Solo Ventures With Vicky – Belfast + Vietnam

Welcome to my show Solo Ventures with Vicky where I explore incredible countries around the world and focusing on solo female travel. As a backpacker, adventure aficionado and lover of the world, I found myself in some interesting situations, had some wonderful moments that I'm happy to share with you. And of course you can always learn from my mistakes too, as well as looking at a wonderful country just a little bit closer. Every week I'll be sharing your own travel memories right here and I'll be opening up to a question time at the end where you can ask any question you'd like and I'll I'll be answering them as best as I can. Just get in touch with me via my social media platforms, Icky E Carter or with us iomansradio stn on our Twitter or Instagram. Or if you'd rather email me as well, you're welcome to do that. Email presentersradiostation.com Also, I'll be looking at the perfect weekend break for you and I'll be playing you music on the move. So music that transports you to a travel memory or travel moment from artists we know and and love and original unsigned artists as well. So this week we're looking a little bit closer at Vietnam. Vietnam was the first country in Asia I traveled to by myself, and so it will always hold like a special place in my heart. The country varies dramatically from the humble villages of Maitou, the hustle and bustle of Saigon, luxurious beach resorts in Munai, the inebriated party goers sunbathing in the Trang. Gosh, I did some silly things there. The cool mountains of Dalat, the peaceful artistic and cultural hub of Hoi an, the ancient beauty of Hue, the vast Hanoi, and the jewel of the country, Halong Bay. My favorite destination in Vietnam was Hoi an. And to tell us more about this wonderful tranquil place and other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country is Tam from Traveling Tam. Hi, I'm Tamara and I'm a blogger@travelingtam.com one of the things I loved most about Vietnam was definitely the incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ha Long Bay in the Northeast was actually one of the first spots in Vietnam to be given a UNESCO status. And although it's pretty touristy, it really is some of the most out of this world landscape. The water of the bay itself is a beautiful emerald colour and you have thousands of these Jurassic park like limestone towers jutting out from the sea that are covered in jungle. It's really, really stunning. Then further inland, you can find things like the world's biggest cave along this underground river at Phong NHA national park, which is really cool. But I think the most interesting thing of all for me personally was that I usually much prefer sightseeing to natural landscapes, but in Vietnam I actually preferred the historic man made UNESCO sites such as the imperial cities and the ancient towns like Hoi an for example. I only planned on staying two days in Hoi an, but I ended up staying just shy of a week. The town is incredible. It's set around this beautiful canal network and it's a fusion of so many different Asian cultures and architecture, from traditional wooden Chinese shops to ornate Japanese bridges, temples, and there's even a few French colonial buildings mix in there too. For me, Hoi an was so vibrant and unique that probably is one of the most attractive Asian towns I've been to to date. If you're interested in following my solo travel blog, you can find me on Instagram Raveling Tam or on Twitter ravelingtam. Thanks so much Tam for getting in touch with me. Remember, you can share your travel memories right here as well. Just email presentersomensradiostation.com Contact us via Twitter womensradiostn Or contact me directly Icky E. Carter on all social media platforms. But yeah, I completely agree with Tam. My story, my story. My stay was extended daily in Hoi An. It's just such a wonderful place. I stayed for the full Moon party which is very different to the one in Thailand and where the whole lights of the town were all switched off and the community just surrounded the water in the river. All these lighting, these beautiful candle offerings and just releasing them with good wishes. It was so serene and magical to see and be a part of now to get that kind of atmosphere of the twinkling of the lights and the colorful lanterns hanging on street corners and the hum of distant music in the background. My Music on the Move track is from Beyonce with Green Light. Give it to Mama. For some strange reason you're done pleasing me like it's okay. You got the green light so if you want to, you got the green light so if you want to, you got the green light. Sa. So if you want to you got the green light. Give my love my heart now we're facing from what you did from the start of my love. Wonderful. Thanks Beyonce. There she was with Green Light. She's so kick ass. Did you watch her recent performance of Coachella? Oh my gosh, she is queen. Even though, okay, even though I do think that super bowl performance performance was better. But hey, hey everyone has their own opinions anyway, focusing on a weekend away in Belfast, home to the most gorgeous accent in the world. I'm from Northern Ireland in Belfast. That was my attempt of an accent. Sorry if I've offended anyone, but basically I love you. I love the Belfast accent. It's beautiful, but also not going there for the gorgeous accents. It's also most famous for its hipster restaurants, buzzing nightlife. Seriously, it's a good crack, as they say. You you'll meet tons of people on a night out who will just be so happy to talk to you and you can explore its beautiful botanical gardens, the Titanic Museum, St. George's Market for its food stalls, St. Anne's Cathedral, and something which I really, really recommend is visiting the Peace Wall, which you can do on a black cab political tour where you learn about the troubles from someone who's actually experienced it themselves. Now, looking at music on the move, we're going to be looking at an artist who's created this wonderfully uplifting song about giving yourself a break, letting go and enjoy life and all of its natural beauties, which I thought was so fitting for solo ventures with Vicky. She's a British singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist and she's toured this song on her third album, called To My Roots last year, which was a collection of songs inspired by an eclectic mix of artists she grew up listening to such as James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks and the Cause, to name a few. So we'll be hearing her song Shoot the Breeze with Me from Emma Stevens in just a moment. Women's radio station will give a voice to your brand. Advertise your product, services or goods on air with a package tailored to suit you. For more information visit womensradiostation.com hi, I'm Michelle Bartlett, the founder of Live Laugh Love Ladies Club. We're looking for ladies to link arms across the globe. This is a new vibrant brand connecting women socially. Our club members enjoy great food, fun and inspiring speakers whilst making friends in a room of all generations. If you're a social butterfly in the community, this fast growing franchise could be for you. If you would like to know more about stepping into our pink shoes then look at the business Opportunity page on our website live laughloveloveladies club also@womensradiostation.com at distinctively me we are passionate about making clothes that complement any body shape through our made to measure tailored pieces. Distinctively Me's smart and elegant clothes are made in our London studio from the highest quality fabrics and will create the perfect outfit for any woman. Our trouser skirts and jackets are modern yet timeless and can be worn season after season. Visit us@distinctivelyme.com to be amazed at our service and prices. Distinctively me discover the pleasure of Made to Measure hi, my name is Gary Parker and my company is called CNT Associates. We provide fundraising, business support and training services for small businesses, charities and non profit making organizations. We've raised over £20 million since 2003 and we'd like to help you. Visit us at ntassociates.com or on Twitter NT Associates Women's Radio Station is creating a global network for the empowerment of women and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter, Women Radio STN or Facebook Women's Radio Station to Keep up to Date Keep up to date with all our exciting Anna Kennedy Online is a national charity made up of charity champions and role models. We are forging a path to autism awareness and acceptance. We are dedicated to promoting the inclusion and equality of autistic children and adults throughout society. We provide training, legal advice and a helpline. If you need a listening ear, contact www.annakenedyonline.com Women's radio station can give a voice to your brand. With a wide range of sponsorship opportunities including individual programs, we can tailor your experience to you Ready for a challenge? Then take on the Pink Ribbon Walk for Breast Cancer Care. Coming to Oxfordshire and Essex this summer, we've got everything covered from snacks along the route to a massage and medal when you cross the finish line. And while we support you with every step, you'll be doing something special to support the thousands of people going through one of the toughest challenges they'll ever face. Breast cancer visit breastcancercare.org UK walk Adam and Alice London are a British luxury fashion label offering timeless collections for bold and beautiful women at affordable prices. Enter the giveaway lucky draw for a chance to win a fabulous silk dress made from pure silk crepe, fully lined with digital printed silk and handcrafted details worth 475 pound. Available in two colours, Mazarin Blue and pastel. See the dress and enter our competition on the giveaway page on womensradiostation.com acity law firm we are leading innovative and multi award winning solicitors in London. But why choose us? Well, unlike traditional law firms, we think outside the box. Our advice is accessible from anywhere, even your own home due to our online video conferencing. A city law firm Our people set us apart. Contact us on 020-742-60382 www.acitylawfirm.com hi, I'm Sarah Austin and I'm the founder of the really Helpful Club, an online and offline community that helps, supports and connects thousands of women in our personal and business lives. We are buzzing. Join us to share and discover your best ideas. Come to our events to meet other members and learn something new book now for our London workshop on 10 May, helping you prepare for and manage the menopause. Membership is free. Join now by visiting reallyhelpfulclub.com welcome back to SOL Adventures with Vicki. So now we're looking at music on the move and I'm just about to play you Emma Stevens song Shoot the Breeze with me. I'm incredibly excited. Let's have a listen. You need a break Stuck in a R from day to day how did life get in the way Gone it seems so long ago we had some fun and broke the rules when it over time G Cool no no, no don't give me excuses let's go, go, go before we run right at a time what's got into you? You've been cooped up way too long Time we hit the town didn't we used to get along? You're so caught up in life you forgot what it means Give yourself a break Come on and shoot the breeze with me Give yourself a break Come on let's use the breeze of me. Want to feel the summer breeze softly blowing through my hair Only you can take me there show me how I used to feel how to laugh and how to love like we'll never get enough no, no, no don't give me excuses let's go, go, go before we run right out of time what's got into you youu've been cooped up way too long Time we hit the town didn't we used to get along so caught up in life you forgot what it means Give yourself a break Come on and shoot the breeze with me Give yourself a break Come on and shoot the freeze. You forgot what it means Give yourself a break Come on and shoot the breeze with me Give yourself a break Come on and shoot the breeze with me. Shoot the breeze in the air. That was Emma Stevens song Shoot the Breeze With Me. Find out more about her and her music on her website, emma stevensmusic.com now for question Time. Dum dum dum what or how do you hire a vehicle abroad? Well, okay. Always check the legalities of hiring a vehicle abroad. In Australia, the legal age is 21. And so when me and my friend were there when we were 18. Obviously nowhere would accept two 18 year olds to hire a vehicle. But actually we did find somewhere, bizarrely somewhere who said, oh, are you guys Brits? And we said, oh yeah. And he was like, oh, I'm originally a Brit, yeah, I'll let you hire the car. So yeah, it was a very terrifying experience. But yeah, do prepared for the certain age limit that you have to be as well and always get insurance as well. Wicked. Van hire and escape are common in Australia and New Zealand. Many people hire those and travel around themselves and do it their own style, which I think is fantastic. In Asia it's more common for motorbikes and scooters. And I would always say, please, please wear a helmet because the roads there can be quite treacherous. Take pictures as well of the damage which is on your bike before you hire it. So it's a kind of common scam in Asia that they'll say you that when you return a bike. Oh, oh, you did that scratch, you did that scratch. So to show that you actually are taking it seriously, like take pictures of the whole of the bike beforehand so you can say, no, no, no, those scratches were on before as well. And never, please, please never drive on a scooter whilst after a couple of drinks, it's just, it's just not a good idea anyway. I mean, please, come on, like the roads, they've got enough like potholes in. And then there's cows and there's, there's dogs and then there's pigs and then it's just bicycles and buses and taxis and other cars and people playing in the street and then there's motorbikes. If you've ever, ever tried to cross a street in Vietnam, you will know what I mean. There's like thousands of motorbikes because mostly everyone in Saigon drives a motorbike. And on these motorbikes, you know, and scooters, there's, there's dogs, there's families of five, there's, there's boxes of chickens on them. So it's kind of really hard to cross the road, but it's also really dangerous as a driver. So please do drive with caution and always lock and stow your vehicle safely away. I've heard horror stories of people losing their bikes after having a few drinks or not knowing where they've parked it and then trying to return their bikes and obviously having to pay a huge fee. And I've also heard horrible scams of people actually having their bikes purposely stolen and then given back to the like vehicle hire place as a kind of as a scam. So they're all in it. So just be really careful as well. Always have contact numbers of the rental places where you hire from. Some do ask for your passport as a deposit, so do be wary of that. And always make sure that you have enough petrol that you plan your route using where you're going to go with maps of locations. Maps Me is always good that offline map app and also hostels that you could stay along or even couch surfing if you're going to do that. And always bring carry food, food and water as well just in case you do break down or something does happen that you have supplies with you. Wonderful. So I'm going to leave this show with a travel quote which is my favourite. Oh my gosh, I've now fallen in love with it. Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere. That's from Mae West. Until next time. See you. Women's radio station will give a voice to your brand. Advertise your product, services or goods on air with a package tailored to suit you. For more information visit womensradiostation.com hi, I'm Michelle Bartlett, the founder of Live Laugh Love Ladies Club. We're looking for ladies to link arms across the globe. This is a new vibrant brand connecting women socially. Our club members enjoy great food, fun and inspiring speakers whilst making friends in a room of all generations. If you're a social butterfly in the community, this fast growing franchise could be for you. If you would like to know more about stepping into our pink shoes then look at the business Opportunity page on our website Live Laugh Love Ladies club. Also@womensradiostation.com at distinctively me we are passionate about making clothes that complement any body shape through our made to measure tailored pieces. Distinctively Me's smart and elegant clothes are made in our London studio from the highest quality fabrics and will create the perfect outfit for any woman. Our trousers, skirts and jackets are modern yet timeless and can be worn season after season. Visit us@distinctivelyme.com to be amazing amazed at our service and prices. Distinctively Me discover the pleasure of made to measure hi, my name is Gary Parker and my company is called CNT Associates. We provide fundraising, business support and training services for small businesses, charities and non profit making organizations. We've raised over £20 million since 2003 and and we'd like to help you. Visit us ntassociates.com or on Twitter NT Associates women's radio station is creating a global network for the empowerment of women and we want you to be involved. Join us on Instagram and Twitter womensradiostn or Facebook. Women's Radio Station to Keep up to date Keep up to date with all our exciting Anna Kennedy Online is a national charity made up of charity champions and role models. We are forging a path to autism awareness and acceptance. We are dedicated to promoting the inclusion and equality of autistic children and adults throughout society. We provide training, legal advice and a helpline. If you need a listening ear, contact www.annakenakenadyonline.com. women's radio station can give a voice to your brand. With a wide range of sponsorship opportunities including individual programme, we can tailor your experience to you Ready for a challenge? Then take on the Pink Ribbon Walk for Breast Cancer Care. Coming to Oxfordshire and Essex this summer, we've got everything covered from snacks along the route to a massage and medal when you cross the finish line. And while we support you with every step, you'll be doing something special to support the thousands of people going through one of the toughest challenges they'll ever face. Breast cancer. Visit breastcancercare.org UK walk Adam and Alice London are a British luxury fashion label offering timeless collections for bold and beautiful women at affordable prices. Enter the giveaway lucky draw for a chance to win a fabulous silk dress made from pure silk crepe fully lined with digital printed silk, handcrafted details worth 475 pound available in two colours Mazarine Blue and pastel. See the dress and enter our competition on the giveaway page on womensradiostation.com a city law firm we are leading innovative and multi award winning solicitors in London. But why choose us? Well, unlike traditional law firms, we think outside the box. Our advice is accessible from anywhere, even your own home due to our online video conferencing. A City law firm Our people set us apart. Contact us on 0207426, 0382 www.acitylawfirm.com hi, I'm Sarah Austin and I'm the founder of the really Helpful Club, an online and offline community that helps supports and connects thousands of women in our personal and business lives. We are buzzing. Join us to share and discover your best ideas. Come to our events to meet other members and learn something new book now for our London workshop on 10 May helping you prepare for and manage the menopause. Membership is free. Join now by visiting reallyhelpfulclub.com.