Fifi does Vietnam

Vietnam, last day of Jan '09

Travel smells

Memories came flooding back after a took a deep breath of air. Those smells tingled my senses and opened the travel part of my brain. I felt awake once more. Travelling has a profound impact on me and never ceases to excite me. For some people its a taste of chocolate or coffee that makes them alive, for me its the smell of travelling.

Its the association of fun memories, new sights, tastes and smells that makes me want to explore. Ten years ago I was last in South East Asia, so it is a a pleasure to be here again and to be in a new country, Vietnam. How lucky I am to travel for work, it is something I have always aspired too and it was my aim 10 years ago. The only thing that is missing for me is my much loved travel partner in crime, Jim.

So first impressions of Hanoi in Vietnam:
Clean, smiley, lots to buy and quirky cafés to hang out in.

The old quarter, where I am staying, has lots of hidden streets, shops and colourful buildings. It is very easy to walk around and the temperature is very pleasant a mild 20oc so great for walking.

The prices vary a lot, at the moment I'm sat in a café which is quite western (but free wifi) its around 70p for a beer and 50p for a tea, I have had cheaper (tea, not beer). My aim is to have an alcohol free 2 weeks (hmm, we will see).

I have booked my cycle rickshaw for later, a very sweet man called Vin is picking me up for a cycle tour of Hanoi, 1 hour 3 US dollars.

Vin was a star we cycled for over an hour and a half. He showed me loads of places which was cool and I even got to cycle with him as a passenger, the locals all smiled.

Next place – Cat Ba

Tamil (Nadu) Tastic

We are now in Mamallapuram and relaxing by the pool and beach - heaven.

Catching up with the locals again and great to see how things are improving after the tsunami. Although the numbers of orphans have increased, but they still smile so beautifully. It is amazing to see that all they have been through life still goes on.

We are staying back at the same place again - hotel Lakshmi and have a great room. The staff remember us which is incredible as so many people pass through here, mind you Jim does have a reputation to keep up as he is always joking with the local staff.

I have to say that our hard core traveling days are not happening during this holiday - taxis and luxury all they way - well not as luxurious as you would expect, but good for us and its not a tent or the back of the van!!!

The food is still great although we have both been ill - it was our pay back for rescuing a fellow traveller who was very ill on the train - we took her in our taxi and found her somewhere to stay and then we caught her bugs - nice......

We are still enjoying the sunshine and its back to Mumbai tomorrow for SHOPPIN.... YIPEEEEE (says fifi).

Jim here: There are times everyday where it feels like we are million miles away from europe, the smells, the sound of indian music one minute and temple music the next.. Just venturing out of the hostel/hotel/beach bar your senses are overloaded with the colour of India.. Something which we truly both love and almost definitely will crave after our trip.. just like the last time..

And to all cider fans: The Revolution is here!!!

Over and out, will do a blog post in Mumbai once we arrive. Hope everyone reading is well!

South India and into 2008

Well, it had to happen, we are only back in India-aahHH!

I must say it was very exciting getting off the plane at Mumbai this morning. Fi and I nudging each other as we notice things that can only happen in India.. 40 staff doing each others job, and the customs hall with a dust cloud from the 'ongoing improvements' to the airport.

Getting out into the city was a breeze, taxi 3006 took us direct to our hotel in the Coloba district of Mumbai . Passing Chowpatty beach and Fi's favourite shopping malls on the way there.

Now we have truly acclimatised by having a lovely Veggy Indian meal and a few Kingfishers at Cafe Mondeal.

And tomorrow it's off to Kerala, where again we have been before, so we intend to relax and eat, then relax and maybe cycle, then eat again.. Very good therapy indeed!

Fi will be shouting "Masala Dosa!" as we enter the true south of India, and where food is all 'Pure' Vegetarian.

India hasn't changed much, but then deep down neither have we. We get into this traveling lark very quickly and it amazes me how Fi and I get on so well when we do it..

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A FANTASTIC NEW YEAR AND GOOD LUCK FOR THE START OF 2008

Fi and Jim, signing out (for now). Catch up in a few days, once on the coast of Kerala