November 12, 2020
My first book in more than four years has been published on Amazon. If you’re curious about what it’s like to start a new life in a developing Asian country as a single expat woman of a “certain age”, this book will tell all, including: – what it’s really like to live in Vietnam – expat jobs, particularly freelancing –…
June 11, 2020
An expat tells why being a foreigner in a foreign land wasn’t a good thing in the midst of a global pandemic I’ve been based in Hanoi, Vietnam for almost four years, and as an expat, I’ve neither seen nor experienced anything like the xenophobia among the local Vietnamese — towards foreigners — that has occurred as a result of the coronavirus. For one…
March 12, 2020
Travel in the time of Coronavirus Coronavirus and travel visa updates are changing constantly. Vietnam visa regulations are updated as new outbreaks are identified, so stay informed!
March 10, 2020
An honest conversation about expat anxiety Let’s have an honest conversation about expat anxiety and depression. When you live alone in a foreign country with no family support, things can get tough. I experienced no anxiety or depression before moving to Hanoi in 2016. Well, that’s not exactly true. I’ve had a few anxious moments — sometimes days and weeks…
February 18, 2020
Freelancing in Vietnam Thinking about jumping on the bandwagon and freelancing in Vietnam, or using the country as a base if you’re a digital nomad? In this post, I’ll tell you the one thing you absolutely, positively need to know if you want to be a freelancer in Vietnam — and it’s the one thing that no one tells you.…
February 13, 2020
These cruising tips and essentials are based on my experience. Cruising may be right for you, but it might not. The #1 thing to think about before booking your cruise is your health. When I cruised with Holland America in 2012, I learned many things about cruising that weren’t really explained in the travel brochures or guide books. Even the…
February 12, 2020
I’m a big fan of inspirational quotes, especially inspirational quotes about travelling alone. Here are my 12 all-time favourite solo travel quotes — and I’d love to hear yours. Also I’d love to hear about how travelling alone had changed your life — good, bad and ugly. Comment below, or email me! If you love these quotes and want to…
February 6, 2020
I have a confession to make. At 53 years of age, I had never lived outside Australia. I’d raised my daughter as a single parent and, well, had neither the time, money or inclination to move overseas. Hell, I didn’t even start travelling internationally until I was 47. The first country I visited? Vietnam. When I was in my twenties,…
January 28, 2020
Why did I visit Luang Prabang? Hanoi has not been kind to me for a while. For more than a week I’d been battling a slight cold (sneezing and ticklish throat) that morphed into a super shitty virus. No, it wasn’t the Novel Coronavirus, but someone did cough without covering their mouth as they walked past me at the gym…
January 3, 2020
Getting around Hanoi like a local Despite first appearances (crazy traffic, anyone?) and more than 9 million people, Hanoi is a relatively easy city to get around. Transportation — especially modes that are used by locals — is cheap and convenient. Even taxis, which can be pricey in other countries, are surprisingly cost effective in Hanoi, and Vietnam in general.…
January 1, 2020
One of the best times of the year to visit Hanoi, Vietnam is in autumn — October through to December. The days are warm, with plenty of sunshine and the nights are cool. Rain is rare, and if it does come, it doesn’t hang around for long. Maybe an afternoon, or a few hours in the evening. Hanoi, unlike Saigon…
December 19, 2019
Back in September, I did a three-day film course. It was aimed at photographers, but I was the only photographer there. To cut a long story short it was terrible (so terrible that PayPal gave me a refund) but I did get out and about and shoot some film. The Quang Ba Flower Market is a hive of activity from…
December 7, 2019
Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Better Homes & Garden’s Tastebud Traveller podcast, giving listeners a taste of Vietnam, like a local. I’ve lived in Hanoi since the end of 2016, and I’m always up for chatting about my experiences, insight and — of course — offer up my insider tips. I share the spotlight with…
November 30, 2019
Going vegan in Vietnam The Vietnamese are a nation of meat-eaters. Pork, beef, chicken, duck and other meats (you don’t want to know) feature in most dishes. Old wives tales and superstitions abound, where it is considered positively unhealthy if you don’t eat meat at every meal. True story! Despite this, younger Vietnamese — and some older folk — are…
November 26, 2019
Why you should always travel with a sarong There are literally 101 uses for a sarong — other than as an item of clothing or a beach cover up. Watch the video for cool ways to wear one, and scroll down for tips from solo female travellers who always travel with a sarong. It is such a versatile item! When…
November 24, 2019
It’s surprisingly easy to be vegetarian in Hanoi Around five years ago, while I was still in Australia, I phased beef and lamb out of my diet. Pork (no more Soonta salads) went three years ago — just before I came to Hanoi. Duck, which I also loved, disappeared from my plate two years ago (mainly because it’s so bony…
November 24, 2019
Where to take the best photographs in Hanoi How to to find the best spots in Hanoi to take stunning photos for your Instagram, with a map and insider tips to help you create beautiful pictures. No filter required! I have been in Hanoi for nearly three years and it is a vibrant, bustling city brimming with unique photography opportunities…
June 19, 2019
As a solo female traveller, it is important to feel supported while you travel to new and exciting destinations. I remember my first international trip — to Vietnam — and how nervous I was. Because I was travelling alone, I had no idea about immigration processes or airport security, or long haul travel, let alone what to do when I…
June 17, 2019
When I travel alone, people often ask me: don’t you get lonely? To which I reply: absolutely not! Far from it. There are always people to chat to, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes. Being an English speaker means that I get to speak to people from all over the world — travellers like myself — some…
June 14, 2019
Everyone knows that travel is good for your health — mental, spiritual, emotional. You name it. Your brain is at its most creative when you are processing new environments and situations, having to problem solve. In a country where you don’t speak or read the language? Awesome! Trying to navigate the transport systems? Fabulous! In a supermarket and you don’t…