http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33458 Semester at Sea is not your typical 'cruise.' It is a living voyage and lifelong learning experience. The voyages have taken me to the now serene shipyards in Gdansk to the top of Mount Vesuvius and onward to the Mekong Delta and the wonders of Southeast Asia,
Our ship, the MV Explorer, is a floating university that can accommodate up to 600 students, staff - like my professor wife - and people like me, a life long learner. Once you sail on it, the MV Explorer will always be 'OUR ship,' to you too. Yes, OUR ship has a pool and a fabulous lounge, but you see quickly what else you can be doing, like studying political science of Southeast Asia, Asian Puppetry, World War II history, or comparative religions. Surrounded by young people, many of whom are seeing the rest of the world for the first time.
It's not the cheapest holiday compared with other much less interesting long cruises. I have been fortunate enough to be a bag carrier on these voyages for my wife who teaches aboard. Our ultimate goal is to pay the full fare so neither of us has to work and we can both sit in on as many classes as possible while exploring the delights of our planet.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33458 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32068 My bungalow was built using reclaimed wood and other local materials such as rammed earth and thatch roof. And the waiter told us our seafood beach barbeque all came from either local fishermen or the resort's own garden. In a country obsessed with imported meat such as Japanese Kobe beef or Australian lamb, or exotic fish (shark fin is featured as a top delicacy in some restaurants we went to in Ha Noi), it is refreshing to see how this little French run resort sticks to their gun of providing locally sourced and ethical food.
Oh, and summer and autumn are considered low seasons here, so the prices are significantly reduced. Our big room only cost us USD90 per room for two adults for THREE nights. Even in a cheap country like Vietnam, it is still very cheap for a good island resort.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32068 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31855 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31855 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31306 Since Australian Geoff Shaw set up Project Indochina eight years ago, this NGO has provided homes and medicines for the poor and installed waste and water treatment plants in schools and hospitals throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
All proceeds from White Lotus go to the charity. The restaurant is also doing its bit to help break Vietnam’s poverty chain by employing and training local staff from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The restaurant is extremely clean and stylish and the food of a very high standard. Hoi An spring rolls will set you back 45,000 dong (£1.40), veggie mains 40,000 dong (£1.20) speciality mains 100,000 (£3) and pizzas 70,000 (£2.10).
Cookery courses with the head chef can also be arranged, which involve going to the local market to buy fresh produce, then returning to the restaurant by boat to prepare the food.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31209 One last hint: pack as little as possible!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31209 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30929
In Hanoi, the main branch of ANZ Bank allows larger withdrawals. I got out out 10 million (around £295) and was told by another traveller that you can get up to 12 million.

From the large Highlands Coffee next to Hoan Kiem Lake (south-west of the old quarter), take Le Thai To Street with the lake on your left and walk for about five minutes. You will see AZM’s blue sign on the right after about five minutes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30382 Calls to most countries cost an incredible 1,500 dong a minute (compared with about 5,000 from Vietnamese SIM cards and 20,000 from travel agencies), and to ring the US or Canada it's even cheaper.
Be warned though, the owner doesn't keep too strictly to the advertised 8am-10pm opening hours. I was caught out as early as 6.30pm as he'd obviously decided to knock off early.
But if you catch it open, you'll be able to natter to your heart's content without your call costing the earth.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30382 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30380 Puku is advertised as ‘Western owned and operated’. While this might be the main appeal for some, for me its principal attraction is the fact it’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s spacious and stylish, and the dim lighting and chilled ambiance make Puku a very pleasant place to forget the time and relax in this sometimes chaotic city. The other day I accidently stayed till sunrise after failing to notice the clock was ticking.
The crowd is mostly Western (both expats and backpackers) with a few trendy young Vietnamese folk too.
Large bottled beers go for 25.000 dong (less than £1). The food is also reasonably priced.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30329 I just did the leg from Sapa to Hanoi in a bus and hardly slept a wink. The road is terrible for a lot of the journey. I spent at least the first half trying not to be thrown around, which is hardly conducive to a good night's kip.
I was also uncomfortably close to the man next to me. It was hard not to move without touching him, and I felt very hemmed in.
While I'm usually OK with long coach trips, in this case I'd definitely opt for the slightly-more-expensive sleeper train!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29462 I bought glasses here which have served me well for almost a year (and still counting). It took them half a day to make them up for me and they cost around £15 including the lenses (to my prescription).
You need to have your prescription with you of course!
Its a complete mish-mash of frames, some of which are in bad shape. However, you can find some really different styles here and quite 'retro' looking things which haven't been touched in years!
I also bought glasses at a smarter looking place around the corner from here - these have been brilliant too but they are more generic and the kind of thing you could buy in the UK. The glasses I bought from Tiem Kinh Thuoc are unique as well as functional.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29166 Not the most comfortable journey, but the appeal of locally endorsed Thap Ba Hot Springs in Nha Trang, Vietnam is well worth a winding, bumpy bicycle ride.
Relax in wooden bathtubs full with hot mineral mud, or share a larger pool with your pals, enjoy wonderfully warm and refreshing hot waterfall showers. In case you hadn’t chilled out enough, feel free to unwind further in soothing thermal mineral water baths, hour long massages for less than a fiver and an outdoor heated swimming pool, all whilst admiring the backdrop of eucalyptus trees, striking tropical flowers and an on-site lake. Still not enough? The pristine beaches of Nha Trang are merely a stone’s throw away.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29166 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29099 On your way back call into the ancient Ponagar Cham Towers and watch Cham dancing, have a marvellous view of the city and catch the afternoon breeze. Smile and sleep well, not all of Vietnam is hectic!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28695 The village itself is so beautiful. Little alleys, brick walls, small houses, a little ferry (which is made from concrete!) took us across the river. Lively life in the village and on a dry day you can see villagers drying their fresh rice paper everywhere in the village, which makes stunning photo opportunities! Don't miss this village!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28283 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28283 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28239 The food is brilliant and served in reasonable portion. We thoroughly enjoyed the spring roll and tuna coated in tamarind sauce. All for $7.5 per person! For drink we went for tropical storm and i must say it's amazing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28239 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27928
Hue's cuisine is rich, but one of the most striking differences is the prominence of vegetarianism in the city. Several all-vegetarian restaurants are scattered in various corners of the city to serve the locals who have a strong tradition of eating vegetarian twice a month, as part of their Buddhist beliefs.

You can take a cruise along the Perfume River, eating some local cuisine, and listening to Nha Nhac Royal Music - one of the best ways to enjoy views of this classical, mysterious city!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27928 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27372 Be prepared to get up early if you want to miss the busses and catch the magical sunrise over the ruins. Birds and butterflies a plenty, but don't expect the ruins to rival Angor Wat in size or splendour. These monuments seem much more intimate and simply rise out of the jungle mist in an almost mystical manner.
As in a number of places close to the old demilitarised zone, it is best to use a guide as there may still be unexploded ordnance off the paths.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26630 Exploring the old city is fun and rewarding, restored buildings galore and a sense of timelessness prevails.
If you fancy the beach to escape the sun it's only a few minutes away.
I also recommend the Dai Long hotel for a well priced budget place to stay that is clean and well managed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26630