PLACES: Ancient Town in Hoi An - Vietnam

The Ancient Town of Hoi An is the most romantic place in Vietnam I can think of. Hoi An is located on the coat of the East Sea in the South Central region of Vietnam. I was here in mid May and the climate was hot and humid and not really the best time for visiting this beautiful town but still I spent three enjoyable days here. The cheapest hostel here is probably the Sunflower Hotel which is located about 10 min. by bicycle from the Ancient Town. It's not the best place to stay if you are not into partying and you prefer a surrounding of Vietnamese culture and more serious travelers but it is cheap and the dorm rooms are just o.k. for a few days stay. And I should probably not forget to mention the included amazing breakfast buffet!
The best way to get around Hoi An is by bicycle or scooter if you want to get to the nearby beaches.
Try to avoid the heat during day time if you as well decide to come here before rainy season when the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees  Celsius. This place is the hot spot if you want anything to be tailored for a cheap price and no matter what you want! Visit on of the many tailors which you can find at every corner of Hoi An's Ancieint Town and bring enough time with you because choosing the right dress, suit, shoes, jacket, etc. can take a loooong time if you see their huge collection of patterns, materials and colors. The many possibilities make it so hard to make the right decision. I chose a pair of red leather shoes and a pair of trekking pants which were finish the next day. It's unbelievable how fast they finish all the orders in just one day.
When evening comes it's the perfect time to discover the town. It's the time when all the beautiful street lanterns turn on, vendors get out on the street to sell souvenirs and local people come out to spend time with family and friends.

- AJ -

PLACES: The countryside and center of Da Lat, Vietnam

Da Lat, I miss you and your cool weather! Visiting Da Lat and it's highlands out of town is a wonderful experience. It's easy to fall in love in the amazing coffee shops in the center of Da Lat. Once you've taken a seat you just don't want to leave. To see where the coffee comes from it's a must-to-do to visit the highlands of coffee plantations surrounding Da Lat town center. It's the easiest to book a tour or to rent a motorbike and get around alone. The landscape is beautiful! Also visit a cricket farm on your way. In this area of Vietnam it's common to have insects as a snack. Crickets are the most seen "snacks" here. You can order them fried, BBQ or boiled with chili sauce. Better stick to the crispy fried ones and just imagine you're eating chips and they actually taste quite good! Da Lat is also the only place in Vietnam where pine trees grow due to the cool climate while the rest of Vietnam is obviously suffering from 40 degrees in summer. When you visit Da Lat during this time of the year expect fresh 18-25 degrees and bring some warm clothes to wear when it gets cold in the evening. An amazing place as well is the silk factory in the country side where you can watch Vietnamese women separating the worms from their cocoons from which they make silk from. The cocoons are collected by hand at the nearby strawberry fields. Other highlights is the Elephant Waterfall and a visit at the local market in the morning.

- AJ -

 

DESIGN: Bi.cycle.up coffee & bar - Da Lat, Vietnam

This is really a special place in Da Lat, Vietnam which you shouldn't miss out. Da Lat (population: 188,500) is a town in the highlands of south Vietnam with a lovely influence by the French who brought the coffee culture to Vietnam which has now become the second largest coffee exporter next to Brazil. Da Lat is surrounded by coffee plantations and so is the town full of wonderful coffee shops. If you want to try the amazing local coffee beans you should visit my favorite coffee shop on this entire planet called "Bi.cycle.up".

Bi.cycle.up was opened 1,5 years ago by Indy and Bi who discovered this hidden shop. This lovely Vietnamese couple decided to open Bi.cycle.up after having asked by their friends why they don't open a coffee shop. So that's exactly what they did. Bi studied architecture and Indy studied business so they have the best combination together to open up a coffee shop. They love to recycle old material such as vintage furniture, old LPs, books, bicycles or an old bathtub. They use the local coffee from the nearby coffee plantations and also sell smoothies made of fresh local fruits from the market. Try their delicious hot chocolate and if you're lucky they will also have banana cake sometimes.
The name Bi.cycle.up comes from Bi's name and cycle because they like to recycle and up stands for uprising, like the sun. They like bicycles so they combined the words together to Bi.cycle.up.

Bi.cycle.up coffee & bar
82 Truong Cong Dinh
Da Lat
Vietnam

https://www.facebook.com/Bicycleup

Cheers,

-AJ -

LIFE: How to behave in South East Asia

 
1. Dress up decent! It can get really hot here but why should you walk around in your bikini or in hot pants and in belly top? If it looks cheap back home it will aswell in Asia.

2. Beerlao, Chang Beer, Tiger Beer... yes, a cold beer can be refreshing. But there's no need to get drunk and then behave disrespectful towards tourists and especially locals.

3. Take off your shoes before you enter somebody's home. This might also be a rule in private guest houses, shops or super markets.

4. Learn patience! There is no need to rush in Asia and don't ever put others under pressure. Just add min. 4 hours time on top of whatever you plan and you've got the right time.

5. Don't touch a monk if you're female. 

6. If you want to take a picture of monks or other locals always ask for their permission.

7. Try to bargain on street markets when you go shopping. It can get hard sometimes bur try to get down to the half price.

8. But don't bargain on food, in shops, travel agencies, hotels etc. !

9. Illegal drugs are cheap and you get them anywhere in the bigger cities without any problems. But keep your HANDS OFF drugs! Why should you eat a "Bob Marley Pizza" or drink a "Mushroom shake"? - It's expensive, it's unreliable, it makes you crazy, IT'S STUPID!

10. Be aware that you're a foreigner. You're a guest in a foreign country so try to integrate yourself and show your interest in the local culture.

11. If you don't want to adjust to living standards in developing countries and you are not interested in their culture or you are only here to party and get drunk then why the hell do you travel?  Better stay at home in your spoiled, rich country!

12. Greet people in your hostel, in the shops, at a restaurant. There's nothing worse than making other peopel you meet think you're a narrow-minded arrogant traveler.

Behave.

- AJ -