Dean & Jo's Midlife Travels

06/03/2025

These bikes are a fantastic way to get around Dubai. Operated by a company called Careem, they are conveniently located at 193 stations across the city. Simply download the app, pay 20 AED (£4.23), and enjoy unlimited use of electric bikes for 24 hours. The only catch is that each ride is limited to 45 minutes at a time, but with so many stations around, it’s easy to swap bikes before your time runs out. We’ve explored all over Dubai on these, and our favorite experience has been cycling around Dubai Marina at night. They’re especially handy when using the Red Metro Line, as bike stations are conveniently located outside each stop.

05/03/2025

It's a good job the towels are plentiful and the pool is heated as it is a bit chilly up here sat in the shade.

05/03/2025

Sat on the beach and this guy randomly passes us on a 🐪.

04/03/2025

We arrived in Dubai yesterday afternoon. Dare we say it—but after Bangkok, the evenings here feel a bit chilly, so we’ve been wearing our jackets! The days, however, have been pleasantly warm.

We're staying in Dubai Marina at The First Port Marina hotel, which, despite its frustrating lifts, is a nice place to stay. We opted for half-board, as we weren’t sure how expensive dining out would be. Normally, we prefer to explore different restaurants, but we were pleasantly surprised to find that our package includes a choice of 20 restaurants across Dubai if we don’t want to dine at the hotel.

On our first night, we were so tired that we decided to eat at the hotel. We had the option of either a buffet or a three-course steakhouse dinner at it's steakhouse restaurant, and we chose the latter—it was incredibly filling! As hotel guests, we were also offered discounted alcohol, with a draft lager costing £7 and a glass of Prosecco just £5, which we found very reasonable.

For our second night, we dined at a sister hotel’s restaurant, which specialises in Middle Eastern cuisine. The service and food were absolutely fantastic.

Tonight, we've just returned from the Burj Khalifa, where we enjoyed the stunning water show and the mesmerising light display on the tower.

03/03/2025

Early morning start ready for our next destination.

02/03/2025

While staying in Bangkok, we admired the beautiful dinner cruise ships sailing along the river, all lit up and looking spectacular. So, we decided to treat ourselves to one.

We noticed that these cruises vary greatly in price and reviews, so we chose one with high ratings that included unlimited beer for £30 each. The photo of the ship looked great, so we went for it. The cruise was set to depart at 19:45 for a two-hour trip along the river, taking in Bangkok’s many sights. We booked through GYG, who have been excellent for all our tours so far.

Check-in was between 18:00 and 19:15 at IconSiam. Unfortunately, we were pressed for time as we struggled to find a taxi, and traffic was horrendous. To be fair to the tour company, they do advise allowing plenty of time to get there.

When we arrived, IconSiam was total chaos—hundreds of people were waiting to board various ships. Signage was limited, but luckily, the map provided by GYG was very accurate. We eventually found the check-in desk, where there were huge queues. To be fair, it was what we’d call “organised chaos,” as we got our tickets quickly and were soon in line to board. Since seating was assigned, there was no need to rush to the front of the queue.

As we waited, we admired the beautifully lit ships arriving to pick up their guests. Then, our ship arrived, and—well, calling it underwhelming would be an understatement. It looked tatty from the outside and far less elegant than some of the cheaper cruises we could have booked.

The staff greeted us and led us to our table. As we walked through the ship, the interior felt really dated. We felt sorry for the guests seated inside—it looked dreadful, with glass reflections making it impossible to see outside. Since seating was assigned, we had no choice but to go where we were placed—right at the front (the bow), where there were about nine tables.

We were relieved not to be seated inside, but it quickly became clear that our spot wasn’t much better. There was no lighting, plastic tablecloths, and a large wall behind us blocking most of the view. Still, we decided to make the most of it, grab some food, and enjoy what we could see.

However, when we got to the buffet, it was a scene of complete disarray—people scrambling as if they’d never seen food before. It was so chaotic that we decided to skip it for the time being. Since we weren’t happy with our seating, we went upstairs to see if we could find a spot on the deck. Unfortunately, every table was taken. It was a shame because the atmosphere upstairs was worlds apart from where we were—guests had a clear view of the entertainment and ciry whereas downstairs, we could barely see or hear anything and looked like and industrial boat.

We asked a staff member if we could move, but he initially said no. However, he then brought over his supervisor, who, upon seeing where we were seated, apologised but said there was nothing he could do. That’s when we noticed an empty table tucked beside the stage at the front of the boat. We asked if we could sit there since it wasn’t interfering with anyone, and thankfully, he agreed and even had our chairs brought up.

Once the buffet queues died down, we finally got some food. As expected from a mass-catering buffet, it was average—but at least it was hot!

Now, onto the positives: Even if you're stuck below deck (except in our original spot), there was some form of entertainment. Our singer on the top deck was energetic, engaging with the crowd, and catering to a mix of nationalities.We sipped a few beers, had a dance and made the most of the evening as these things happen

Overall, these are definitely first-world problems, but the experience wasn’t what we expected. The ship photo in GYG’s listing was different from the one we actually got. We’ve spoken to GYG, and they have apologised—we’re now waiting to hear back for a further response.
The ship was called Orchid.

02/03/2025

We had a fantastic stay at this place in Kuala Lumpur! It’s in a great location, close to everything, and the pool was amazing. Unfortunately, we lost a video clip that showed the bathroom area, but trust us—it was lovely! The bed was super comfortable, making our stay even more enjoyable.

Getting there from the airport took about an hour with traffic and cost us just £14. Comfortable accommodation at hostel prices! You can find all the hotel details in the YouTube description and video.

Looking for luxury accommodation in Kuala Lumpur without breaking the bank? 🏙️✨ In this video, we take you on a tour of Summer Suites KLCC, a stylish and af...

02/03/2025

We’ve learned so much from other people’s videos and picked up countless helpful tips along the way. That’s why we love sharing our own experiences—not only to give something back but also to create a video diary to look back on ourselves!

You can find our YouTube channel below, and if you find our videos useful, we’d really appreciate a subscribe.

Our videos are currently about three weeks behind where we are now, but we’re doing our best to catch up!

Welcome to our YouTube channel dedicated to providing you with valuable travel information and sharing our exciting experiences from around the world. Join us as we explore different destinations, share tips and tricks for smooth travels, and showcase the beauty of various cultures. Whether you're a...

01/03/2025

This video is when we visited the Batu caves in Kuala Lumpur. If you are in the city these caves are a must visit. It's cheap and easy to get to by a taxi so no need to book a tour. Not the place to go if you are scared of monkeys!

Join us as we explore the breathtaking Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! 🇲🇾 This iconic landmark is home to a stunning Hindu temple, towering limestone...

01/03/2025

This morning, we braved the Bangkok heat and took a Grab to Bangkok's Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, about 20 minutes from our hotel.

The market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. While there aren't many boats selling items on the water, the market on dry land is quite large. There's a fantastic selection of food and gift stalls, so we highly recommend arriving with an empty stomach! With so much to choose from, and some dishes starting at less than £1, you're spoiled for choice.

The market has a great atmosphere, and unlike many tourist spots, the vendors don’t hassle you, allowing you to browse at your own pace. Another unique feature is the live entertainment—different sections of the market have various bands or singers performing for visitors.

The highlight of our visit was the long-tail boat ride, which took us on a one-hour journey through the canals, with a 20-minute stop at another market. At just 100 THB (£2.30) per person, it was a bargain, and the refreshing breeze on the boat was very welcome in the heat.

To find the market, simply search "Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market" on Google Maps.

28/02/2025

Would you believe it? We arrived in Bangkok to thick clouds and rain! Fortunately, the weather cleared up, and we managed to enjoy some warm sunshine at our riverside hotel this afternoon. It definitely feels hotter than Hanoi!

28/02/2025

After returning from our cruise, we decided to squeeze in a bit of time in Hanoi, which included a couple of drinks at Train Street. Even without the trains, it’s a lovely place to sit and enjoy a drink.

We asked for recommendations for Hanoi, and the top suggestions were the Water Puppet Show and the prison. The prison was a fascinating visit, rich in history, and well worth seeing. The Water Puppet Show was also enjoyable. Since we booked last minute, only VIP seats were available for £10 (compared to the standard £5), but to be honest, they weren’t much better—you just sat a bit closer. We highly recommend getting the English audio guide (£1), as it really helps you understand the meaning of each act. We thoroughly enjoyed the show, so thanks for the recommendations!

Sadly, we are leaving Vietnam. While we won’t miss the endless clouds (we haven’t seen the sun for about ten days!), we will certainly miss this beautiful, magical country.

Next, we’re off to Bangkok!

27/02/2025

We felt like we had just experienced a holiday within a holiday after completing an overnight cruise on Halong Bay. As expected, the weather remained cloudy and cold, so we surrendered to it and bought jackets.

Our bus collected us at 7:40 AM for the journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The coach trip took about three hours in total. Upon arrival at the port, we were greeted by friendly cruise staff for check-in. The process was quick and seamless, leaving us with an hour before boarding the tender. We used this time to purchase some warm jackets.

The tender ride to the ship took 45 minutes. Most of the riverboats remain moored, waiting for guests to arrive by tender.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the crew and Captain, who led us to the dining room for a buffet lunch. The meal was a mix of Vietnamese and Western dishes and was very enjoyable. After lunch, we headed to our rooms. Like the ship itself, our room was modern and spotlessly clean. We were greeted with towel art, red rose petals, and a large, comfortable bed that faced floor-to-ceiling patio doors offering breathtaking views of Halong Bay.

The bathroom was equally impressive—spacious, with a high-powered four-way shower and a bathtub overlooking the water. We were very pleased with both the ship and the accommodation.

The boat cruised for about 1.5 hours before dropping anchor for the night. During this time, we explored the ship and took the opportunity to swim in the heated pool while admiring the stunning scenery unfolding before our eyes.

Despite the grey skies, Halong Bay was still breathtaking, and the weather didn’t detract from our experience. We even managed to go kayaking off the back of the boat after our swim.

Later in the afternoon, we headed to the upper deck for canapés, tea, and cake. It was meant to be sunset-watching time, though the overcast sky didn’t allow for much of a view. That said, the temperature gradually rose throughout the day, and thankfully, the rain stayed away.

Next, we participated in a cooking class where we had the chance to make Vietnamese spring rolls.

Dinner was served at 7 PM—a beautifully presented and delicious seven-course meal which after that we had a go at fishing for Shrimp. We had no luck catching any but a young girl did and the chefs cooked it up for the guests to try. The evening’s entertainment was karaoke, which wasn’t really our thing. It didn’t seem particularly popular with the other guests either—when we popped in, only one couple was there. So, instead, we decided to call it a night and enjoy a bottle of wine on our balcony that we had brought with us.

The next morning, we had an early start with a light breakfast before boarding the tender for a bamboo boat excursion. We floated along the bay and through caves, and we were lucky enough to spot a monkey in the surrounding woodland.

Back on the ship, we had another hour in our rooms cruising before lunch. Lunch was again very nice. After settling our drinks bill and checking out, we boarded the tender for the return trip to the port, where our bus was waiting.

We booked the trip through Booking.com with Doria Cruise. Including transfers,food and trips the cruise cost £130 per person.

26/02/2025

We’ve finally dried out after a very wet and soggy day! We took an organized tour to Ninh Binh and the Mua Caves, starting early at 7:30 AM when we were picked up by a very nice and comfortable limo bus for the two-hour journey to our destination.

Our first activity was a cycling trip to a temple, passing through some stunning scenery. Unfortunately, it rained constantly throughout the entire tour! The temple was nice, though at this point in our trip, we were starting to feel a bit of "temple fatigue." After cycling back to the starting point, we had an included buffet lunch, which was just okay.

Next, we went on a rowing boat ride on a lake or river—we weren’t entirely sure! This was a highlight of the day, as the scenery was breathtaking, and riding through the long caves was great fun. While we would have loved to see everything under blue skies and sunshine, the mist and rain gave it a magical, eerie feel. By this point, despite our ponchos and rain jackets, we were completely soaked. Some people on the tour even wanted to skip the caves and return to Hanoi, but thankfully, our guide insisted we complete the tour.

When we arrived at the Mua Caves, our guide didn’t do it justice—he made it sound like just a boring cave and a tough 500-step climb to a viewpoint. Jo, already wet from the boat ride, was hesitant to go because of her knees, but in the end, she changed her mind rather than sit on the bus for an hour with others who opted out.

As soon as we entered, it was clear this was much more than just some steps and a cave. There were beautiful gardens, wooden boardwalks leading out to lotus flowers on the water, and breathtaking scenery. We started climbing the 500 steps but only made it about 60 steps up before stopping at a viewpoint. With the mist, we doubted we’d see much more at the top, so we took some photos and headed back down. In hindsight, it was the right decision—others on the tour later told us the view wasn’t much better, and they gave up reaching the dragon at the top because it was too crowded.

We then explored the gardens and decided to check out the cave that our guide had dismissed as "not very interesting." He was completely wrong! Walking through the cave led us to a stunning hidden basin of misty scenery—it felt like something straight out of Journey to the Center of the Earth. The whole area had some lovely coffee shops and cafés, and on a sunny day, it must be even more spectacular. We felt sorry for those who had stayed on the bus and missed out.

After a glass of wine, it was time to head back to Hanoi for a hot shower and a proper dry-off!

If you can, we recommend staying in Ninh Binh and visiting these places independently, as it gives you more time to take in the beauty of the area.

We booked through GetYourGuide for £37 per person.

25/02/2025

If you are travelling in Malaysia from Thailand or elsewhere and are from the UK don't make the sam simple mistake we made. The resulting error cost us over an hour waiting at immigration instead of going through the scanners in about 5 minutes. We were not the only people who had done this. Quite a few people had the same issue at the electronic gates.

Our journey through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) took an unexpected turn when we made a simple mistake at immigration! 😲 Watch as we share our ...

25/02/2025

We traveled from Hoi An and have arrived in Hanoi— and boy, is it cold! ❄️ We flew with Vietnam Airlines, and as before, we found their service to be excellent.

We didn’t bring big coats with us, as we expected the temperature to be at least in the high teens by the time we arrived. So, after warming up in our hotel room, we headed out to buy some hats and gloves.

Before we left, we’d heard from numerous people that you don’t need to pack a full suitcase because clothes are cheap here. So far, that hasn’t been the case! The shops were selling hats for around £7, most of them North Face—though we assume they’re fake. Luckily, we stumbled upon a street seller who had hats and gloves for just a couple of pounds.

Of course, we did the classic tourist activity and visited Train Street, which was great fun. While there, we met an Australian couple from Melbourne, who were great company, so we spent a few hours having drinks with them.

We’d love any recommendations for things to see while we’re in Hanoi!

24/02/2025

This is the Ferry boat that goes from Koh Samui to Krabi and vice versa. From here to Krabi by the time you add in your transfers and the coach from the port to Krabi it takes about 7 hours. The ferry itself was a nice relaxing crossing.

🚢 Koh Samui to Krabi Ferry – What’s It Like? 🚢Thinking of taking the ferry from Koh Samui to Krabi? In this video, we’ll show you exactly what the journey ...

24/02/2025

If we said we were in a UK airport I think you would most likely believe us. We are off to even colder climes in Hanoi where it's currently just 13c. We were going to divert but the weather is looking as bad across Thailand and Vietnam for the next few days.