Most people will tell me “the Philippines is a fantastic place for scuba diving” and since I have my open water scuba certifications I have no excuse to test this statement. Moalboal is a 3 hour local bus journey away from Cebu City (a short journey compared to our previous bus trips). The fair is a little over ₱110 per person, and busses run very regularly alternating between A/C and non-A/C. Continue Reading

Ho Chi Minh City was our last stop in Vietnam, we stayed in a Cheerful Home in Siagon that’s listed on AirBnB for 1 week and our hosts made us feel very much at home. Most days we spent walking around the city, eating good food, and gathering last bit’s of souvenirs of Vietnam before we leave. Busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City formally named Siagon is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of over 8 million residents. Continue Reading

As there are many high rise buildings around a visit to view the city scape in the night could not go a miss. I decided to go Chill Skybar (Ranked #14 of 207 Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City on Tripadvisor) . Thinking I would not be allowed to enter with a my traveling t-shirt and shorts, I was not questioned once. The staff treated us with quality service, like we’re celebrities. Continue Reading

The tunnels of Củ Chi (Ranked #1 of 234 things to do in Ho Chi Minh City on Tripadvisor) are a network of connecting underground tunnels used during the Vietnam war. The locals would live under group and defend their land. I booked the tour via TheSinhTourist at the same time as booking onward tickets to Cambodia. The Củ Chi Tunnels cost 109,000VND for half a day with a tour guide and entry. Continue Reading

Mui Ne is a quiet sandy town with plenty of sun, sand and a beach not really something to rave about. We stayed at WindFlower Boutique Hotel (Ranked #79 of 172 hotels in Phan Thiet on Tripadvisor) for 2 nights spending most the the time relaxing in the pool and watching the sun set over the South China Sea. WindFlower Beach Boutique Hotel - Mui Ne 76 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Mũi Né, Thành phố Phan Thiết Address: 76 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Mũi Né, Tp. Continue Reading

We visited Đà Lạt the capital of Lâm Đồng Province in Vietnam. Dalat with an altitude of 1500 it is much cooler than other towns and cities we visited in Vietnam. Its a popular off-track tourist destination that requires a small bus to twist and turn around tight Mountains roads and uneven surfaces. We stayed at Tulip Xanh Dalat Hotel, which the staff are nice but the sleep quality is not so good due to light and noise. Continue Reading

The adventure outside of Vietnam’s capital begins with Hue, 14 hour day train took us from Hanoi to Huế and arrived in the evening after dark (20:20 PM). Maylin taxi (the green cars, heard to be the most reliable and honest) to deliver us to Than Thien Hotel. Exhausted from sitting on a train all day, we needed a filling meal before we can take Doxycycline (an anantimalarial antibiotic) - the antibiotic is rejected from the body if consumed on a empty stomach. Continue Reading

A visit to Vietnam can not be complete without visiting the UNESCO world heritage site Hạ Long Bay. A collection over 1960 limestone islands and islets in the Gulf of Tonkin are divided into three sections, Hạ Long, Bái Tử Long and Lan Ha Bay. Ha Long Bay is the most popular section to visit for tourists, Bái Tử Long Bay is a protected national park and requires permission to take tourists to this part of Hạ Long Bay. Continue Reading

Our hotel Tu Linh Palace Hotel 2 recommended us a trip to Sa Pa, the northernmost town in Vietnam. Sa Pa and sounding villages sit 1300m above sea level. One of the hotel staff Lilli claimed she is from the area of Sa Pa and visits regularly, and the staff at the hotel are nice and trustworthy. They book many tours directly with locals and friends for the adventurous tourists. Friends Anna and Chris recently visited Sa Pa and highly recommended it as it allows the traveler to experience a real simple living culture, even helping the locals with their crops and chores. Continue Reading

While in the area near to the Embassy of Kingdom of Thailand, we went for an quick walk around the Temple of Literature. The architecture of this historical landmark is remarkable, if only I studies a little more into its meaning. A guide would have been a benefit, printed guide books are chargeable (we did not opt for). Still a nice place to visit. Entrance fee is ₫20,000 Temple Of Literature 58 Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu Address: 58 Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam Website: vanmieu. Continue Reading

To get a crash course into Vietnamese food we could not turn down Hanoi Street Food Tour (Ranked #21 of 405 Food & Drink in Hanoi on Tripadvisor) . Reservation was made via email and we attended the tour the next day, starting at Kim building we visited many delights around Hanoi all accessible by foot. We were in a group of 8, who have traveled from England, and Australia. Continue Reading

We booked a street food tour with (Ranked #2 of 290 Shopping in New Delhi on Tripadvisor) I liked the foods we sampled but honestly noting really blew my taste buds away. Was expecting food being prepared by simple means, popular with the locals (like the street food Rick Stein’s sampled when he visited to India in search of the true India flavours). Most places we visited are established vendors, except a couple local ‘out there’ vendors. Continue Reading

We booked a tour with Geckos Adventures “Ain’t no mountain high enough” as it’s tour route from Nepal to India, and lowest price (£760.75 per person). Ain’t no Mountain High Enough - Geckos Adventures - Pre Departure Information (PDF) I shared this tour experience with 11 others. Leaded by Bikash Nepal (Nepal leader), Sukhjot Singh Gill (India leader) TL:DR; I enjoyed the stress free passenger experience of visiting many places which I may not have thought of. Continue Reading

We visited Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to learn a bit about Sikhism religion. We were shown around the kitchens where mass food production was in progress to feed those who come. We sat and listened to a prayer ritual and walked around Bangla Sahib Sarovar (a pond to wash way sin). Continue Reading

India gate is a war memorial which has inscribed the names of the Indian citizens who served and died in the first world war. India Gate Continue Reading

We joined the hotel owner Shakti Singh Inda in his group cooking kitchen to learn the roots of Indian cooking. We made Chai Masala Tea, Pannier Curry, a Korma type dish, aloo biryani and Roti. We head great fun cooking and joking with Shakti and we got to eat a large lunch too. Continue Reading

We visited the City Palace and had a guided tour around the paid-public sections of the palace. This palace is a neat sized building that engulfs a hill as part of its architecture so a roof top garden with large trees and a pool can exist. The palace features beautiful coloured glass, brilliantly maintained rooms and triumphant artwork. The grounds are wonderful to walk around and there are no pocket-sellers within the grounds. Continue Reading

Udaiper as seen from Lake Pichola. City Palace Taj Lake Palace Jag Mandir Continue Reading

On our way to Udaipur we visited Ranakpur, because there where so many rules for this temple we decided it best not to enter and instead admire the temple from outside. [gallery link="file” columns="3” orderby="post_date”] Continue Reading

 Mehrangarh Fort is a large towering fort in Jodhpur sitting 400 ft above the city. The view from the fort is spectacular and worth the climb up the hills and stairs. Continue Reading

We visited Pukhraj Durry Udhyog for a few hours in the morning, having breakfast and shown how rugs are made by hand. We loved the hospitality, the simple cooking, the brilliant flavour of the rice and pancakes. We seen a couple of rugs that taken our eye and could not resist to buy them.  As an attrition, this village also has a clay pot makers which we also had the privilege to experience. Continue Reading

We visited Amber Fort in Jaipur (a grand fort kingdom that once held 20,000 residents). This fort is remarkable to walk around, and discover hidden secret rooms. The view around is breathtaking, seeing the wall snaking up and down the hills. There are many annoying pocket vendors trying to sell you stuff you disrupting your enjoyment of the place. As long as you have a good “GO AWAY” face you should have no problem. Continue Reading

We stopped by Palace of Winds formally known as Hawa Mahal. We decided to not enter and climb the palace as we where tired from Amber Fort. The place is a beautiful tall structure overlooking Hawa Mahal Road, it allowed women of the royal household to see the street festivities without being seen from the outside. [gallery link="file” columns="3” orderby="post_date”] Continue Reading

We watched Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (A modern Bollywood film) at Raj Mandir Cinema. The experience was different than what I was expecting a Bollywood film to be like. People in the audience cheers, whistled, took photos, and talked throughout the film. Raj Mandir movie poster. Continue Reading

We went to Raj Mandir Cinema to watch Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (a bollywood movie). The cinema screen was nearly as large as an IMAX screen and featured a large red curtain that would present the screen when the movie starts. The cinema is grant with decorative lighting and large foyer. The cinema appears to show one movie at a time multiple times a day. Raj Mandir Cinema, C-16,Bhagwandas Rd, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001 Continue Reading

We were given a guided tour around Agra Fort, We learned how this fort was protected by a moat of crocodiles, a valley of tigers and a ramp of boulders and burning oil to stop any attacker attempting to take the fort. Apparently it was never attacked. This breathtaking fort as a wonderful place to walk around and learn the luxuries kings and queens enjoyed. Views: Diwan E Aam by Kyle Welsby Continue Reading

A trip to India is not complete without visiting the grant Taj Mahal, we could not miss the opportunity to visit this wonderful mausoleum. We were given a light guide introduction about the history of Taj Mahal. We leaned this white marble building designed and built within 22 years and emperor Shah Jahan ensured no other replica is constructed by retiring all the workers (paying for them to not work again). Continue Reading

Located in the alleyways of central Varanasi, this little shop specialise in only Lassi (a popular, traditional, yogurt-based drink). The milk is churned by hand to a thick yoghurt consistency and served with flavouring and a layer of clotted cream. I had coffee flavour Lassi, it was nice but I did not like the texture of the clotted cream. While we where enjoying our Lassi, about 5 bodies were carried though the streets to the Ganges. Continue Reading

We visited the Ganges river for an entire day, there was a lot of activity to take in. We watched cremation during the day and in the evening we taken a boat ride along the river. We gave lantern offerings to the river and watch the evening ceremony from a boat. Views: Ganges River boat ride by Kyle Welsby   Locals bathing in the River Gangies Continue Reading

We had enough time in the evening to visit the Birth Place of Buddha. As the heat from the day is dissipating the light dimming this felt like the perfect time to visit this place. It was calm, cool and peaceful, even the turtles from the sacred pond came up to meet us. Such a wonderful scriptural place to visit. Views: Bodhi tree and pond at Lumbini by Kyle Welsby Continue Reading

This is one of the worlds biggest Buddhist shrines (Ranked #1 of 173 things to do in Kathmandu on Tripadvisor) , it stands 118ft tall with a solid dome. Pigeons, dogs and cows are welcome guests to the shrine, and often given blessings from visitors to the shrine. A beautiful place to have a guide teach you about Buddhism. Continue Reading

Thursday, We took a good walk across the city to the Harati Devi Temple (A.K.A Monkey Temple) to experience a wonderful landmark standing high just outside of Kathmandu. The views from here were amazing, You can seen the entire City and surrounding Mountains. After walking though the calm streets of Dhalko and Dallu, passing schools where students shout “hello” at us. We arrive at the Swayambhu East Entrance relieved we found it with little reliance on Google Maps. Continue Reading

This significant place completes the cycle of life. Visiting this place for a short duration you will experience cremation and family members praying for there lost ones. I liked sitting and watching the ceremonies celebrating life. Views: Pashupatinath Temple by Kyle Welsby   North is to the right Calm Cow Cremation Continue Reading