Remembering my adventures
Hi, my name is Irene Cabay. I was born and raised in the small farming community of Ardmore in north-east Alberta, Canada. I grew up on a farm and certainly did not see a lot of the world other than the neighbouring town that sold farm equipment. I have 3 great kids who all have... Continue Reading →
MARCH 5 - 10, 2026 We took a sleeper bus to TAM COC, in the province of NINH BINH. We each had our own little bed, complete with TV, charger capability, pillow and blanket. It was amazing!! We took a boat ride down the NGO DONG RIVER. There were hundreds of boats queued up, so... Continue Reading →
MARCH 3, 2026 i accidentally booked a private tour for the DMZ - Demilitarized Zone. It actually worked out better because we could stop when something caught our eye and we could ask lots of questions. We were picked up from the REX HOTEL. The first place we stopped was VINH MOC TUNNELS. These tunnels... Continue Reading →
MARCH 2, 2026 From Da Nang we went to DONG HOI. Our purpose in stopping in this area was to go to PHONG NHA CAVES and the DMZ (de-militarized zone). The train stopped in Dong Hoi and the tour was the same price whether we stayed in Phong Nha or not. Hotel prices were higher... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 28, 2026 We took a tour to HUE. It is a former Imperial Capital. The tour package included a ride on the HERITAGE TRAIN. It was a leisurely 3 hour train ride taking us through the HAI VIN PASS and along LANG CO BAY. We were lucky enough to be sitting on the right... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 27, 2026 BA NA HILLS is a nature preserve and resort complex located high in the mountains. It got its name from the numerous banana trees that once graced this area. At an elevation of 1487 m (5879 ft) above sea level, it has a cool year-round climate. The French developed this area as... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 26, 2026 Our day tour to Hoi An started with a brief stop at WATER MOUNTAIN, the largest of the five limestone peaks making up the MARBLE MOUNTAINS. It was very brief. Our guide pointed out the pagoda on Water Mountain then ushered us into the marble factory and gift shop. The traditional Buddhist sculptures were... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 25 – MARCH 1, 2026 Da Nang turned into more of a base to explore nearby areas. The one main attraction in Da Nang was the DRAGON BRIDGE. It is the world’s largest dragon-shaped steel bridge. It is 666 m (2185 ft) long, 37.5 m (123 ft)wide and has six lanes for traffic. It opened to... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 21 - 25, 2026 We chose to stay at Nha Trang because it was a mid-way stop on our way to Da Nang. An 8 hour train ride was enough, thank you very much; even though massages were offered on the train. That said, Nha Trang was a lovely place, and we thoroughly enjoyed... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 19, 2026 We took a day tour to CU CHI TUNNELS, about an hour drive from Ho Chi Minh. The tunnels were a massive underground maze extending 250 km (155 miles) along 3 levels of tunnels. The tunnels were not level or straight. They dipped up and down as well as zigged and zagged.... Continue Reading →
FEBRUARY 14 - 21, 2026 Ho Chi Min did not start on a good note. We had arranged for a taxi to take us to our guesthouse. When we got there, no one was there to meet us and I had not received a message on how to enter the building. I tried to call... Continue Reading →
An Old Lady with a Backpack 