Hue-27/06/06 There is no question -one of the truely greatest things in coming to Vietnam has been the cuisine-around 500 National dishes.Eating is such an integral part of the culture- Indeed a Vietnamese proverb says- that people should learn to eat before they learn to speak. God only knows what the Pommy proverb would be- drink beer and get fat belly before learn to crawl-- If cooking were a painting, Vietnam would have one of the worlds most ...

Hoi An- 250606 A few hours on the beach was the tonic required- feeling refreshed and brian the brain is pulsating! Apparantly Hoi An has a big problem with flooding- somake sure you do not holiday here October and November times- being the central highlands there are only two seasons-wet & dry. In 1964- the floods reached the roof beams of the houses close to the waterfront with markers for proof. Even last year they suffered badly when the inhabitants ha...

Hoi An- 240606 This place is a living museum.The town of Hoi An oozes charm and culture from every corner.Emphatically the most beautiful place along the coast. It is full of bicycles and motor bikes-pedestrian friendly- so relaxed and pleasant swing to life. The locals smile and work smile and work 7 days a week. It was one of the seas major international ports form 17th-19th century. In its heyday it was a contemporary of Macau and Malaka.The Dutch,Portu...

Hoi An-230606 Hoorah finally finished the bust trip- BIN DER DUN DAT- from now on it is the silver bird. For $9 I should have followed insticts. For this grand amount you get- an uncomfortable seat,no toilet, the joy of sharing with badly dressed and smelly backpackers all in their generic dyke sandals, grubby feet and clutching the litre bottle of sky juice, PLUS the cacophany of blasting horns throughout the night- every which way -short short long,long lo...

21/06/06 Time to think and sort head out. The simplicity and hardship of many Vietnamese people make me realise that there are very basic and important things that make up a great day- kindness, love, loyalty,sunshine, good food, dedication to family,& loved ones,health,laughter, sky juice and time-Time to think and act... What is important should not be usurped by trivia- how big your bum is etc-- I cannot believe how much people smile and laugh here- even ...