Vietnam via Instagram

Hello everyone I am home! I had a wonderful time in Vietnam and took over 1000 photos (!!) Whilst I sort through those, I will share with you some Instagram snaps I took to give you a little taste of my trip. Highlights included:

♥ Floating down the Mekong delta in a rickety boat, wearing a silly hat.

♥ Meeting far too many snakes in the Mekong Delta, and then drinking SNAKE WINE

♥ Waking up with a Vietnamese family in the middle of the Mekong. I was surprisingly perky considering I slept huddled under a mosquito net, praying that no geckos would fall on me. Meeting this darling old lady who owned the house was a great experience.

♥ Travelled back to Ho Chi Minh City by yet another boat, drank a coconut

♥ Ate delicious pho at Pho 2000 (Bill Clinton ate there once, as demonstrated by the countless photos lining the walls)

♥ I explored the Viet Cong tunnels and booby traps in Cu Chi (very claustrophobic). Back in HCM I finished my dinner and looked in the kitchen to see a kitty lounging on the prep bench (health and safety?!) But it was ok cause I got to play with him and he combed my hair with his claws. His name was Tommy.

♥ Had a fantastic time at the Nha Trang mud baths!

♥ Nha Trang beach was eerily beautiful

♥ Stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Hoi An and thoroughly enjoyed the pool (it was so hot!!)

♥ Woke up at 4.30 to go sunrise bike riding, fortunately there was a strong black Vietnamese coffee with a thick layer of sweetened condensed milk waiting for me at the end.

♥ Ate amazing food in Hoi An, tried betel nut and then wielded a knife at cooking class

♥ Fell in love with a stray, hungry kitten in The Forbidden City in Hue. Probably got cat rabies.

♥ Explored the grounds of Tu Duc’s Tomb

♥ Was disappointed to find out my hotel in Hue did not allow Liza Minnelli-esque prostitutes.

♥ Had a perfect example of why Hue is considered the rainiest city in Vietnam. The storm rolled in as we cruised down the Perfume River and soon enough our scenic boat ride wasn’t so scenic anymore.

♥ Returned to our hotel to find out entire street flooded!! Oh dear…

♥ Boarded our private junk boat for an overnight trip on the spectacular Halong Bay. I briefly enjoyed the sun deck before hiding in the shade.

♥ HALONG BAY IS AMAZING

♥ I stole the captain’s hat

♥ And then watched the sunset

♥ Our chef onboard the boat created the most beautiful vegetable sculptures. He demonstrated how to make the lotus out of a radish and a fishnet out of a carrot. A bit beyond my knife skills I’m afraid!

♥ Loved the hustle and bustle of Hanoi

♥ Said goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Hong Kong for a few days. First stop, the Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung for truffle dumplings!

♥ Tried an amazing cocktail featuring earl grey caviar and foam, and took in lovely views before flying home.

What an amazing trip! I am terrified to look at my credit card bill…