While reading the NY Times 52 Places To Go In 2020 I raised an eyebrow when I saw Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur listed as one of the featured destinations. Older KLites who have not been to Chow Kit for many years might have raised both eyebrows and popped their eyes out a bit. Chow […]
Promoting Mekong Delta tourism through cargo boat travel
Travel by cargo boat in the Mekong Delta is something I’ve been meaning to do ever since I first read about it. One trip I wanted to do was from Ben Tre to Tra Vinh. I’ve seen this way of travel mentioned in forums, and I’ve had a reader email me how he did the […]
The new Bangkok metro to Chinatown and the Old City, and future old city metro plans
Bangkok is slowly but surely building out its mass transit system to help ease its infamous traffic problems. In July 2019 the western extension of the MRT Blue Line opened, making it the first railway of any kind in the Bangkok old city area. The extension is from Hua Lamphong (the main railway station), through […]
Notes on Can Tho – Urban life in the Mekong Delta
Can Tho is the fourth-largest city in Vietnam, and it’s one of 5 cities that’s an independent municipality at the same level as a province. From a tourists perspective it’s mainly seen as the jumping off point for the Cai Rang floating market and other trips around the Mekong Delta. I’ve been to the market […]
How travel narrative blogging has changed over the last decade, and where to find great travel reads
10 years of Nomadic Notes and travel blogging in the 2010’s In February 2019 Nomadic Notes marked the tenth anniversary as a registered domain. I never got round to doing a blogiversary post (and it’s closer to 11 years now), but the passing date did get me thinking about the early days of my blog […]
Notes on Tra Vinh – Khmer temples and a tourist town that might have been
Tra Vinh is the provincial capital of Tra Ving Province, deep in the Mekong Delta region about 140 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s not on the way to anywhere unless you are going to another place even more out of the way. It’s worth a visit though if you have more time […]
Notes on Ben Tre – Coconuts and the bad-ass women of Vietnamese history
Spend time in Southern Vietnam and you’ll soon notice the prevalence of Ben Tre coconuts. This provincial variety is so well known that vendors advertise coconuts as being from Ben Tre to let you know that you are getting a premium coconut. Maybe the Ben Tre Coconut Marketing Authority has got to me, but I […]
Ben Tre Farm Stay – An easy escape from Saigon life in the Mekong Delta
Hotel Name: Ben Tre Farm Stay Address: Cai Suc Bridge, Hamlet 3, Xa Phu Nhuan, Ben Tre, Vietnam. When exploring the Mekong Delta region I suggest staying for at least some of your time at a home or farmstay. Part of the appeal of the Mekong is exploring the rural roads and the many waterways […]
Jalan Jaksa – The slow demise of Jakarta’s backpacker street
On my first trip to Indonesia in 2009 I travelled from Medan to Bali by ferry, bus, train, and plane. Midway through that trip I arrived in Jakarta with a copy of Lonely Planet Indonesia in hand. The Book directed me to Jalan Jaksa – the backpacker street of Jakarta. I don’t remember where I […]
Notes on Jakarta – Metros, moto apps, an airport train, and a giant seawall
Jakarta has been making headlines in 2019, and not always in a good way. In August the Indonesian government announced that it was planning to move the capital of Indonesia to a location in the jungles of Borneo. This news, coupled with high-profile reports that the city is sinking, has led news agencies around the […]
