Finally, here is the long-awaited update from Southeast Asia! My flight from DC to Hanoi was just over 20 hours, with a brief layover in Singapore. Singapore airport was full of surprises – complete with a lush butterfly garden, petite koi ponds surrounded by lilies, stationary stores, and dessert shops. We even found a napping area with comfy chairs. Why can’t all airports be this exciting?
On my return flight, I have almost a full-day layover in Singapore, and I’m looking forward to exploring the city. If you have any recommendations for food/shopping/neighborhoods, please let me know!
I love my mustard yellow (15-1062) Pantone passport holder and comfy color block shoes.
Butterfly garden
And finally, Hanoi:
Hoan Kiem Lake
The best thing about summer work abroad is that I have a few weeks of free time to travel after my work contract ends. I’ve been checking Coop holiday for travel packages. Indonesia and Thailand are on top of the list for this region, but we are leaning towards traveling down the coast of Vietnam. I’ve always wanted to visit Hoi An and Hue!
I just read that Vietnam is the world’s second happiest country, based on life expectancy, happiness, and environmental sustainability. There’s so much nature and old architecture in Hanoi. Despite the urban setting, the lifestyle here is really laid back (especially in comparison to Shanghai and New York) and the food is amazing. I’m learning more food vocabulary each day, so I can order at most street noodle shops and restaurants. And of course, I’m saving up all the mealtime photos for a big post dedicated to Vietnamese food.
looks like a wonderful trip
pho was a delight to eat almost every day when I visited vietnam 4 years back!
I think I’ve been eating pho (or at least noodles) almost every day here, too!
Oh you had a stopover in Singapore? I’m really proud of my country’s airport too, heehee.
Have a good life in Hanoi!
It was such a perfect layover that I’m already looking forward to my next one!
Hanoi looks like a nice, peaceful place, I’m definitely hope to visit it when I next go to Vietnam!
Here are some great food / shopping recommendations for Singapore if you’re looking for something that’s a little off the beaten track:
http://notabilia.wordpress.com/tag/singapore-shopaholic/
http://thisisnaive.com/?page_id=259
Thanks for the recommendations! Thisisnaive is such a lovely blog, I was definitely thinking of checking her lo-fi guide.
Amazing! I’ve heard of quite a few people moving to Vietnam as US ex-pats – even Anthony Bourdain was looking at properties last year! I hope you have a great time!
So fabulous.
I can’t wait to hear more about your time here. And your pictures, as always, are stunning!
Sweet! can’t wait to see the foodie pics! These are fabulous as always. You guys seems to be have a great time, have fun on the next part of your journey
can´t wait to see more of your pics and know more about the food of that region! (yes, another food lover here
)
glad everything´s going great
have a beautiful week!
much love,
stella
Ahhh you and your traveling photos, i feel so envious! i can’t wait to gradiate and just explore first
hahah funny, i love singapore’s airport too. I used to run all over the place when i was little.
I hear vietnam is very beautiful, a couple of my friends just visited the place and it’s so cheap. I’m form indoenesia, if you’re going there you can ask me for recommended places
there’s more beautiful places than just bali!! weeh i can’t wait for food photos
ooooh the hamamelis flowers are so pretty!!! it looks like such a wonderful and meditative place to be.. have a great time there!
Check out my friends blog for singapore recommendations!
http://travelingtomatoes.blogspot.com/
Hope you have a nice rest of your trip. your photos look amazing as always
Yes, yes, yes for more Vietnam pics, I’ve been loving seeing them every day. It really seems like you’ve been having a lovely time there (yay for it being the second happiest country!) and I can’t wait to hear/see more about your time there xx
your fotos have so beautiful colors!
i made a small trip through them!
wow, that looks amazing !
I’ve never been to vietnam before and it certainly looks interesting through your lens ! and happy that you’ll have a little time to explore singapore ! here’s a few quick suggestions off hand. looking forward to reading all about your post on singapore soon !
* hawker centres (lau pa sat/ maxwell food centre/ chinatown smith street food centre are plausible options that are centrally located) for a cheap, singaporean meal. what to eat: local favorites such as yong tau foo, satay, hainanese chicken rice, bak kut teh, rojak, mee rebus, mee siam, roti prata, murtabak, char kway teow, fried hokkien mee and ice kacang (dessert !!)
* no. 5 emerald hill, a gorgeously decorated cocktail bar off orchard road, is perfect for a drink (or two) and the peranakan shophouses in the vicinity are worth checking out too
* haji lane/ kampong glam area for a dose of malay culture, mosques and more shophouses of a different kind
* ang siang hill/ club street area, as featured here: http://tinyisland.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/exploring-ann-siang-hill-and-club-street/
Can’t wait to see more pictures of your trip! Your always leaving me hungry and wanting more, with or without food picture
You know, I need to do what you do and try and explore Asia more but find work at the same time. This sounds AND looks like such an awesome combination. I’m mega jealous of all the food you’ve been consuming out there and also the gorgeous scenery.
sewon! i adoooore you’re color blocking shoes, where are they from?? looking forward to your blogpost about food! maybe even a recipe? take care!
Love your shoes! Where they from?