RobiNZ Personal Blog

ANZAC Day 2008, in Vietnam

Although ANZAC Day is always significant, I will remember 25 April 2008. I was on a cycle tour of Vietnam with a neat bunch of people from New Zealand, Australia, Holland and Japan. It was was a non-riding day, a bus ride from Hue to Hoi An. Over the trip our Vietnamese guide had shared quite a lot of his life story. He was a child in the war, his father had served with the South Vietnamese army, alongside US (and I presume ANZAC) forces which meant a hard life post war. Some of his family had escaped to the... Read more →

Hanoi to Huế | Day 12 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: We transfer you to the airport & your flight to Hue. We will take an afternoon city tour around the Imperial citadel. Views from the plane Another domestic flight, not great weather (so much of it was in/above cloud) but still a decent look at the countryside on departure/approach. Huế Huế, a quiet town (for Vietnam) when we arrived but I think that was just a matter of timing. The city served as the old Imperial City and administrative capital for the Nguyễn dynasty. Our elegant Hotel Our elegant Hotel, adjacent to the Hương River (Perfume River), in... Read more →

Hạ Long Bay to Hanoi | Day 11 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: Awake to the sunrise over Halong Bay and breakfast on the cruise back to Halong. The afternoon and evening is at leisure in Hanoi. The trading boasts approach in the early morning light. It was still overcast, but warm and calm. A floating convenience store. Majestic Junks Golden Sails, but only for appearance. Loitering on deck (Photo by Nhan). Cave Walk There was quite a climb up to the cave. Reminded me of Waitomo. (Nahn, Me, Bruce, Sharlene) Spectacular view from the cave mouth We were up there, the hole is the entry! Christine just mentioned she'd like... Read more →

Hanoi to Hạ Long Bay | Day 10 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: (Deferred from yesterday: You’ll visit Ho Chi Minh’s house where he preferred to live simply, there are splendid reminders of the great man who led the country and the Temple of Literature which was originally built in 1070.) Departing Hanoi, we travel through rolling fields and small towns to Halong Bay. Here we board a Vietnamese junk and travel on a boat trip through the magical seascape of Halong Bay’s 3,000 limestone islands & outcrops. Heading to Hạ Long Bay After breakfast it was up to the room, to grab the overnight bag, as were leave our main... Read more →

Hồ Chí Minh City to Hanoi | Day 9 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: This morning there is time for a last-minute shop in Saigon before we transfer to your flight to Hanoi. There an afternoon walking tour takes you around the fascinating old quarter, a myriad of narrow streets once named after each ware (silk street, tin street, etc) and Hoan Kiem Lake which is popular with locals for early morning exercise and evening relaxation. You’ll visit Ho Chi Minh’s house where he preferred to live simply, there are splendid reminders of the great man who led the country and the Temple of Literature which was originally built in 1070. (This... Read more →

Cần Thơ to Hồ Chí Minh City | Day 8 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: A feature of the Mekong Delta are the floating markets situated at the main river junctions. An early morning boat trip will take us to visit one of the largest floating markets at Cai Rang where you will see a large variety of local produce being sold from all manner of boats. Hau river sunrise! OK, maybe not sunrise but an early start to visit the Cái Răng floating market. Morning calm on the river. The boy (left)* was a brilliant tour guide, all done with sign language as he was deaf. Linda, Me, Christine, Larry, Liz, Mike... Read more →

Phú Quốc to Cần Thơ | Day 7 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: This morning we take a short early morning flight back to the mainland, arriving around 9.00am we cycle for the rest of the day on the very quiet Highway. The road follows the canal network, along which you will see the famous monkey bridges used by the villagers to get across the canals. Clear the runway... Noticed on touchdown, at smaller airports, there were security bikes patrolling to clear the runway of animals, or people? Back of the bike Binh on the road as we all exercised 'island rested legs'! Mike goes by... Linda, chased by a bunch... Read more →

Phú Quốc Island Boat Trip | (Rest) Day 6 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: We charter a private boat to travel to the idyllic An Thoi islands, unpopulated gems famous for their crystal-clear water & magnificent coral. Snorkelling here is a must. We will eat a fresh seafood lunch on an island paradise, before returning to our resort mid-afternoon. The boat trip We drove to the southern end of Phú Quốc for the boat trip*. The port village smelt of fish... a lot... everywhere. Fresh caught, tonight's dinner maybe? Tuna? Lots of colourful fishing boats; most small, traditional, and seemed to be family operated. Our vessel for the day (photo by Binh... Read more →

Rạch Giá to Phú Quốc Island | Day 5 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: A chance to rest our legs as we spend two days off the bikes. We travel by hydrofoil to the beautiful Phu Quoc tropical island, (imagine Bali or Phuket 20 years ago), beautiful beaches, clear water, rainforest & few visitors. To Phu Quoc, by air Before the trip we had been advised the hydrofoil was probably not going to happen. I was a bit disappointed they weren't running but flying was more comfortable than a three-hour hydrofoil ride! Have no idea why I didn't take any photos of the flight that replaced it as usually do (photos below... Read more →

Châu Đốc to Rạch Giá | Day 4 Vietnam Cycle Tour

The itinerary: Our early morning ride takes us past the sacred Sam Mountain and the famous Tay An Pagoda & temples. From the summit on a clear day, we can enjoy fabulous views towards Cambodia. An early start afloat... Not in the itinerary, an even earlier start to visit a floating village. I photographed Nahn & Mike photographing us. Substantial houses floating on the river. The ever-present hyacinth plants, like floating gardens. This fellow was on alert but seemed happy with life afloat. We visited this floating fish farm. Access through the floor to the fish living below. Idyllic sunrise... Read more →