Welcome to my journey 

Hi, my name is June. I'm 65 years old and after 45 years of marriage I find myself single for the first time since I was 17. Now I’m reclaiming my life. I’ve shed my tears, and I’m ready to embrace llife again. This solo trip fills me with equal parts excitement and terror, if I’m being honest. You’re welcome to follow along as I navigate my way round this Blog (which is all new to me) and also find my way through Vietnam. I’m expecting plenty of highs and lows—but hopefully more highs than lows. So far, even crossing the road feels like an adventure!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

It's all in the preparation

.“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”—a phrase that’s been drummed into me over decades of working life, and apparently, I can’t shake it even on holiday. If I were still in my twenties, I’d probably be throwing caution to the wind and letting the universe sort out the details. But I’m not twenty-something anymore, and I’ve long accepted that I need the comforting illusion of control that comes with knowing exactly where I’m sleeping and how I’m getting there.
I’ve also never packed lightly in my life—a character flaw I’m now forced to confront head-on. Whittling my belongings down to “essentials” feels like an impossible task, mainly because I’m convinced everything is essential. And let’s be honest: I may be taking a backpack, but I’m absolutely not staying in hostels. I have limits. That said, I will be embracing buses and trains with the enthusiasm of someone who’s watched too much Race Across The World and is determined to prove they’re still adventurous. We’ll see how that goes.

Latest adventures in the Caribbean 

 

Solo trip to Antigua 

Yes, I know — an all-inclusive break in Antigua isn’t exactly preparation for backpacking from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi!
What was originally booked as a holiday for two ended up as a holiday for one — the first solo holiday I’ve ever taken. I’ve travelled abroad alone for work, but this felt entirely different.
If I’m honest, the first few days were pretty rough. The daytime was fine, but the evenings were lonely, surrounded by couples lost in their own little worlds. Then a chance encounter at aquarobics — with a couple and their gay friend — changed the rest of the holiday entirely.

Days out


From Shirley Heights to wonderful lobster and rose wine  at Galleon Beach

Green Island and turtles

Antiguan Sunsets

Vietnam Flights booked!

Given the current situation I've booked my flights via Singapore and Hong Kong.I will fly out on 1st June and return on 14th July. This all feels very real now!

I’ve bought a backpack!

16 Mar 2026 13:05

Who knew it could be so complicated! Don't get a top loading one, get one that opens like a suitcase, don't get one that's too big, make sure it has a waist strap, get one that is designed for women..  and this was just some of the advice being thrown at me from my Son. So a nice little family outing on Mother's Day to Go Outdoors has resulted in me now being the proud owner of an Osprey Fairview 70 in a gorgeous Cascade Blue colour.. I can imagine him rolling his eyes at this but the colour was very important to me. 

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Solo Trip to Venice

Four Days in Venice


Four days in Venice — and what a four days it was. The new EES requirements that had been causing so many delays and issues appeared to have been sorted as there were no queues. The weather was glorious, the scenery breathtaking, and the food and drink genuinely unforgettable. It’s the kind of city that makes every corner feel like a painting.

I’d arranged two guided tours ahead of the trip: one taking in St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and the other a walking street food tour through the city’s winding lanes. Both were thoroughly enjoyable and well worth booking in advance.

On the packing front, I’d originally planned to bring my backpack as a trial run, but at the last minute, due to the EES delays, decided to go hand luggage only — a real challenge for me. I managed it, though I’ll admit the ‘just in case’ items crept in as usual. Minimal by my standards, but still a little more than strictly necessary.

As for sightseeing, I quickly settled into my preferred Venice rhythm: walk a while, stop for an Aperol Spritz, walk a little further, pause for another drink and a plate of cicchetti — and repeat until the sun goes down. Honestly, there’s no better way to see the city.

Itinerary: Part one

Southeast Asia Adventure — The Itinerary (Part One)


The bare bones of the itinerary came together fairly quickly, and I’ve been tweaking and fine-tuning it ever since. Here’s how the first half looks:

1–2 June | Getting There
Flying out on 1st June, with a connecting flight into Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on the 2nd. From the airport it’s a taxi straight to the hotel to get settled in.

3–5 June | Ho Chi Minh City
A street food tour by scooter on the 3rd is the perfect way to kick things off — weaving through the city’s streets while working through the local food scene. The following day is dedicated to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a full-day trip that promises to be one of the more memorable experiences of the whole trip. The 5th is a hotel change day before preparing to move on.

6–8 June | Mui Ne
Checking out on the 6th and heading to Mui Ne, where I’ll be staying at The Cliff Resort — a couple of nights to relax and take in the coastal scenery.

9–11 June | Da Lat
Arriving in Da Lat on the 9th, with an early — very early — start on the 10th for a 4am cloud hunting excursion. The next day a walking street food tour at 17.15 should be a great way to explore the city at a more civilised hour.

12–16 June | Nha Trang
A few nights at the Vinpearl Beachfront in Nha Trang, with the highlight being a full day of island hopping by speedboat on the 16th.

17–20 June | Quy Thon
A quieter stretch at the Fleur de Lys Hotel in Quy Nhon — a chance to slow down and soak it all in before the journey continues.


21 June | Onward to Da Nang & Hoi An
Checking out and heading north to Da Nang and Hoi An — and that’s where part two begins.

Itinerary Part 2

After what promises to be an incredible first half of the trip, here’s what the next chapter looks like. Meeting up with family for Hoi An and Da Nang so Nanny will be reunited!

21-30 June | Hoi An 
Settling into villa life in one of Vietnam’s most enchanting towns. Hoi An is pure magic — lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and an old town that rewards every wander.

27 June | Da Nang Fireworks Festival 
One of the most anticipated moments of the whole trip! Da Nang hosts one of Asia’s most spectacular fireworks competitions and I’ll be right there soaking it all in with my Granddaughters.

28 June | Hoi An Lantern Festival 
The very next evening, back in Hoi An for the monthly lantern festival — paper lanterns drifting across the Thu Bon River under a full moon. Absolutely unmissable.

30 June – 5 July | Ocean Villas, Da Nang 
Trading old town charm for beachside luxury at Ocean Villas. Five days of sea, sun, and slow mornings — bliss. 

5th July | Overnight Train to Ninh Binh 
One of those travel experiences that’s an adventure in itself. Settling into a sleeper berth and watching Vietnam roll by in the dark.

6th – 8th July | Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Staying at Tam Coc Bungalow, tucked into a stunning karst landscape. On the 7th, a jeep tour through valleys, rice paddies, and ancient temples.

8th – 13th July | Hanoi
Basing myself at La Nueva Boutique Hotel in the capital, with a three-night Halong Bay cruise (9th–11th) as the centrepiece — limestone peaks, emerald water, and total serenity.

13th – 14th July | Homeward Bound
An early checkout, a flight to Hong Kong, and then on to Heathrow — touching down back in the UK on 14th July, bags full and head even fuller.

 

Just over a week to go!

Well, I'm packed, sort of. Still too much stuff I'm sure but my backpack weighs an impressive 12kg. I've put the heavier stuff, electricals,make up and valuables in my small wheelie case plus enough clothes so that I could survive if my case went missing. The new restrictions on liquids in hand luggage have certainly helped. I also have the small backpack and a little foldie bag for all my in flight essentials! 
I also know what I'm going to travel out in.. definitely comfort over style😂