Asia
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Cruise on a Yacht in Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay (Vietnam)
I write “Ha Long Bay” because the H is NEVER silent in Vietnamese. We are in April 2022. I contact my Vietnamese travel agency and tell them “give me the best cruise ship”. He says OK but warns me that prices for foreigners are twice as high as for Vietnamese. So he suggests we put the “Tây” (foreigners) together and that I “officially” occupy alone the biggest room and that we distribute the rooms however we want upon arrival. Clever! We are in 2022, so prices are still very low due to Covid, borders have just reopened. I don’t remember exactly how much we paid, but it’s peanuts, like 150…
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[review] Dolce By Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, 5-star hotel in Hanoi (Vietnam)
Right after JB’s recovery in Nha Trang, in September 2022, I felt we needed to recharge our energy somewhere, and a friend of my mother’s told me that the hotel Dolce By Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake (Booking link) in Hanoi had excellent energy. We booked a night there. But first, let me show you the photos of Cam Ranh from the sky! (we had to fly back to Hanoi). I know the hotel a bit Dolce By Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, I had already had the lunch buffet there. My mother’s friend lives not far away, and we talked about me inviting her family to the hotel buffet, but we…
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[review] 5-star hotel Capella Hanoi (Vietnam) – an unforgettable experience
We’re in April 2022. After two years of the covid crisis, tourists are just starting to be able to return to Vietnam. One day, my Vietnamese travel agency posts photos on their Zalo profile of a 5-star hotel that just opened in Hanoi with a very attractive offer (200 euros instead of 450 euros/night). Since our friend A. has to come back to Hanoi for a few days, I suggest he spend two nights there: it’s central and cheaper than the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. He accepts and offers to come with us. We tell him we already have our Airbnb but we’ll spend one night there to see what it’s…
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How to get from Narita airport to downtown Tokyo?
We went to Japan recently, and my parents, who arrived a day after us, took the wrong train at Narita airport. Here I explain the most common mistakes, and if you follow our tips, you’ll be able to catch the right train without getting lost. You absolutely must take the train/subway because taxis are very expensive (several hundred euros) and the shuttle is not an option (too slow). First of all, you’ll need an internet connection, because Google Maps will be your best ally. Buying a SIM card on the spot in Japan is not recommended because it’s one of the few countries where data costs more when you buy…
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My week in Hanoi (Vietnam): July 2024
Between Thailand and France, we spend a week in Hue, then a week in Hanoi to pick up my luggage (I have a huge stock of leather and books to bring back to France). At first, I plan to see no one (to rest a bit before the Olympics), but so many unexpected things come up that I end up seeing everyone in a week. We still treat ourselves to 2 nights of rest at Daewoo, the hotel where I learned to swim and where we got married in Hanoi. But it’s the first time we’ve spent the night there. The rooms are a bit outdated, but it’s one of…
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[review] Custom engagement ring / wedding band made in Hanoi (Vietnam) in 4 days
I’m taking advantage of my whirlwind visit to Hanoi (one week) to have a platinum solitaire ring made. I’ve known my current jeweler for several years, but this is the first time I’ve ordered a custom ring from him. Let me explain how it works. It all starts with the design. You need to have a more or less clear idea of what you want. In general, you’ll need to consider setting some precious or semi-precious stones (it’s my jeweler’s specialty. He has an incredible collection of high-quality natural stones). For me, I want a solitaire ring, but you can opt for earrings, a bracelet, a pendant… Usually, people come…
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Back to Koh Phangan (Thailand) in 2024
JB absolutely wants to come back to Koh Phangan, the place where we spent 6 months during Covid. Because of the return of tourism, I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed and file it under “lost paradise,” but it’s better to face reality and accept that the “Covid Koh Phangan” no longer exists. Luckily for us, our beloved Koh Phangan still exists a little, especially in low season. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal We take a speedboat from Koh Tao with the company Lomprayah. They offer to drop us at our hotel for 150THB/person. Handy! We get dropped off in front of Green Papaya Hotel (across…
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Thai boxing matches at the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium in Bangkok
Back in 2018 (6 years ago already!), I got to attend an evening of Thai boxing matches in Chiang Mai. Back in Thailand, I considered attending a fight night on Koh Phangan before realizing I’d have time to do it in Bangkok just before leaving the country. I noticed there are events at the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium. My brother Bruno, who practices Thai boxing in France, confirmed it’s an iconic venue. I’m not sure if it’s like this all year, but in June/July, there are events every night. How to book tickets for the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium? To book, you have three options: Since I didn’t feel like…
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Snorkeling in Koh Tao (Thailand)
After our trip to Bhutan, we fly again to Bangkok then take a night bus + speedboat to Koh Tao, where we stay for a week. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Transport Bangkok – Koh Tao JB books the tickets on 12go asia (link) but he picks the wrong category. There are two categories for the bus leaving at 9pm and you need to take the more expensive one at 1550THB, it’s the VIP bus with twice as much space as a regular bus. JB made a mistake and bought the regular bus tickets, and it took five massages afterwards to get my bones…
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[review] VIE Mgallery in Bangkok (Thailand)
Since JB has the status Gold at Accor, we always try to stay at an Accor hotel when we need an early check-in or a late check-out. Our bus to Koh Tao leaves at 9 PM, so we’re thrilled to have a late check-out until 5 PM at VIE Mgallery Bangkok. There are two MGallery hotels in Bangkok, and my gut tells me this one is better. And the suite will prove me right, as we’ll be at the other one a few weeks later, and it’s not the same standard. At this Mgallery, we were upgraded two categories + welcome drinks + early check-in + late check-out. In short,…
