Showing posts with label the seaside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the seaside. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Greetings from Cat Ba island

Jealous?





After several hectic days in Hanoi, ducking and weaving throughout the bikes and headless rabbits, sailing the amazing Halong Bay to the idyllic Cat Ba island is a welcomed respite.

Our journey yesterday was somewhat hectic as things in Vietnam are not always quite done by the rule... Promises of a smooth journey by Edward scissorhands-like travel agents (he had finger nails longer than mine which he kept gesturing about and distracting me, so I didn't listen to a thing he said) weren't as true as we'd believe.
Lots of confusion and sitting around waiting, chatting with equally confused fellow tourists, comparing itineraries and fending off eager street hawkers. But we got here eventually and it was worth it!






The floating village as visited by the top gear crew - a clear high light for me!

Today we hired bikes for $3 and felt like children as we rode to Cat Ba Co 3, the beach as pictured at the top. I write this as I sit drinking my coke light and enjoy the beautiful surrounds...

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Mini break ahoy

Spent a lovely long weekend with my family in Mollymook, a few hours south of Sydney, celebrating my beautiful mama's 60th birthday. In total style of course, staying at Rick Steins gorgeous restaurant/hotel, Bannister's.


Crummy photo trying to include the infinity pool and ocean from my room. Fail.

Omg the food was to die for!! All and sundry (well anyone who will listen) know I'm not a big seafood fan, but if it always tasted this good, I'd eat nothing else!!!


My escalopes of salmon.... I die.



Cake's ornate sashimi.



Sister Cake & Sailor Jerry



Dad and Bonne Mamo!

Also went country market and op shopping! Got me a fantastic 50's anodized cocktail shaker and 70s silverknit top, as well as I've possibly been convinced to join a trek to a Nepalese orphanage in 2012 by a local lady I met who travels there yearly to raise money for it. It's probably a bad thing that it was not the orphanage bit that attracted me but the opportunity to stay with local woman who will teach me traditional crafting techniques :/