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3rd March 2019
Bangkok,
Thailand
Back in Thailand after a week in Laos - I will only be in
Bangkok for 2 days before flying to Dalat, Vietnam, where I am
staying overnight before catching the bus down the mountains to
Nha Trang.
----
27th February 2019
Vang Vieng,
Laos
Today I caught the bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng - I arrived
very relaxed probably due to the rough road as I imagine the 4
hour trip equates to a 4 hour massage. I visited Vang Vieng
several years ago but arrived at 2am (during a major storm) and
had to leave at 7am. Vang Vieng reminds me of Koh Chang
(Elephant Island in Thailand) because it is a small, relaxed,
hard to get to, location - but it is quite authentic (despite
the backpacker tubing bars etc.)
Liquid Gold, Beer Lao, Vang Vieng, Laos
----
25th February 2019
Vientiane, Laos
After a relaxing 3 weeks in Thailand I have moved on to
Vientiane,
Laos, where I have been several
times before. I am here for a week, during which time I will be
eating the local food and having a few beers (Beerlao, my
favourite beer). It is unseasonally hot in Vientiane at the
moment (36-37C) but thankfully not very humid. On Saturday I fly
back to Bangkok for a couple of days before returning to Nha
Trang, Vietnam, via Dalat.
----
4th February 2019
Smiling in Thailand
I am now in
Jomtien, Thailand, where I
lived for 4 years from 2009 - I am visiting friends and having a
holiday - I will be here for 3 weeks before flying to Laos for a
week and then home to Nha Trang, Vietnam. I am staying at the
Arcadia Beach Resort, a new condo resort complex - I have rented
a 1 bedroom apartment and so far am impressed - it is "Up
Market" compared to my usual "Mr. Cheap" locations but at around
$20 US a night it is good value.
I have no special plans whilst I am here other than to try and
force myself to relax.
The View From My Apartment at Arcadia Beach Resort
----
2nd February 2019
Dalat, Vietnam
Caught the bus from Nha Trang to Dalat yesterday on my way to
Thailand - Dalat is about 130 kilometres from Nha Trang in the
mountains and it was quite cool this moring at around 12C which
is about 10 degrees colder than Nha Trang.
I am flying from Dalat to Bangkok today and then catch the bus to Jomtien
tomorrow - I will be spending 3 weeks in Jomtien visiting
friends and relaxing before flying to Vientiane, Laos, for 2
weeks - then back to Bangkok for 2 days, Dalat for 1 night and
then bus back to Nha Trang.
----
9th January 2019
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am in Kuala Lumpur to get a new Vietnam visa. Fly back to Nha
Trang tomorrow.
KLCC Park and the Twin Towers - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
----
1st January 2019
Happy New Year!
Looking forward to another year of travel.
----
28th December 2018
Danang, Vietnam
Back in Nha Trang after spending a few days over Chiristmas in
Danang.
----
13th December 2018
Planning Ahead
Despite having a busy travel time this year I am planning an
even busier time next year. The year will start with a "Visa
Run" to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) for a few days in January -
followed by a month long trip to Dalat (Vietnam), Bangkok and
Jomtien (Thailand), Vientiane (Laos) and then back to Bangkok,
Dalat and Nha Trang - After that trip I will have a bit of quiet
time before embarking on my 2 month European Adventure,
commencing in early June and going until early August -
Initially flying from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam),
Beijing (China), Stockholm (Sweden) and Tallinn (Estonia). From
Tallinn I will catch the ferry to Helsinki (Finland) for a couple
of days before returning to Tallinn and flying to Riga (Latvia)
- this will be my first visit to Estonia, Finland, and Latvia.
Following Riga I will fly to Bremen (Germany) (a favorite), bus
to Hamburg, fly to Brussels (Belgium) where I have rented a car
for 2 weeks and will be driving and camping mostly around
France. Once back in Brussels I will fly on to Stuttgart
(Germany) for a couple of days before renting a car for another
2 weeks to drive around Germany. I will then return to Stuttgart
to drop off the car and catch an overnight bus to Prague (Czech
Republic) (another favourite) where I again have rented a car
for 2 weeks to drive and camp around the Czech Republic. This
will take me to 24th July and I do not have anything else booked
at the moment (possibly visiting Romainia and Bugaria) -
eventually I will end up in Tallinn (Estonia) for my flight back
to Nha Trang (Vietnam), (via Stockhom, Beijing and Ho Chi Minh
City) on 2nd August.
----
28th November 2018
Danang, Vietnam
I'm having one of my "Mini Trips" and am in Danang for 3 nights
- I have rented a studio apartment (Salamander
Hotel & Apartments) as I have become sick of hotel
rooms and also I like to cook - the apartment only cost $20
USD/night and it is great (which is good as I have already
booked it for another trip to Danang next month). I plan to
bring my drone when I visit next month and weather permitting
will take a couple of videos of Danang and Hoi An.
----
3rd November 2018
Home to Nha Trang, Vietnam
Today I fly home to Nha Trang after 4 days in Hanoi - I have
given up the idea of moving to Hanoi, mainly because I have come
to the conclusion that it is too crowded for me (I have never
lived in a large city) and the traffic noise is overwhelming.
I am going to stay in Nha Trang (maybe forever).
St Joseph's Cathedral - Hanoi's Oldest Church
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
----
31st October 2018
Hanoi, Vietnam
I am in Hanoi for a few days looking at apartments as I am
considering a move to Hanoi for a while. I checked out 3
possible apartments yesterday in the Ba Dinh district and was
not impressed. The area itself is fine (embassies, parks, lakes
etc.) but the location of the apartments and the size of them
was not to my liking. I am seeing another apartment this morning
and probably 1 or 2 more tomorrow. If I do not find a suitable
place I will probably scrap the idea of moving to Hanoi.
I have been looking for a new place to live for about a year now
without finding anything suitable - I have considered Vung Tau,
Danang and Dalat (all in Vietnam), also Prague (Czech Republic),
Varna (Bulgaria), Cyprus and Malta (both Mediterranean islands).
----
21st October 2018
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Still in Nha Trang but I am planning a go to Hanoi next month
for a week - I do not have any plans for taking trips etc. but
will be looking at apartments that are available to rent long
term and if OK I may move to Hanoi for 6 - 12 months.
I had been thinking of moving to Europe for 6 months but most
countries require a minimum of 12 months (Leases).
I may even return to Australia sometime in the next 12 months (I
had booked to go to Darwin on 4th September but decided to stay
in Vietnam).
----
2nd October 2018
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Back home in Nha Trang after my great European trip. I am
settling back into my standard daily routine again unfortunately
the immigration department here has changed my plans by changing
the rules (Again) - I currently have a 12 month Business Visa
that runs out on 10th October and have been told that they are
not issuing them anymore to UK or Australian citizens. This
means I can only get a 3 month Tourist Visa and to do that I
need to leave the country - so I am flying to
Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and
returing to
Vietnam on Sunday to get the 3
month Tourist Visa.
----
23rd September 2018
Zurich, Switzerland
This is the last day of my 3 week trip around Europe, which has
been amazing - particularly the weather - I had expected
maximums of low 20C but instead the average during my trip was
high 20's and into 30's (today in Zurich the maximum was 28C).
At this stage I plan to do another European trip next year
(during summer).
----
22nd September 2018
Bremen, Germany
I have just boarded my bus from Bremen to Hamburg (Flixbus)
- the bus cost 5 Euro while the train would have been 25 Euro. I
also used the Flixbus service from Hamburg to Bremen and it is
excellent - comfortable seats, lots of leg room, Wifi and a
toilet. I enjoyed my trip to Bremen even though it was short - I
visited
Bremen several times in 2008 when I was living in
Malta.
I spend tonight in a hotel near Hamburg airport as I fly to
Zurich, Switzerland, at 6:30 am tomorrow - I then spend a day
and night in Zurich before flying home to Nha Trang via Bangkok
and Ho Chi Minh City.
Admiral Nelson Ship
Wesser River
Bremen Musicians
St. Peter's Cathedral
Bremen Old Town Hall
Bremen Town Hall
Bremen Market Fountain
Pigs at Am Wall
Windmill at Am Wall
Roland Statue
Schnoor District Bremen
----
20th September 2018
Hamburg, Germany
Today I flew from Cologne to Hamburg where I am staying for only
one night this time (plus another night on 22nd). I had
originally planned to spend 3 nights in Hamburg but later
decided to catch a bus to
Bremen (where I visited several
times in 2008) for a night.
.JPG)
Hamburg City Centre Lake
Hamburg Town Hall
----
19th September 2018
Cologne, Germany
Today was spent doing a local Rhine River cruise, a DIY walking
tour of Cologne "Old Town" and a train trip to Bonn for a quick
look. I arrived in Cologne yesterday and it was a hot 30C (it
was 12C in Gdansk when I left early am). My first impression of
Cologne is that it is OK, meaning that it is neither especially
good or bad it is simply "Same, Same" a typical German/European
city.
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Rhine Apartments
Cologne Chocolate Museum
Rhine River, Cologne, Germany
Rhine Riverside, Cologne
Old Town Cologne Statue
----
17th September 2018
Gdansk, Poland
This is my second day in Gdansk after sepnding 30+ hours in
Krakow, Poland, on the way here. Tomorrow I fly to Cologne,
Germany, (via London).
.JPG)
Gdansk, Poland, Photos
----
13th September 2018
Prague, Czech Republic - Day 4
A quiet day today just travelling around Prague. Tomorrow I fly
to Krakow, Poland - this will be my first visit to Poland and I
imagine it will be similar to Czech Republic - time will tell.
After Krakow I fly to Gdansk, Poland, that was voted the most
popular tourist destination in Europe last year.
Prague Old Town Gate
Prague National Museum
Prague Opera House
----
12th September 2018
Prague, Czech Republic - Day 3
Today was mostly spent on a trip to Pilsen and back to visit the
Pilsner Urquell brewery - in 1842 the first ever lager beer was
brewed here and today Pilsner Urquell uses the same ingredients
and the same process to produce their beer. The brewery tour was
excellent and included a tasting of raw beer from a giant timber
barrel in the underground storage area.
Pilsner Urquell Brewery
----
11th September 2018
Prague, Czech Republic - Day 2
Arrived in Prague yesterday afternoon and it was a hot 30C which
is probably well above average for this time of year. The
forecast is for fine warm weather for the next 3 days then
cooler (the day I leave). This is my 3rd visit to Prague and my
2nd this year (I like Prague). The main aim for this trip is to
try and do things that I did not do on previous trips. Today I
went to Petrin Hill and caught the funicular train to the top to
see the Petrin Tower. Tomorrow I am taking the train to Pilsen
(about 100 kilometres away) to visit the Pilsner Urquell
brewery.
Petrin Tower
Prague Street Food
----
9th September 2018
Strasbourg, France - Day 3
Still in Strasbourg and the weather is wonderful - cool at night
but 25C+ during the day with clear skies. I had a more relaxing
day today but still got around. Tomorrow I fly to Prague, Czech
Republic, where I
am staying for 4 days.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg Swans
Strasbourg Synagogue
----
8th September 2018
Strasbourg, France
A busy day around Strasbourg today which included visiting the
Strasbourg Cathedral which was the World's tallest Building from
1647 to 1874 (227 years), a cruise around Strasbourg on the Lill
River, tramming around and a walk from France to Germany
crossing the Rhine. Strasbourg has a history that goes back more
than 2,000 years and has been both German and French. It has
somehow escaped the current scourge of Europe "Grafitti" which
is a pleasant change.
Rhine Pedestrian Bridge
Rhine River Cruise Boat
Strasbourg Cathedral
St. Paul's Church
Lill River
Lill River Tour Boat
Petite Paris, Strasbourg
Petite Paris
St. Paul's, Strasboourg
European Parliament
Strasbourg Houses
Strasbourg Railway Station
----
7th September 2018
Brussels, Belgium - Day 2
This morning I went to the "Grand Place" which is a major
historical square of Brussels - there was a weekend beer
festival being set up so it was hard to get clear photos. This
area is obviously the "Tourist Centre" of Brussels and there
were several tourists around already.
I am now in Strasbourg, France and all is well - I have a studio
apartment for the next three nights and will do some exploring.
Brussels Grand Place
----
6th September 2018
Tired in Brussels, Belgium
I am now in Brussels on the 3rd day of my European Trip - I am
tired because I left Nha Trang at 5 am on Tuesday and it is now
4pm on Thursday and I have not slept in a bed yet and I get
virtually no sleep on planes or in airports. So far I have flown
from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok, Zurich,
Barcelona and Brussels. I arrived in Brussels this morning and
fly out 1 pm tomorrow to Strasbourg, France - I have three
nights in Strasbourg followed by 4 nights in Prague so I will
get some rest..
I had planned to do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour of Brussels today
but it was foggy so I gave that a miss and just did my usual
Metro hopping and walking.
Brussels Central Garden
Brussels Royal Palace
Brussels Streetview
----
31st August 2018
Still Working
August has been just as quiet as July with no travel at all.
This will change next month as on Tuesday I leave on my high
speed European trip for three weeks (16 flights
and 4 bus trips). I will be visiting -
Zurich (Switzerland), Brussels (Belgium),
Strasbourg (France), Prague (Czechia), Plzen (Czechia), Krakow (Poland),
Gdansk (Poland), Cologne (Germany), Hamburg (Germany) and Bremen
(Germany). This trip
will include 8 cities I have not visited (Zurich, Brussels,
Strasbourg, Plzen, Krakow, Gdansk, Cologne and Hamburg) but only 1 new
country (Poland).
----
1st August 2018
Working, Working
July has been a very quiet month as far as travel goes - I went
nowhere. I have been working on the
City Directory sites updating the
quality of the listings in the directories (dull but needed) - All
the city directories are now "Secure Websites" and in the future
most (if not all) of the listings within the directories will also
be secure. The recent crash in the price of facebook and twitter
shares etc. were (in my opinion) due to the public getting sick of
"Cookies" (if there was a physical cookie placed on you when you
entered a physical business you would probably never visit that
business again - and it would almost certainly be illegal) - but the
Internet is still in the "Wild West" stage without laws - Neither
this site or any of the
City Directory sites use (or have
ever used) "Cookies".
I will be working for several months updating the directory sites
but am looking forward to my European trip next month. I may also
have a night in town (Nha
Trang) and a bus trip to
Dalat this month.
----
4th July 2018
European Trip Bookings
Today I have finalised all flight and hotel bookings for my European
trip in September and the total cost is $1,975 USD - which is about
$500 less than I expected it to be (even though I am "Mr. Cheap").
Whilst overall the cost of travel and accommodation within Europe is
quite expensive there are still options for the "Budget Traveller".
The average cost of my hotel rooms was $37 USD/night (no dorms -
varying from single rooms with shared bathroom to studio apartments
with kitchen and bathroom).
----
2nd July 2018
European Trip Number 2
Today I have booked flights to Europe (depart 4th September, return
25th September) flying with Thai Airways. So far I have only booked
from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Zurich, Switzerland ($850 USD
return -
which I am happy with). The cities I
will be visiting in Europe are:
Zurich (Switzerland), Barcelona (Spain), Brussels (Belgium),
Strasbourg (France), Prague (Czech Republic), Krakow (Poland),
Gdansk (Poland), Cologne (Germany), Hamburg (Germany) and Bremen
(Germany). This trip
will include 7 cities I have not visited (Zurich, Brussels,
Strasbourg, Krakow, Gdansk, Cologne and Hamburg) but only 1 new
country (Poland).
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covering my World Travel from 2006
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