Just fours hours drive from chaotic Hanoi, Mai Chau couldn’t feel further from the busy capital. The Mai Chau Valley is wrapped in lush green mountains where you will find retreats and homestays that enjoy the sweeping panorama across the rice paddies, sprinkled with farmers. The rural district in northwest Vietnam offers an experience for visitors entirely different…
Vietnam
Why I Loved Volunteering in Mai Chau, Vietnam
Driving away from the little town of Mai Chau, I remember feeling unbelievably peaceful. Rested. Happy. Four weeks earlier, I had no idea that I had such an amazing trip in front of me. It was organised incredibly last-minute – on a whim, after one of my closest friends suggested doing a volunteer trip. We applied via…
Life-Changing Travel Experiences Across Asia
As I’ve adapted travel as a lifestyle, it’s also become a very important part of my yoga practice. In the same way that asana (postures), pranayama (breathing) and meditation have led to self-discovery and internal awareness, these natural wonders have offered me a profound feeling of connection with the world. Mary Tilson In Matthew Remski’s…
Halong Bay Luxury Cruise with Paradise Cruises | Day Three
Day Three of our Halong Bay boat cruise with Paradise Cruises began at about 7am. The early start ensured we beat some of the other crowds headed to Bo Hon Island to see one of the biggest caves in the area, Sung Sot Cave meaning ‘Cave of Surprises’. Skye Gilkeson Day Three Sung Sot Cave We…
Halong Bay Luxury Cruise with Paradise Cruises | Day Two
A fog enveloping the boat began to rise as we did on day two of our Halong Bay luxury cruise with Paradise Cruises. It appeared to be a residual haze from an evening storm. We hadn’t heard a drop of rain, snuggled up in soft white sheets in our air-conditioned cabin, oblivious to the outside…
Halong Bay Luxury Cruise with Paradise Cruises | Day One
Picture almost two thousands small islands and islets rising sharply from emerald-green waters. Beautiful limestone rock faces sparkling under the sun’s gaze. Clingy green rainforest vines springing from rocky crevices and netting large areas of the rugged, uninhabited islands. Sea eagles circling above. Lone fishermen wading in shallow waters off the sand in sheltered inlets. Sound like paradise? Close enough. I’m describing…
Organised Chaos in Vietnam – From Hanoi to Halong Bay
Scooters zoom past you and cars don’t wait either. A ‘beep’ or ‘toot’ from a horn is not a sign of aggression, but a warning that they are coming and you should move out of their way. There is no other option. If you’re game enough to cross the road my tip is to walk with…
