Tra Que | abstract wallscape

Abstract Wallscape in Tra Que (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

While this photo will never win any awards for travel photography, I absolutely love this image that I captured today. Claire and I were in the village of Tra Que, just a few minutes from Four Seasons The Nam Hai. We were visiting the Tra Que vegetable village, a small township that provides organic vegetables for restaurants and resorts around Hoi An. Its residents employ traditional organic farming techniques.

Quite a value at $28 USD per person, the day begins with a welcome drink, then a walking tour through acres of organic gardens. Our guide would stoop to pick fresh herbs, crush them in his fingers, and present them to us to savor the aroma. We enjoyed the beautiful shades of green and had the opportunity to watch a farmer creating a small plot which he fertilized with algae from a nearby lagoon, then watered using a pair of watering cans. Very informative, and visitors have a chance to try their hand. The garden tour concludes with a neck and foot massage for each guest, and this is followed by a Vietnamese cooking lesson ... and a very tasty lunch using produce from the gardens.

Tra Que vegetable village, (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

So where did I find this composition? Claire, our guide, and I were sitting in an outdoor living space enjoying our welcome drinks. Looking to the left, I saw an old brick wall. Standing up to inspect it, I saw this open window looking into an old house that seemed to be falling apart. I loved the colors and textures of the scene and was able to capture this image.

copyright  (c)  2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Vietnam | timeless charm

Vietnam has been on my bucket list for quite awhile, and I'm now in my final week of anticipation before the trip. Eight days barely seem enough, but I'll be traveling Vietnam from north to south. Here's an outline of our trip.

Hanoi — we have planned extensive sightseeing including historical and religious sites, market visits, and lots of chances to sample locally prepared Vietnamese foods. A&K always includes special experiences in their tours, and we'll have the rare opportunity to hear stories the Hoi Lo Prison from a gentleman very familiar with its secrets. We're spending the two nights at the Sofitel Metropole.

Hoi An — after flying to Danang and checking into The Nam Hai, a Four Seasons Resort, we'll enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town of Hoi An. The InterContinental Danang will host us for a site inspection that evening. The next morning features a visit to the village of Tra Que where we'll learn to make spring rolls using vegetables and herbs we picked ourselves. That afternoon? Beach time!

Nha Trang — after another flight, we'll enjoy two days of leisure at Amanoi, experiencing the unique serenity and intuitive service that is so distinctive of Amanresorts.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) — a bustling city like Hanoi, our itinerary shows visits to many historical and religious sites, with a special visit to the home of two musicians who will perform a concert just for us, playing traditional musical instruments.

Anticipation is so much a part of the adventure of travel. Excitement always builds as the day of our bon voyage approaches.

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.