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Asia — Blog | Forward Travel

Asia

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Asia

A Journey Through Vietnam “ 15 Days of Soulful Discovery “ Part Three

Day 11 – From Trains to Tranquility, Da Nang to Hoi An After an unforgettable day in Hue, I was eager to continue my journey south. We boarded the train to Da Nang, a comfortable ride that snaked through the picturesque Vietnamese countryside. The train tracks hugged the coastline for much of the journey, giving us some incredible views of white sand beaches and the South China Sea on one side, with lush, forested hills on the other. The changing landscape was truly beautiful, and it was one of those moments where I just let myself sink into the rhythm

by David Smyth16 June 2025

Asia

A Journey Through Vietnam “ 15 Days of Soulful Discovery “ Part Two

Day 6 – From Tracks to Tides, Hanoi to Ha Long Bay There’s something oddly soothing about waking up on a train. The rhythm of the rails, the muffled chatter from the corridor, the smell of instant coffee being prepared in the dining car. We rolled into Hanoi just after sunrise, hazy golden light spreading across the city as it slowly came to life. Bleary-eyed but content, we disembarked and made our way through the soft chaos of morning Hanoi where we stopped for a quick Banh Mi. There was no time to linger this time, we had another journey

by David Smyth14 May 2025

Asia

A Journey Through Vietnam “ 15 Days of Soulful Discovery “ Part One

Day 1 – A Rocky Landing and a Warm Welcome Well, I didn’t exactly glide into Vietnam in style. After a long-haul flight and an unexpected delay in Saigon, I finally landed in Hanoi feeling a bit like forgotten luggage; crumpled, slightly disoriented, and very ready for a hot shower. The connection through Ho Chi Minh was classic Southeast Asia chaos: snaking queues, unexpected gate changes, and a mad dash through the terminal, all under flickering fluorescent lights and an eye on the clock. But that’s travel, isn’t it? The hiccups become part of the story. And after all that,

by David Smyth14 April 2025

Asia

Discovering Sri Lanka ” A 7 Day Adventure ” Part Two

Day 4: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya Leaving Kandy behind, I set off for Nuwara Eliya, affectionately known as \”Little England\” due to its colonial architecture and cool, misty climate. The drive was nothing short of captivating, with the road winding through lush, emerald-green tea plantations. The neatly trimmed tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with colourful sari-clad tea pickers skilfully harvesting the leaves. The rolling hills, interspersed with gushing waterfalls and serene streams, created a picturesque landscape that seemed straight out of a storybook. Upon arriving in Nuwara Eliya, the town\'s unique charm became immediately

by David Smyth1 August 2024

Asia

Discovering Sri Lanka ” A 7 Day Adventure ” Part One

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo After a smooth landing at Bandaranaike International Airport, I made my way to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. The drive into the city was a feast for the senses, with colourful tuk-tuks weaving through traffic, the scent of spices in the air, and the occasional glimpse of the ocean. I checked into the Galle Face Hotel, a historic colonial gem that dates to 1864. The hotel\'s grand architecture, combined with its stunning ocean views, immediately transported me to a bygone era of elegance and charm. Eager to start exploring, I headed to the

by David Smyth11 July 2024

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