to. I truly believe that there has not been a single continent that I have planted my feet on where my color was not part of the discussion or highlighted. Here are a few of my experiences of what traveling as a black woman has been like for me.[/penci_fancy_heading]

Africa

Sundowner at Amboseli National Park

I had the privilege of living in Africa for a few years and I have been to at least a dozen African countries. My most troubling experience traveling as a black woman has been in Sub-Sahara Africa, particularly in Kenya where I have spent a considerable about of time. I first want to say that I loved my time in Kenya. It is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. And, I would return anytime I had the chance. However, this country still has a considerable amount of European and Indian ex-pats. Many of whom treat the Kenyans poorly or in a belittling manner.

In general, I blended in well into Kenyan society as long as I kept my mouth closed. So, ex-pats were always shocked when I rejected how they treated me or even called them out for their behavior. Kenyans are a strong, hard-working, and successful group of people. So, I am generalizing when I say that it is sad to see Europeans and Asians treating such amazing people as only worthy of serving others in their own land. I certainly did not appreciate Kenyans and ex-pats alike generally assuming that I was the driver, maid, or domestic help. I think that is a dark reflection of colonization.

South Africa has its own troubled past with decades of Apartheid. During my travels there, my skin color prompted a deep conversation with some South Africans who wanted to make sure I understood the difference between colored, an acceptable term in South Africa, and black people. I am not exactly sure what were their intentions. But, by definition, they were colored and I could not help but feel like they were trying to make sure that I understood my place in South African society.

Asia

I have had mixed experiences as a black woman in Asia. Asian societies in general are more homogenous. So the few times I have traveled to Asia, I have expected the worst. Most of my worries did not come to fruition, but I think that was probably because cultural norms would not have allowed for it. And, while I am sure that Afro-Americas vacation, work, and live in Asia, I assume it is not at all on the same level as in Europe. It definitely seems like an anomaly for Asians to see people of color walking their streets.

I was most terrified to travel to Japan. Particularly, I thought I would feel out of place or be the center of negative attention. Japan is a very artistic and colorful country, but you cannot always tell. Walking down the street, no matter rain or shine, you will see a sea of people dressed in dark clothes, with dark hair, and umbrellas with one of three colors. I had heard stories of Japanese restaurants turning people away because they were black. So, I begged people to go with just because I was afraid people would treat me the same. However, Japan was awesome. If people felt any negative thoughts towards me, they kept them to themselves. My natural hair fascinated and amazed them, but I could understand why. Natural hair IS amazing.

My experience of traveling as a black woman in Vietnam was slightly different. First, I want to say how much I enjoyed my travels in Vietnam. I based in 4 cities and each place was cool and had their own unique twists. My friend, who is white, traveled with me. She is a fantastic travel partner and this was our third trip together. But, I am the planner and she is more of a fly by the seat of her pants kind of person. So, I planned, booked, and paid for the entire trip. That meant everything was in my name, yet somehow that did not matter.

The Vietnamese deferred to her almost everywhere we went. It did not matter where or the context. If I asked a question, they turned to her to answer it. And, if I asked for the bill at a restaurant, they brought it to her. We started to make a game out of it just to see what would happen.

My skin color was also the topic of a few conversations. Some described my skin color as “strong,” which I took as a compliment. While others talked about not wanting to get dark in a slightly embarrassing way. I really did not let any of it bother me, but I think it is a shame to have these experiences halfway around the world. Even if to some, these experiences seem insignificant,

Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue, Vietnam

Europe

Honfleur, France

Traveling as a black woman in Europe has been varied. I have visited the continent more times than I can count on my hands twice over and I love it. However, our European friends are the cause of a lot of racism around the world. Their ties to and their implementation of slavery around the globe are unmistakable. They have purposefully divided tribes, mistreated dark-skinned people, and pitted neighbors against each other. These actions have left its mark on Europe too.

Discrimination is real and overt in many European nations. However, the only place in Europe where I have really felt out of place was in Croatia. I spent two weeks in that beautiful country and they reminded me every day that I was black. I understand that not many black people live or vacation in Croatia, but it was a bit much. People called out to me on the street, pointed at me, and whispered as I passed by. There was not a single day during my two-week trip where Croatians did not harass me because of my skin color. It was exhausting.

South America

The last experience about traveling as a black woman that I want to share is in South America. To be honest, it has been six years since I last visited South American. The continent is full of brown and black people. So, one would assume they are more open to and accepting of people of color. As a matter of fact, many people from South America would claim that racism is only a problem in the United States. Instead, I believe racism is slightly muted and takes on a sometimes less overt form.

In some countries, there is certainly a distinction between whites, Mestizos and Morenos. I spent two months in Chile several summers ago. Okay, I was in college, so it was many summers ago. I was poor and the place I had planned on staying at for the duration of my trip fell through. So, I not only had to find a place to live but a job to pay for that place.

I was shocked that Chileans required people to include a picture of themselves on resumes. That made it easy for them to discriminate against people based on looks, to include the color of one’s skin. I had to find a job where they paid me under the table to teach English to kids. Two of the kids were from Bolivia and were the same skin color as me. The Chilean boys picked on these two Bolivian boys all the time, calling them ugly because of their skin color. Besides those poor Bolivian kids, other Afro-Americans, who spent significant time in Chile, and I were picked on in one way or another.

São Paulo, Brazil

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”My love for travel continues” _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A”]These are just a few of my experiences. I would like to reiterate that I am writing about this topic at this time because of what our nation is going through at this moment. Race issues are not a new phenomenon. But instead, I think it is important to note that the entire world suffers from some form of us versus them mentality. It is becoming harder to ignore our pasts. We should not let this moment pass without choosing to do something different. Especially, when the world is paying attention to things they have thought little about before.[/penci_fancy_heading]

2 June 202015 August 2020

Food Tour in France: A Foodie’s Bucket List

I would not be surprised if everyone who ever thought about traveling to France, also thought about eating lots of French food. Of course, it has been at the front of my mind every time I have traveled to France. It is a good tour to do especially do as a solo traveler. Also, doing a food tour in every new country I visit is on my bucket list, and I am always looking for ways to check things off. However, I did not end up booking a food tour in France until I had visited the country several times.

Food tours are great for several reasons. Spending hours strolling through new cities with wonderful guides. Tasting the best or most unique food a country has to offer. And, discovering hard to find restaurants and food stalls makes food tours special. However, my food tour in France had an unexpected twist to it. Let me start by saying that France is one of two countries in the world where food culture is so important to the society that it earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The other country being Japan. UNESCO rewarded France for its gastronomic meals. The French people’s appreciation for celebrating food and all the things that accompany a delicious meal are worth the honor.

Almost every country has amazing food and special meals that make those countries stand out. But, the French have a way of preparing a gastronomic meal with a succession of dishes of food paired with wine, beautiful table settings, and the social aspects that are all very “French.” Meals tend to be long, and start with an aperitif and end with a digestive. In between those two drinks, restaurants serve an array of beautifully prepared dishes.

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Why A Food Tour in France?” title_tag=”h3″ _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A”]I was really excited about doing a food tour in France. Along with its designation as a cultural world heritage, France also has the appellation d’origine controllé (protected designation of origin). It is the certification that France gives to several agricultural products, to include its wines, cheeses, and butters.

I had hoped that the food tour would not only include these amazing French treats, but it would also introduce me to some of the country’s infamous dishes. When I thought of doing a food tour in France, I thought about succulent duck confit, fluffy soufflés, escargot, or the lesser known French salted caramels.

To be frank, I expected to experience the fancy side of French food. Food tours in France, however, focus mostly on the simpler side of French cuisine. Things, such as freshly made baguettes, cured meats, macarons, eclairs, and of course crepes. While it was not what I expected, it was still worth it.[/penci_fancy_heading]

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Which City To Do A Food Tour?” title_tag=”h3″ _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A”]I think that you should do your food tour in Paris, hands down. Part of the food tour experience is to see the city. What better way to see Paris than while strolling the streets on a food tour. There are multiple food tour companies to choose from, however, I think they do a poor job distinguishing themselves from each other. I chose Secret Food Tours Paris in Montmartre. The online description of the tour was slightly underwhelming. But, I felt the same way about all of the food tours I researched.

During my many trips to Paris, somehow I had never been to Montmartre. It is a village full of charm, located in the 18 arrondissement and is thought to be one of the city’s most famous districts. Montmartre is quite the scene with its artistic vibe, museums, and influences on cinema. It is also known for its gourmet cooking and multi-generational mom and pop restaurants and shops.

Coffee in Vietnam: My Favorite Cafes

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[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”How Much Food Will I Eat?” title_tag=”h3″ _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A”]Normally, I chose food tours that have between 8-10 tastings at multiple restaurants around the city. I found the food tour in France to be quite different from all of the other tours I have been on in other countries. We went to a lovely chocolate shop and tasted some of the best macarons I have ever eaten.

But, during most of our other stops, we just talked about history. The history of the shop and the food they sold. Cheeses, cured sausages, and eclairs were all on the menu. However, we did not enjoy these tasty treats at the local shops. Instead, our guide collected all of the food and we all sat together for a “meal” at the tour company’s shop.

We finished the day at a small stand to have one of the most iconic French desserts, crepes. I must say that the food tour in France was the only one I have been on where I did not walk away completely stuffed. That may seem like a positive thing, but I was slightly disappointed. Particularly since it was the most expensive food tour I have ever been on.[/penci_fancy_heading]

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”How Will We Get Around?” title_tag=”h3″ _title_typo=”font_family:Simonetta%3A%22regular%2Citalic%2C900%2C900italic%22|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” _title_fsize=”35px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” css=”.vc_custom_1596839050149{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}”]You will have the chance to see beautiful Montmartre by foot on a 3-4 hour guided tour. You will see and learn about this popular district and wonderful French culture. Wear comfortable walking shoes and keep your eyes open to view the city’s charm.[/penci_fancy_heading]

Ultimately, I am glad I did the tour. As part of my bucket list food adventures, the goal is to have new food experiences. I certainly had that on my food tour in France. Even if I think Paris let me down. Not that the food I had on the tour was not great. But, why not show off the glamorous side of French cuisine to the world? For whatever reason, it is hard to find tours in France that are able to do what other countries have perfected.

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10 May 20207 August 2020

Coffee in Vietnam: My Favorite Cafes

Coffee in Vietnam! I know it may be strange to have coffee in Vietnam listed on my bucket list. Let me first start by saying that I love a nice, hot cup of coffee almost every morning. Black! No sugar, no milk. I will admit that from time to time I enjoy coffee iced, frozen, or with milk as a treat. There is something so fulfilling and relaxing about opening a bag of coffee beans and breathing in the aroma. To then grind those beans and make a perfect cup of coffee can be even more satisfying. No matter what I am doing, a cup of coffee makes me feel relaxed and I love it.

After doing a couple of food tours in Vietnam, I was so happy to discover that coffee in Vietnam is huge. The coffee culture is so strong that it is hard to walk down any busy street without coming across several cafes. I guess I should not have been so surprised since the French left their mark and its cafe culture in Vietnam after 100 years of occupation. As part of my bucket list food adventures, I had planned to do a coffee tour in Vietnam. However, due to the coronavirus, my tour was canceled. I was grateful that the tour company provided me a list of cafe shops we would have visited, told me what to order, and gave me insights on the coffee.

Traveling to Asia During Coronavirus

Coffee in Vietnam is definitely a treat. The cafes all over the country serve so many different types of coffee. The most traditional coffee in Vietnam is strong, made with Robusta beans, and served with condensed milk. However, even with condensed milk, the coffee still has a very strong flavor.

The coffee is unique because of the technique the Vietnamese use to make it. A small stainless steel filter makes all the difference. They are relatively cheap and if you purchase coffee beans in Vietnam, I highly recommend that you grab a filter at the same time. If cheap kitchenware is not your style, you can also buy colorful ceramic filters too. With so many cafes sprinkled throughout the country, here are a few of my favorites where I think you can find some of the best coffee in the country.

Coffee with condensed milk

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Cafe Dinh is in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and has some of the best egg coffee in the city. The cafe is in a hole in the wall and it is impossible for tourists to find unless they already know what they are looking for. You have to enter a dark alley and climb a flight of stairs before you reach the cafe. You may at first be frightened, but push past that fear because you will be rewarded with one of the best cups of coffee in the city.

Some will say that this cafe is a tourist trap and no local would ever visit. But, I found that to not be true. I went to this cafe a few times and I did not see a single tourist in sight. The cafe itself is dark and the atmosphere feels old world. I just imagine that it was once a place packed with artistic or hip people of the day. I will warn you that smoking is allowed, which is the only downside to this place.

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Egg Coffee

As for the most important part, the egg coffee, it is simply delicious. This specialty coffee originates in Hanoi and is the best city to try it. You may be wondering what in the world is egg coffee? The Vietnamese prepare it with robusta coffee beans, egg yolk, condensed milk and sugar. They beat the egg yolk with sugar and coffee until it makes a sort of fluffy custard. Many people serve it in a bowl of warm water to maintain the temperature of the coffee, but Cafe Dinh does not use that method. I was nervous to try it, but it is the most unique and yummy type of coffee I have ever tasted.

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My second favorite cafe for egg coffee in Vietnam was at Hanoi Egg Coffee. While the name of the cafe may not be original, they serve one of the best egg coffees in the city. This tiny cafe also serves several types of rice wine and snacks like bahn mi. The reason why this cup of egg coffee was beat out by Cafe Dinh, is because I think it’s a tad too sweet for my liking. The Vietnamese use A LOT of sugar in their cuisine and there is no exception for coffee.

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Egg Coffee

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Loading T Cafe in Hanoi is a cute French inspired cafe in the middle of the Old Quarter. While I enjoyed drinking egg coffee a several cafes in the city, I definitely loved the coffee at Loading T the most. They roast their coffee beans with cinnamon sticks, which makes for a very unique and delicious flavor. I tried their regular iced coffee with condensed milk and a frozen coconut coffee. I have never said yum so many times while sipping coffee. If I had spent any significant amount of time in Hanoi, I would have visited this cafe time and time again. Definitely some of the best coffee in Vietnam.

The ambiance of the cafe adds to the entire experience of having a delicious cup of coffee in Vietnam. Loading T is on a small side street in Hanoi. The yellow building looks like something out of an old century story. The cafe is on the top floor and is cute and quaint. French music is softly playing in the background. There are a few cozy tables spread throughout the space. It is inviting and relaxing.

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Frozen Coconut Coffee

Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk

Coffee in Vietnam comes a variety of styles. If what I have mentioned does not sound appealing, then you can also try Vietnamese drip coffee without condensed milk, black iced coffee, fruity coffee, and yogurt coffee. Of these choices, I tried yogurt coffee. It was not horrible, but not my favorite type of coffee in Vietnam. The creamy constancy of yogurt in iced coffee was not that appealing. But, it is worth trying. If you are up for being adventurous, then you should also try weasel coffee. What is weasel coffee? Essentially, it is when weasels have digested and pooped out coffee beans. They sell it throughout Vietnam.

Coffee with yogurt

27 April 202019 May 2020

Food Tours in Vietnam: A Foodie’s Bucket List

Food tours are a must when I travel to any country for the first time and Vietnam was no exception. Food is one of the main reasons I get excited about traveling. I must admit that I love to eat. When I am at home, I spend hours in the kitchen trying to recreate dishes I have tasted around the world. I particularly enjoy Asian food. So, I did a lot of research on Vietnamese cuisine before my first trip to Vietnam. Even if you have a lot of time to explore Vietnam, it will be hard to taste all of the must eat Vietnamese cuisine during your trip. I found the best way to eat my way through the country and to taste all of the traditional and unexpected foods was to by taking a couple of food tours during my trip.

Vietnam Travel Tips: Things You Should Know

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As with most food tours, the tour in Vietnam is not just about stuffing yourself silly. Food Tours in Vietnam give you the chance to learn a lot about the people, culture, a little bit of the language and something about the various regions in the country. Vietnamese consider their food to be a reflection of their values. To find the balance that is good for the body. No matter the region, you will certainly hear the Vietnamese talk about a balance of flavors and temperatures to make up the best dish. They really focus on the six senses as well as food texture. It is very fresh and meats are not cooked for a long time. Lots of vegetables and herbs accompany each dish.

Food, even the same dish, varies by region. So, doing multiple food tours throughout Vietnam is worth it. I found that all Vietnamese food had more sugar in it than I normally eat. But, the flavor and spices in food changes as you travel from the north to the south. With the north making more “bland” dishes, the central part of the country makes more spicy food, and very sweet dishes are served in the South.

15 Things You Must Do In Thailand

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If you get to spend a lot of time in Vietnam and plan to travel to multiple destinations, then I recommend that you do a food tour in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. There are only a few dishes that you are likely to taste on both food tours. Even then, those dishes will be different enough that you will appreciate having tasted them in both cities. If I had had time, I would have also done food tours in Central Vietnam. I loved everything I ate in Hoi An. Sadly, I did not really get the chance to enjoy the food in Hue, which is supposed to be some of the best food in the country.

I recommend that you do some research on food tours in Vietnam before you book anything. There are several types to cater to different needs. Possible experiences include night tours, dinner with the locals, street food tours, or off the beaten path tours. You can also choose between private and group tours or if you want to include sightseeing with your food tasting. I booked a private tour with Get your Guide in Ho Chi Minh City and a group tour with Hanoi Street Food Tour in Hanoi. Both tours were absolutely fantastic.

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If you choose similar tours to the two food tour companies I used, then you will generally have between 8-10 tastings at multiple restaurants around the city. Most food tours will accommodate food allergies. But, if you are a picky eater or have a very restrictive diet, then food tours might not be such a great option. All of the food will be small portions, but you will certainly be stuffed by the end of the tour. Several of the tastings may have a communal diner feel. You may participate in a lot of hands on eating. The Vietnamese serve a lot of fresh food that sometimes consist of wrapping savory bites in lettuce.

Most food tours include all of Vietnam’s must eat foods. I had my fill of noodle soups, Vietnamese pancake, and depending on the region, egg coffee. There may even be a few surprises. One surprise for me was coconut ice cream. I had never seen ice cream like this before; served with old and new sticky rice, coconut chips, sweet potato, and coconut jello. It looked weird, but it tasted fantastic.

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Generally, food tours in Vietnam are 3-4 hours long and are walking tours.

That was my experience in Hanoi, where we did the entire tour in a few blocks in the Ancient City. Things were different in Ho chi Minh City, where food tours cover a lot of ground in a busy city. Many food tours make their way around town by motorbike, which are completely part of the culture. Your tour guide will drive you through the city’s busy and congested streets. It seems like rush hour traffic is all day in Vietnam’s big cities. So, if you are uncomfortable riding a on the back of a motorbike, then I recommend that you look for tours that specifically note they are walking tours

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No matter what you decide, you will absolutely love eating all of Vietnam’s tasty treats. I hope you enjoy Vietnam’s cuisine as much as I did!

24 April 202010 May 2020

Safari in Kenya: An Ultimate Guide

When I started my bucket list in 2010, I never imagined that I would be able to do so many things on it so quickly. Going on safari seemed like an item that I would check off in the very distant future. However I was able to check off safari in Kenya early in my bucket list journey. I have been fortunate to have been on five safaris over the years.

Zoos are not my thing, so I did not think I would love safaris. Finding a pride of lions, a herd of elephants, or even a momma warthog with her surprisingly cute piglets (yes…that’s what they are called!) made me fall in love with nature in unexpected ways.

By far, the Maasai Mara (commonly called the Mara) in the Kenya Rift Valley Province is the most popular safari destination. Home to the Maasai people, the Mara has beautiful, iconic landscape. It provides the backdrop to experiencing animals in their natural habitat. The Mara is where the Great Migration takes place. As a result, you can easily find the “big five” (the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, African lion, and African black rhino). If I could do only one thing in Kenya, this would be it!

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You have decided to go on safari in Africa and you are wondering how to get you planning started. It can feel daunting to plan travel to Africa in generally, especially if it is your first time to the continent.

I rarely use travel agents, however, I highly recommend using a travel agent to plan your safari. It will make the entire process much easier. Instead of using a US-based travel agency, I always use Nairobi-based Travel Affairs to book all of my travel inside of the country and to neighboring African countries. They are friendly and helpful. The agents have an understanding of the wide variety of safari camps and they can provide recommendations depending on the type of experience you want to have.

Where to stay

The Maasai Mara is the most popular destination in Kenya for safari, but there are certainly other gems. Ol Pejeta near Mount Kenya and Amboseli are two other areas I have visited. The Kenya Wildlife Service maintains hundreds of safari parks all over the country.

There are different safari experiences, but most include sleeping in a tent. No ordinary tent of course. Well, they zip up like a regular tent and sort of look like one from the outside. Once inside, you will find plush beds and full bathrooms.

You do not have to completely break the bank to go on safari. But, I do prefer the semi to luxury tent experience because it is all inclusive, has 5 star food and gives you the chance to customize your drive times.

5 Tips for Travel to Kenya

My Favorite Camps:

Sanctuary Olonana, Maasai Mara; luxury camp on Mara River.
Mara Bushtops, Maasai Mara; one of the most beautiful camps in Nairobi.
Governors Camp Collection, Maasai Mara; variety of camps on Mara River.
Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli; where the elephant rules the land and Kilimanjaro is in the background.
Tortilis Camp, Amboseli; luxury camp in Amboseli where the elephant rules the land.
Ol Pejeta Conservacy; Nanyuki; home to the last two Northern White Rhinos on the planet.

When to go

You can go on Safari any time of the year, however, the best time is from June – October when it is the dry season. The Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeests and zebras migrate from Tanzania to Kenya, also happens this time of year.

The highlight is to see the animals cross the Mara River. The wildebeests and zebra line up and sometimes wait for an hour before making the decision to cross. I understand the dilemma. Crocodiles line the river banks and hope they make a kill and fill their bellies.

For some strange reason, after so much contemplation and risk, they often times just turn around and cross the river again. Because of the large volume of animals, there is also an increased possibility to see a lion or cheetah hunt or kill! Pick a safari camp that is near the Mara River. This will reduce drive times to get to the action.

I would avoid going on safari during the rainy season. Many safari camps in the Maasai Mara shut down during part of the long rains from April – early June.

You should work with a travel agent to map out the best safari camps to visit during this time. The short rains, November – December, are less challenging and safari camps are open.

Besides lots of animals, migration season is crowded with people and it is the most expensive time to travel. I personally think it is worth it. If you do not like crowd, you should travel in between the rainy seasons, slightly before or after migration.

Many safari camps offer great deals during the low season. You will still have the chance to see the big five (the African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, African lion, and African black rhino).

How many days on safari

I recommend spending only 2-3 days on safari. If it took you days to get to the Mara, you will be tempted to spend a week trying to locate the hard to find leopard (it took me 5 trips). However, bumping around in a dusty vehicle for more than 3 days will mostly likely start to wear on you.

Instead, I you should take the extra days to spend time in Nairobi, travel to Naivasha, or visit the beautiful Kenyan coast. In three days, you generally will do about 5 game drives. That’s plenty of time to have a memorable experience.

What to Pack

Safaris can be dusty and temperatures can fluctuate greatly over the course of several hours. here are my recommendations on what you should include on your packing list.

Enough clothing to dress in layers
Light jacket
Scarf
A hat
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Backpack
Flashlight or headlamp
Bug/mosquito repellant
Camera and long distance lens if you have one
Lens cleaning cloth

24 April 202010 May 2020

Day Trips from Nairobi: 5 Great Getaways

I think Kenya as a whole is such a beautiful country. There is so much to see and experience that it could take you years to uncover all of its treasures. Most travelers only get to visit Nairobi and the safari camps. However, if you have time, there are several day trips from Nairobi worth taking. Here are 5 great getaway trips that are easy to get to within two hours of the city limit that I recommend.

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Lake Naivasha

One nicest day trips outside of Nairobi is a visit to Lake Naivasha. About 90 minutes outside of Nairobi, Lake Naivasha is a perfect destination to experience nature in a different way than a traditional safari. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located northwest of Nairobi and is part of the Great Rift Valley. Named Nai’posha, meaning ‘rough water,’ by the Maasai for the sudden rain storms that cause rough, high waves.

The lake is home to over 1500 hippos and 400 different species of birds, making it a great place for nature lovers. Boat trips can be taken from many lakeside lodges and campsites. It’s a good opportunity to see the hippos up close, but proceed with care.

They are the most dangerous animals in Africa; strong swimmers and runners (for short distances). To give you an idea of their strength, only the female hippo bite strength has been measured because the male is too aggressive to test.

Cost: $20-25 for boat/$30 for Crescent Island
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, lots of water, snacks
Wildlife: variety of wildlife

The lake is surrounded by the most beautiful forests of yellow Acacia Xanthophlea trees. While on your day trip to the lake, make a stop at Crescent Island to get an even closer look at non-predatory animals, such as the giraffe, which were born on the island.

Mount Longonot

Traveling to Mount Longonot was one of the hardest day trips I took from Nairobi. An inactive volcano almost 9000ft above sea level, Mt. Longonot offers one of the most difficult hikes and some of the most beautiful views in Kenya.

Less than 40 miles outside of Nairobi, Mt. Longonot National Park gives you a chance to see if you can keep up with the Kenyans on this difficult hike. Try not to be embarrassed as they pass you barely breaking a sweat and hiking in flip flops with ease.

The hike is steep and the terrain is made mostly of volcanic rock and fine dust, which can be slippery and becomes muddy when it rains. There are several view points along the way. Most of my group was not fit, but it would have certainly helped.

The hike takes about an hour from the Park Gate to reach the rim and a little more than an hour to hike around the rim, so plan for 4 hours total. Unless you are an avid hiker, you will be proud of yourself once you complete the journey. I highly recommend packing a snack or lunch and bring lots of water and sunscreen.

Cost: $26
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, hat, and snacks
Wildlife: Buffalos, Gazelles, Impala and Giraffe

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park was one of my favorite day trips from Nairobi. Looking for a less intensive hike than Mount Longonot with the same reward of beautiful landscapes and views? Hell’s Gate National Park is Mt. Longonot and Lake Naivasha’s neighbor in the Great Rift Valley and the location of what the Lion King location is based from. It is rocky and covered ash from the last volcanic eruption at Mt. Longonot, but a relatively easy hike. Established in 1984, it is home to many forms of wildlife. It is definitely my favorite hike!

When you arrive, there are guides available to take you on the hike, which I highly recommend. They not only show you the way, but they help you navigate slightly difficult terrain. It takes about 2-4 hours to hike, depending on your speed and if you choose to visit pride rock.

Cost: $26pp, approx. $20 per group for a guide
When to go: All year around
What to bring: Sunscreen, water
Wildlife: buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons are common. There are over 100 species of birds in the park.

Brown’s Cheese

Brown’s Cheese is one of the closest day trips from Nairobi. One thing I love about Kenya are the gems you can find outside of the city. Kenya is not generally known for its cheese. As a matter of fact, Brown’s Cheese, an all natural cheese company, started because cheese was hard to find in Kenya up until 1979 when Brown’s Cheese was established.

Brown’s Cheese is located about an hour outside of the city center on a beautiful farm in the middle of the tea plantations in Limuru, Kenya. It offers tours of its factories and farm and lunch where you can tastes their yummy cheese.

I have done this day trip and tour three times. When you arrive, they serve homemade lemonade or some other homemade, refreshing drink. The cheese platter is accompanied with homemade bread and jams. They provide a tasting menu card that describes the cheese and the best jam parings. Since their cheeses do not contain additives, coloring, or coating the taste is super fresh. I am not a fan of stinky cheeses, but their feta and blue cheeses are my favorites.

After the cheese tasting, lunch is served, followed by homemade ice cream. I recommend the salted caramel!

Cost: Approximately $40
When to go: All year around

Kiambethu Tea Farm

Kiambethu Tea Farm is also one of the easiest day trips from Nairobi. It is also located in Limuru, in the rolling hills covered tea plants, the Kiambethu Tea Farm was established in 1910 and is still run by the same family.

The farm is very peaceful. You can enjoy a cup of tea, hear the history of the farm, and then walk through the indigenous forest surrounding the farm.

A homemade, delicious three-course lunch will be awaiting you upon your return from the walk. It is recommended you book in advance, as space is limited and tours are generally offered once a day.

Cost: Approximately $35
When to go: All year around
What to bring: A light jacket

How to get there? See: 5 Tips for Easy Travel in Kenya

11 April 2020

Vietnam Travel Tips: Things You Should Know

From crowded cities, beautiful beaches along the coastline, and the green mountainous regions in the north, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Vietnam. Traveling in Vietnam was a special time for me. It was everything I expected it to be and a lot more. The people are warm and welcoming and the food is delicious. But, I think what surprised me the most was the beautiful architecture and detailed structures. The many places that made me feel at peace and relaxed were a bonus. However, there were a few things I wish I had known or been better prepared for. Here are a few travel tips you should know before your trip.

15 Bucket List Things You Should Do In Vietnam

25 Tips for International Travel

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Travel Tip 1: Eat Yummy Street Food

If you are traveling in Vietnam, you cannot pass up eating street food. It is not uncommon for you to turn a corner in the major cities and see from anything from just a few people to large crowds of people sitting on plastic chairs at short, small tables at restaurants or enjoying street food. Interesting note is that it is illegal for restaurants to have tables and chairs on the pavement. So, tables are low to the ground and the chairs are short to make it easy for store owners to quickly remove them if the authorities arrive.

Street food is made fresh, is inexpensive, and usually eaten quickly before people carry on with their days. Common dishes are a variety of noodle soups, a Vietnamese pancake, dried beef or papaya salad, and coconut ice cream. I recommend that you do a street food tour to get a good sense of the food culture and to have be able to taste a variety of dishes at one time. The same dish can be served differently based on the region. So, do not hesitate to take multiple food tours during your travels.

Travel Tip 2: Enjoy a Beverage

Big Coffee Culture

I was shocked to learn that Vietnam has a huge coffee culture. I guess I should not have been so surprised since the French were in Vietnam for more than 100 years. And with the French, came its cafe culture. Cafes are sprinkled throughout Vietnamese cities and they a variety of unique coffee drinks. Traditional Vietnamese coffee is very strong and served with condensed milk. Iced coffee with condensed milk is also available, and became one of my favorites during my travels. A signature Vietnamese coffee is egg coffee, which is easiest to find in Hanoi.

Tea is a thing too!

If you prefer tea over coffee, do not worry. Tea is also a huge part of Vietnamese culture. Tea draws people together throughout the day and at social events. Open air tea houses are abundant and easily noticeable in smaller towns like Hoi An. I find Vietnamese tea to be slightly bitter but has a great after taste. My favorite tea house was in Hoi An called The Teahouse. The Teahouse is associated with Reaching Out, whic is run by hearing and speech impaired individuals, who provide a peaceful and beautiful environment.

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Travel Tip 3: Handsy with silverware

One thing I just had to let go of while traveling in Vietnam, is the fact that Vietnamese restaurant staff touch everything that you will probably put in your mouth. While this may go on in restaurants across the US, it is generally not acceptable and most consider it to be unclean. Most restaurants tables will have a silverware holder with spoons, forks, and chopsticks. For some reason, Vietnamese put all of the chopsticks and silverware with the side you put in your mouth facing up. So, when people grab for either of them, people tend to put their hands all over everything.

Travel Tip 4: Doing the dishes

It is not uncommon to see ladies behind restaurants cleaning the dishes in a big bowl on the street. This did not really bother me because I have seem a lot more interesting things during my years of travel, but it might be weird and seem unclean to some people. However, I would prefer to think of it as part of the culture.

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Travel Tip 5: Ride a motorbike

Throughout Vietnam, but especially in the big cities, the motorbike is the easiest form of transportation. My fear of taking a motor taxi quickly disappeared after I hopped on the back of a motorbike my first day in Vietnam. Zipping in and out of traffic along with hundreds of other motorbikes was exciting. I must warn that motorcyclist break the driving rules all of the time. Such as, driving the wrong way down a one way street or driving on the sidewalk to avoid having to circle the block. The motor taxi is a fantastic and cheap way to get around cities with ease and some excitement. My only recommendation is that you use apps like Grab to book a taxi. They will always quote you a price ahead of time, they are generally safe, and you are unlikely to be scammed. Avoid taking any form of motor taxis at night.

Travel Tip 6: A Bike is okay too…

I am not sure I would recommend riding a bike in the bigger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. But, it is a great way to get around the smaller cities. Bike rental shops are abundant, and most Airbnb provide them free of charge.

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Travel Tip 7: Get a massage

If you are someone who likes to get a massage but it is too expensive in your home country, then Vietnam will be a treat. There are very affordable spa salons throughout the country. Many of them offer spa packages but they will also allow you to change it up and customize your experience. My favorite spa experience was in Hanoi at the Orient.

After walking all day, you should stop by one of the several massage shops that line the streets in all of the major cities to get a foot massage. You can get a one hour foot massage for about $8-10 and they are decent quality. Because there are so many of them, I advise you to shop around. Take a peek into the shop before you go in to see if it meets your standards. Even though the massages are extremely affordable, you still deserve to enjoy the experience.

Travel Tip 8: Make time for the beach

If you have time to explore several parts of Vietnam, I highly recommend building in some beach time. This is especially true if you will be spending any significant amount of time in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, both of which can overload the senses. I stayed at the beach in Hue. To hear the crashing waves at night and to see the sunrise over the beach was amazing.

Travel Tip 9: Be spontaneous

I am definitely a planner, which means that I tend to plan out the majority of my trip ahead of time. However, I think that Vietnam is one place where you should build in some time for spontaneity. There are a lot of things that will draw you in, such as tea and coffee shops, beautifully handmade jewelry, or a temple tucked into the middle of a busy city street. You do not want to miss out on the country’s hidden treasures.

Travel Tip 10: Relax and people watch

Take time to sit at one of the many coffee or tea cafes in Vietnam to relax. Most cafes have outdoor seating or windowless shops, so it is easy to grab a chair and watch the different types of people and tourist wander by.

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Yes, Vietnam is safe. There was not a single time during my trip when I felt unsafe. However, I did receive some tips from locals on how to stay safe.

•Do not carry your cell phone in your hand, otherwise you will be an easy target to be robbed. I wanted to be able to take photos on the street and on the back of motor taxis. So, I bought a lanyard case for my iPhone. It served as a deterrent to theft and allowed me to take photos.

•Leave your passport at your accommodations and do not carry around large sums of cash.

•Be careful crossing the street in large cities. I think it is much safer to cross the street in Ho Chi Minh City, were people generally follow the driving rules and street signs. However, Hanoi is a different story. The general rule is to just cross the street without looking drivers in the eye. If they do not think you noticed them, then they are more likely to slow down and let you cross. If they think you see them, they will continue full speed ahead.

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Travel Tip 11: Do not be a target

As a tourist you will easily stand out as a possible target for the locals to take advantage of. I think many of the things you may deal with in Vietnam is fairly normal in most developing nations.

Travel Tip 12: Transportation

Always get a quote before you get into a taxi or motor taxi if the person does not have a meter. The best thing to do is to order a taxi through one of the several apps related to transit in Vietnam, such as Grab. Be aware that some taxi drivers will drive you around in circles and then try to charge you extra money.

Travel Tip 13: Do not be afraid to haggle

Unless you shop only at shops that have fixed price, you will need to haggle to get a “fair” price. Best practice is to start negotiating about half or a third lower than what vendors quote you. You can usually find what you want in multiple stores. So, you should be prepared to walk away if you do not hear a price you are willing to pay.

Travel Tip 14: Be patient

People will ask you to buy what they are selling all day long. It can be annoying after you said no three or four times and people continue to be persistent. I recommend that you take a break and remember that people are trying to make a living. Politely say no thank you.

Want more tips on travel to Vietnam? Check out Travel to Vietnam.

26 March 202010 May 2020

15 Bucket List Things You Should Do In Vietnam

From crowded cities, beautiful beaches along the coastline, and the green mountainous regions in the north, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Vietnam. Vietnam was at the top of my list for bucket list destinations in Asia. I did not do all of the traditional things that most people would consider to be must do bucket list items in Vietnam. I wanted to have enough time to do balance between visiting the sites, eating my way through the country, and having some down time. So, here are my 15 bucket list things you should do to enjoy as much of the country as possible in 2 weeks.

Traveling to Asia During Coronavirus

Visit Ho Chi Minh City

Even though Ho Chi Minh City was not officially on my Bucket List, there is no way I would have traveled to Vietnam without visiting the city. Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s most important cities and a popular tourist destination. Its large population, skyscrapers, and tons of traffic may be overwhelming to the senses and make it hard to fully relax. But, it is also full of rich history and beauty that are a must see.

I think it is good to spend at lease one day exploring the city on your own. I love to join tours, but many tour companies in Ho Chi Minh do not give you enough time to let you enter the sites. Instead, you end up standing outside and talking about it. So, it is worth doing a little research and then taking a motor taxi to get round the city on your own. It is very easy and inexpensive to get around the city

I highly recommend that you visit the War Remnants Museum, which focuses on the impact of the Vietnam War on the Vietnamese people as well as the protests around the world against the war. It is a very sobering museum and it made me reflect on what humans, in this case Americans, are willing to do to others.

The Jade Emperor Pagoda is also worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1909 to honor the supreme Jade Emperor Ngoc Hoang, the temple is in the heart of the city. But, as soon as you step through the main gate of the grounds, things slow down and a peace and calm overtakes you.

With all of that said, I still think it is worth doing a day or half day city tour with a guide. You will learn so much more about the city and discover some hidden gems.

When to visit: It is best to go between December and March when it is slightly cooler around 80-90 degrees.
Where to Stay: District 1 is close to all of the action. I stayed just across the Mong bridge in District 4, which is quieter and only a short walk away from District 1.
Tour Company: I booked a half day walking tour of Ho Chi Minh with Tripadvisor.

Go to Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is a beautiful and peaceful region in the southern part of the country and should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is made up of rivers, swamps, and islands. The river starts in the Himalayans and passes through China, Thailand, and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam and dumping out into the ocean. You could easily spend several days to a couple of weeks exploring the floating markets, pagodas, orchards, and bio reserves. However, if you only have a limited amount of time, day tours from Ho Chi Minh City are easy. The day trips are a tad touristy, but they are still worth the experience. Even in one day, you can have several cultural adventures, such as boating on the Mekong River and riding bikes in the country side.

When to visit: Any time of the year is good to go except for the rainy season from May to October.
How to get there: If you are doing a day tour, then Getyourguide is a great option. If you plan to stay longer, here are several options on how to get there.

Do a food tour in HCMC

For me, food is such an important category on my bucket list. Not only because good food is amazing, but food tells you a lot about the country. I try to do a food tour in every new county I visit. They are special because you visit places you may have never otherwise found and try dishes you have never heard about. And, since Vietnam is a food powerhouse, I could not visit without doing one in Ho Chi Minh City. As a matter of fact, since the food varies from north to south, it is worth doing multiple tours throughout the country.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many of the food tour companies make a lot of stops that do not include tastings so you end up on a historical tour rather than a food tour. If that is what you are looking for, then that perfect. However, I really just wanted to eat! My research for the perfect tour paid off. I spent the night on the back of a motor scooter, zipping in and out of traffic, and eating a variety of some most delicious food in the city.

Tour Company: I booked my tour with Get Your Guide. There are a lot of options, so just do a little bit of research if my recommendation does not appeal to you.
When to go: It is never a bad time to do a food tour. But, doing it at the beginning of your trip is better so you time to revisit your favorite places.

Thailand Food Tour: A Taste of Bangkok

Bánh Xèo (pancake)

Coconut Ice Cream

Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)

Visit Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An was one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. It is my bucket list goal is to visit at least 300 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, naturally, I had to visit Hoi An. Its status has made the city become very touristy and crowded in recent years. However, I traveled during the rise of the coronavirus. So, It was extremely quiet in the city, which allowed me to enjoy it in an unexpected way. Hoi An is very colorful with its yellow, timber houses and multicolored lanterns all over the city.

Its streets are full of shops and restaurants. An occasional unexpected temple, theater, or bridge will surprise you. If you really want to enjoy the city before the crowds arrive, wake up early and stroll around. Your only company will be an occasional runner and the morning market, which is a madhouse between 6-8am. Hoi An lights up at night as all of the boats covered in multicolored lit lanterns cruise up and down the Thu Bồn River . The night market is lively and full of souvenir stalls and street food.

When to go: The best time of year to go is during dry season between February and April.
Where to stay: An Airbnb is a great option. Stay just outside of the ancient city to stay away from the noisy night market.
Favorite restaurant: I loved Morning Glory. My favorite dish was the Cao lầu, which is a regional noodle dish. I also had the best Bahn Mi at Bánh Mì Phượng. Bahn Mi is a traditional sandwich that is normally eaten at breakfast.
Tip: Visit one of the many yellow booths throughout the city to buy a pass to visit 5 of the 20 historical sites in the city.

Scooter Tour in Hoi An

If you want to get outside of Hoi An’s busy city center, then you can take a scooter tour of the countryside. It is a fantastic opportunity to see how locals live and experience the country’s authentic culture. This tour is a self drive tour. After about 5 minutes practice on the bike, you take off into the city’s traffic. Luckily, traffic is only a fraction of what it is in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Unfortunately, I never really mastered how to ride the scooter. While, I was able to manage the streets, for some reason making a sharp turns always landed me in a wall or rice paddy! If riding a scooter is not really your thing, then you can also ride bicycles in the countryside.

Visit My Son Sanctuary

If you have a few days in Hoi An, you should take a day trip to My Son Sanctuary. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of ruined Hindu temples. The Kings of Champa and Cham people built them between the 4th and 14th centuries. There are 71 rediscovered structures that are grouped together over two kilometers. They are architecturally interesting and show a level of technological sophistication for the time. Considering that these structures have been around for centuries, it is an interesting note that they were not constructed with mortar. If you can manage to visit around sunrise before the crowds arrive, you will be able to take a moment and enjoy the site in peace.

When to visit: It is best to go early in the morning around sunrise to avoid the crowds and hot temperatures. Early to late afternoon when the tourist have fled is also a great time.
How to get there: I booked a tour through Viator. They picked us up from our hotel and the guide was fantastic.

Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills, named after the elements, not far from Da Nang city in Central Vietnam. The mountains were once a spiritual destination for Vietnamese aristocracy and Mahayana Buddhists. This site actually amazed me. I had zero expectations of Marble Mountain and stumbled upon it on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. There are lots surprises along the mountains, to include caves, tunnels and temples to explore. It is definitely one place that will make you wonder how did the Vietnamese created such a marvelous place without modern technology.

When to go: It is best do go during dry season since marble will be quite slick during the rainy season. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and tourists. It could take you several hours to see everything without feeling rushed.
Note: There are a lot of steps. Even if you decide to take the elevator to the top of the mountain instead of climbing, there are still a ton of steps at the top. Make sure to wear proper shoes.

Lap An Lagoon

Lap An Lagoon in Hue is definitely at the top of my list of favorite places in Vietnam. It was one of the most peaceful parts of my journey. I was there on a cloudy day, which made it even more mystical. I only discovered this place because it was listed as a place to stop on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. The water is crystal clear and you can enjoy a peek at sea life just below the surface. Sand dunes stretch from the bank out into the lagoon. You can stroll out to the water’s edge to take a look at some of nearby fishing boats.

The Vietnamese have definitely cater to tourist by setting up places to take photos, and I do not blame them. It is one of those scenes that I have only seen in beautiful paintings. Luckily, there were few people around and I was able to steal a few beautiful pictures. There is also a great seafood restaurant near by, and the option to buy affordable pearls.

When to go: It is best to go between March and June when it is dry and warm.
How to get there: It is easy to take a day tour from Hue or you can make a stop at the lagoon if you are driving from Hoi An to Hue.

Drive from Hoi An to Hue

I originally viewed hiring a car to get from Hoi An to Hue as a means to an end. Instead, it should have been included on my bucket list. A good way to see part of Vietnam in one day without having to take multiple trips is to drive from Hoi An to Hue (or vise versa) and make stops along the way. Better yet, you can do what I did and hire a driver. It is actually fairly inexpensive and a great way to see the country in a stress free way. There are many options, but I recommend stopping at Marble Mountain, Lap An Lagoon, Hai Van Pass, and see the An Bang Cemetery. It will take you a full day, about 8 hours to see everything at your leisure.

Tour company: BNT Travel was a great company because we never felt rushed throughout our entire journey. The driver did not really speak a lick of English but that ended up not being a problem.

Lang Co beach

Spend time in Hue

When I added Hue to my bucket list, I was not expecting to find such an interesting city. There are so many beautiful and interesting things to see in Hue. The Imperial City, also known as the Citadel, is inside of the city center and is one of the main draws to the city. The Imperial City was home to the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. That makes sense, as that name is sprinkled all over Vietnam. These beautiful structures were once home to the country’s capital and the seat of bureaucracy. The complex is huge, so you should give yourself at least 2 hours to walk the grounds and take in all of the colors and structures.

If you only have one day in Hue, you can easily fit in a few more things. I recommend visiting the tombs of the Ancient Emperors, Tu Duc, Mihn Mang, and Khai Dinh. The tombs are like large, tranquil gardens. You should also squeeze in a visit to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. It is one of the most popular pagoda’s in the city and is beautiful.

If you have more time to enjoy Hue, then there is a lot more you can do. I highly recommend that you enjoy a stroll along the Perfume River or do a food tour of some of the best cuisine in the country. Also, the beach is far from the city center, but worth visiting.

Where to stay: As my third stop in Vietnam and no beach time up to my arrival in Hue, I decided to stay outside of the city center at the beach at Ana Mandera Hue. The hotel room was absolutely beautiful. The food was slightly overpriced and not as good as food in town. However, I think that is generally expected at resorts.
Tips: Make sure you bring sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. There is very little refuge from the sun at many of the sites in Hue. The heat and humidity can be stifling.

Visit Hanoi

Just like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi does not have to be on your official bucket list for you to realize that it is worth visiting. If you plan to spend any significant time in Vietnam, then you should visit Hanoi. Even though it was my least favorite city in the country, it is still fascinating. Hanoi is overcrowded and seems to be slightly dirtier than other cities in Vietnam. It was slightly overwhelming, even though I was traveling during the coronavirus outbreak and Hanoi was much quieter than normal.

The easiest way to see the city is to book a tour. Most city tours include visiting the highlights, such as the Hanoi Opera House, Temple of Literature & National University, and One Pillar Pagoda. If you are lucky you will end the tour with traditional Vietnamese street food and coffee.

When to go: The best time to go is between February – April and October – November to avoid the unforgiving summer heat and the rainy season respectively.
Tour Company: Viator
Where to stay: I chose an Airbnb outside of the old city to have a little peace and quiet. However, I had to walk at least a 25 minute to the old city everyday. You can also take Grab to get around. They are quick and inexpensive. If I had to do it over again, I would have stayed in the old city just for convenience.

Do a food tour in Hanoi

Food is so important to my bucket list travels and adventures. This is particularly true in Vietnam, where the food is so amazing and different depending on the region. So, doing a second food tour on this trip was a great decision. I was amazed that the food tour in Hanoi included several things I had never heard of, even after spending nearly two weeks traveling in Vietnam. I visit 8 restaurants and experienced 10 tastings. It was some of the best traditional food in the city.

When to go: Food tours are great no matter the time of year. I recommend that you take the tour at the beginning of your trip so you can return to your favorite spots.
Tour Company: Hanoi Street Food Tour

Egg Coffee

Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)

Nộm bò khô (dried beef salad)

Visit Hanoi’s Coffee Shops

I never considered putting coffee on my bucket list. It’s something most people drink everyday without much consideration. I heard that coffee was a thing in Vietnam, but I was surprised by how much. Many Vietnamese homes are small, which makes it difficult to host people. Therefore, there are hundreds of cafes sprinkled throughout the city to give people a place to relax and chat with friends while enjoying great coffee, coffee drinks, or tea. I really loved all of my coffee experiences from traditional Vietnamese coffee to coconut coffee. It was all so different and unique from what I’ve ever experienced before and simply delicious.

Favorite Cafes:

Cafe Dinh: You will see very few tourists in this cafe and it is slightly hard to find. It is best known for it’s egg coffee.
Loading T: This was my favorite cafe. It has an old French vibe that is further emphasized by the French music playing in the background. They roast their coffee beans with cinnamon sticks so the coffee has a unique flavor. The best thing to get is the regular coffee with condensed milk or the frozen coconut coffee. I had both!
Hanoi Egg Coffee: Yes, this is the name of the coffee shop. I enjoyed my first egg coffee at my shop and was immediately hooked.

Egg Coffee from Cafe Dinh

Go to the Spa

Visiting the spa in Vietnam is not generally on most people’s bucket lists. However, it should be! You can visit the many spas through the entire country and will walk away relaxed and satisfied. After walking around for hours you should definitely take advantage of the many places to get a 30, 45, or 60 minute foot massage all for about $10 or less. Because there are so many, you should absolutely be picky. Most massage salons are open so you can peek in from the outside. Make sure the chairs are clean and the location has a spa environment, if that is what you are expecting. If you have more time, I highly recommend getting several spa treatments. They will be high quality and a fraction of the price you would pay in the West.

Favorite Spa: Orient Spa Hanoi

Halong Bay

Halong Bay, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a must see item on my bucket list. It is one of the most sought out tourist destinations in Vietnam. Its beautiful emerald waters and tall limestones sprinkled throughout the bay are the draw. With more than 1,600 islands, there are several places to snorkel, kayak, hike, and visit secret lagoons.

How to get there: The best way to enjoy Halong Bay is to take a boat tour. There is everything from day boat tours to several day cruises. There are many tour companies to fit various budgets.
When to go: Usually between March and May and September to December.