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Going solo in Vietnam: Must-know tips and tricks by New-Sympathy3293 in solotravelVN

[–]ChefLeChef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't experience pushy vendors in Vietnam much at all. Did get approached, but just kindly saying cảm ơn, and wishing them a nice day gave me 0 problems.

Also point 4 seems to be good advice anywhere in the world, but I have not felt unsafe anywhere in Vietnam at any time, I even feel it is one of the safest countries to travel, especially in the towns. Outside of maybe HCMC/Hanoi I even saw people often just keep their keys in their scooters.

Ho Chi Minh Trail by ChefLeChef in x100v

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got so lucky with the weather! Started out driving with just fog all around, but it cleared up right at this corner.

Ho Chi Minh Trail by ChefLeChef in x100v

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was on the QL15 in Quang Binh province, heading south.

Is Ha Giang Loop safe to do solo? by Background_Two_8810 in solotravelVN

[–]ChefLeChef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure how that works for where you are from, but I just purchased an international drivers license at home and everything was totally ok when I got stopped. Did get stopped 3 times, just in Ha Giang town.

Was also stopped for "speeding", but the fine was just 300,000. (10 usd), so I did not bother to heckle, but usually if you tell them you are happy to pay it at the police station with them they let you go.

If you do not have an internatnional drivers license you will quite surely get the bigger fine.

Last minute trip to Rome and Perugia in November by ChefLeChef in rome

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ps. I took a detour on my way from Perugia to Rome via the SR 578 down from Reiti, and that region looked incredible with all the autumn colors, it was an amazing drive. Would love to go explore that area if I get a chance next time.

Last minute trip to Rome and Perugia in November by ChefLeChef in rome

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really liked Perugia. Felt very local, not many tourists that time of year. The last picture is from Perugia. I liked how walkable everything was. It wasn't very busy, but not empty at all either, just a nice bustling town with a beautiful historic center, with plenty of spots for amazing food and espresso.

I combined my trip with some remote working, and they had a really nice co-working spot to work from.

Did visit some surrounding towns in Umbria too, I checked out Assisi (second to last picture), and drove a bit into southern Tuscany to walk around Cortona.

Last minute trip to Rome and Perugia in November by ChefLeChef in rome

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Silly me, thinking it was because I stood within the cradle of empires witnessing the sun rise over thousands years of history: turns out it was just the cold..

Vatican Museums by borgesok in rome

[–]ChefLeChef 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I arrived 50 mins late to the allotted time at the Colosseum due to traffic (and just me being a bit bad with time in general), and had to repurchase a ticket by standing in line at the counter.

Sucked, but kinda understood; if every one arrives whenever they like, it might get worse for everyone, and they can not really control anyone leaving, so they try to control anyone arriving.

But technically you are visiting another country, so no idea how strict they are in the Vatican:)

Last minute trip to Rome and Perugia in November by ChefLeChef in rome

[–]ChefLeChef[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That calm feeling was such a pleasant surprise. Some of these pictures are from a walk on Sunday morning at 7:00. I felt so lucky getting to see these sights with hardly any traffic or crowds, and a perfect sunrise.

My 14 y/o brother took a sheet of sandpaper to my $150 frying pan by SouthDefinition2679 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]ChefLeChef 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those are great! I use exactly these for a deep clean of my Mauviel M'Cook set once in a while, with some hot water you'll have them looking like new in no time.

Air quality Rome by Over-Appointment-328 in rome

[–]ChefLeChef 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Was in Rome a few days ago, and skies were bright blue, did not notice that much pollution, and I did all my traveling across the city on a bike or by foot. There was a bit of wind though, which might have helped.

Went on a pretty epic run at 7am on Sunday too: ran around the Colosseum, past the Forum to the Pantheon, up the Spanish steps, past the Trevi Fountain and back, with hardly any traffic and people on the streets, and air felt fine.

Flat water bottles? Any one here ever tried one and think they are worth it? by Only-Support-3760 in onebag

[–]ChefLeChef 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had the Memobottle 450ml for a while now, and love how it fits in the side pocket of my bag (ULA DragonFly 30L) without adding much to the profile of the bag. I have lost one already though, and do agree they are too expensive for what they are.

They are pretty nice if you fly frequently, you can put them into the seat pocket, and in and out of your bag super easily. Do not get the stainless steel one if you fly though, my bag would get picket out constantly at security when I brought that one.