An early start for My Son.

April 18, 2017April 18, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

4am and the house was stirring with alarms going off and dragging us from our beds. By 4.30am we were in the bus with a few other sleepy travellers.

The trip to My Son took about an hour and it was peaceful to pass through little villages as the locals woke up and started their day. We saw men and woman riding bicycles and carrying produce to and from markets, women cooking and sweeping and going about their daily business.

Mỹ Sơn (Vietnamese pronunciation: [mǐˀ səːn]) is a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa (Chiêm Thành in Vietnamese).[1][2] The temples are dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva, known under various local names, the most important of which is Bhadreshvara.

It was beautiful and cool as we walked from the bus along the path to the temple site. Not the size or grandeur of Ankor Wat but impressive in its own way. Our guide, a sweet young Vietnamese man was quietly spoken and very hard to understand. It made listening difficult and as we moved through the temple site and the heat of the day arrived we started to tune out.

By 8.30 we were back in the bus and drove half way back to Hoi An before transferring to a boat for the remainder of the journey. It was cool and peaceful on the river

We stopped at a little island close to Hoi An and spent some time walking along the shady lanes visiting the various craftsmen working on their craft. No hard sell from them, thank goodness, but that made us want to buy a few simple gifts for home I bought a fan. Those of you who know me would remember I’m a ‘fan of a fan’

The boat stopped on the island at Hoi An and we stopped for a coffee at the cargo bar before heading back to our Thanh Lau Homestay.

Trinh was waiting with a beautiful lunch – today was a seafood noodle salad with extra prawns and mussels and of course a plate of delicious fruit. Washed down with a local crisp white wine we were more than ready for our afternoon nap.

Our lunch spot at the home stay.

This evening we are heading back to Hoi An to browse the shops and have a cool glass of ‘something delicious ‘ and listen to some music .

On the road to Hoi An

April 18, 2017April 18, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

Hanging out in airports is the down side of travel. And the 5 hours spent in KL airport was no exception.

It did give us a chance to chat and laugh and prepare for our holiday.

We met up with Di who flew in from Sydney and was rested after her night in the airport hotel.

Our flight left on time and I had a little man next to me who was wildly excited to look past me and out the window…… for the whole trip. At one point I had to ask him to back away!

We were met on arrival at Danang and driven to Hoi An about half an hour away. The beach front was blocked with buildings. Resort after resort are being built along the water and is changing the landscape and the atmosphere of what was a little village.
Trinh, our hostess at the home stay was waiting to greet us and after allocating our rooms gave us a beautiful lunch. Spring rolls and a delicious noodle soup followed by fruit. She knows how to spoil her guests and at $19 US a night is a bargain.

The home stay house is a three story pink house typically of Vietnam. I’m on the 3rd floor up forty steps. It’s huge room, traditionally decorated.

Each of us has our own room and share a bathroom between two rooms. It’s the typical open shower style so common here and in Cambodia.

We needed a little after lunch sleep in the heat of the day before our 4pm meeting with Trinh to talk about clothes we might have made. In an earlier life Trinh, a human pint sized dynamo ran a fabric and tailor shop. Perfect!

We laugh and chatted and then headed off to a fabric shop. It was an Aladdin cave of fabrics. We sorted and encouraged each other as we selected some beautiful silk and cotton fabrics from the hundreds of designs on offer.

Trinh guided us with military precision and before we knew it we were packed up and heading to Hoi An old town for drinks.

Hoi An is charming and known as the lantern city for good reason. There are hundreds of lanterns all over the town.

We found a lovely verandah and settled in with chilled white wine and fresh spring rolls to recover from the fabric overload.

Phew. What a first day. We were exhausted so headed back to the Thanh Luan Homestay for some well deserved sleep.

Tomorrow we have a 4.30am pick up to visit My Son, a site of ancient ruins from the Cham Empire.

A mini break in Vietnam

April 16, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

A year ago my mahjong friend Linda suggested a trip to Vietnam. ‘Cheap fares’ she said. Who can resist a short break with girlfriends in an exotic place. So we promptly booked. Five of us. Sadly Shelly can’t make it so we are now four.

A year later the date has finally arrived. I had almost forgotten about it with so much happening in my life. But here I am in the Air Asia lounge in Kuala Lumpur waiting for our connecting flight to Hoi An.

We are having 4 nights in a homestay called the Thanh Luan. Linda is good friends with Trinh the owner after staying there many times. Trinh will look after us and even organise to have some clothes made for us!

Following that we go on the train to Hue then back to a more resort style hotel in Hoi An.

The experience started with an Air Asia flight from the Gold Coast. A new experience for me. A no frills cheap flight which turned out to be much better than first imagined. Mind you I was lucky in my seat selection. We had chosen down the back of the plane where there were about 10 rows of just 2 seats and a wider aisle. Luckily I had no one next to me.

So with no distractions of food, drinks etc we settled in after our 10.30pm take off and with eye mask on, ear plugs in I managed to get some sleep. It’s a ‘do it yourself’ flight. No pillows, blankets masks, water, entertainment. You supply your own or pay extra. So knowing this I was well prepared.

We’re now in the Air Asia lounge. Yes, you pay extra for it ( about $20) but it’s quiet, has showers, food, coffee some comfy seats and few people, so is a good place to hang out and wait for our flight to Danang.

I’m about to test the shower and starting to feel relaxed. It was hard dragging myself away from Easter at Caloundra where the weather was great. But a new adventure awaits.

Keep reading and you’ll find out about four 60+ ladies on vacation.

On the Road in New Zealand

March 21, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Kia ora. Well we have experienced that feeling for sure. What is about the wandering Wilsons? They are life’s friendly people.

This morning Chris went for a short photo opportunity on the golf course outside our villa. He was missing quite some time and we went out looking and there he was chatting away to the only other person within a 1 kilometre radius! Jill and I pondered how they came to meet in a deserted golf course.
Chris claims he was approached as he took a photo and suddenly he had a new best friend. He knew all about him and his business I. After ten mins talk!

The Villa was great. Situated on a golf course with views to the sea. Was so peaceful and quiet and I could have stayed a week

After check out – now that’s another story! We drove to Kaitaia for morning coffee and searched the Main Street for an appropriate cafe. It was narrowed down – due to no other place – to one called The Sh_t Hot Cafe. That will do we thought. With a name like that it’s sure to be ………. Sh_t good.

It was great. Lovely coffee and lovely people. Especially in the toilets. I was in the only toilet with Jill waiting just outside and heard someone come in and the next minute I could hear chatting.

I came out and found Jill smiling and chatting and looking at wedding photos.

Of course she ducked in and I was left to hear about the granddaughter’s wedding – in a tree! And the sobbing grandfather. Jill’s new best friend! So friendly here in New Zealand.

The things you see along the way ……. the fire station in one small town was opposite a business called The Fryer Station Cafe! ( See pictures below) The chooks at the river edge clucking around us while we waited for the river crossing ferry, the selection of fun cars and vans participating in the Charity Bash, the green rolling hills, the car with the bumper sticker “If you love Jesus honk‘ then underneath in smaller writing ‘ Text while driving if you want to meet him!’ , another one Drink, Drive and Die.

The many kilometres of little timber fence posts, the unpronounceable place names, a little cemetery with lots of flowers out in the middle of no-where, the new looking signs to schools that are closed and best of all the great roads! All make travelling in this beautiful country interesting and fun.

Talking of unpronounceable place names. Our friend David Parker said it was easy. Pronounce all the vowels as they are and make all Wh words ( there are a lot) sound like a F…. have a go. Whangaroa is Fangaroa: Whangarei is Fangarei. You get the idea.

Back onto the road through the greenery towards the Kauri forest with a short stop for lunch at Opononi. We also got advice and booked our accommodation for tonight. The Old Post Office in Paparoa.
About 25 minutes south we stopped at NZ’s oldest Kauri tree. It is over 2000 years old. The boys were enthralled. Steve renamed it. He said it was a Big Whukka of a Tree’. ( refer back to my ‘ how to pronounce’ guide earlier!)
Almost at the Post Office B&B where we’ll let Chris be in charge , after his years working at Australia Post.
Our B&B turned out to be great. I’m heading for the feather bed right now! Deb our hostess is a very funny lady and the place is packed with old tea cups, books and bric a brac.

Dinner was at the hotel the Thirsty Tui. It’s a ‘gastro pub’. Very nice dinner – not to mention the wine!

Such fun travelling with the Wandering Wilsons.

Kia ora : hello in Maori

March 20, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 3 Comments

Last night was like sleeping on a boat in a little ship’s cabin. Our cosy room was indeed cosy but so comfortable. We woke to foggy skies and a feeling our trip around the Bay of Islands was going to cloudy and foggy.

Breakfast was in the old fashioned dining room and Steve was most upset that bacon and eggs were off the menu as it was Monday!

Down the wharf by 9am we waited in the quiet of the misty morning.

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The boat started in Paihia and arrived at Russell for us and another couple and as it drew close we could see it was crowded. Turns out there were nearly 270 people on board. So we scored an inside seat. 😬Not so bad as we were able to move around and catch the sights. And there were a lot of sights to see.

This area is magnificent. The Bay of Islands lives up to its name There are 140 island 88 of which are genuine Islands all shapes and sizes with vegetation and animal life living happily together. And very few people.

We headed north and before too long came across a pod of dolphins playing and feeding. They put on quite a show, circling the boat and drawing ‘ohhs’ and ‘arhs’ from the crowd on the boat.

We headed off across the Bay towards a really pretty island with a blue lagoon and rippling waves. I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful spot for a swim trek. I’ll be emailing Simon and suggesting it!

We motored towards the famous Hole in the Rock. It’s wonderful. Everyone rushed to the side of the boat and I thought we might tip! But our funny Maori captain had it all under control.

We couldn’t go through the hole. Too much swell. Sensible but sad I say.

Along we went past some more islands before stopping for a lunch! We had our bananas – we’d been carting them around for at least a day so thought it was time to eat them. We were saving ourselves for our return and a a late lunch of famous Mangonui fish and chips. We had 30 mins to walk up to a lookout and it was worth the climb. Views both ways across the many islands that make up these Bay of Islands.

Back on the boat we arrived back in Russell by 1 and set off with a coffee in hand for Mangonui and a fish and chips.

Only a little detour along the way. The Stone Store in Keri Keri which has been operating since 1830. It’s set in the most beautiful grounds of what used to be a Mission Station.

Finally time for ‘fush an’ chups’ at a well organised little shop sitting alongside the Bay. What a hit! We inhaled our delicious hapuka, a local white fish along with our choice of chips – fat , thin or hand cut!

Finally we finished lunch by 4.30 and headed to the nearest supermarket for our cheese, biscuits & wine to go with the prawns we bought for our late supper tonight. We always have food on our mind.

Our room tonight , despite being the same cost as cosy room last night is actually a 3 bedroom villa at Peppers resort on the KariKari peninsula. It’s gorgeous. We started with a swim in the infinity pool before freshing up and having an aperitif on the verandah at sunset. Around 7.45pm.

Bliss. Tomorrow is our last night before returning on Wednesday.

Exploring the Bay of Islands

March 19, 2017March 20, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 1 Comment

What a beautiful part of the world. Today we turned left out of our hotel and crossed a bridge and entered the lovely area of Waitangi Treaty House.

Such a surprise. Such a beautiful place, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in Feb 1840. A Treaty between the Maori people and the representatives of the British Crown.

We started with breakfast in the garden cafe and chatted and ate before Kim& David left for home in Auckland, a four hour drive away.

Last year a new centre was opened on these significant grounds. It’s a wonderful museum. For $40 we entered the grounds and the interactive museum. Had a tour and a cultural show. So well done.

Our guide, a rather large Maori man had a wonderful gentle approach and took us on a tour of the grounds and gave the background to the history of the signing of the Treaty. All with jokes along the way.

We walked through a small forest of trees and emerged at a lawn facing the Bay. We saw the Maori boat which seats over 100 paddlers and has an intricately carved side and end piece.

Seven smiling Maori people performed a dance and song show ending with a Haka. They became fierce. Just like the rugby players we try so hard to defeat.
Three hours later we left for Russell the small township opposite Paihia. It’s where Steve left for his 3km swim yesterday. We took a car ferry for $12.50 and drove through the green surrounds before arriving at the gorgeous little town of Russell. It had a bad reputation back in the 1800’s but is now a quiet beautiful bayside town. It has white painted wooden buildings along the road facing back to Paihai. It’s tree lined and has a lazy feel.

Our hotel, the Duke of Marlborough, is an old world place facing the water. It’s great. Our very cosy room is well appointed – we didn’t take a big room for just one night, so it’s small and cosy! But drinks on the veranda and dinner was great.

Our after dinner walk was peaceful and prepared us for the wonderfully comfortable bed.

I do love a short break holiday.

New Zealand: Perfect Paihia

March 18, 2017March 20, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 4 Comments

Who doesn’t love a mini holiday?

New Zealand is the perfect place to go for a short break. It’s an easy 3.5 hr flight from Brisbane to Auckland and in the Emirates 380 was super comfortable.

The drive from the airport to Paihia took longer! A 4 hour drive through Friday afternoon traffic before reaching the approach to the Bay of Island area, arriving just on dusk at the very pretty Paihia.

Our swim trek friends Kim and David ( from our Greece trek in 2014) were there to greet us and we headed straight out to dinner. What better to eat than fresh fish in a restaurant by the water. A few glasses of NZ wine later we walked back to our very comfortable apartment and had a great nights sleep.
I was a little nervous. I had entered the mini swim – only 300 mts but I thought it might be too cool. Lucky for me Kim brought me her old wet suit. So this morning I wrestled my way into the suit and was ready to go. Felt like a sausage in a skin but probably looked worse than that!

Steve had left earlier with Kim & David to catch the ferry to Russell just across the bay. They were then swimming back. Around 3 km. I thought it was too far or me – with out fins!

So Chris Wilson & I, supported by Jill, made our way to the beach for our mini swim. The weather was cloudy but not too cool. I felt pretty good in my wet suit!
So off we went in cool waters – but how good is a wet suit? Buoyant and warm I didn’t have any trouble swimming along the front of the beach. Except maybe for my foggy goggles.
We made it in the respectable time of 8 mins and ran up the Beach thinking “that was a bit short………. could have done more!” That’s just a warm up at squad.
We sat in the now clear blue sunny weather and listened to the prize giving. Ears picked up when we heard Ladies over 60 1st place Frances Maitland! Men’s over 60 1st place Chris Wilson. What a hoot. We had won the Gold medals.

Oh boy we couldn’t wait to tell the others when they arrived in from their 3 km swim.

We celebrated with a lovely lunch at the wharf restaurant along with Martin & Jo some swim friends from Brisbane who also happened to be here.

Rest time now! Well we are over 60!

And we have to be ready for a nice dinner out in this pristine beautiful place.

These few days will be the tonic I need after a hectic week at home. Rob & Jordan had moved in for a week – along with lots of bags. They left on Friday to begin their new adventure in New York. So I shed a few tears!
Pete and El have also signed a lease on an apartment in West End. A new start and we are so happy for them.

So life at home will settle when we return.

New Zealand here we come

March 16, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

What a few days we’ve had!

It’s been a whirlwind of family activities.

And tomorrow we head to NZ with our friends Chris & Jill Wilson to visit Kim & David Parker our buddies from the Greece swim trek back in 2014.

We went last year and Steve did a swim with them and then we had a few days in the Coramandel.

This year we are heading north of Auckland to Paihai and Russell and further north. Just 5 days. I’m supposed to be swimming but I’m a little afraid of the cool water. That sounds very wimpish I’m sure but it is NZ and we all know how cool it can be there.

So follow the blog and see if I do indeed swim.

Valparaiso.

February 19, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 2 Comments

Our last stop is the seaside city of Valparaiso.

We decided to stay here in preference to another 2 nights in Santiago. We like the sea, we’d heard about the liveliness of the city and we thought it would provide a rest before the journey home. It’s been a busy time.

Unfortunately our luggage was lost between Cusco and Santiago airport. So our late arrival turned into an even later night. Luckily for us our booked driver Carlos waited and we finally got to Valparaiso at about 2am!

Needless to say we washed the smalls!

Our hotel is beautiful and overlooks the big harbour.

We took to the streets in our only clothes and didn’t stop all day. It’s a vibrant, slightly grungy, dynamic, friendly and extremely colourful city.

Graffiti is everywhere. The city is well know for it.

I loved it.

we went on the trolley bus, the funicular, we walked we took a walking tour and finally at 6pm we sat with a gorgeous view

Then dinner and a funny night which included me dancing in the street and singing at a bar with some Germans!

Fantastic

Magical Machu Picchu

February 19, 2017 / brisbanefrannie / 5 Comments

Travelling needs to flexible.

Our plan to rise before sunrise to be at Machu Picchu (old peak) was shelved. It rained all night and there was heavy fog so we pushed our leaving time back to 7.30.
Our guide Jo Ricardo from Chimu Adventures arrived promptly and was all smiles and full of sayings. ‘The early bird catches the worm’ ‘make haste while the sun shines’ ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket ‘. It was like he’d swallowed a book of proverbs.
A brisk walk to the bus station to a very short queue and we were at the main gate when Joe announced ‘no time like the present ‘ as we entered the gate.

Right from the start I was captivated by this amazing sight. We walked with Joe for 2 and a half hours as he brought the story of the Incas alive for us.

Joe resting while we take photos

The building of this city, how the Incas lived, how potatoes were as precious as gold, the invasion of the Spanish, the customs of living in such a remote place, and the discovery by Hiram Bingham. Hiram Bingham III was an American academic, explorer and politician. He made public the existence of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in 1911.

The walk with Joe was the history part. He gave lots of information and took us to the most intact and important buildings on site. Then he left us to discover on our own.

Dressed ready for walking Including one walking stick to aid my poor knee

We were keen to go to the Sun Gate. This is the Top Gate which is the entry port for those intrepid walkers who have done the 3 night / 4 day walk up from Ollantantambo. People like our Rob and the Youngs’ and Baartz’. I have such admiration for them as it’s not an easy walk.

So Steve and I set off up hill for what we thought would be an hour walk. The path was rocky and shaded in part by vegetation and you needed to concentrate on your footing. We were passed by young groups of all nationalities. After about 35 mins of steady slow walking stopping for photos we thought we were only half way when we rounded the corner and there above us was the gate. It took about 40 mins. We actually got there before so the younger ones who tended to sit on the way up and have a break. We walked steadily!

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Was it worth the climb. Yes, yes and yes. The cloud came and went and revealed, as if by magic, the ancient city of MP below. We sat in silence on a rock overlooking this magical place thinking. It’s a special place and as the Incas thought – close to God, if that is your belief. It’s certainly a spiritual place and apart from a few noisy people every now and then it’s quiet.

We loved it. Coming down is a different walk. Going down is hard on knees but again we moved steadily. Stopping for photos of some men planting ground covers, and a posse of three spotted hens, we made it back to a shaded terrace overlooking the city of Machu Picchu. Quicker time.

The walk back from the Sun Gate

See the City of Machu Picchu behind Steve

The livestock on the track

A little more walking to the guard house.

Some photos and by 2pm we called it a day.
We would love to have climbed to mountain next to MP – Huayna Picchu. Word was it is a hard climb quite treacherous at times because of its steepness and narrow track. But if you can climb and don’t suffer vertigo then go for it. We would love to have stayed another night and go up but ………
we were satisfied.

We sat at the cafe overlooking the old city and had a beer before returning back to the hotel for a shower and the train ride back to Ollantantambo and then car to Cusco.
A late dinner with our new swim buddy friend Bill , father of Swim Trek owner Simon Murie, from London. We were exhausted but happy.
In a separate post I’ll give some suggestions of ways to plan for a visit to Machu Picchu

frans travel tales

come along with me

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