Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 175 of 194

A spiritual journey connecting past and present

(#wanderlusttips #Vietnamtradition #Tuphu) It is difficult to imagine the “len dong” (séances through mediums) ritual when seeing it as a performance on stage. Being quite a sensitive ritual in places of worship, including temples and shrines, any replication must take place on spiritual and cultural stages. Tu Phu stage offers its audience a realistic, virtuous performances and even complete with exquisite details and gorgeous décor. The performance is a spiritual journey that takes spectators back thousands of years to learn about the religious history of Vietnam.

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Mother Goddess Worship – the root of Vietnamese spirituality

According to the book “Medium in Mother Goddess Worship” by Professor Ngo Duc Thinh and the Vietnam Folklore Research Institute, Tu Phu (the four realms of worship) originates from the Mother Goddess worship. Accordingly, the four realms (sky, water, earth, and forest) are governed by Mother Goddesses –Mother Goddess Sky rules Thien Phu, Mother Goddess Forest rules Nhac Phu, Mother Goddess Water rules Thoai Phu and Mother Goddess Earth rules Dia Phu.

In terms of hierarchy, below the Mother Goddesses are 10 mandarins (Quan), 12 ladies (Chau Ba), 10 princes (Ong Hoang), 12 princesses (Co) and 10 young princes (Cau) as well as numerous other saints.

The Mother Goddess is the highest symbol of Vietnamese religion, representing humanity, the country’s origins and patriotism.

Tam Phu (three realms – excluding Earth) worshipping and Tu Phu (four realms) worshipping have been submitted to UNESCO to be recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. At the end of this year, the profile will be considered at the eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“Each Mother Goddess reminds us of the close relationship between humans and nature,” says Ms. Katherine Muller-Marin, the representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, at the premier of the play “Tu Phu”. “Mother Goddess Worship is ingrained in the ideology of the Vietnamese people, it honours and enriches their human values such as good conscience and compassion”. This is the reason that this unique ritual needs to be preserved as a legacy for future generations.

A spiritual journey connecting the past and the present

The performance opens not with light, music, or colours of the gorgeous costumes, but with complete darkness, deep silence and a vague scent of incense. But the smoke is too subtle to clearly identify. The darkness, the silence and the subtle smell of incense send our minds into a meditative state. It is difficult to replicate the feeling of a real life “hau dong” ceremony, simply because the festive atmosphere is missing when a crowd of spectators is cramped in one space.

Before your eyes is a layered stage. Decorating the outermost layer are a couple of copper cranes, the sacred symbol of nobility and spirituality that is present in many Vietnamese pagodas. The middle layer represents a meticulously carved shrine, and the inner corner is a set of timeworn traditional wooden doors. The inverse set makes the audience feel as if they are on the inside of those doors.

The medium and two singers slowly walk on out on the stage amid a cloud of smoke. The silence broken by their songs and the echo of the ring of the bell.

There are 36 trance sessions; each represents a deity in Mother Goddess worship. More importantly, in Mother Goddess worship, each deity represents a different cultural trait and has a different personality. They are embodiments of real historical figures who were glorified to become deities after their deaths and have since become the spiritual fulcrums leading people towards better lives. Deities in Tu Phu worship are not necessarily products of people’s imaginations, but their origins are deeply rooted in the history and cultural beliefs of different regions. This has created the diverse beauty and historical depths of the séance rituals, during which a medium incarnates the different deities and spirits. The sublime performance of the medium and Chau Van songs, which vary in tempo and tone blend together into a rhythmic and unified performance.

The second trance session, which features one of the 12 Chau Ba (Ladies) of the Forest (Nhac Phu), is the first session presented in the play. It tells the legend of princess Le Thi Kiem, wife of Ha Van Thien, of the Tay ethnic group, who ruled Dong Cuong. She was the incarnation of Mau De Nhi (the Second Mother Goddess), a princess who came to the material world to rule the forests and the 36 lands.

The lyrics of the songs go: “The winds in the sky shake up the trees. The fish swim down under, and the birds fly home. Night falls; the moon dies and the stars disappear. Short and tall roofs fill the skyline. The red mountains on one side, the blue sky on the other.” The heartfelt lyrics alongside the melodies of drums, a moon-shaped lute, the monochord, and flutes, take the audience’s imagination to nirvana. The Chau Van song tells the life stories and praises the excellence, merit, and personalities of the deities when they were alive.

During the medium’s incarnations of the deities, the singers carefully and skilfully assist the medium change her outfit according to each session. The outfits of the medium are so beautiful they leave the audience in awe. The second lady of Nhac Phu (the Forest) wears a green outfit, representing the trees and the forests. With every line, the singers slowly tie the green scarf around the lady’s head, and carefully and smoothly place each jewel and each flower on her outfit. Just like that, after with the headscarf the outfit is complete and the Mother Goddess of the Forests dances along the melodious music and singing. At times, she dances without any props, and then starts moving charmingly with a fan, and at times dancing virtuously with a flame. Her charisma exudes perfection, beauty, nobility and power. As the singers and the audience cheer and the music gets livelier, the performance gets more sublime.

The trance session for Ong Hoang Muoi (the Tenth Prince), who according to legend was the son of The Dragon King of the Eight Seas in Dinh Ho Cave, is equally impressive with its dazzling royal costume. When he was alive, the prince was Nguyen Xi, a brilliant general under king Le Thai To. He helped the king defeat Minh invaders and was assigned to defend the land of Nghe An in Ha Tinh. The medium then fully incarnates the prince, with his charisma and pride, and dances definitively with his flags, representing his quests to expand the country’s territory. His eyes shine with mightiness in battle, and sometimes reflect the emotion of admiring the country’s immense territory, and are filled with pride when he writes poetry during a silent night, admiring the moon and drinking wine.

A festive atmosphere fills the end of the play, with the trance session of the Little Princess of the Forest, an adorable and charming girl dressed in an outfit of the Tay ethnic group, with many exquisite decorations. As the medium dances with an umbrella or a fan, laughs as she dances to the cheerful music, the entire audience claps along to the beats. The medium’s incarnation of the Little Princess is decorated with the trees, the forest and animals in the backdrop. The audience becomes even more excited when the medium starts distributing lucky offerings. When the play ends, the audience is left with an overwhelming feeling of joy from the musical and visual feast telling the stories of history. Temporarily, they have lost their sense of reality, of the present, and are lost in a performance that seems like a real religious ritual.

Despite originating from folk culture a long time ago, the Mother Goddess worship and the Tu Phu worship bear a significant meaning to the present and the future of the country. They honour the connection and harmony between humans and nature, with the earth, the forests, the sea and the rivers, and honour the role of mothers and women in general, according to Mr Pham Sanh Chau, the General Secretary of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO.

Hong Nhung | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The Golden Ring: A journey through space and time

(#wanderlusttips #Russia) The Golden Ring refers to a cluster of several cities and smaller towns northeast of Moscow. It’s the perfect travel route if you want to enjoy the quiet and peaceful life of rural Russia, surrounded by beautiful countryside and filled with ancient architecture. The classic way of doing this is starting from Moscow, going through Vladimir, Suzdal, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov Velikiy, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and ending in Sergiev Posad. Each of these cities has withstood the force of time and witnessed the course of the country’s history. They are all in close proximity to one another forming a circle known as the Golden Ring, which makes them an easy travel circuit.

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The past meets the present in Vladimir

Vladimir is the first stop on the Golden Ring. It was the capital of ancient Russia and is located 180 kilometres northeast of Moscow on the bank of the Klyazma river. It is a major attraction on the Golden Ring, having played a significant role in Russian history.

Today Vladimir is a big modern city, where old and new are intricately intertwined, ancient temples adjoin high-rise buildings made of glass and concrete and the reflection of golden church domes can be seen in the windows of modern shops and cafes. The city attracts millions of tourists who take the city as their starting point for their journey along the Golden Ring of Russia.

Among many other attractions, the city boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Vladimir’s unofficial symbol the Golden Gates and the Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals. The city is also home to several award-winning museums, art galleries and theatres.

Built in 1163, the Golden Gates are one of Vladimir’s most prominent landmarks. They are an integral part of the city’s heritage, having witnessed its history over many centuries. The Gates were built as an impregnable fortress sporting massive oak doors bound with gilded copper.

The magnificent Assumption Cathedral welcomes you when you first enter Cathedral Square, when approaching the city from the east. The original cathedral, with paintings on the exterior walls, gilded decorative friezes, and carved reliefs, was destroyed in the tragic fire of 1185. That fire changed the face of the cathedral, but the restored version is as wonderful a masterpiece. In addition to admiring the beauty of this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, attending a religious service held here is an experience you will not forget

Another not-to-be-missed attraction in Vladimir is the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, built by Prince Vsevolod III. This is one of the most elegant and beautiful churches in Vladimir. Beauty and mystery are inseparably united, making the Cathedral of St. Demetrius unique among Vladimir’s churches.

Rostov Velikiy, a museum of medieval architecture

The most exciting walk along the route of the Golden Ring awaits you in Rostov. The ancient city has preserved the unique atmosphere of medieval Russia thanks to its many monuments, ancient castles, churches, and monasteries. The heritage that is still visible here is a testimony to the rich and long history of the city. Rostov is one of the oldest Russian cities, having been mentioned in chronicles dating back to 862. Today the city is home to 326 cultural monuments, more than 100 of which are of federal significance.

Around the white Kremlin walls, the whole town is made out of old stones. The streets are large, the walls imposing, and the ruins of ancient trading arcades exemplify the great and powerful Rostov Veliky.

The Kremlin in Rostov was named a UNESCO World Heritage back in 1998. Inside the Kremlin, there’s an archaeological museum, where you can see the components of the earth on which you are standing, as well as artefacts from the stone age to the last century. Stone knives, relics of a drakkar as well as the first stone of a convent are on display here.

The heart of the Rostov Kremlin is the Assumption Cathedral, which was constructed in the 16^th century. This 60-meter tall cathedral looks similar to the one in Moscow’s Kremlin. This monumental five-domed construction was built with brick and white stone. Various decorative elements lend expressiveness to the temple. In the 17^th century, a four-domed belfry was built southeast of the Assumption Cathedral. Each of its 13 bells, from the biggest one that weighs 32 tons to the smallest one, has its own special sound, adding its character to the unique vibe of Rostov.

It would be a crime to visit Rostov without having a taste of the local cuisine. The Rostov onion used to be equivalent to gold in the heyday of local merchants and has been part of the basic diet of the city’s residents for several hundred years. The culinary inventiveness of the locals would impress even the French: onion broth, cream of onion soup, baked stuffed onions, onion jam and sunny gold onion buns, for which onions form the base of the dough, rather than the stuffing.

In addition to onions pike from Rostov’s Lake Nero is famed, as according to Russian fairy tales, it is believed to have magic powers, making dreams come true. It is served as a local delicacy. The unusual combination of pike cutlet with onion jam of a delicate consistency can surprise diners. The taste of the jam accentuates the flavour of any meat or fish it is served with, making it the perfect condiment for homemade burgers. Onion jam makes for a perfect edible souvenir to bring back home at a price of only 400 Rubles ($6).

Rostov is also known for ‘finift’ – enamel paintings popular with tourists looking for souvenirs in Rostov. Finift originated in the 12th century, when it was one of the most expensive and beautiful materials, manufactured with techniques borrowed from Byzantium (ancient Greece).

A Rostov finift, bright paint on white enamel plate depicts biblical paintings and Russian history, intertwining culture and the beauty of nature. Each generation of artists, continues the local picturesque tradition, but gives Rostov’s finift a new attitude and an updated understanding of beauty.

Yaroslavl, a journey through time

The great city of Yaroslavl is known for its ancient monuments and picturesque landscape. The city is situated on the high bank of the Volga. Far beyond the city limits, you can make out the tall slender bell towers and elegant domes of its churches and architecture that adds to the wealth of Yaroslavl and is evidence of its unique history.

The 17th century was the golden age for Yaroslavl. Back then it was the second largest city in Russia after Moscow. The vibrant layers of history and culture make Yaroslavl a great destination for a journey through time. Yaroslavl’s centre is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the first Russian theatre.

The most ancient structure in the city is the Transfiguration Monastery, which was erected on a13th-century foundations. It was one of Ivan the Terrible’s favourite monasteries and became a museum 150 years ago. Numerous ancient Russian icons and the very first printed edition of “The Song of Igor’s Campaign”, Russia’s most famous literary achievement of the Middle Ages, are on display here.

Stop by the Yaroslavl Museum-Preserve to enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of the city from its belfry. Enjoy a view of the Church of St. John the Baptist, built in the style of ancient architecture familiar to every Russian as it is depicted on the 1,000 Ruble banknote.

UNESCO encourages tourists to take a closer look at this church. Its exterior is a fantastic silhouette of a huge Orthodox Church with 15 domes. Constructed in the 17^th century, the interior is peerless in the world of art with tiles, patterns and paintings depicting an encyclopaedia of biblical scenes.

A journey across the heritage cities on the Golden Ring is filled with memorable moments, making tourists want to return time and time again to travel to ancient Russia.

Tips:

Visa: You need to apply for a visa at the Russian embassy in Vietnam, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your intended departure date from Russia. You will need a confirmed itinerary and hotel arrangement, along with a completed visa application form, and photos. A single-entry visa fee is 42 EUR. For more information, visit: russianembassy.ru/en/pages/tourist_visas

Flying from Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines offers direct flights from Hanoi to Moscow, available twice per week, with prices starting from 200 USD/person (one way). Alternatively, you can search for cheap flights on booking websites such as skyscanner.com or traveloka.com.

Currency: All prices are generally quoted in Rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks. Alternatively, credit cards are accepted in most places that cater to with foreign tourists.

Getting around: In Russia, taxi fees are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of the journey. Do not use unregistered cabs or accept rides in cabs that already have a passenger. Alternatively, trains and buses are available.

How to get to the Golden Ring: The first city on the Golden Ring, Vladimir, is located 180 kilometres from Moscow. You can take a train from Yaroslavsky Station or Kurskaya Railway Station to Vladimir, which takes about 2.5 hours, and leaves every hour.

Accommodation: You can book hotels with online booking service. Alternatively, serviced apartments are cheaper and more common than in Europe. You can find accommodation on apartmentres.com or euroflats.ru. You can stay in Moscow and travel to the Golden Ring from there or find accommodation in a Golden Ring city and base yourself there.

Tours: Travel companies such as Sen Vang, Vietran Tour or Golden Tour provide Golden Ring Tours priced from USD1,800/person for 7 days, starting from Hanoi or HCMC. Alternatively, you can search for cheap tours on tripi.vn.

Liza Elizaveta | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Morocco: Kingdom of medinas

(#wanderlusttips #Morocco) I often visit a market when I wander through a new city or country. Markets are the colourful prisms that help me understand the local culture of the places I visit. They reflect the true daily lives of the locals, and if I stumble upon an ancient market, I can imagine the mysterious and unique history that shaped the place.

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Morocco has many ancient open markets. Most commonly these are walled market complexes known as a medina. In Morocco, each city has numerous medinas, dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. A medina is the place where locals live and work. Small markets selling local produce and unique craft villages make up such a market complex, which is divided into areas offering different products like woodcarvings, leather, votive offerings, bronze goods or spices. During ten days travelling in this North African country, I was fascinated and tried to visit all the famous medinas. Each of them adding a stroke to the painting that is the culture of Morocco: the medinas in Tangier which sell many goods from the country and abroad to European visitors; the mysterious medinas in Chefchaouen urge visitors to live slow and experience every moment of life; the thousand-year-old medinas with traditional craft villages in Fes; a medina in Marrakech which can make any visitor forget their way home; or the ancient feel of the medinas in Meknes.

The world of the past is just a few steps away

Once you’re in Morocco, it would be a waste not to visit Fes, the third largest city in Morocco. This city is home to one of the oldest medinas in the world, formed in the 9^th century. At dawn, before the shops open, I hurriedly walked around this maze, which resembles a giant cobweb. A glimpse of the past seemed to open before my eyes, shop after shop. The men scramble to unload their cargo from donkeys to prepare for a busy day of trade. Medinas in Fes are famous for their traditional crafts, especially leather tanning which has maintained its traditional way of being produced for thousands of years. I saw a sign leading to the leather tanneries, which appear on many Moroccan postcards. The medinas in Fes are home to some of the oldest leather tanneries in the world, formed in the 9^th century. My first impression was the smell of leather, not the sight. Leather tanneries all have a stairway leading to the rooftop, so visitors can enjoy the view of the outdoor workshops. There are many leather shops in the area around the leather tanneries, and their rooftops and terraces are accesible for tourists to enjoy the view and take photos. This craft dates back to the 11^th century, when exported leather goods produced in Fes first became famous. From up high, you can see hundreds of colourful round pits below. Half of them are blue and white, and the other half is other colours. The red colour is produced from the henna plant, yellow made with saffron, and green from mint leaves. After cleaning and dyeing the leather, it is dried on the roofs of the medinas or on the hillsides around Fes. This process has been taking place for about 500 years, and the locals do not want to modernise their techniques, so as to maintain their unique traditional craft.

Men, young and old alike, jump into the pit without any protective gear and immerse their body in the water to clean or dye the leather. They have been doing this work for generations, and maintain the craft inside the medina as a testament to the vitality of history.

Get lost in Marrakesh

Moroccan people often tell travellers: “Try to get lost in Marrakesh”. I followed this advice, and floated through the culinary world of Marrakech.

The centre of Marrakesh is the medina, surrounded by a long wall made of red sandstone. Thanks to this distinct red colour, Marrakesh is also nicknamed “Red City”. The medina in Marrakesh is not as big as in Fes, but filled with winding alleyways. The medina is like a mysterious world; the further you walk, the harder it is to find your way back out.

The centre of the medina is Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. During the day, this place attracts many tourists and Moroccans in their traditional dresses invite them to take pictures, old snake whisperers, street carts filled with fruit or souvenirs for tourists and locals alike. At nighttime, the atmosphere at the square is even livelier, as this place turns into a bustling night market; a must-visit for any visitor to Morocco. The market stays open very late, offering a lot of delicious local street food. You can find all local dishes in this culinary paradise of Marrakesh.

Tajine is the dish available at any restaurant in Marrakesh, from the luxurious ones with belly dancing performances, to the cheap eateries hidden in small alleyways. This is a traditional stew cooked on a small coal fire. Tajine is named after the unique type of container this dish is served in: a deep earthen plate with a conical lid. The tajine is produced in various sizes and different decorations and colours. Thanks to the special shape of the container, the food is always well cooked, soaked in delicious spices without being crushed. During my two days in Marrakesh, I took the opportunity to try different types of tajines: beef, chicken, lamb, fish and vegetables. Tajines can have different flavours thanks to the different recipes incorporating a variety spices and herbs such as coriander, pepper, chilli, turmeric, olive, onion, and roasted and crushed star anise. I was the most impressed with the lamb tajine, which I ate at the night market in Marrakesh. The lamb had been rid of the usual odour, and was cooked with potatoes, olives, tomatoes, and spicy green pepper. The more I ate, the more I realised the richness and diversity of Moroccan cuisine, not only because of the ingredients but also thanks to the hundreds types of spices used in the kitchens of this North African country.

Slow living with an aromatic cup of green tea in Chefchaouen

Relax after exhausting days moving around Morocco by spending the rest of your time living slowly in Chefchaouen.

I did not rush to get around like in Fes or Marrakesh. I spent an entire morning admiring the old town, covered in the illustrious colour of the sky. From the rooftop of my hostel, I realised that Chefchaouen quietly nestled in the foothills of the Rif Mountains was waiting for tourists to visit and find some leisure in life.

The hostel owner kindly offered me a hot pot of tea. It was the traditional Touareg tea of the Moroccans, a combination of green tea, fresh mint leaves and sugar. People in Chefchaouen often welcome their guests with three kinds of tea, all of which have different flavours and meaning. The first is the gentle flavour of life, the second is the passionate flavour of love, and the third is the bitter taste of death. If you refuse to drink one of these three kinds of tea, you will be perceived as impolite. For the locals, tea is their favourite drink, as Muslim men are not permitted to drink alcohol.

The sunset in Chefchaouen seemed to urge me to stay longer in this neighbourhood. In Morocco, you can find a medina everywhere, but Chefchaouen is the place that everyone wishes to revisit one day.

TIPS:

Must-knows when visiting Morocco:

Time: The best time to visit Morocco is from June to September. Despite the humidity during these months, the weather is quite warm with little rain, and the highest temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. Blue skies and snowy mountain peaks are the perfect backdrop for photography enthusiasts.

Visa: You can apply for a visa at the Moroccan embassy at No. 9, Chu Van An Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The embassy will issue a single entry visa according to the duration of your visit. The visa fee is 50 USD per person.

Transportation: From Vietnam, you can reach Morocco by flying with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways or Emirates Airways. Airfare is about 800 – 1,000 USD for round trip tickets. Flights often transfer in Istanbul, Doha or Abu Dhabi before reaching Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. From here, you can catch a bus or train to reach Fes, Marrakesh or Tangier. You can book high quality bus tickets at http://www.ctm.ma/ to get to the different cities in Morocco, or visit the train stations in big cities.

Accommodation: In Morocco, you should not miss the famous medinas. Staying at traditional Moroccan houses (Riad) inside the medinas allow you to conveniently explore the old town. Riads are ancient, cosy, uniquely decorated and often have rooftops for tourists to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset. Riads offer double rooms or dormitory beds, suitable for backpackers. You can check out some Riads such as Casa Ellias (Chefchaouen), Riad Sunrise (Fes) or Riad Zanzibar (Marrakech) with an average price of 25 – 30 USD/person/double room.

Cuisine: Through the course of history, Moroccan cuisine has been influenced by different cultures. It is a unique fusion of food from Mediterranean, Berber and Andalucía peoples. Moroccan cuisine is the elegant combination of different kinds of meat, fish, vegetables and rare spices, creating delicious flavours. Vietnamese will love the tajines, grilled meat, couscous, boiled lamb and the aromatic mint tea.

Language: Do not be surprised if you hear many different languages in Morocco. In addition to their official language which is Arabic, people here also speak French, Spanish, and local languages such as Tashelhit, Tamazight andTarifit. English is not as popular as French, but it is also used in Morocco, especially in touristic towns.

Religion: Morocco is a Muslim country, so there are a few things tourists must know. You should not use your left hand to do anything in public, because the locals consider the left hand unclean. Moroccans and especially the women do not like to be photographed, so you must get their permission before taking photos. Female tourists are advised to dress conservatively. Most Muslim mosques in Morocco do not let foreign visitors in, the exception being Hassan II Mosque located in Casablanca.

Places to visit in Morocco: Casablanca, Fes, Meknes, Tangier, Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, the Sahara desert and the Atlas mountains. You can buy a tour from Fes to Marrakesh for two days and one night to experience this beautiful path. You will get to ride a camel, spend the night in the Sahara desert, visit the Atlas mountains, the famous Todra Gorges canyon known for adventure sports including mountain climbing or trekking, or visit the world heritage village of Kasbah Benhaddou. The price of the tour is about 150 – 200 EUR per person (about 3.7 – 5 million VND), depending on your choice of hotel. The price excludes lunch, tips and drinks. You can learn more about Morocco Desert Tour by calling +212.667.291.025.

Footsteps | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Spectacular photos showing the beauty of nature

(#wanderlusttips #Nationalgeographic) National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year has revealed the most stunning entries of 2016 contest boasting from beasts caught mid-action as they gallop furiously through water to the serenity of towering mountains at dawn.

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This year’s entries to the 2016 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest have captured our planet in all its mesmerising splendour from A pair of South African rhinos sip from a placid pool under a sky ablaze with stars, lightening zig-zags above night-time Manhattan as a summer storm approaches and an alligator’s yellowing eye glares straight at the camera.

Sarah Polger, senior producer for National Geographic Travel and manager of National Geographic photo contests, remarked: ‘The four categories of this year’s contest will give photographers a chance to capture the complexity and beauty found in the world around us. We anticipate compelling and revealing images.’

The competition is accepting entries until November 16 in one or all of four categories: Landscape, Environmental Issues, Action and Animal Portraits.

The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day trip for two to the Galápagos with National Geographic Expeditions and two 15-minute image portfolio reviews with National Geographic photo editors.

Daily Mail | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

A taste of Russia

The first Russian Food Festival will take place from September 19-25/2016 for the first time in Hanoi, co-hosted by Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam and Hanoi Daewoo Hotel to promote the Russia cuisine and culture as well as reinforceing the relationaship between Vietnam and Russia.

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Taking place at Café Promenade, Russian Food Festival is a significant event to promote the culture through culinary artistry as well as strengthen the relationship between Russia and Vietnam.

The festival offers gourmet lovers a great opportunity to experience Russia in the heart of Hanoi with an array of authentic dishes. During the event, the guests will explore premium BELUGA Vodka and CAVIAR de Đuc. Guest Chef Nosikov Anton and Chef Paul Alan Wood – Executive Chef of Hanoi Daewoo Hotel along with his team promise to bring guests a feast for all senses.

Exciting lucky draw with a return ticket from Hanoi to Moscow sponsored by Aeroflot airline, 10-day Volga River cruise from Visit Russia, 01 night at Deluxe Suite for a couple by Hanoi Daewoo Hotel and valuable prizes from CAVIAR de Đuc and Beluga is also the reason to come and enjoy the festival.

Time: September 19 – 25, 2016
Venue: Café Promenade
Buffet lunch: VND 450,000++/ Adult & VND 250,000++/ children
Buffet dinner: VND 590,000++/ Adult & VND 340,000++/ children
BBQ (Fri- Sun): VND 800,000++/ Adult & VND 400,000++/ children
Tel: (+844) 3831 5000 ext 3039
Email: cafepromenade@daewoohotel.com.

Wanderlust Tips

Kenya: Home of the wild

(#wanderlusttips #Kenya) Kenya is an East African country on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Visitors are given the opportunity to explore a wild and exotic natural world. The country is a popular travel destination thanks to its rich history, natural wonders, unique geographical features, and abundance of wildlife.

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The paradise that is the Maasai Mara

The most famous attraction in this African country is the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Located in the Southwest of the country, it is a safe haven for a variety of wild animals. The vast green prairie and the abundant amount of food make it the perfect migration destination.

Africa is home to the best wildlife reserves in the world. The most convenient way to visit them is to book a tour with a tour operator that can take visitors deep into the park where they can witness wild animals in their natural habitat and see spectacles usually only seen on the Discovery Channel and in National Geographic. The most popular tourist season is during the migration season from July to October. On the plains of the Serengeti visitors can witness spectacular scenes of countless zebras, wildebeests, Thompson’s gazelles, and buffalos crossing the Mara river to reach fresh grazing ground. However, being peak season during this time the costs are more expensive, and popular spotting places are crowded, so we decided to visit in February, when the immense Maasai Mara prairie is a lush green, stretching across the horizon. Being nature lovers, we booked a 3-day tour, slept in tents in the reserve, and went on game drives, determined to find the Big Five, the most iconic of the African animals.

We sat inside a specially designed vehicle as it drove among the never-ending savannah, and I felt like I was on the set of “The Gods Must be Crazy”, surrounded by the majestic natural world, witnessing the wildlife right before my eyes. We were in awe as this was the first time we saw a herd of lionesses and their young feeding on a giant buffalo carcass, only a few dozen meters away from our car. The animals followed their instinct, as mother nature intended. The predators hunt their prey, which in turn survives and flourishes on the immense green grass, or feeding on insects. Without humans, their ecosystem could go exist in this way in harmony. I considered the trip to the Maasai Mara quite successful because we encountered all of the Big Five: elephants, leopards, lions, buffalos and rhinos, even if it was from afar as you cannot directly approach them. During our three days in the Maasai Mara, we went on three game drives one at dawn, one at noon and one at twilight to understand the wildlife here, and experience the most beautiful moments of nature.

In addition to the Maasai Mara, Kenya is home to a number of other nature reserves protected by the government, as well as zoos created by the private sector. If time allows, visitors can travel to Lake Nakuru National Park in Central Kenya, Mount Kenya National Park, Amboseli National Park or Aberdare National Park, a rainforest hidden deep inside marvellous glaciers.

Kenya’s indigenous tribes

Africa is one of the oldest continents on Earth, and is considered the cradle of human civilisation. Consequently, Kenya is home to many indigenous tribes, including the Turkala, El Molo, Kikuyu and the Maasai. For generations the Maasai have lived on the grasslands around the Great Rift Valley, which formed 20 million years ago when the Earth’s crust weakened and started tearing apart. The tribe lives in harmony with nature, and is known for its centuries old customs and colourful outfits, which adds to the attractiveness of this African country.

After leaving Maasai Mara National Reserve, our driver took us to a traditional Maasai village upon our request. We were warmly greeted with a traditional welcome. The women wore traditional costumes, and lined up at the front of the village to sing their traditional songs to the beats of drums and trumpets, as the tall Maasai men danced along. A traditional Maasai village is round. At the centre of the village is the cattle farm, fenced with dry twigs. The houses are made of clay, and stand side by side to form a circle around the centre. The Maasai plant grass on the outer layer of the circle as a barrier to protect the village, keeping wild animals at bay.

Each village is made up of about 6 to 8 households, but tourist villages have up to 20 households who live and farm livestock together. There are nearly 50 ethnic groups in Kenya and the Maasai don’t have a large population, but they live on vast lands with rich resources. They live in the Mara grasslands of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Our driver told us that the Maasai mainly make a living by farming livestock. The Maasai men often carry spears, small knives or sticks. The weapons not only help them defend themselves, but are also needed to protect their livestock from being attacked by predators.

As they live very close to wild animals, the Maasai are considered the bravest of all the tribes in Kenya. Maasai boys, used to have to kill a lion upon turning 16, a ritual to demonstrate their skill and maturity. Today however, that lions are on the verge of extinction, the people here are forbidden from killing them. Hats made of lion fur are still a symbol of courage in the Maasai tribe.

Most Maasai women shave their heads and wear a lot of jewellery. The jewellery a woman wears depends on her age and role in the family. Young girls have their ears pierced at the age of 9 and start wearing colourful earrings.

Due to the development of the tourism industry, traditional Masaai items including jewellery or apparel have become commodities, and even their oldest traditions have become tourism events helping to create a substantial income. The arrival of foreign tourists like ourselves have changed the lives of the Maasai people, and modernised their ways.

I asked if they ate the wild animals. Without hesitation, their answer was no. Despite living in the grasslands alongside wild animals, they rarely hunt them. The buffalos and sheep that they farm are the main source of food for the locals, and they use donkeys to transport food and supplies.

Home of the Rothschild giraffe

The Giraffe Centre is located in Karen, about 16 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. This is a paradise for animal enthusiasts. The centre was built in 1979 to educate visitors about and protect the Rothschild giraffe, a highly endangered species. My days wandering in Nairobi after visiting all the famous national parks in Kenya turned out to be my favourite experience of this trip, as I had the opportunity to meet and pet the tallest animal on earth.

The Giraffe Centre is located in a fairly modern building, with an area where tourists can meet and feed the giraffes, a small auditorium to introduce the conservation efforts of endangered species, a gift shop, and a café shaded by green trees. Opposite the centre is a nature reserve, which is home to “underprivileged” giraffes that need attention and care.

By force of habit, I used public transportation just like locals, to reach the Giraffe Centre rather than buying a one-day tour from our hostel for the price of about 1 million Vietnamese Dong. From downtown Nairobi, I caught bus No. 24, which departed from the Kencom House building parking lot. Before getting on the bus to reach “Karen – Hardy”, I asked the driver to tell me where my stop was and even showed him a brochure of the centre to confirm the destination. It only cost me about 50 Shilling (about 12,000 Vietnamese Dong) to reach Hardy shopping mall, the most convenient bus stop, and from there we travelled to the Giraffe Centre, which was only 1.5 kilometres away. If time allows, you can walk, but we chose to take a piki piki (similar to Vietnam’s motor taxis) to reach the home of the giraffes for another 50 Shilling. To return to Nairobi, we only had to return to the bus stop and catch the same bus.

Upon reaching the Giraffe Centre, we bought visiting tickets for 1,000 Schilling (about 220,000 Vietnamese Dong and students can buy tickets for only 500 Schilling). Visitors can listen to a short and interesting introduction about Kenya’s giraffes and the endangered species of Rothschild. The staff gives visitors a packet of food to feed the giraffes. The small packet contains processed diet supplements for the giraffes, as they eat mostly leaves. The staff here jokes that the giraffes have an interesting rule: “no food, no friendship”. This is absolutely true! You should always have food in your hands when you approach them. Otherwise, they might ignore you, and even give you a knock on the back when you turn around.

Feeding the giraffes definitely makes for an unforgettable experience. If you are bold, you can even take a bite of the food and lure them towards you for a lovely kiss. After taking a few pictures with these beautiful creatures, visitors can continue to meet warthogs and turtles, buy something from the gift shop or get some light snacks at the café. If time allows, you can even take a walk around the nature reserve across the street. Here, you can explore many native plants and countless species of birds, on cool and fresh walking trails.

After a wonderful day that could not get any better at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, I thought of Matt Monro’s song “Born Free” with its unforgettable lyrics. The song reminds me that humans and animals are creatures that were both born free, and can only be happy when we are free.

TIPS

Applying for a visa to Kenya

Since September 2015, Kenya offers two ways of obtaining visas for Vietnamese visitors: which are e-visas or a visa on arrival.

– Visa on arrival are issued upon arrival at an international airport or border gate into Kenya for a fee of about 50 USD (about VND1,100,000).

– E-visas allow tourists more freedom upon arrival. It’s quite simple; you only need to fill out your information online and make a payment online and you will be issued a visa after 7 days at the latest. Here are the steps to obtain an e-visa:

Visit: https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke/index.php?id=5
Register a guest account and fill out the required information
Check your email (used to register the account) to activate the account. Check your spam box if you do not receive a new mail.
After successful registration, you will be directed to the DASHBOARD page.
Click SUBMIT APPLICATION//KENYAN VISA//Apply for a Single Entry Visa
Read the instructions and click on APPLY NOW (the orange button)
Follow the 8 steps and fill in your passport information, address, phone number in Vietnam, flight tickets, itinerary, arrival and departure dates, history of previous trips,…
Information that needs to be filled out:

– Point of entry by air: Jomo Kenyatta Airport, Nairobi

– Full name and physical address of hotels / places/ firms / friends or relatives to be visited in Kenya. You only need to fill out one address, and you can book hotels on agoda.com or booking.com

– Telephone or cell phone number of hotels/places/firms/friends or relatives to be visited in Kenya

– Email of hotels/places/firms/friends or relatives to be visited in Kenya (example of a physical address: Sentrim Mara Hotel, P.O.BOX 43436, 00100-Nairobi, Kenya; Tel: +254 20 3315680; fax: +254 20 2218314, +254 20 3343875 & e-mail: info@sentrim-hotels.com)

The most important thing is attaching your travel itinerary to complete the registration. Your visa can easily be approved, and visas are rarely denied. If your information is incomplete, you can lose the visa fee.

In our next Issue

Uganda – Upstream of the legendary Nile river

Footsteps | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Autumn retreat with À La Carte Da Nang Beach

(#wanderlusttips #Alacartedanangbeach) Attractive accommodation packages, free wine, free beer are some of promotion packages from the hotel À La Carte Da Nang Beach to pamper yourself in the upcoming months.

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Book 2 get 4

Guests who book 2 consecutive nights at the hotel will enjoy 60-minute spa treatments at Spice Spa and 2 American breakfast at Delicious Café for two. Price is at VND2,650,000 nett/room/night.

Happy Hour at Deli Cafe

For those who come to enjoy peaceful time of afternoon tea from 4-6.30PM, the hotel offers the package buy 1 get 1 for international or local beer, and a package of tea/coffee and cake at VND105,000 per pax. It is time to enjoy the transquil ambiance of the coastal city of Danang in a sunny autumn.

Free wine at FishCa Restaurant

Family and friend gathering would become warmer and happier than ever with the promotion package which offer any group of four adults to enjoy meal at FishCa Restaurant a premium bottle of wine. The fabulous meal will serve at VND355,000/pax.

Spice up your day with Spice Spa

When you think you’d better slow down your lifepace and leaving all the stress behind, it is the time for you to come to Spice Spa where can rejuvenate and comfort your body and soul.

The exclusive package offered at the spa boasts 60 minutes of Body treatment, 30 minutes of Facial caring, 30 minutes steam-bath and sauna, A glass of fresh tropical fruit juice plus a piece of cake.

Delightful celebration

The end of a year always start a time to celebrate. The package which is valid from November 1, 2016 to January 20, 2017 for any booking from minimum three nights will feature accommodation in Light Studio, daily buffet breakfast for 2 pax at Fishca Restaurant, 1 time 60 minute Spa treatment for 2 pax at Spice Spa, 1 time Western set menu with one glass of wine for 2 pax, 1 time signature cocktail on The Top Bar for 2 pax and complimentary see off airport shuttle bus. Your holiday vacation will be celebrated in style with all things being cared by hotel staffs.

The price is at VND2,950,000/room/night. Surcharge VND1,500,000 nett/room/night will be applied on December 24, 25, 30, 2016 and January 1, 2017.

À La Carte Da Nang Beach

Add: At the corner of Vo Nguyen Giap Str. and Duong Dinh Nghe Str., Son Tra, Danang
Tel: (+84511) 3959 555

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Climber conquered the “broken fort” of Ireland

(#wanderlusttips #Dunbriste #Ireland) It is said to be the second time Dún Briste (which means “broken fort”) has been conquered for the last 26 years, according to the Irish Independent. The stack was summited in 1990 by three British climbers in what is believed to be the only previous ascent.

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About 5 km north of the village of Ballycastle in Mayo county near the Irish coast stands a striking headland called Downpatrick Head. Towering 126 feet above the sea, it offers fantastic views of the Atlantic, the Staggs of Broadhaven to the west, and high cliffs along the shore.

The name Downpatrick is derived from a time when St Patrick himself founded a church there. You can still see the ruins of the church building, a stone cross and holy well at the top of Downpatrick Head. This was once a popular pilgrim destination, and today the crowds still gather here on the last Sunday of July – known as Garland Sunday – to hear mass at this sacred site. During the Second World War a coastguard watch-house was constructed here which is now used to view the many species of birds that visit the high cliffs.

After that, they made their way along cracks, under overhangs and up sheer rock towards the summit. Bad weather conditions meant Kaniszewska was unable to complete the climb, but Miller – on his third attempt at climbing Dún Briste – made it to the small, vertiginous plateau at its summit.

The unpredictable sea forms the first obstacle. After researching the best time to approach the rock, Iain Miller and his climbing partner Paulina Kaniszewska were able to land their dinghy on a ledge at its base in calm waters.

“The climbing was hard, scary and for a section approximately 40 metres above sea level, falling wasn’t an option,” Miller, who runs an adventure company in Donegal, told the Irish Independent. The climb was cheered on by a small group of locals on Downpatrick Head. “Watching them was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Marie Tighe, a Ballycastle nurse. “I’ve lived down here for years and I never thought anyone would be able to do it from the ground.”

Each year, Downpatrick is frequented by birdwatchers who come to observe and record the many different species which take up positions on the stratified face of the stack as the seasons change. In May and early June, the headland itself is a blaze of colour when the sea-pink comes into bloom.

Lonely Planet | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

The stunning golden autumn in the Northwest

(#wanderlusttips #Vietnamnorthwest) If you have travelled to the mountainous Northwest of Vietnam during autumn you will have experienced the beauty of its people, the landscape, the golden terraced fields covering the mountains from their top down to the streams in the valleys.

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Road 32 has been expanded upward to Binh Lu junction, perfect for travellers wanting to discover the beauty of the Northwest. Every autumn, the scenery and the roads running through it exude a golden glow mixing with the colour of the sky and the rice fields below. The rice fields during harvest season are lit up, as are the expressions of travellers getting ready for their next adventure. After doing a careful maintenance check on their bikes and filling the gas tank, they are ready for their next trip. The smell of the season’s milkwood-pine flowers filling the air is the cue for them to start riding.

We chose a familiar route to explore the beauty of the mountains in autumn. Starting from Hanoi, we passed the tea hills in Thanh Son, and then found ourselves amid the golden rice fields of Mu Cang Chai, travelling up north to the legendary O Quy Ho, the ancient town of Sapa, and then along the difficult mountain roads in Muong Hum, passing Y Ty peak to return to Lung Po – where the Red River enters Vietnam.

The intoxicating aroma of rice in Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai is located about 300 kilometres from Hanoi, but seems much further away. It is a destination popular with visitors from both Vietnam and abroad. We have become familiar with the place as we visit it every harvest season. Despite having been here a few dozen times, this trip still made our entire group nervous and excited. We bid farewell to Hanoi, which was subdued in the soft sunlight of mid-autumn, while crowds of people rushed into the city centre for work. During the early sunshine, we quickly passed the immense green tea hills of Thanh Son, and then Khe pass and Ach pass. If you fancy a hot cup of Shan Tuyet tea stop at Suoi Giang, the ideal place to sip the hot beverage. Ancient tea trees with trunks as wide as an arm span grow atop a misty mountain and provide the finest tea. We travelled down Bo Hon hill toward Nghia Lo. When we could smell hay and ripe rice in the wind, we knew we had arrived in Muong Lo.

Despite being early autumn, Tu Le valley was chilly with cold air from the surrounding Khau Pa, Khau Than and Khau Song mountains, filling the valley. When we reached the valley, it was twilight. The last sunlight of the afternoon shone down on the rice fields, and we could smell glutinous rice. The Northwestern region is famous for its Tu Le rice, which is not available anywhere else and only planted during one season every year by the Thai and the H’Mong people. When cooked, the sticky rice needs no added flavours of beans, peanuts or coconut, but has its own tender sweetness that only this mountainous region can add. Its stickiness is not too wet and not too dry, satisfying even the pickiest eater.

The path to Lim Mong nestled among the rice fields is dyed a bright gold colour that make the earth and the sky shine during autumn. A stream runs through the middle of the valley, which adds a delicate touch to the magical landscape. We drove slowly towards Khau Pha pass (its name meaning “heavenly horn”) – one of the four greatest mountain passes in Vietnam, the sun had just retreated behind the mountains, leaving only a soft light on the road. From the top of the pass, we looked down to the valley to fully comprehend the prosperous life here. One can only praise the hands of the farmers who have lived here for generations and painted a beautiful image between the earth and the sky. Amid the golden glow of the rice fields pop up the beautiful, multiple colours of the traditional dresses. H’Mong girls in multicolour dresses were harvesting, and a Thai girl wearing white was threshing with some young men. The picture of harvest season has been colourful since ancient times.

We travelled down the wide Road 32, with nothing to rush us. We bid farewell to our bus at Kim junction, and rented motorbikes to go down La Pan Tan, and then followed the dirt trails of farmers to visit Ta Chi Lu. The steep, small dirt roads, which crossed small streams at some points, were extremely slippery. The small dirt trails were quite challenging for us. However, the Gods are always fair. Making up for the tiring travel is the beautiful scenery. Ta Chi Lu valley lit up under the sunlight, reflecting a golden sky. We were speechless in front of this landscape, and stopped by the roadside to admire its beauty. A travel companion of mind is a photographer, and after taking a few photos, he sat down quietly. It is simply impossible to fully capture this beauty, and even he could only retain a mental image. During this season, Mu Cang Chai is illuminated with the colours of sunlight, the golden rice fields, the dresses and the simple lives lived in this mountainous region.

Tu Le, Khau Pha, La Pan Tan, Ta Chi Lu are just small corners and if time allows, I recommend you ride deeper into Chu Cu Nha, Thao Chua Chai, De Xu Phinh to fully soak in the beautiful landscape and the talented hands of the H’Mong. For generations, they have painted and coloured the prosperous picture of the Northwestern region. Do not hesitate to stop by a home you pass on the roadside. The H’Mong are very hospitable. A bowl of freshly harvested rice will make it hard to stop eating, and even more impossible to forget.

Sunny Than Uyen

Our group started making the journey to Y Ty. We bid farewell to Mu Cang Chai, covered in golden rice fields, and visited Than Uyen. The recently renovated Highway 32 can make inexperienced riders “road sick”. This gateway into Lai Chau province does not have as many rice fields as Mu Cang Chai, but still fascinates travellers when its illuminated by sunlight. Those who have visited this place in autumn will understand why. The golden afternoon sunlight dyed our path and the surrounding paddy fields beautiful shades or yellow. The sunshine was not too intense. It was gentle and had the golden colour of honey. If you stand by the roadside pond at the border between Than Uyen and Tan Uyen, you can fully comprehend the beauty of autumn in the mountains.

This pond is not too big, but large enough to satisfy the thirst of passers-by. The peaceful atmosphere is evident on each branch of the trees and each blade of grass. A few groups of small rocks stand in the middle of the pond, and children play together in the clear waters. On the other side of the pond is a grassy hill where a few buffalos roam. A scene that we thought only existed in a meadow somewhere outside Vietnam, now appeared before our eyes. Everyone was surprised and silenced once again, and we could only admire the view and exclaim: “It is so peaceful!” We quickly unpacked our folding chairs and started boiling water on our travel stove. The smell of the Suoi Giang tea trees, enhanced by the autumn weather and the atmosphere, made us forget about having to journey home. It was only until my companions started rushing that I sluggishly started riding again.

The turning wheels brought us to more sun-filled places in Lai Chau Province, and the tea hills in Tan Uyen saw us off to Binh Lu. From there, we turned right and prepared to conquer O Quy Ho Pass. This is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam, with an average altitude of 2,000 meters and over 40 kilometres long. We slowly travelled on the pass in the late afternoon. Most of us had to use 2^nd gear or even switch to 1^st gear on our motorbikes to climb the hills. O Quy Ho Pass is known for its hills and curves. Despite the smooth road, the ride is still a difficult one for inexperienced riders, because a little mistake can mean driving off a cliff.

When we reached Heaven’s Gate, the sun was starting to set behind the mountains. We made a rest stop by a few roadside barbeque shops run by ethnic peoples, where we looked down onto the road we had driven. Looking back at the paths winding up the hillside we had just passed, we truly got a glimpse of time and space. My travel companions had already started a fire to make coffee and grill some dried food that we had. There is nothing more awe-inspiring than sitting atop a mountain pass in the twilight, enjoying a view of the magnificent Fansipan mountain range, sipping on a cup of coffee and chatting with travel companions. Life, as the late composer Trinh Cong Son said, “is too short to be indifferent”.

The golden Y Ty and the sacred Lung Po

Sapa welcomed us with the chilling breezes of early autumn, and the smell of grilled corn and sweet potatoes emitting from streetside shops. This small town, situated between the mountains and forests, is a frequent stop on our journeys. We stopped by a restaurant we knew and enjoyed the typical dishes of Sapa, along with a few sips of Thanh Kim rice wine to warm up, and relax after a tiring trip, followed by a dreamless sleep in Sapa.

Sapa tourism is now more developed, with more services for travellers. You can spend 2 – 3 days around this town and still not be done exploring. We travelled down the hills to Ta Van and May bridge to admire the view of the golden rice fields, and visited the homes of the Dao people in Ta Phin village to see the stitching of their colourful traditional dress. If you love history, the ruins of the church in Ta Phin can take up your whole afternoon. If you prefer adventure, you can conquer Fansipan’s peak – the rooftop of Indochina at an altitude of 3,413 metes. If you are feeling lazy, taking a cable car across the Hoang Lien Son mountain range is a worthwhile experience.

We travelled 10 kilometres backward on O Quy Ho pass and turned right to Ban Xeo village. We then passed Muong Hum towards Y Ty, and travelled back on the Khu Chu Lin – Lung Po path. Can Quy Ho pass greeted us with its gentle curves glistening in the morning sun, which seemed to lull us back to sleep. I still remember the path around Muong Hum a few years ago. Floods and landslides have made the dirt road bumpy. Motorbikes, despite being more mobile and flexible, still struggle to climb each hill. Cars and buses have an even harder time, because the road is only big enough for the width of one car. And of course, only four-wheel drives with strong enough engines can conquer this road.

The stones, rubbles, and sand made the bikes skid when turning. Often times, the passenger had to push the motorbike through the hills and the areas where subsidence was too dramatic. If you enjoy off-road travel know that Muong Hum used to be considered an interesting off-road path, before the road was renovated. Now, after it has been connected to Khau Pha and O Quy Ho, Muong Hum path is no longer difficult for riders.

If you are tired, you can open your car window and let the refreshing air in, the view of golden rice fields covering the hillside from Den Thang, Y Ty to A Lu will amaze you. Muong Hum Lake seems like a giant mirror, reflecting everything. The bustling atmosphere of the harvest season is evident in each rice field. Y Ty rice is different from Mu Cang Chai rice, because it ripens two or three weeks earlier, and usually covers a larger area. We followed this small winding road, and were once again captivated by the stunning natural landscape. It was a cloudless day in Y Ty, which was unfortunate for us, but perhaps not everything can be perfect. The dirt houses of the Ha Nhi people, made of dirt walls as thick as 50 centimetres, roofed with dried grass and green moss, which seem to only appear in cartoons depicting a wonderland, appeared before our eyes.

From Y Ty, we travelled to A Mu Sung and then turned to the border patrol path. The road runs through rice fields and heads straight upstream along the Red River. The golden rice fields along the roadside hug the winding road we drove along. China is only a river away, covered in highways full of roaring cars. On the Vietnam side, there’s only small dirt trails, with a few concrete parts. Anyone who has travelled this road will see the beauty of the border region during the afternoon. Not many people live near the patrol path, all you can see are banana tree fields and containers filled with their harvest waiting to be distributed throughout the country and exported.

Several parts of the road are eroded, and other parts covered in weeds, so we did not travel too quickly. We rode slowly to fully revel in the love for our country. Lung Po – where the Red River enters Vietnam – is the junction of a small stream from Vietnam and a big river from China. The two streams meet to carry their water into the Red River delta. We stood silently by Milestone 92 and conducted a small flag ceremony for our homeland. Our country has been invaded many times, but is now at peace. The milestone stands silently in this scared and noble land.

On our way back, we encountered Milestones No. 93, 94 and 95. Back in Lao Cai province, we followed Vietnam’s longest highway to get back to Noi Bai (Hanoi) in just five hours, concluding our mountainous journey. Mu Cang Chai filled with the sweet scent of rice, Than Uyen illuminated with the hue of golden honey provided by the sunlight, mighty O Quy Ho pass towering between earth and sky, quiet and peaceful Sapa, fairy-tale Y Ty, and sacred Lung Po on the border, all will leave us with a lasting impression and follow us through our next trips. Simply put, life is filled with journeys.

TIPS

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Thanh Son – Van Chan – Tu Le

Day 2: Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Binh Lu – Sapa

Day 3: Sapa – Muong Hum – Y Rat – Lung Po – Lao Cai

Day 4: Lao Cai – Hanoi

Do not forget to pack well

If you are a travel enthusiast, you are familiar with the required necessities of a long trip. Warm clothes to protect you during chilly autumn evening in the mountains, a first-aid kit with basic medicine to prepare you for unexpected circumstances. Do not forget to bring personal IDs, because this journey takes through many border areas and you will need to report to the border police for guidance. A small pot to boil water for coffee, and a small notebook to document your journey. Do not forget your camera and charger. You will need to wear comfortable travel outfits, and trekking shoes, which allow you to comfortably explore every destination. If your group travels in several cars and buses, it’s best to be equipped with radios to communicate with each other quickly and easily.

Travel in your beloved car

Unlike motorbikes, a car can be more troublesome when it breaks down on the road. Thus, vehicle inspection and maintenance is required before any long journey. Do not ignore worn tires or think “I’ll change them after this trip”. You should change tires, engine oil, and check the coolant. Do not park too close to a cliff or weak spots. You should make a rest stop when you’re too tired. Do not drive when you’re tired and sleepy, as a few careless moments can cause you your life.

Article & photos: Tran Giap

Wanderlust Tips | Cinet

Hoi An Beach Resort appoints new Western Cuisine Master Chef

(#wanderlusttips #Hoianbeachresort) Chef K.M.Denzil Prasanna has been appointed to be Western Cuisine Master Chef of the resort who will oversees all F&B Kitchens on Western Cuisine of Hoi An Beach Resort such as River Breeze Restaurant, Sunset Grill Restaurant, as well as private dining services and the resort’s catering operations.

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Denzil comes to Hoi An with over twenty years of experience in F&B with his expert major in kitchen, he used to be an Executive Chef in the Golden Princess vessel in USA (a five-star cruise with 3500-Guest and crew members 1200), Chef Denzil has also gained remarkable knowledge and experiences of European cuisine recipes and secrets, therefore he will deliver a comprehensive culinary experience to local and visiting guests.

Known for his unrelenting creativity in the kitchen, Sri Lanka national Chef Denzil started his culinary career in the beginning of 90’s after graduating from hotel school in Sri Lankan and Germany hotel school Vier Jahreszeiten. With an accomplished culinary background that includes positions at some of the most celebrated dining destinations, Denzil is known for blending exquisite technique with modern cooking methods and artistic plating, creativity and innovation. He will bring deft artistry and a solid understanding of European taste to his new role.

“We’re delighted to have Chef Denzil join our team. With his international experience and deep understanding of European insatiable demand for delectable fare, I think our discerning clientele are in for a treat,” said General Manager – Mr. Tony Vatthanatchai.

Hoi An Beach Resort