Browse Category

Travel

Photos and stories from many of my travels in the past 5 years

Vietnam: Leaving Mui Ne, returning to Ho Chi Minh City

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Nov 26, 2021
/
Travel, Vietnam

Date: 29 October 2019

After waking up very early for the sunrise tour of Mui Ne’s sand dunes, and then visiting a fishing harbour and the Fairy Stream, I was dropped back at my hotel by noon.

After unloading my camera gear and washing up, I stepped out to have an early lunch as I barely had much for breakfast.

Seaside restaurants Mui Ne Vietnam — I sat down at a seafood restaurant just across from my hotel

It was one of those places where fresh seafood was on display, customers pick what they want, and ask the restaurant to cook it the way you want.

Grilled prawns french fries Mui Ne Vietnam — I had a slow, heavy meal of grilled prawns, fries, a small plate of cheese oysters and a beer

For 500gms of prawns, 1 x cheese oyster, 1 Saigon beer, and plate of french fries, I paid 230,000 VND (₹750/$10/€9).

I ate a hearty meal to the soothing sound of waves crashing. It was a relaxing lunch and I began to feel sleepy. I went back to my room, slept well, and only got up in the evening. There wasn’t much to do as this would be my last night in Mui Ne. So I stepped out to get a massage. I wanted to try a Vietnamese massage.

I got one at a spa nearby and it was great! The masseuse massaged me from head to toe and cost just 100,000 VND (₹320/$4.4/€3.9) for an hour.

I had a light dinner and tried a fish-shaped ice cream for dessert.

Celano taiyaki icecream Vietnam — Taiyaki is a traditional Japanese fish-shaped cake. But this is an ice cream version of it; with red-bean paste filling. It was… okay.

After doing some work, I went to sleep.

Date: 30 October 2019

I woke up early (again) and checked out of my room. It was time to leave Mui Ne and head back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Continue reading “Vietnam: Leaving Mui Ne, returning to Ho Chi Minh City” »

Vietnam: Mui Ne’s Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien)

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Oct 03, 2021
/
Travel, Vietnam

Date: 29 October 2019

I was on the final leg of my day tour in the coastal town of Mui Ne. What began at sunrise at the famous White Sands was followed up with a quick stop at the Red Sands and a fishing village, and now concluding with a stop at a water stream. Yes, a stream. Why this place was called a ‘fairy stream’ was beyond me but it made me curious.

Mui Ne road Vietnam — It was still very much ‘morning’

After we arrived at the parking area of the Fairy Stream, our guide told us we would have to take off our shoes. Sandals are allowed and fortunately, I was wearing them, so I chose to go in with my sandals on.

Entrance fairystream Mui Ne Vietnam — I don’t remember whether or not we were asked to pay an entrance fee. Even if we were, it would have been a very small amount.

Walking fairystream Phan Theit Vietnam — When I began the trek, I wondered how they managed to turn this stream of water into a tourist attraction

I just chuckled and thought to myself, “wow, well played Mui Ne authorities”. I mean, I’ve seen stream like this back in my village.

Phan Thiet river stream Vietnam — Even though the water was cool, I could walk faster on solid ground

But as I walked further along, the scenery began to change.

Continue reading “Vietnam: Mui Ne’s Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien)” »

Vietnam: Mui Ne – Red Sand dunes and Fishing Village

By Mithun Divakaran
/
Sep 13, 2021
/
Travel, Vietnam

Date: 29 October 2019

I was on my tour of Mui Ne’s famous sand dunes as part of an organized group tour. We began the tour catching the sunrise at the White Sands. Next up was the Red Sands.

Mui Ne road sand dunes Vietnam — From the White Sand dunes to the Red Sand dunes, it’s a 25 minute ride

Mui Ne red sands in the distance — Along the way, you even get a glimpse of one end of the Red Sand dunes

Mui Ne coastal highway Vietnam — We drove along some nice coastal stretches

Mui Ne is a great place to rent your own bike or car and go for a cruise. I chose not to because I didn’t wish to deal with driving in a rush to get to the sand dunes on my own to catch the sunrise. As it is I barely got any sleep. Also, when you get to the sand dunes, it’s not like you can ride any regular scooter or car on the dunes. You either need a dirt bike or an ATV. So it’s just more convenient to do this via an organized tour, of which there are many options.

Continue reading “Vietnam: Mui Ne – Red Sand dunes and Fishing Village” »