"Short stories and travel reports from my life adventures around the globe".

Category: globetrotter

A Peaceful Wander Through Hanoi’s Temple of Literature.

Temple of Literature. Hanoi, Vietnam. April 2018. No matter where I go, I aways seem to bump into my old buddy Confucius. Indeed I’ve been to perhaps a dozen temples across the world dedicated to the famous philosopher. I’ve also photographed statues of the celebrated old sage in Thailand. And visited Hyanggyo School, constructed in his […]

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Taking in a Show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Hanoi, Vietnam. Cover photo courtesy of Jean-Pierre Dalbéra. April 2018. I’d never seen a water puppet performance before. In fact, I hadn’t been aware it was even a thing until I started planning my trip to Vietnam. The more I read, the more I realised seeing a water puppet show […]

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The Inmates of Hanoi’s Hoa Lo Prison.

Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi, Vietnam. April 2018. If you’re visiting Hanoi and have the means to treat yourself to a luxurious stay, one might consider the Hilton Hanoi Opera. I’m sure you can picture the place, without even looking. Rooms feature elegantly handcrafted traditional Vietnamese furniture. Moreover, there’s a giant swimming pool, a full range of […]

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Paying My Respects to Uncle at the Ho Chi Minh Complex.

Ho Chi Minh Complex. Hanoi, Vietnam. April 2018. “Ho Chi Minh!” I told the grizzled old moto taxi driver. He replied with a serious nod, then handed me the passenger helmet he kept on his right handlebar. I fitted it over my head, clambered on and we were quickly away, weaving between the traffic down […]

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The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi. April 2018. It was a hot and sticky overcast afternoon in Hanoi as I set off for some exploring around one of the city’s two great lakes. They say if you only have time for one, it should definitely be Hoan Kiem, a tranquil 12 hectare freshwater lake that holds a special […]

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Dinnertime in Hanoi at Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim.

Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim. April 2018. As anyone who’s ever been to Vietnam will surely attest, the food is just phenomenal. Having already sampled some of Hanoi’s tasty Banh Mi sandwiches, I was keen to delve deeper into the national cuisine during my time in the capital. One evening, after a full day […]

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Charms Aplenty in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam. April 2018. I remember feeling so chilled when I hopped off the airport bus and took in my first deep breath of Hanoi. Sometimes life can be so sweet. And in all honesty my adult life has rarely been sweeter than in the spring of 2018. I’d just finished a one […]

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