fiftyfourandcounting | Fifty Four and Counting

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

HotelsfiftyfourandcountingNovember 20, 2016

In the middle of Mai Chau Valley stand a number of hotels.. they all have phenomenal views and offer warm Vietnamese accommodation. Our hotel is no different, serviced by staff that are ‘white Thai’ and comforts that are totally acceptable for the two night stay we had planned. The owner/manager ‘John’ offered us free bicycles…

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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…

HanoififtyfourandcountingNovember 17, 2016

Hanoi Street Food Tour.. and the meaning of ‘sticky rice!’

Last night we took a walking tour in the old quarter streets of Hanoi. Visiting different authentic street food vendors was…

PeoplefiftyfourandcountingNovember 17, 2016

OMG guess who was on our plane to Hanoi from Hong Kong!

So this was a relatively straight forward flight. Adele actually commented that there appeared to be tight security at the gate…

Cathay PacificfiftyfourandcountingNovember 16, 2016

As we approach Hong Kong.. the chap on my left speaks..

As we approach Hong Kong, from the under carriage camera we see the sun rise above the horizon .. 10-44pm GMT…

Cathay PacificfiftyfourandcountingNovember 15, 2016

Here we go!

Well we are boarded, presented with champagne, socks, headsets and dining options. Captain says flight time 11 hours and 18 mins…

TravelfiftyfourandcountingNovember 12, 2016

On your own or Malerone?

When visiting certain countries around the world you need to be vaccinated against all sorts of prevalent diseases. One common killer…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingNovember 1, 2016

Dong! I’m a millionaire!

I just received this … Enough said!

Coffee shopsfiftyfourandcountingOctober 26, 2016

Starbucks Middlebrook Bolton

8pm and there is a queue for coffee .. it’s needed, if like me you’re about to watch a movie at…

LowryfiftyfourandcountingOctober 22, 2016

Lowry Theatre, Salford – Relatively Speaking

The smaller theatre at the Lowry has a horse shoe shaped three tier gallery surrounding stalls. The intamacy of this theatre…

BritishfiftyfourandcountingOctober 22, 2016

Marks & Spencer’s Cafe, Manchester – a really great pit stop!

When you’re out shopping and you want a fast lunch, served in a clean, courteous and well structured environment or just…

Middle EasternfiftyfourandcountingOctober 22, 2016

Armenian Taverna – Albert Square back with a modern twist

I remember vividly those Saturday nights with friends in this well established restaurant in Albert Square. Remember those stairs down to…