In December 2010, my 12-year old son Oliver and I went to Vietnam - the first outside Europe to a destination in a developing country. The arrangements were excellent throughout and the planning nothing short of brilliant. There were no mishaps or last minute changes of plan, all eight hotels were comfortable and clean, the itinerary was varied and the places visited all fascinating.
More than that: it was very thoughtfully done, with our leader and his side-kick, Mike, giving an impression of effortless coolness that masked an awful lot of truly hard spadework. They were terrific! And they really knew their stuff…..
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam Oliver was the youngest in the group; the oldest celebrated her 84th birthday when we were in Nha Trang. She received a cake and flowers to celebrate the event……
The group was mixed and interesting and fun to be part of; several had traveled widely, others less so. All loved
Vietnam.
My generation will forever associate it with that war, but to visit this country is to understand that there is so very much more to Vietnam than its difficult history. The country looks forward not back, the people are welcoming and warm, and they seem not to harbor any grudge against their former aggressors.
My favorite parts? Well, the Mekong delta was tropical, lush and vibrant. The market in
Da Lat was atmospheric and full of people buying the huge variety of fruit and vegetables. Hanoi and
Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon were a sea of motor-bikes and busy humanity. But for me the ancient city of
Hoi An, with its beautiful Japanese covered bridge, Chinese trading house and medieval streets was simply divine. You could cut the history floating in the air with a knife…..
Ha Long Bay has the most spectacular natural landforms I have ever seen; my digital camera developed a stitch as I pushed it over the limit. Hanoi’s old town has a thousand years of commerce behind it, and the nearby 17th century bridge on the lake made me purr with delight. And when we retreated into the hills west of Hanoi we stayed in a hotel formerly used by the Communist Party as a thermal re-charging centre for their cadres; warm pools and spa baths everywhere……
The Huc Bridge, Vietnam Each day was different; every restaurant unique. Each bus stop took us somewhere entirely new. And when we boarded the flight out of
Hanoi on Day 20 of a packed program, I felt a twinge of sadness, mixed with a surge of warmth for a country that made us welcome, treated us royally, and forever changed my perspective of a formerly war-torn region of SE Asia.
Vietnam’s bustle and modernity and its young people with their state-of-the-art smart phones and smiling welcomes were a joy to behold; this was a truly wonderful holiday!
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My name is Jamila, plz contact me through my email i have a vital issue to discus with you
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Kumarakom flaunts a beautiful landscape with serene backwaters dotted with lush paddy fields, coconut palms, rich flora and fauna along with the life on the bank of these backwaters. Spread across a huge area, Kumarakom, infact remains of the most sought after place for enjoying a cool houseboat cruise.
You can select from a category of these houseboats, depending upon your budget and requirements. Refurbished to meet your needs, these luxury vessels are designed with all the amenities one will look for in his/her holidays. From single bedroom to triple room, from AC to non-AC houseboats are available for the guests. So enjoy a pleasant cruise in a stylish houseboat and explore the secluded beauty of these backwaters
Kumarakom Houseboats “Cruise Details “
Day: 01 pick from Cochin airport drive to Kumarakom, visit Kumarkom Bird Sanctuary, check in the houseboat at 12:00 Pm with welcome drink with Tender coconut, Jasmine Garlands & Fruit basket. Houseboat cruise through Kumarakom lake, vembanadu Lake, Enjoy the traditional Kerala Lunch break. Houseboat cruise through C- Block, R- Block, H block & over night stay in Kumarakom
Day: 02 After breakfast through C – Block,Pathiramannal Isand , reach Kumarakom at 09:00 Am after driver to Cochin Airport with everlasting memories of Kumarkom.
Day Cruise in Houseboat (Family Trip)
In the busy life we don’t have great time to sit with our family members. Here we offer a Day Cruise in the houseboat with traditional Kerala Cuisine. Check in to houseboat at 11: 00 Am with welcome drink (Kappa & Fish Curry -11:30 pm). Enjoy Kerala Lunch, 06 hrs Journey through the backwaters of Alleppey will give the natural beauty of Kerala and core village life.
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