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 Bayโs karsts, a final perspective on Cat Baโs emerald waters and forested mountains.
slow-travel
Cat Ba Island Beyond the Cruise โ 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 fishermanโs 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 cityโs rhythm and character.
Hanoi Bootcamp: Surviving First 24 hours
The first 24 hours in Hanoi werenโt about sightseeing โ 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 โ 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 โ and the first real test of our long-term travel budget. Weโre not budget travelers chasing the cheapest option, but as early retirees we do have a travel budget. Hereโs how much we spent, where it went, and what we learned.
From Sacred Island to Waterfall Pools: Adventures in Bohol
Despite losing a couple of days in Anda, we managed two memorable half-day trips in Bohol. We explored the mystical caves of Lamanok Island, then later wandered the muddy Cadapdapan rice terraces and cooled off at Can-umantad Waterfall, discovering quiet corners and little joys along the way.
After the Storm: Finding Calm in Anda, Bohol
After a delayed crossing from Siquijor, we found quiet routines, village life, and clear waters in Anda, Bohol โ a place to slow down and breathe again.
Siquijor: Surprise We Didnโt See Coming
What was supposed to be a simple two-hour ferry ride to Bohol turned into two days of unexpected chaos. From rain-soaked streets to the kindness of locals, Siquijor surprised us in more ways than one.