fiftyfourandcounting | Fifty Four and Counting

The Vietnamese secret drivers code and my fan base!

Hoi AnfiftyfourandcountingNovember 24, 2016

There are no rules when it comes to driving on the Vietnam roads. New lane departure warning systems would be in melt down over here. But as we say farewell to Hoi An and drive towards Danang airport I suddenly realise that I am witnessing a secret code of the road. Vehicles driving towards us,…

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Hoi AnfiftyfourandcountingNovember 23, 2016

Hoi An, it’s people and silk worms

Welcomed by Tien our guide with her infectious personality and smile, the journey from Danang was around 40 mins to our…

AirlinesfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2016

Vietnam Airlines – safety first!

We were given great seats on our 1 hour flight VN 185 from Hanoi to Dnang (airport for Hoi An). They…

Halong BayfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2016

Naturally cultured pearls on our way to Hanoi Airport

Well according to the pearl factory where we stopped, a natural one is when a grain of sand enters the oyster…

HanoififtyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2016

Clean toilet, no paper and a shower hose!

Ok so this is an image of a clean toilet, complete with loo paper on the right and a hose on…

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2016

Tai Chi from the East meets beech from the West

The morning started with Tai Chi on deck at around 7-45am Tai Chi is a very calm and controlled balance. Our…

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingNovember 22, 2016

Halong Bay – The 7th natural wonder of the world, a hammer and a torch

To get from Hanoi to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise requires an early departure around 7am. Mondays traffic was madness…

HanoififtyfourandcountingNovember 21, 2016

Good Bye Hanoi

As we leave Hanoi for the final time we head East to Halong Bay. Hanoi certainly leaves a memorable impression on…

HanoififtyfourandcountingNovember 20, 2016

Church Boutique Hotel, Hanoi – all good in the end

So this may seem confusing .. it was to us.. you see we stayed initially in Hang Trong Street our first…

Mai ChaufiftyfourandcountingNovember 20, 2016

Karaoke and silent Quang

As we finished our dinner last night our driver, Quang (pronounced Quaan), who until this moment had barely said a word…

HotelsfiftyfourandcountingNovember 20, 2016

Mai Chau Valley View Hotel, Vietnam – simple comfort and warm hospitality

In the middle of Mai Chau Valley stand a number of hotels.. they all have phenomenal views and offer warm Vietnamese…

PeoplefiftyfourandcountingNovember 19, 2016

And we think moving house is a challenge..

In the mountains above Mai Chau live the Hmong (pronounced hu-mum) people. They are farmers mainly but as a side line…

Mai ChaufiftyfourandcountingNovember 19, 2016

Mai Chau and it’s way of life

To the West of Hanoi, some 4 hours drive away, stands a most stunning valley called Mai Chau. The valley floor…

HealthyfiftyfourandcountingNovember 18, 2016

I’ve been told this bottle contains natural Viagra!

So we stopped by the side of the road where we stretched our legs and had a drink. The street vendor…

HanoififtyfourandcountingNovember 17, 2016

Communism is working .. it just doesn’t feel like it

In Hanoi stands an impressive mausoleum overlooking a huge parade ground. The smart soldiers guard the resting place of the father…