On 4/15/2025 at 1:56 PM, NorthernRyland said:

Hanoi was high stress for me compared to Thailand and the people themselves even were a little hostile and standoffish

Heh – I do recall a few unfriendly faces in Hanoi's old town/market area. However, never an issue. Hanoi is a great place to spend 5 days or a week. Stay at a boutique hotel in the old town. Trendy restaurants, coffee, French style breakfasts & walk around the lake in the morning. The traffic is another story. A nightmare. It’s a fricking leap of faith crossing streets or bigger roads. Did Vietnam as a backpacker, in contrast, really liked taking a cush week here. 

Mahseer posted

Quote

"Not sure if a seasonal surge or full time suspect the former. The charm that was once Luang Prabang has definitely gone."

 Went to LP regularly in the aughts/naughts. Always knew, it could get overrun. Will get updated on Chinese holiday times. I’ll give it another visit before writing it off completely.

 

Visited a long time ago – might still be worth it

Georgetown Penang. The old Chinese colonial part of town

Darjeeling. You have to go through Calcutta but … Nice hill station with Kanchenjunga looming in the distance.
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Was looking at a Tasmania hiking/fishing trip, or NZ. Then wuhan & the house, put all that on the back burner. Still,  an idea.





 

1 hour ago, Dcheech said:

Heh – I do recall a few unfriendly faces in Hanoi's old town/market area. However, never an issue. Hanoi is a great place to spend 5 days or a week. Stay at a boutique hotel in the old town. Trendy restaurants, coffee, French style breakfasts & walk around the lake in the morning. The traffic is another story. A nightmare. It’s a fricking leap of faith crossing streets or bigger roads. Did Vietnam as a backpacker, in contrast, really liked taking a cush week here. 

 

Hanoi would amazing if they shut down the roads and it was walking only. Lots to like there and the cool temps in March were a huge attraction after coming from Thailand. Really a shame they couldn't be more relaxed people or I'd make that my go to Sonkgran escape every year no doubt.

When I was backpacking I did the obligatory 'sights', which was incredibly stressful.  The blind leap of faith. You watch the locals do it, you know it can be done, but .... argh. Walk out slowly, at a steady pace and trust they will all weave around you. Second trip, stayed in the old town & old French quarter. A few of the "sites' but seriously chilled visit. Likely the reason why I enjoyed it so.

35 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

. Really a shame they couldn't be more relaxed people 

Please explain ,you mean beeping horns 

On 4/15/2025 at 2:12 AM, DonniePeverley said:

Got a few weeks off ... let's have some inspiration where you guys are heading, and some info.

 

I've done the usual Singapore, Malaysia, Seoul, Taiwan, Shanghai, etc  some good, some bad - most major metropolosis cities unfortunately in Asia are all looking the same. 

 

Looking for something different. Now i'm getting older i actually prefer more slower type places, rather than hectic cities. 

 

One country i didn't quite enjoy was Japan. I know alot of hipsters go on about it, but i found it rather unremarkable. 

 

Where you all heading this year ?

 

I shall be visiting Khon Kaen in Thailand from Siem Reap in Cambodia.

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

I shall be visiting Khon Kaen in Thailand from Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Oh ! That's Tough on You......

7 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Hanoi would amazing if they shut down the roads and it was walking only. Lots to like there and the cool temps in March were a huge attraction after coming from Thailand. Really a shame they couldn't be more relaxed people or I'd make that my go to Sonkgran escape every year no doubt.

 

Completely agree. 

 

We walked around, and were faced with countless gigantic tour busses heading into tiny alleys. Absolute no control at all. 

 

I suppose i'll take it, over pen pushers who start banning things that make the city unique. 

3 hours ago, Blueman1 said:

Oh ! That's Tough on You......

 

With respect, not at all!. I shall be meeting up with ex-pat pals I knew before I crossed borders.

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Completely agree. 

 

We walked around, and were faced with countless gigantic tour busses heading into tiny alleys. Absolute no control at all. 

 

I suppose i'll take it, over pen pushers who start banning things that make the city unique. 

 

Sapa was worth visiting too, amazing cool weather escape anytime of year but the pushing and shoving up the mountain to the summit was relentless. The older generation is like the mainland Chinese, rude, loud and just chaotic in general. I think we really screwed up going over the weekend as it seems to attract tour groups from the city.

23 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

I shall be visiting Khon Kaen in Thailand from Siem Reap in Cambodia.

I really enjoy Khon Kaen. The restaurants around the western lake are good at night.