Ha Long Bay - descending dragon bay.

The reason I went to Hanoi was to visit Ha Long bay which is about 3 hours from the city, only 150 km to the border with China.   Ha Long Bay has been designated as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world.

I took a two day one night cruise, there are longer options but I think it was long enough for me.

Arriving at the harbour was a little overwhelming, lots of boats, people, construction and more people.    I am sure that it will become even busier in the future, it is quite a developing area.

The boats are all quite old, or maybe they should be referred to as 'authentic', but once on board it was lovely.  I had a nice cabin with an ensuite and a view that would be hard to top - best shower view ever.   Once away from the harbour, maybe 20 minutes, the legendary beauty of the area became apparent.  Pictures do not do it justice.  

The area consists of  over 1500 square km with over 1600 monolithic limestone islands which create the recognizable features we see on Instagram and travel shows.

We were taken to the 'surprising caves ' a series of 3 large caves.   Then to one of the islands where you can hit the beach or climb to the top of  the island, 425 steps, for a spectacular view.     After  a night in one of the bay's we went for an early morning kayak.   After a short cooking class and a good brunch we headed back to the harbour.

A wonderful experience to see this natural wonder up close and in person.

Make use of your long layover to explore the city

Make the most of a long layover and go out and explore the city.

I had 11 hours Hong Kong.   Taking the airport express train into the city was easy, fast and efficient, only 25 minutes to one of the main shopping  and hotel areas, Kowloon.

From here I took a 5 hour city tour with a pick up from one of the hotels.   Again, very easy to do.

I saw some of the main attractions in Hong Kong.   To the top of Victoria Peak to a get an amazing view down over the city.  Very worth while.    From there we took a boat ride around Aberdeen fishing village and then on to Stanley Market.

I learned a lot about Hong Kong in that short time.   60% of the land is mountain,  I didn't know that there were so many islands, and had no idea that there were beaches.   They drive on the same side as in England which I guess makes sense as it was under British rule until 1997.

It was a very worth while way to spend an otherwise boring wait at the airport.   So don't just sit there next time. You have a long wait, go and experience a little of the city.

Hanoi and Halong Bay

I wanted to check out Hanoi and Halong Bay but prefer a tour, especially when I am travelling alone.   I find you enjoy the place so much more when someone is telling you about it,  the culture,  the history,  the reason that things are the way they are.    

So I am using G Adventures independent tour of Hanoi and Halong Bay,  which means it will just me me and the tour guide.     I even get to spend a night on board a boat in the bay, take in the sunset and the sunrise.  Sounds amazing 


https://www.gadventures.com/trips/hanoi-and-halong-bay-independent-adventure/TAVHHN/

A city of Parisian charm and grace with an Asian edge, Hanoi is an enthralling blend of East and West and a rising star in Southeast Asia. Check out the local cuisine and buzzing bars with a night in this busy city. Next, visit stunning Halong Bay and overnight on a junk boat (a traditional Asian vessel) while cruising among the bay's 3,000 islands that rise dramatically from the emerald waters. Get a closer look by cruising the waters in a kayak or dive right in for a refreshing swim.

Heading to SE Asia :)

Starting my trip to SE Asia with an 11 hour layover in Hong Kong.    

I decided not to waste the time sitting in the airport lounge but instead I am going to do a 5 hour city tour. 

Toronto direct to Hong Kong,  leaving at 1am and arriving the next day at 6am, although it's only a 14 hour flights,  I loose more than a day - time travel is weird. 

I have to take the Airport express train to Kowloon,  I'm sure this will all make more sense when I do it.   It takes 25 minutes and then I pick up the tour close to the train station at 8.10am.    

This is the tour outline that I have prepaid using Viator; You will go to Sky Terrace on the summit of Victoria Peak and enjoy a Peak Tram ride. In addition, you will visit Aberdeen Fishing Village, Tse Sui Luen Jewellery Factory and Stanley Market.

Airlines comparisons

As I sell flights I like to try out the different Airlines whenever I travel,  just to see how they vary so that I can pass the information on to my clients. 

It turns out that you really get what you pay for. 

I have dreamed of flying with Virgin as it is always promoted as such a different experience but I never get the chance living near Toronto, Canada which isn't on their route.   But fortunately last year I was in India and decided to fly to the UK,  a route which Virgin flies.  
  
I wasn't disappointed,  having flown Air Canada to Delhi,  then Jet Airways to and from Nepal, Virgin was like being upgraded.   The seats seemed more comfy,  the inflight entertainment was fabulous with so many movies or music to choose from,  a menu was handed out before the meal service and ice cream bars delivered to your seat half way through the really boring part of the flight.  It really was a wonderful experience and I wish I could fly Virgin all the time. 
At the other end of the scale was Wow Airlines which I took as a budget flight from London via Iceland to Toronto.    Now I know that it was a cheap flight,  and maybe going from Virgin to Wow wasn't a fair comparison, despite having a week inbetween,  but it really proves the point that you get what you pay for.    No entertainment, no food, nothing extra at all,  and of course you have to pay for checked luggage.  It seemed like the longest transatlantic flight I have ever taken.  Since then I have flown via Iceland with Icelandair which was actually less expensive than Wow and it was a much better flight.  

I am trying out Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong this week,   I hear very good things about them.  I hope I'm not disappointed. 

Annapurna, Himalaya, Nepal - simply amazing

Last year I hiked with G Adventures to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) high in the mountains of the Himalaya.    It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.   Reaching basecamp was very emotional so much so that it has pushed me to crave that feeling again. 

I have just booked to climb Mount Kilimanjaro,  Africa's highest mountain next Feb, 2019.     I have arranged a private group with G Adventures, with a friend from Norway who climbed to ABC with me.     If you would like to join us please check out the info. 

http://www.littletravel.co/kili.html 

This was the G Adventures hike we did; 
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/annapurna-sanctuary/ANAS/ 

Don't just visit the roof of the world – climb all over it. Take a ten-day trek through the remote and imposing mountains of the Annapurna Range. Begin and end the journey in Kathmandu with its colourful temples, city squares, and great shopping. With the support of a team of expert Sherpas, the challenging trails of Annapurna will reward you with a stunning combination of towering peaks and dramatic valleys. Rest and relax overnight in teahouses, where you’ll reconnect with ancient ways long forgotten by the modern world.

My visit to Delhi #gadventures #goldentriangle #salaambaalaktrust

When you tell people that you are going to India they often ask Why?    I think a lot of people are nervous of the crowds, the dirt, the smells, of something so different to what we are used to in North America and Europe that it scares them.     But to me that is part of the attraction, the charm, the fascination.

However, I was a little nervous flying in Delhi for the first time myself.    As I boarded the plane for the 14-hour flight I was saying in my head why, why can’t you just go and sit on a beach like other people?   Why do you get these ideas of going on an adventure?   But the answer is, I want to experience the culture and the people for myself.

Landing in Delhi airport was quite disappointing, it looked like any other international airport, nothing different at all, even leaving the airport to get the taxi to the hotel was less intense than I had anticipated.  I had expected hoards of people, kind of like in the movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, but it was quite normal really, except that the lines on the highway and the traffic lights are more for decoration than rules to be obeyed.

Touring Old Delhi with our amazing guide was fascinating, an assault on the senses, absolute chaos, from every sort of mode of transport, going in every direction, to the chaotic maze of electrical wiring above your head, to the smells of spices, incense and food.  

We were fortunate to visit the Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organization which provides shelter to street kids.   We were shown around by a young 16 year old man who had been kidnapped as a 6 year old and taken to Delhi to beg on the streets.  Fortunately, he was able to get away from his captives, but then found him self alone, with no knowledge of where he came from and no way to get back.    He was helped and sheltered by the Trust and now gives back by giving tours and educating people about it.  It really gives you a different perspective on life.  

http://www.salaambaalaktrust.com/