Hiking through Cat Ba National Park, we discovered stilt houses, star fruit trees, and Frog Pond. Viet Hai Village contrasted with the quiet forest, and our journey ended with another boat ride through Lan Ha Bay’s karsts, a final perspective on Cat Ba’s emerald waters and forested mountains.
Author: Svetlana
Cat Ba Island Beyond the Cruise — Part 1: Sailing Lan Ha Bay
During our slow-travel stay in Hanoi, we skipped the typical Ha Long Bay cruise and explored Cat Ba Island on our own terms. A private fisherman’s boat, floating oyster farms, and quiet fishing villages in Lan Ha Bay revealed a more intimate side of life on the water.
Slow Travel in Hanoi: Discovering the Rhythm of Everyday Life
Slow travel in Hanoi let us meet fellow travelers, explore lively parks, and savor unique experiences like a Vietnamese haircut. The city unfolded in small, meaningful moments, making ordinary days some of the most memorable of our journey.
Eating Our Way Through Hanoi: Our Culinary Adventures
Our Hanoi culinary adventures turned everyday meals into discoveries. Navigating markets, cooking at home, and tasting local dishes showed us how food can reveal a city’s rhythm and character.
Hanoi’s History Lessons: Legends, Women, and the Imperial Citadel
In Hanoi, we explored layers of history and culture — from the legends of Ngoc Son Temple to the rich traditions and resilience on display at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, and the stories of loyalty and sacrifice preserved in the walls of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
Exploring Hanoi: Temples, Culture, and Daily Life
In Hanoi, temples, bustling alleys, and serene lakesides coexist. Water puppets splash across stages, scholars’ stelae honor centuries of learning, and life unfolds quietly along West Lake — each moment revealing the unique blend of tradition and everyday living in Vietnam’s capital.
Hanoi Walking Tour: Exploring the City Through Its People
A walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter became more than sightseeing. From Hoàn Kiếm Lake legends to egg coffee and bustling markets, conversations with local guides revealed a city layered with history, symbolism, and everyday life — slowly unfolding, one story at a time.
Hanoi Bootcamp: Surviving First 24 hours
The first 24 hours in Hanoi weren’t about sightseeing — more like a survival course from the moment we landed. From overcoming language barriers to weaving through the streets, the city tested our wits and patience.
When the Journey Is the Experience: Public Transport in the Philippines
From crowded jeepneys to rustic tricycles, we share our firsthand experiences using public transportation in the Philippines — what works, what to expect, and how to make the journey part of your slow-travel adventure.
November 2025 Travel Budget: Our First Month on the Road
November 2025 was our first full month on the road — and the first real test of our long-term travel budget. We’re not budget travelers chasing the cheapest option, but as early retirees we do have a travel budget. Here’s how much we spent, where it went, and what we learned.