Joe and Rhi travel adventures

18/02/2025

Airport food ✈️

The transit food at Hong Kong airport was exceptionally good and worthy of noting.

Rhianna Blackthorn had BBQ pork and rice from Duddles.

Joseph Wilkinson Sparks had burger and chips from Gorden Ramsay's.

Both meals were about $25AuD.

Given we have a 4 hour layover, we also grabbed some snacks at Singapore airport from 7Eleven for about $15AuD. Japanese bun, Korean sugar free drink and Aussie chocolate.

18/02/2025

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 Laser Show

If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong around 7pm, consider booking yourself on a junk to watch the laser light show.

For around $AuD60 ($HKD270), sit back and enjoy a harbour cruise (approximately 30 minutes) to watch the laser show. The seats are comfortable, the view good and the complimentary beer, wine or soft drink appreciated.

See: https://www.klook.com/en-HK/activity/659-aqualuna-evening-sail-hong-kong/

18/02/2025

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 It's been swell!

Some random thoughts

: Reminds me of Milan with its focus on high end fashion at ridiculous prices

: There is a difference between then images and the reality. While the stores scream $$$, the government housing for low income families is about the same in numbers as the high end of town.

: Government apartments are small. 36m² for a family of 4.

: Food is universally good and eating out the norm.

: Residents have a sense of identity that is not connected to China.

: Transport and social culture are excellent.

14/02/2025

Ok travel fans.

Tonight we cross over to Hong Kong, China 🇨🇳 and will possibly be off-line until we are back in Australia.

14/02/2025

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam 🇻🇳

Today we did a group cruise around Ha Long Bay with Paradice Cruises. The food and service was superb.

Ha Long Bay is one of the most remarkable geological formations in the world. The scenery is breathtaking.

If you know, you know: Hallelujah Mountain inspiration

13/02/2025

Ship life: Special occasions

The HAL Noordam holds a special place in our hearts. We got married while on a cruise on this ship and there is always a special occasion celebrated onboard. During this sailing, we celebrated both Rhianna’s and Joe's 40th birthdays.

Holland America Lines are really good at going the extra mile for these special occasions. Usually with a cake, sometimes a note or some other way of acknowledging your special day.

Today though, Joe got a surprise visit from the Captain, which really made our day!

It's that attention to the simple things like birthdays that keep us coming back.

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

REVIEW: With Locals

We have been long term users of https://www.withlocals.com/

We tend to visit non English speaking countries that are rich in culture and history. We are looking for the elements that will challenge our perceptions and history buffs, we are looking for experiences we can't get on the average tourist tour. So we choose to pay that bit extra for the private tours that are off the beaten track and are exceptional.

Going through "With Locals" had allowed us to find that experience.

In Venice, we had the amazing Ugo. We asked him to take us to the parts of Venice tourists never see and he did not diaappoint. He took us to the Jewish Quarter, where he lives, shops and eats. At the end of an honest, transparent and honest tour, we had dinner at a Kosher restaurant - a first for us. The things we saw, learned and experienced on tour are things the average tourist will miss on their standard Grand Canal Tour

In Rome, Francesca, the wife of a Michelin chef, took us on a remarkable foodie tour that went well beyond 10 tastings to include cultural abd historic highlights and recommendations.

Raffaele is an archaeologist with a wealth of Pompeii and Herculeam experience. When I confessed that I was fascinated with mosaics, he took me behind the scenes to some remarkable 'off display' mosaic's that are still under excavation. One of the truly amazing experiences in life.

Moddy is my go to Bangkok expert. Having recruited her twice to enrich my understanding of Thai culture and history, she never disappoints. This time around, she found me a new experience - a roof top bar at sunset for some unforgettable views.

Finally, I must tell you of Tony - my amazing Na Dang/Hoi An/Hue guide. Tony spent his time at Uni perfecting his knowledge to shape him into one of the most amazing guides. He helped me shape two of the most amazing days exploring this part of Vietnam with another couple, and like any good guide, has whetted our appetite to ensure we return. His level of knowledge is second to none. He knows so much about every landmark and momentum that we came away feeling blessed with a new education.

12/02/2025

Coconut Village, near Hoi An, Vietnam 🇻🇳

A world of fun. So many laughs.

Bonus videos in the comments.

12/02/2025

My Son, Vietnam 🇻🇳

An amazing archaeological site built from the 4th to the 13th centuries by Champa people of Central Vietnam.

Discovered by the French in the 1900s, the site was studied by French, Indian, Vietnamese and German archaeologists.

The site consisted of 81 standing structures demonstrating a unique structure. The bricks were sanded together to ensure a perfect fit and held initially with a glue made of sap and brick dust. This construction method has preserved the site well, and it resists moss and plant growth. In the photos, you can tell where the reconstruction efforts have focused because of the plant growth.

During the Vietnamese War, the site was bombed, reducing the number of intact buildings to 10.

It has since been assessed and listed by UNESCO which will continue to conserve the site. See: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/949/

12/02/2025

Da Nang Vietnam 🇻🇳

Views from around Da Nang.

- Pho Bo and Pork Belly (yummy x 2)
- Dragon Bridge
- Love Bridge
- the Yatch cafe