Bound for Vietnam
Ratings1
Average rating3
15
Ratings1
Average rating3
Thrown off course by a chance conversation on the Trans-Siberian Express, Lydia Laube, author of Behind the Veil: An Australian Nurse in Saudi Arabia and Slowboat to Mongolia heads for the hills of South China in search of a passage to Vietnam. Exiting China by pedal power, and entering Vietnam on a motor bike, she careers through the weird and wonderful world of Vietnam to produce this look at a unique landscape and culture.
Reviews with the most likes.
This is the third book by Australian author Lydia Laube which I have read, and they are certainly consistent.
In this book Laube travels through (mostly) eastern China and Vietnam, which was interesting for me having tracked along some of the same route (although I travelled south through China in a more inland route than her). Published in 1999, I think Laube's travel was probably a year before, while mine was 2006, so there had been some change over that period, but then some aspects never change!
Laube's writing in very involving, and she doesn't skimp on detail. We generally get to share every move, every meal, every hotel and every conversation. Typically travel writing in this detail becomes mundane to wallow through, and ends up in a formulaic drudge, however Laube pulls it off pretty well.
Like her other two books, I have given this 3 solid stars.
She has around nine books, and I would continue to read them if I get the opportunity.
