Happy New Year + 2013 "Best Of" Top Travels

 

Happy New Year, everyone! Wow, I cannot believe it's 2014. This past year has truly flown by. It's been a year of wonder, and I look forward to the adventures 2014 will surely bring! But before looking ahead, I'd like to take a quick look back on the "best of" 2013 moments. 

First up in this short series...

By far, this year brought me to more new destinations in a 12-month period than any other. I was delighted to spend 10 months in Vietnam, an absolutely captivating country, and to set foot onto the African continent for the first time. I also felt blessed to be able to see family and old friends in Bangkok, Singapore and Jakarta. But there are a few stand-out places which stirred the traveler's soul in me and yielded some unforgettable moments. 

1) Hoi An, Vietnam - This UNESCO World Heritage site's charm and sheer beauty is a photographer's delight. This city of lanterns, quite simply, illuminates the soul.

2) Hanoi, Vietnam - To me, Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam. The history, the ancient architecture, the sophistication in its street food and, of course, the society, are mesmerizing. Some travelers prefer "more exotic" destinations like Sapa, Halong Bay or Nha Trang. I think the more time you spend in Hanoi, the more its hidden treasures will be revealed to you.

3) Sapa, Vietnam - No doubt touristy, but its natural beauty is too breath-taking to miss. 

4) Meknes, Morocco - We only had a day and a half to explore, but Meknes seems to me a humbler version of Fes. The people are friendlier and the beauty less... polished than Fes or Marrakesh, in a good way.

To be continued next, with 2013 Top Eats...

The City of Lanterns

On Boxing Day, we left the imperial city of Hue to head south by taxi to Hoi An - a small, charming town that was once a bustling hub for maritime trade and thus features Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural and cultural influences.

We requested our taxi driver to drive through the Hai Van pass - an opportunity to stretch our legs, buy some snacks (and pearls!) and take in the sweeping views of the East Vietnam Sea. After another stop in Danang for lunch at the chill, lounge-y Waterfront Restaurant, we continued south.

Not at all knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by the intimate feel of the town. Small winding lanes are banked by low, shuttered houses with beautiful wooden facades. Officially granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999, the old center of Hoi An retains a unique, and antique, charm. By night it is even more spectacular, as you explore the streets lit only by colorful lanterns hung outside every shophouse.

That night we headed out for dinner from our hotel, the sounds of Buddhist nuns chanting evening prayers while the distant beating of funeral drums added a dramatic touch to our stroll. We were wonderfully surprised to learn that our first night coincided with the full moon. Every month, Hoi An has a Full Moon Festival when the streets are completely closed to motorized vehicles. There are traditional cultural performances and the river is lined with vendors selling grilled rice cakes or candle-lit paper lanterns that you can place into the river to float your wishes and prayers to the gods. In the intimate and magical scene, you feel that at this time, in this place, the gods just might hear you.

Some photos below, with a post to follow on what we saw and where we ate (you didn't think I'd forget that did, you?).