A friend once wrote, "Maryam's drive to learn and try new things is almost unbelievable ... she has to talk about all of them, all at once!"
I used to love backpacking and of course, I had a travelogue filled with text diarrhoea of my discovery and adventure.
My last destination was Hanoi, just before I started going into business. Building a business from scratch had meant I didn't have the luxury of travelling. I would love to visit Hanoi again.
I was told that the best way to experience Hanoi is to wake up early. I crackled into action at dawn, when the locals were already limbering up, and went strolling to absorb Hanoi's old quarter. Hanoi's old quarter somehow reminded me of Le Midi, but with a dash of Oriental touch. While the more 'up market' area reminded me of Avenue des Champs-Elysees. I guess their architecture reflects the fact that Vietnam experienced French colonialism and before that they were ruled by Chinese dynasties.
Did you ever wonder why Vietnamese houses are tube like narrow and a few stories high?
Their emperor used to charge frontage tax. To minimise the tax, Vietnamese built narrow houses and shop lots. What they lack in land area, they add in height. Even though the tax had been demolished, the Vietnamese continue building narrow houses.
I greeted every new day in Hanoi over strong traditional Vietnamese coffee and a good book. "Ca phe sua nong" literally means 'hot milk coffee'. The Vietnamese approach to coffee making is unique. For those on the run who slurp on Starbucks, this kind of coffee may seem a throwback to a more leisurely era. Ordering a cup of Vietnamese coffee can make a Japanese tea ceremony look speedy.
I was also told, "You've not been to Vietnam, if you don't go to Halong Bay". Halong Bay is like a labyrinth. It'll take more than 3 days at sea to cover the whole of Halong Bay, which is only a drive away from Hanoi.
I find revisiting the atmosphere and romance that is Hanoi simply irresistible.
I used to love backpacking and of course, I had a travelogue filled with text diarrhoea of my discovery and adventure.
My last destination was Hanoi, just before I started going into business. Building a business from scratch had meant I didn't have the luxury of travelling. I would love to visit Hanoi again.
I was told that the best way to experience Hanoi is to wake up early. I crackled into action at dawn, when the locals were already limbering up, and went strolling to absorb Hanoi's old quarter. Hanoi's old quarter somehow reminded me of Le Midi, but with a dash of Oriental touch. While the more 'up market' area reminded me of Avenue des Champs-Elysees. I guess their architecture reflects the fact that Vietnam experienced French colonialism and before that they were ruled by Chinese dynasties.
Did you ever wonder why Vietnamese houses are tube like narrow and a few stories high?
Their emperor used to charge frontage tax. To minimise the tax, Vietnamese built narrow houses and shop lots. What they lack in land area, they add in height. Even though the tax had been demolished, the Vietnamese continue building narrow houses.
I greeted every new day in Hanoi over strong traditional Vietnamese coffee and a good book. "Ca phe sua nong" literally means 'hot milk coffee'. The Vietnamese approach to coffee making is unique. For those on the run who slurp on Starbucks, this kind of coffee may seem a throwback to a more leisurely era. Ordering a cup of Vietnamese coffee can make a Japanese tea ceremony look speedy.
I was also told, "You've not been to Vietnam, if you don't go to Halong Bay". Halong Bay is like a labyrinth. It'll take more than 3 days at sea to cover the whole of Halong Bay, which is only a drive away from Hanoi.
I find revisiting the atmosphere and romance that is Hanoi simply irresistible.
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