40s Wanderlust Travel Blog

Tag: Activities

5 Reasons to Self Drive the Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
Self Drive the Ha Giang Loop

Driving the Hà Giang Loop by motorbike is a must-do activity for anyone travelling in Vietnam. Northern Vietnam offers stunning views as far as the eyes can see, and self-driving the infamous Hà Giang loop is an adventure of a lifetime!
- Why we recommend self driving over Easy Rider tours
- How much it costs us for a 5 day – 4 night self driving tour
- Our top tips to help you have the most amazing time at Ha Giang Loop
Ha Giang Loop- Self-drive or Easy Rider tour?

These are your 2 options once you have decided to drive the Hà Giang Loop by motorbike. Our advice? If you have an international driving license that allows you to drive a motorbike, you can easily self-drive the route. And yes, the police do check your license, we were stopped 4 times at checkpoints at different times of the day along different stretches of the loop. Don’t risk it, your motobike will be impounded if you are found to have the wrong license.

Hiring an ‘Easy Rider’ is the most common choice for travellers. These are driver guides that chauffeur you on the whole trip allowing you to relax and take in the views. You do the tour as part of a larger group with a set route, meals included, and accommodation organised in advance. These tours are very social and saves on planning time, so why would you do it any other way?

Here are our 5 reasons you should self drive the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam…

BBQ at the night market in Ha Giang

1. Save Money

Our 5-day and 4-night self-driving tour cost a total of £259 for 2 people. This included: 5 days of motorbike hire (Honda XR 150cc), fuel, accommodation, food, drinks, and snacks. The cheapest Easy Rider tour packages we found were £155 per person for 3 days and 3 nights. We stayed in en-suite private rooms and ate VERY well! You can easily do this tour on a lower budget by renting a cheaper motorbike and lower-cost homestays.

Coffee with a view- Ha Giang Loop

2. Explore at your own pace

It’s difficult to get lost on this route. By self-driving you choose how many stops to make along the way, where you want to explore, and where to spend more time. Getting a sore bum from sitting on it all day? Take a Vietnamese coffee break and admire the views! Want to spend more time in one town, book an extra night stay. We used Google Maps to navigate if needed and it worked great.

Bamboo Raft Crossing Ha Giang

3. Find the hidden gems

Explore fishing hidden away fishing villages and rice farms off the main loop. Stop at roadside food stalls to eat alongside locals. You won’t find ‘tourist prices’ here! And have you heard about the bamboo raft to cross the Nho Quế River? Due to the muddy road conditions, motorbike tours will avoid this route and use the tourist boats to cross. This is one for the more experienced motorbike riders!

Cliff of Death- Ha Giang Loop

4. Avoid the crowds

Group tours are known for their lively evenings enjoying ‘Happy Water’ and singing karaoke into the early hours. They also generally follow a set route which inevitably means the main attractions such as waterfalls can get overcrowded. Getting an early night in a quieter homestay and setting off ahead of the crowds means you could have that waterfall all to yourself!

Coffee shop owner Ha Giang Viewing Point

5. Spend time with locals

The Hà Giang Loop is not as well traveled as neighbouring Sapa in Northern Vietnam. This means businesses are usually run by locals and English is less widely spoken. With a little help from Google Translate, you have the opportunity to learn more about their way of life and support their business. This is exactly how we got to know Thào (pictured) who had recently set up a coffee shack at a viewing point on the loop. To help promote his new business we created an IG Reel to share his location and delicious coffee .

When we were looking into the pros and cons of self driving versus Easy Rider tours, we didn’t find a huge amount of useful information online. So we hope that sharing our costs, top tips, and experiences has been helpful in your research. Have an amazing time, it was truelly one of the best experiences of our month long trip across Vietnam!
October 31, 2024
Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur: A Quick Guide
Inside the Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves Malaysia

Visiting the Batu Caves for the first time?

We share our experience with you. This is all you need to know to prepare for your half day visit to the Batu Caves, and yes it is worth going!
- How to get to the Batu Caves
- The number of steps at Batu Caves
- What to wear
- How much time to spend there, opening times & tickets
- The Batu Cave Monkeys
How to get to the Batu Caves

It was raining heavily the morning we went, so we took a taxi using the ‘Grab’ app. It took 25 minutes from our hotel in the city centre and cost around 45 Ringgits (MYR) approximately £7.50.

There is a train station right next to the Batu Caves which takes you directly to the city centre. We took the train back for 2.5 Ringgits each, that’s around 85 pence for 2 people! The train only runs every 30 minutes and takes 35 minutes to reach the city centre. If you’re on a limited budget and time your visit with the train times, this is your best option!

No. of Steps:

There are 272 steps to climb so it’s not one for people with bad knees! You don’t have to be an avid hiker to get to the top, there is plenty of space for you to rest along the way, watch the monkeys play, and turn around to admire the stunning views of the city below.

There is no other way to get to the top! It takes around 15 minutes.

What to wear:

Where light clothing that covers your shoulders and down to your knees. You are entering a religious site. Bring a shawl to cover up of needed, or rent one from at the entrance to the cave.

It was raining heavily when we went so we wore rain jackets. It can get a bit hot in the cave, so thin layers are best!

How much time you need, Opening hours and Tickets
- We spent approximately 2 hours there, so including travel time it’s easily done in half a day.
- The Batu Cave is open from 6am to 9pm.
- The lesser known Ramayana Cave (separate entrance) is open 9am to 6.30pm, there is 10 Ringgit per person entry fee. The Dark Cave is now permanently closed to visitors.
- No tickets are needed, just turn up! It’s free to enter but leave a donation if you have the means to.
The Batu Cave Monkeys

An attraction in themselves! The Batu Cave Monkeys are lots of fun to watch, especially on your way up to the top. They roam freely and are very used to being around people.
You may have heard the monkeys can attack people or steal food, we did not see this happen but it’s best to be cautious and avoid eating near them or approaching them. They are wild animals after all!

Batu Cave Monkey Mama and Baby

Your top 3 tips for a great visit:

We had a lovely time at the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur and would recommend it to anyone wanting to escape the busy city for a while.

Our 3 top tips for making your trip a better one:

1) It’s best to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon if it’s due to be a hot day. The rain can make the steps slippery so wear shoes with a good grip!

2) Use the toilet before you go up the steps, the only public facilities are on the ground level.

3) Water and snacks are available from the food vendors on the site and next to the train station, so you won’t go hungry. (Just remember to avoid eating near the cheeky monkeys!)
May 1, 2024
The Meteora Monasteries, Greece
The Meteora Monasteries are the ‘miracle of Greece’. The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air” and brilliantly describes the way these Greek Orthodox Monasteries seem to balance on the cliff edges. When visiting this bucket-list Unesco World Heritage site, most visitors base themselves at the nearest town, Kalabaka.

We visited these impressive rock formations of Meteora when holidaying in nearby Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, combining the beach holiday with a dose of mountain air away from the bright lights of the big city.

1. Getting to the Meteora Monasteries

The closest international airport is Thessaloniki. It is possible to get a bus or train from Thessaloniki to Meteora however we hired a car for the duration of our trip. We would recommend this too if you are traveling independently as it comes in handy when visiting the vast site that unfolds before you.

Driving from Thessaloniki to Meteora is easy, it took us around 3 hours but we chose a scenic route to see more of the countryside. A satnav is necessary if you are going off-highway as the country roads aren’t well signposted.

2. Where we stayed

Hotel Meteora, in Kalampáka, was the perfect mid-range bed and breakfast for us just off the center of town. For our 2-night stay we booked the Superior Double Room which included a private bathroom. balcony and terrace, and air conditioning.

Hotel Breakfast

Breakfast was a hearty affair, served to individual tables rather than buffet style, with fresh eggs cooked to order.

The owner was extremely helpful in advising us which Meteora Monasteries to visit on the days we were in town (they open/close on different days of the week) and marking on a map the best spots to capture epic views.

He also recommended a tavern down the road for dinner as they have traditional live music playing each night. We loved the food and tavern so much that we went on both evenings of our two-night stay!

View of the Meteora Monasteries, Greece

3. Catching The Best Sunset

As you can imagine the sunsets in Meteora are epic! There are several viewing points along one of the main roads, but they do get very busy so it’s best to go early to get a good spot. We went in low season, so I can’t imagine what it would be like in high season.

Whilst we were waiting patiently for the sun to set we watched a couple in wedding outfits having a photo shoot. It was unclear whether it was for their actual wedding or whether it was a fashion shoot, either way, they would have had amazing images I’m sure!

Sunset in Meteora

The photos we took did no justice at all to the sight we saw before our eyes. It truly is a magical experience and one we will not be forgetting quickly. You really must go and see for yourself!

4. What We Ate

We very much enjoyed all the food we ate in Greece, but especially the evening meals we had at the To Paramithi – Tavern. Daryroush really enjoyed their lamb ribs and red wine, whilst I ordered a selection of hot and cold mezze plates. They have both outdoor and indoor tables, but we opted for inside as we really liked the decor and being able to watch the two guitarists strumming away and singing.

Daryoush Enjoys a Glass of Greek Red Wine

Filling Greek Lunches

Filling Greek Lunches

Lunches were at the Yamas Taverna which is a large restaurant catering to tourist coach parties on the high street. The food was good, the staff attentive, and it was great for people-watching. I enjoyed the best beetroot salad and grilled aubergines after several meat-heavy meals in previous days.

Things To Consider Before Going The Meteora Monasteries
- Make sure you book ahead for accommodation, especially in the high season, when it gets very busy and the prices will reflect demand.
- Hire a car to get around, unless you seriously love hiking up steep mountains. We did see people explore on mountain bikes too, but we found the steep steps up to the Monasteries was as much as our thighs could handle!
- Drones are banned from flying in this Unesco World Heritage Site. However, it isn’t very obvious as we didn’t spot any signage and we did fly our drone on the first day until we looked it up and realised our mistake. A few people did fly drones, so I think it is a common mistake to make when you are traveling independently and do not have a guide to advise you.
- Ladies need to be covered from the waist down when entering the Monasteries. I thought I’d be fine wearing ankle-length trousers but I still had to buy a shawl to wrap around myself. They are available at the entrances for the larger sights. To avoid the added expense, bring one with you.
Hopefully, we’ve given you a good idea of what it’s like to visit the Meteora Monasteries and you add it to your bucket list if you haven’t already done so. And if do go, let us know what your favourite part was – we’d love to hear back from you!
March 18, 2024
Hong Kong Flower Show 2023
A great way to feel at home in Hong Kong is by checking out the local events and activities. The Hong Kong Flower Show is a yearly event organised by the Leisure and Culture Services Department and takes place at Victoria Park.

Victoria Park is a public park in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai District, Hong Kong. Lots of public activities are held in this huge urban green space so it’s always worth visiting. When you are there you find families playing, sports matches such as basketball and tennis, joggers on their daily runs, and the elderly practicing Tai Chi.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2023

Our favourite displays

Bees, Butterfly and Ferris Wheel

Whales

Whales

Beach lounger fun garden

Floral display in a competition

Modern minimalists display

Having only been to UK-based flower shows, I was surprised by the variety of unusual flowers displayed. Also, the displays were much more ‘fun’ using cartoon-like characters and animals to create huge floral sculptures. What I also enjoyed about the Hong Kong Flower Show was that it wasn’t overly commercialised. In UK flower shows, the majority of the space is taken up by stalls trying to sell overpriced goods like barbeque sets!

The flower show from afar

Pheonix display

It is an incredibly popular activity, so be prepared for crowds and patiently wait for your turn to take a photo. This year, the theme was “Bliss in Bloom”, with the impressive Hydrangea as the theme flower.

Admission Fee: Adults rate HKD 14 (£1.40) or Concessionary rate HKD 7 (0.70 pence) and get tickets at the kiosk or tap in with your Octopus Card.

Our Top FiveTips
1. Take some water and light snacks with you. There are a few stalls inside the show but they mostly sell packaged food souvenirs rather than street snacks.
2. There are lots of very cheap flowers to purchase. I saw many people buying huge orchids for HKD 10 (that’s £1!!!)
3. There are not many places to sit and rest or get shade, so be prepared on very hot days. We were lucky as it was overcast when we went.
4. Visit at quieter times, it is open from 9 am to 9 pm. Weekends are the busiest and try to go early morning or before sunset.
5. There is a daily timetable of activities including talks, performances, children’s games, and competitions. The timetable can be found at the entrance.
March 25, 2023
Cartmel in Cumbria: Top Things To Do, See, And Eat!

Planning a weekend getaway to Cartmel Village in Cumbria? This is my guide to the top things to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Cartmel.

The Medieval village of Cartmel has a rich heritage, activities for visitors, and a thriving food scene to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a weekend or overnight stay, I share my best finds and practical tips for a memorable trip!

40th Birthday Celebrations!

This overnight break in Cumbria, just outside the Lake District National Park, was a surprise trip for my big birthday! My amazing cousin organised and planned the whole weekend, and managed to keep it all a huge secret right until the morning we set off. A few weeks before, I received a cryptic invitation card in the post telling me to ‘pack for all weather and something smart/casual for dinner’. So if that doesn’t ignite your curiosity, whatever will?!!

I absolutely loved the whole weekend so the list below is in no way a ranking, but a personal list of highlights and treasured memories…

1. Where we stayed

L’Enclume – famous for its three Michelin-starred restaurants also has lovely bed and breakfast accommodation in Cartmel Village within short walking distance of their restaurant. They have the option of double rooms or suites, which breakfast at their one Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant Rogan & Co. in the morning, and you are guaranteed a table at L’Enclume in the evening. They also have the option for a ‘stay and dine’ at Rogan & Co.

The room was beautifully decorated, understated, and classic. Special attention was paid to preserving original features and spotlighting local crafts from the woodwork to the furniture and the toiletries.

Breakfast at Rogan & Co

2. L’Enclume

We dined at the three Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Simon Rogan, and what an experience it was! I don’t regularly dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, but if I could more often then I would. I am totally here for the experience and to savor every bite.

I’m going to write another post specifically for L’Enclume so I won’t say too much here. But what I do want to share with you is that it is worth it! For me, it was a special birthday treat and truly a memorable experience that I will talk about with fellow foodies for years to come. In the meantime here are the desserts described on the menu as ‘Marigold, sack, verbena, mint stones’.

Desserts at L’Enclume

3. Cartmel Village and The Priory

Cartmel village is very easily walkable and there is a variety of activities and places to spend time depending on what floats your boat.

We arrived mid-morning so stopped into a cute tea room to get a brunch of homemade scones and tea. There are several cafes and pubs in the village to choose from, each with their unique menus showcasing British classic foods.

Our post-brunch wander around the village took us to the cute Cartmel Village Hall where a craft market was taking place. The stalls were a mixture of handmade cards from upcycling old materials to traditional wooden children’s games and hand-thrown pottery. I picked up a deck of playing cards in the theme of the Fungi Kingdom (I’m obsessed!) and then it was time for check-in!

Cartmel Village, Cumbria

Another highlight on our village walks that weekend included a gander around the famous Cartmel Priory.

People from all around the world make pilgrimages to the Priory for prayer and worship. Unfortunately, the church had closed to the public when we were there so we couldn’t go inside but we did have to look at all the old tombstones in the surrounding cemetery and try to find the oldest one. A place of legends, myths, and stories, the Priory has a history and heritage dating back 680 AD and is a fine example of stunning architecture with renovations taking place over the centuries.

Cartmel Priory

4. Massage

After checking in to our accommodation, we headed to Park Lane Cartmel, a day spa and beauty salon, for a relaxing massage. The therapists were so friendly and professional and gave wonderful massages tailored to our little niggles and knots. No photos to share but I would highly recommend visiting the salon if you are looking for a way to wind down in an instant!

5. Segway Tour

Lakeland Segway

There is a choice of outdoor activities in Cartmel, from easy walking trails along the river to Segway with Lakeland Segway. I cannot tell you how much fun this was as I’d never tried this before. The company is based at the village car park where there is a practice area so you can learn the basic maneuvers and build your confidence before your group goes off into the surrounding fields and woodlands to enjoy the village sites in tandem.

Full training is given by the experienced group leaders and is very suited to beginners of a nervous disposition! This was a totally new experience for me but within minutes I was going backward at pace (they tell you not to do that!)

6. L’Enclume Farm

We almost missed out on this experience, so make sure you don’t! A visit to L’Enclume’s Farm. Our Farm, located 1 mile away from the village and is a real highlight of this Cartmel weekend. It’s an option for anyone who dines in the restaurant and you get a farm tour with the passionate Farm Manager, John, who works cosley with Simon Rogan to plan the growing seasons with the restaurant in mind. As someone that has worked on an urban farm and is passionate about growing, I cannot tell you how special this experience was for me.

Our Farm’s concept is to “strengthen the link between our food, its development and the environment, and to further develop the relationship between cooking and growing”. Exactly the ethos behind the community food-growing projects we find across the UK.

Their year-round growing methods allow them the flexibility and productivity needed to ensure that their restaurant kitchens have locally produced and easily accessible produce that the chefs also take part in farming themselves. John explained to us that by growing everything themselves, they have better more control over the ingredients they use and are less vulnerable to any supply chain issue.

For anyone interested in growing food, this is a must-do activity. I also left with a little piece of the farm to take home when I plucked up the courage to ask John for some of their homegrown Japanese mint to grow in my garden! A souvenir that money can’t buy and one enjoyed for many years to come…

Our Farm Manager John packing Japanese Mint for me to take home

7. Where to Park

Parking was easy and very close to the center of the village. Parking in the village can be found by several bays directly outside the Priory, and by a large serviced pay and display car park on the edge of the Racecourse.

Finals words

If quaint English villages with good food and fun activities are your thing, go to Cartmel! Combine it with a longer visit to the neighbouring Lake District National Park or for a short break. There is still plenty more to explore that I haven’t written about in this post but that just means you need to go and see it for yourself. Last tip I’m going to leave you with, don’t forget to pick up a sticky toffee pudding from the village shop before you leave. You’re welcome!
[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?q=cartmel&t=m&z=10&output=embed&iwloc=near&w=425&h=350]

March 18, 2023