“Memories of a day in Hue.”
I am a hopeless travel-lover. “Who isn’t?”. You would say. I do enjoy a sense of going away, especially to countries that seemed to hold an intriguing factor for such a long time. Vietnam inevitably combines a mix of West and East. Just before booking a tour, my knowledge wasn’t truly enough to comprehend a broad spectrum of the country’s offerings. The only myth kept secretly about Vietnam was named “Authentic”!
In a steamy- tropical afternoon September 2019, our taxi driver quickly dropped us off at the spotless White House- Timothy Homestay – Huế. The journey from Danang to Hue takes about 3 hours over the mountain pass. Three broad- smiled ladies approached upon arrival and took us indoors. Usually, when in heat, all you think of is going to airconditioned premises. Not this time around.
Well, the skyline of coloured umbrellas in the air just like in Europe, French provincial outdoor furniture décor, birds singing stole the start of the show. Of course, Vietnam is a former French colony. By adding the floral -roses spread along the white wall, staircases led upstairs- we were up for something incredibly unique. “Come in and welcome to our home”! they said. A tray with fruit and cold green tea conveniently appeared in front of our eyes. You know, sometimes we, people, acquire a personable and cosy approach. We don’t have to be a Celebrity; we don’t need million-dollar income to feel like VIP. With the first step into Timothy Homestay, instead of thinking Westernised vs Communistic Vietnam, the wording would apply- “Humanistic & Lovenistic”.
Timothy Homestay Café would be perfect for various occasions. Are you loner-traveller? Maybe you have a wedding? Perhaps, you need a romantic gateway with your partner. This place answers the question if after working hard and wishing brilliance in service, royal style accommodation do I deserve that? This White-walled home screams Love at you and say “Yes, you do”!
Travel Ad
Four-story house in Luxemburg design leads to panoramic Terrace facing Hue. At night time, you can watch the evening slipping away and rolling into the night while having a delicious dinner with your family or friends. Special attention needs the interior: it’s not just a house with ordinary furniture rather ancient, artistic style of elements gathering. Grab your cameras, dress up and you are up for nearly professional photoshoots. The elements of antique were many all along: piano, bouquets of multiple flowers, ceramic floors, old fashioned phone, art, chandeliers, decor- all took our minds away from daily tasks. Warm welcoming as special guests from Australia spread to Vietnamese lunch. They cooked the lunch at the spot in the traditional kitchen. Vietnamese well-known aromatic and coriander spiced home-made Pho, bread and local beer added tasty factor to our eating experience. If you travel with a family – it’s perfect. The house belonged to us for the whole day and night. We got lucky and took over the entire building. I looked into the window within our lunch and imagined myself being a Royalty living in a small palace. I have never experienced that with my vast-coverage travel experience.
“When you are Rome, do what Romans do!”. Don’t forget to take your shoes off each time you enter your rooms in Vietnam. Morning coffee always a great start to the day. I woke up in mini Heaven listening to birds, hearing my daughter’s voice and enduring the smell of fresh ingredients to get converted into a mouth-watering breakfast in Vietnam. When you are in a regular hotel, buffet breakfast most of the time is the best solution- quick, easy, many options, diverse. But when you stay at home, you have a whole kitchen. You can choose if you cook Australian style eggs or you want hospitable staff from Timothy Home Stay to cook for you. In our experience, scrambled eggs have been prepared by my chef-husband who paired with a chef-staff member. Memories of joy, love, laughs and comfort are something that we, people, perhaps crave.
I want to say special Thanks to my husband, Shane Thomas, for the photography and booking Timothy Homestay Café, also Timothy Cao Ky with his amazing staff for designing a unique experience for various visitors around the Globe! Memorable for life highlights make our journey more exciting.
Book your stay with Timothy Homestay today for sooner after COVID-19 times, only 3 hours from Danang by road.
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timothy_homestay_hue/
After saying goodbye to “Lovenistic”, it makes sense to explore Hue- the ancient city. While some parts of Vietnam are polished by elements of the West, in Hue 6th-07th century ancient city with Pagodas and the breathtaking Palace grounds of the Nguyen Dynasty make you announce “Oh yes, this is authentic Vietnam”.
A glance at Vietnamese ladies in traditional white outfits strolling peacefully along holding umbrellas and Vietnamese hats- just like in postcards and magazines reflecting on Vietnam. Once in the Palace, the *life hack is to take a ride around the city centre. There are open-spaced cars with professionally dressed drivers. With still a lack of English, luckily, the driver had Wi-Fi, and we could translate what we would like to see. *In Vietnam, ensure of translator installed- significant assistance! Remember, we are in a different country, and English is not the language of locals. Thuan An Beach is only 14 km away from Hue. Jump in and let me tell the story of Danang next…
Bon voyage,
Vietnam travel it is!
UbizBlog,
Anastasia
Vietnam Series #1
Vietnam travel is the best!
2 comments
Nice article 👌
Thank you! have you ever been to Vietnam?