Author: Jess Elford
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What to Expect on a Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, chances are a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise is already high on your bucket list – and for good reason. Limestone karsts, emerald water, dreamy sunrises, and just enough luxury to make you forget you’re backpacking Asia. But if you’re anything like me, before booking anything you might…
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Ha Long Bay: Day Trip vs Overnight Cruise – Which One Is Right for You?
Ha Long Bay is one of those places that feels almost unreal the first time you see it. Emerald-green water, thousands of towering limestone karsts, and traditional wooden junk boats drifting quietly between them – it’s no surprise this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations. Located just a few hours…
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The Perfect 3-Day Hanoi Itinerary
Hanoi is the kind of city that pulls you in fast. One minute you’re dodging scooters, the next you’re sipping egg coffee by the tracks or wandering around a peaceful temple wondering how this place does both chaos and calm so well. If you’re short on time but want to experience the best of the…
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Vietnam: Epic 2-Week North & Central Itinerary
Vietnam is one of those destinations that was never really on my bucket list until these incredible videos of coconut boat rides, crazy streets and beautiful lantern covered streets started popping up on my Instagram. The next thing I knew, I was planning my 30th birthday solo trip to go there! One minute you’re sipping…
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Top Day Trips from Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart might be small, but don’t let that fool you – it’s the perfect launchpad for some of Tasmania’s most jaw-dropping day trips. Within a couple of hours of the city, you can be hiking alpine mountains, wandering historic convict towns, sipping cool-climate wine, or spotting wildlife in the wild. Whether you’re visiting Hobart for…
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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is loud, chaotic, charming, historic, and completely unforgettable all at once. If you’re visiting Hanoi for the first time, prepare for a city where scooters rule the roads, street food is king, and every corner seems to tell a story. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but trust me: once you settle…
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Top 10 Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: A First-Timer’s Guide
Hanoi is chaotic, charming, loud, peaceful, and completely unforgettable all at once. Vietnam’s capital is a city where scooters buzz past ancient temples, lakeside strolls turn into late-night street food feasts, and coffee is taken very seriously. I spent several days exploring Hanoi and quickly realized: this city is SO FUN and has so much…
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Contract 10: The One Where We Launched the Disney Treasure
Some contracts change you.And then there are contracts that become part of who you are. My tenth contract working at sea was the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being chosen as part of the opening team for the Disney Treasure – a brand-new Disney Cruise Line ship, built from the ground up and brought to life by…
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Contract 9: Working Onboard the Disney Dream in Northern Europe
My ninth contract working at sea was unlike anything I had ever experienced before – and honestly? It might have been the best one yet. This was my shortest contract to date, just four weeks onboard the Disney Dream… but it was also my very first contract outside of the Caribbean. Sometimes, medical emergencies happen,…
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Ultimate Guide to Visiting Noosa National Park, Australia
If you’re heading to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosa National Park is an absolute must-visit – honestly, it’s one of my all-time favourite places in Australia. With stunning coastal trails, hidden beaches, and the chance to spot wild koalas snoozing in the treetops, this place feels like pure Aussie magic (and that’s coming from an Aussie!).…
Jess at Sea 