Our big trip

A few thoughts and photos from our travels

  • Day 206 – A new dawn

    20th March: Doha, Qatar to Exeter, United Kingdom Interestingly, we had another security check after departing the plane before re-entering the departures area in Doha. Looking at the departure boards, our connecting flight was on time, so we had around 3 hours to wait. You really can get anywhere from Qatar. Flights were scheduled to…

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  • Day 205 – The unexpected gems

    19th March: Hanoi, Vietnam to Doha, Qatar Our final morning in Vietnam was upon us. I felt numb and empty, when I perhaps expected to feel exhilarated after such a trip. I think it’s going to take a few weeks to process everything we’ve done once we get home. I had to have salt coffee…

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  • Day 204 – Savouring the flavours of Vietnam

    18th March: Hanoi, Vietnam We began our final full day in Vietnam by attempting to try a fancy tea house. As well as anywhere comfy being taken, one look at the menu made us up and leave. One pot of tea was the same amount that we’d normally spend on food for both of us…

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  • Day 203 – “Our cause is just… and we shall win”

    17th March: Hanoi, Vietnam It was chilly today with a top temperature of only about 16C. Perhaps the weather is easing us back into the European spring? Watching the crazy junction where five roads met just below the room, motorbikes zipped in all directions including against the flow on the one-way streets. On any given…

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  • Day 202 – Hanoi, a city abuzz

    16th March: Hanoi, Vietnam Breakfast was on the top floor of the hotel and was nothing special, but the views from the terrace out over the city most definitely were. It was gloomy and slightly chilly, with a dampness in the air. The sound of church bells on this Sunday morning gave a distinctly European…

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  • Day 201 – The aftermath of Yagi

    15th March: Cat Ba, Vietnam to Hanoi, Vietnam On our way down to breakfast, the kitten came to say hello. I scooped her up, sharp claws and all, and took her to breakfast where she first curled up for a cuddle and then went to say hello to everyone else. Am I actually starting to…

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  • Day 200 – Han La Bay

    14th March: Cat Ba, Vietnam We woke to the rare pitter-patter of rain on the cabin roof. Poking my head out of the door, the tops of the limestone peaks were all obscured by cloud and fog. Tinh, the hotel owner, tried to assure us that it would get better later but it seemed set…

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  • Day 199 – The cats of Cat Ba

    13th March: Cat Ba, Vietnam Today was another lovely chilled day. We spent the morning sat in the garden watching giant black and white butterflies, which hovered on the bougainvillea in a manner akin to hummingbirds. Dozens of dragonflies flitted around between the trees and big dark birds rode the thermals overhead. From time to…

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  • Day 198 – Paradise lost

    12th March: Cat Ba, Vietnam I had a lovely generously sized pancake for breakfast, with a whole mango sliced inside. The less said about the coffee though, the better! Instead, I walked around to the hostel we’d been to for dinner last night as they have a roastery. As expected, their oat milk coffee was…

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  • Day 197 – Sleeper trains and speedboats

    11th March: Hanoi, Vietnam to Cat Ba, Vietnam We were awoken by operatic music, announcing our imminent arrival into Hanoi. I checked my phone, thinking there must be time to sleep for a bit longer but it was 5:45 and outside the city was rolling past. We pulled into Ga Ha Noi on time and…

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