Now I’ll blend in with the locals. They’ll never suspect I’m a tourist, and the stall traders and taxis will even stop pestering me. Doesn’t matter if I look daggy. I’m a “Travel Genius”…
Month: May 2018
HAXTRAX PROVERB: IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA, ONLY A CHILLED TIGER SHOULD BE CORNERED ON A HOT NIGHT…
No animals were harmed in this post, done under professional supervision at the Hoi An night market, Vietnam. You are advised to definitely try this at home…
ACCOMM LUXURY AT A QUARTER OF THE PRICE…
This “Style Homestay” guest house in Hoi An gets best value on this Vietnam trip. I’ve done the US$13 a night guest houses in Ho Ch Minh City and DaNang, great for solo travel, but this for US$18 is couples standard: 98m sq, glass doors to huge balcony, street view, and 4-star standard bathroom. This is a lady pleaser. Hmmm now to find one…
WHAT HAS 48 LEGS, VERY NASTY VENOMOUS PINCERS AND VISITS YOU AS YOU’RE TURNING OFF THE BEDROOM LIGHT TO SLEEP IN VIETNAM…
Scolopendra subspinipes, AKA “Chinese Redhead” centipede. I told him to “shoo” with my shoe, and out the door he went. In guest house DaNang, Vietnam. I hope he’s not the vengeful type…
And I think I saved the life of my new gecko mate, in the bathroom…
HALAL? HELLO! NOW I CAN DIE A HAPPY MAN…
Variety is the spice of life. I’ve spiced up mine, with this Indian lunch in Vietnam: Chicken tikka masala, DaNang style (US$5.70). Medium spice; maximum taste. For vege heads, char grilled eggplant could replace chicken. Now please excuse me, I need an arvo nap…
MAKING WAVES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
A treat for my lumbar osteoarthritis, which has put up with so much but complained so little on this trip: stretching out in the warm aquamarine water of DaNang’s My Khe Beach. Sorry China, but you’re not getting all this to yourself. It’s too good not to share…
LIFE-AND-DEATH DRAMA IN A VIETNAMESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT…
“C’mon Harry, one last big effort and you’re over the top and we’re both free!” (Oops, wrong side – that’s the bucket of cockle shells destined for dinner. As they say, out of the frying pan and into the… or, why myopic sea snails stalled at evolution’s first step)
THIS IS A NEW SOUTH-EAST ASIA DINING EXPERIENCE…
A serve of fried pork, off the menu. And that’s exactly what comes. Huh? No steamed rice? Nope, that’s an extra “side”. Unusual for Vietnam, where servings are generous and staff are pleasant. Oh well, this is the “tourist area”…
QANTAS DIRECT PERTH-LONDON. A REAL REVIEW…
No 17-hour flight is fun. As a travel editor I’ve done plenty, in First/Business Class, paid by the airlines. Here’s the real story, you’re unlikely to see in Traveller, Escape or on TV…
SHHHH DON’T TELL ANYONE BUT I’VE CRACKED THE MOST POPULAR WIFI PASSWORD IN VIETNAM…
Haxtrax 