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A Portrait of Pom - our guide in Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang may no longer be the Royal Capital but it is still considered the main centre of Buddhism in Laos. I was delighted when we met our guide, Khampom or Pom, to discover that he had been a Buddhist monk for fourteen years. Who better to show us around the city?
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Some Captivating Charms of Luang Prabang in Laos
Santi Resort and Spa in its lovely garden setting on the outskirts of Luang Prabang in Laos was a pleasant change from recent stays in city centre hotels. The hotel runs a free shuttle service into the town so I did not feel isolated from the town.
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A Nightingale Sang in Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, Vietnam
One of the purest voices I have ever heard was singing a haunting melody as we entered Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. Ahead of us the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh glowed pink. The guards in their stark white uniforms stood to attention on ether side of the massive entrance. People strolled around the…
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A Cruise around Ha Long Bay in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin is so beautiful and unusual it has not only been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site but has also been voted one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Around 1,600 islands rise up from the sea forming a wonderful seascape of water and limestone pillars. …
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Five Highlights of the Ancient City of Hoi An in Vietnam
There are many good reasons to visit the vibrant UNESCO city of Hoi An a town that lights up every night as dusk falls on its ancient buildings. Scooters surged into the town and park wherever they can find a space so their occupants can walk along the banks of the Thu Bon river into the old town
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Some Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam
What do you do with twelve exhausted travellers who had arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at six in the morning – too early to check into their hotel? Take them to Trung Nguyen Legend coffee shop ...
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Another Day Out from Ho Chi Minh City - A Cao Dai Temple and the Cu Chi Tunnels
As it was very hot during our stay in Vietnam we had to drink plenty of water which has its consequences ...
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A Day Out from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam - exploring the Mekong Delta
Dodging traffic is a national sport in Vietnam especially in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Having spent two days perfecting the art it was a relief to board the bus and drive through the city watching how other people coped. And the best method must be the rope barrier ...
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Folgaria - a Fun Place to Ski in Italy
Folgaria is simply that – a fun place to ski. This attractive Italian resort has five separate ski areas and one of them, Costa, is accessed by the tourist train that runs regularly throughout the day. The only place I know where a little road train transports tourists and skiers. The latter are…
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Trentino Cuisine - Cheese, Ham and the Malga
Sometimes a highlight of a trip can be a really simple event. And that was certainly true of my early morning visit to a malga in Madonna di Campiglio a mountain resort in the Trentino region of Italy. A malga is a summer farm in the alpine meadows of the Dolomites in northern Italy.
