Danang and Ladakh - Caravanserai

Danang with Ska

Ska, who is from Korea, recalled her experience living in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Appeal of the City: Da Nang has a slower pace of life compared to Saigon or Hanoi. Ska chose it because it felt peaceful, safe, clean, and calm.
Life in Da Nang: The city is divided by the Han River into a more local “city side” and a “beach side” popular with foreigners, where she eventually moved to escape the noise. The city is compact, with most destinations within a 15-20 minute commute. She found the locals to be incredibly kind and honest, noting that she was never overcharged even when speaking clumsy Vietnamese.
Culture and Challenges:

She described the locals’ love for karaoke, with some singing on scooters until 2 or 3 a.m..
She had to adjust to the early morning culture, where meeting for coffee often means 7 a.m..
She learned that the Vietnamese tend to avoid direct confrontation, so hearing an outright “I’m sorry” is rare.
The rainy season (September-February) can bring non-stop rain and severe flooding.

Beyond pho, she recommended local dishes like Mì Quảng (a noodle dish with little broth) and clam porridge.
Nearby places worth exploring include My Khe Beach for yoga at sunrise, the scenic coastal road to the Lady Buddha statue, and the chill beach club The Deck House at An Bang Beach near Hoi An.

Ladakh with Rani and Indi

Indi and Rani from Indonesia shared their travels through Ladakh and Kashmir, a region nestled between contentious world borders.

The Region: Ladakh is referred to as “the Third Pole”. It is a high-altitude desert where the population is roughly half Muslim and half Buddhist. The landscape is arid and jagged, and the high UV levels require protection.
Travel and Acclimatization: They flew into Leh, which sits at over 3,000 meters. They stressed that the first 24-48 hours must be dedicated to rest and hydration to acclimatize, as even simple tasks like tying shoes can leave you out of breath.
Permits and Security: Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), arranged by a local agent, to travel in the region. Security is very high, with a heavy military presence; the Leh airport is a military airbase, and photography is often restricted.
Highlights of Ladakh:

They crossed the Khardung La Pass, one of the world’s highest motorable roads, noted for the humorous road signs posted by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
They saw the unique two-humped Bactrian camels in the high-altitude desert, which were historically used on the Silk Road.
They visited Turtuk, a village with a unique Balti culture just a few kilometers from the Pakistan border.

Kashmir: The road from Ladakh to Kashmir is a narrow, dangerous trucking route that alternates one-way traffic daily. In Kashmir, they ate Wazwan, a multi-course mutton meal they described as the most delicious they’ve ever had.
Costs and Logistics: The two-week trip for two people cost around S$4,500, covering hotels, a car, and a guide. This did not include flights to India.