update
Yes, I'm writing this newsletter from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This is where, two days ago, my first Wander Across Vietnam tour since Covid got off to a start!
Over the next two weeks, we'll take our group up to Hoi An, Hue, Khe Xanh, Phong Nga, Hanoi and Bai Tu Long Bay. It feels so good to be back in this beautiful country and I can't wait for the adventures we have planned for our group!
Arriving here a few days early, I also had a chance to meet up with my friend and fellow travel blogger James fromNomadic Notes. James has been on the road since 2003 and has spent a signficant amount of time in Ho Chi Minh City. I also met Mark from theRusty Compassblog and we had a great chat about Vietnam and tourism. Mark also owns a really cool cafe in Saigon calledThe Old Compass Cafe.
Apart from hanging out with friends, I also made sure to spend my time eating some delicious banh mi, drinking some excellent coffee at the uniqueCafe Apartmentsbuilding, enjoying a 90 minute massage for $25 (at a legitimate spa) and throwing down several glasses of fresh fruit juice. I also wandered aimlessly all over the place, getting back into the groove of this city.
Ho Chi Minh City gets a reputation as a crowded, intense and crazy hot city. It's certainly crazy hot here (37C / 99F) but I find the city to be far more calm and pleasant than the general consensus. It's quite a peaceful place, with plenty of interesting museums, architectural wonders, laid-back markets, manicured parks, cultural shows and more to visit in between stuffing your face with incredible food and fresh juice. There must be a reason that many foreigners, especially digital nomads, now call this city home!
As for me, I'll only be in this country for another 2 weeks. Then I'll head straight back to Lisbon on a long flight journey via Hong Kong and Madrid.
It's funny because part of the reason Lisbon makes sense as a home base for me is its proximity to many of the countries I travel to each year for tours. But of course, the first tour destination I go to is the one that is as far away as possible!
Did you ever plan a trip that, to most people, didn't seem to make any sense?Maybe criss-crossing continents or backtracking or an unnecessarily long journey?
_____
What I'm Reading
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Palby Christopher Moore
Recommended by a friend of mine, this entertaining absurdist novel tells the story of Jesus during the years between his conception and crucifixion. And it's told by his long-forgotten childhood best friend, Biff.
Feeling Goodby David Burns
This book about cognitive behavioral therapy and proven ways to alleviate depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and more has proven to be an extremely useful read for me and would probably benefit anyone.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhoodby Trevor Noah
Gifted to me by another friend, the difficult, inspiring and captivating story of Trevor's childhood in South Africa is a story that is hard to put down. I only started a few days ago but I'm almost finished.
_____
An Adventure Like No Other
Finally, while this doesn't have much to do with regular travel, thestory of Adrian Carton de Wiartmade its way to me last week and it needs to be read. This Belgian aristocrat did travel all over the world but as a Lieutenant-General in the British Army. What he endured during his adventures is almost too hard to believe but it's true and absolutely insane.
