Highlights of Vietnam

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
~ Lao Tzu

Vietnam has been a fabulous holiday – full of delicious food, temples, crystals, lots of opportunities for meditation and quiet time, and for immersion in the hustle and bustle.

One of the best things about this trip has been travelling with our Vietnamese-Australian friend Thanh and her family. To have access to local knowledge and someone who speaks the language has enabled us to have experiences that we’d have never enjoyed otherwise.

I have loved every moment – even the knuckle-clenching bike rides!

Here are some of my highlights…

Coffee – so good. This version is hot, and filter dripped over sweetened condensed milk.

Temple dedicated to Quan Yin at the top of a mountain. I did say mountain. And yes. I climbed all the way up. Prayed and meditated for you. Then climbed back down again.

Pho. Soupy noodles in a flavoursome broth. With herbs. And killer chilli…

So many precious jewels and stones. Many of which are now in my overweight bag.

A 6am street breakfast. With excellent company.

A giant buddha. The temple built beside him, on the side of a mountain, has incredible energy and a sense of deep peace.

Lighting incense, and sending up prayers and positive intentions for my family, for you, and for the world.

A street stall full of sweets, offerings, ritual costumes and wonder.

Jewels! These ones are magnificent amethysts.

With my bikie gang, heading out for dinner and enjoying the New Year boulevards of lights and decorations.

At 5ku station, a street market barbeque restaurant in Saigon. My clothes still smell like barbeque days later!

We cooked our own dinner! Grilled beef, chicken and octopus served with sauces, vegetables, noodles, fries, beers and pepsi.

Yo! That’s ‘cheers’ in Vietnamese!