Vietnam

We cannot bring you the lovely coffee from South East Asia but we bring you four cool twists we learnt in region that can make your regular coffee new and exciting. Be sure you have ground coffee and condensed milk for this. You could try it with regular instant coffee as well. Also, scroll right down to the bottom of the post to check out the coffee filter we are giving away and how you can win it! 1.  Coffee Banana Shake – This drink was made in heaven and then sent to Laos. It combines the kick of coffee, smoothness of a banana shake, texture of a smoothie and gets you going. We had it first while hanging in the hammock in our balcony on Mekong in what is called four thousand islands and then had it twice a day everyday till we left Laos which was ten days later. But you don’t need to go to Laos for this. Here is how you can make it: You need 2 tea spoons of sugar, 1-2 tea spoons to condensed milk, a shot of strong brewed coffee, 1 chopped banana, some fresh milk (50-100ml) and 2-3 ice cubes and a good shake in the blender to prepare your perfect coffee banana shake is ready. We promise you will love it. A recent experiment at home revealed yogurt does the job better than fresh milk makes it creamier. 2. Cold Coffee Shot – Add condensed mild to a glass and brewed coffee, stir it well with a spoon, fill the glass with ice cubes. Your Malaysia style coffee is ready. Drink it slowly to let the strong, heady, sweet mixture to be diluted by the ice. 3. Coffee Lassi – It is as it sounds – a lassi with coffee. Condensed milk, …

Well, I fell in love with Saigon on the day of arrival. Was I worried? Had I heard all those things they say about Vietnam? Like hell I was. But our friends were there to pick us up and show us around, to hold our hand in the country which given the many different reviews was the most intimidating country on our South East Asia trip. With the fantastic baguettes, the possiblity to explore country’s rich past, the endless crowds of people on motobikes, the mix of colonial history with the Vietnamese values made a very fascinating mix convincing us that we may have to extend our travel and explore all that is there to see in this fascinating country. I wondered why they spoke ill of it. It seemed like India – wonderful, busy with its self and with a million smells and tastes. But the first day trip itself, followed by a trip to the war remnants museum convinced us that maybe what they say about Vietnam is, in general, perhaps a little over hyped and, in particular, is possibly not meant for us. And as we traveled to its much famed sights, our faith in Vietnam continued dropping. Hoi An was pretty everything else was a disappointment upon disappointment. Here are five reasons why I will never return to Vietnam: The country wide policy of overcharging the tourists – If you are a tourist. You must pay extra. Period. Scams – Number 1 is fine if at least you know how much extra. But, in Vietnam everybody will try to take from you as much as they can. You have to be on your guard forever. Lack of cheap budget accommodations – Every place to stay comes with a minibar, air con, television and breakfast too. What if I don’t …

Ladies and gentleman, as you know we are going around the world sampling some of the the worst bus rides to bring you the best of the worst ones. The ride from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam to Luang Prabang, is one such fine rides that deserve a mention on our blog. This ride is the winner of our quest to find the most the torturous and traumatic experience on a night bus. We suggest discretion in reading this post, for you will often shudder to think that it could be you on the bus. This is not just the finest but definitely also the longest among all bus rides brought to us from hell so far. If you have been suicidal for a while and don’t know what to do with your life, this is just the thing for you to do. Uncertain and full of surprises, as life itself, you will keep guessing when you are leaving and where you are being taken to. Often you will find yourself sitting and waiting, watching the hours pass and wondering why both, your life and bus, are not moving forward and where the hell on Earth are you. But then you realize it is two in the night and in the epic Scarlett O’hara way you will tell yourself, I will worry about it tomorrow for tomorrow is another day. And then you will toss around in the ultra (un)comfortable seats purposely kept short to squeeze your toes (making you want to chop off your limbs) and narrow to allow more human to human contact by bringing you closer to the fellow passenger you will be practically lying down with the whole journey. As if this is not enough, you will be seated (placed) next to the aisle which will …

In the four years since I have had my SLR, I haven't had more fun in photographing a place as much I had in capturing the river and boat life of Hoi An and the slow touristy pace of its old quarters. Check out this photo essay, I love it and you will love it too. Don't forget to leave a comment.

We spent five nights in Ho Chi Minh city and before we arrived we had planned to do everything there was to do in the city – the day trips, the museums, the touristy things and not so touristy things as well. But now that we have been there and done that, take our advise on five things NOT to do in the city. We learnt the hard way but you don’t have to make your own mistakes. 1. Visit the war remnants museum – It will probably the top on your list if you are visiting Ho Chi Minh city but you could get more information about the American war in Vietnam by researching it online or reading a book. If you get to the actual museum you would want to see more than just images of people who suffered. The American war was awful but before you feel glad that Vietnamese people won the war, you will be saddened that America continues to wage many such wars in different parts of the world. And while I saw a few people touched to tears with the images, I felt weird that they fail to realise how these wars continue to be fought elsewhere. 2. Cruise the Mekong – In Ho Chi Minh, we were really short of things to do. So we were considering a dinner cruise on Mekong. Luckily, one evening we walked to the banks of the Mekong and saw rows of cargo containers lined up along one side of the banks and others passing along. If you are in South East Asia you will have ample of opportunities to cruise or take quiet rides on Mekong. Give this one a skip, if you are considering it to be a romantic sunset ride on the Mekong in …

Listed as the Wonder of the Nature, Halong Bay figure as a must do on all itineraries for travel around Vietnam. However, Empty Rucksack Travelers claim that a greater wonder and adventure is in store for you in the by lanes of Hanoi's old quarter where everyone will happily sell you a trip to Halong Bay. Read their review of Halong Bay and reasons for opting for a day trip.