#learn english in creek vista

[floresgavriil-blog]

If you’re looking to narrow down the best places to visit in Vietnam, it’s going to be a very tough decision. Vietnam has so much to offer any traveler that ventures to it, and is a mix of chaos and calm from the contrasts of Ho Chi Minh City to the mountainous regions of the Northern Highlands.

At one moment you could find yourself cruising through the endless creeks and rivers of The Mekong Delta and the next, sitting beachside at Hue or Nha Trang.

Vietnam on a map is somewhat squeezed to the edge of the South China Sea to the east with China hugging the northernmost border of the country. While to the west Laos and Cambodia both share a large border with Vietnam.

Despite its rough history, Vietnam’s popularity to travellers far and wide has soared in recent years making it one of the most visited countries in South East Asia.

At first glance, Vietnam might seem to be a place of constant activity but if you go to the right places, you will find the most magnificent vistas, people, food, and a peaceful way of life.

Whether you have one week or one month in Vietnam, this article is bound to give sensational ideas on the best places to visit in Vietnam!

Gondola’s in the Huong Tich Mountains

The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

1. The Mekong Delta

Boats on the Mekong River

First up on the list of Vietnam places to visit is the mighty Mekong. The Mekong Delta is a biodiversity hotspot and a place of calm. With an almost endless system of rivers and creeks to follow, the Mekong Delta is truly special.

Getting to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh is rather easy and is worth weaving your way out of the chaotic morning traffic to do so. The Mekong is a very big place so there are many things to do and see.

My Tho

To start off your adventure in the Mekong, I would recommend seeking out My Tho which is the closest town to Ho Chi Minh. My Tho is the gateway to the Mekong meaning that a lot of fresh produce passes through its doors. Rice, coconuts, and durian a few food items you will see a lot of here.

From My Tho, I highly recommend an early morning adventure by the aid of a boat through Vinh Long’s Cai Be Floating Markets where everything fresh sells by the kilogram or tonne, depending on what you buy!

Tra Vinh

If you are looking to truly experience the Mekong Delta, Tra Vinh is the perfect place to do so as it is located some distance from the main roads meandering throughout the delta.

Tra Vinh might not be well known to foreign visitors but it is secretly a spot dotted with hundreds of pagodas (a type of temple or shrine). Sunrise in Tra Vinh is a must see as a layer of morning mist covers the land making the shrines appear like they are on another planet.

Ben Tre

Some of my most memorable moments came from a little place called Ben Tre. It was here that I was invited into a family home to watch a game of football on a tiny television.

I could not speak Vietnamese and the family could not speak English leaving a communication barrier, however we could communicate through the game of football as we all knew exactly what was going on!

Another incredible moment happened during an early morning bike ride over the Ham Luong River. In the distance, a monstrous but beautiful storm cloud rumbled away as the morning sun turned the cloud into a bright orange as boats would chug away underneath the bridge I sat upon.   

I would recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days at a minimum in the Mekong Delta as there are plenty of places to see and things to do. It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Vietnam!

2. Ho Chi Minh City

Late afternoon relaxing

My first impression of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) was chaotic and humid with a hint of charm, but after visiting I definitely think it is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. I was dropped off at my hotel in the central part of the city and the only thing stopping me from getting to the hotel reception was a myriad of zooming scooters, motorbikes, trucks and cars.

Eventually, I learned how to cross roads when they are busy, which you’ll have to do too as a visitor. Once you graduate to crossing a street in a Vietnamese city the world is your oyster.

Ho Chi Minh’s population is 8.6 million spread over places known as ‘districts.’ These districts number up to 19 which is quite beneficial especially if Vietnamese isn’t your strongest language.

District 1 is the central most part of the city and will most likely be the area where you are staying. A few highlights of Ho Chi Minh City are…

Vietnam’s Notre-Dame Cathedral

Ho Chi Minh has many attractions which are relatively close to one another, the first being French/ Vietnamese version of The Notre-Dame Cathedral. Be warned this one is somewhat smaller, yet still intact to the one in Paris. Expect to see married couples posing outside of the cathedral on a daily basis.

Across from the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the pinkish building with a large clock in the middle is the General Post Office where most travel to even from foreign countries in order to post a letter or postcard.

During the Vietnam/ American War, the Reunification Palace is another landmark in Hoi Chi Minh. This palace, at the time of the conflict held South Vietnam’s President only to have armored tanks storm and crash the front gates. These images at the time made news coverage globally.

Ben Thanh Markets

Ho Chi Minh City is known for its seriously enormous markets and the one that is bigger than them all goes to Ben Thanh Markets. These markets to be exact are 119,000 square feet, or a couple of football fields.

The Ben Thanh Markets sell almost everything – and I mean everything. If you like to shop you will definitely come out with more than you need. I went looking for street food and ended up buying a bag full of t-shirts.

Vietnam’s fresh vegetable markets

War Remnants Museum

Before leaving Ho Chi Minh City, I highly recommend visiting the War Remnants Museum to get a perspective on just how terrible to war was to those living in Vietnam.

The War Remnants Museum houses photos from the war, planes, tanks and three levels within the building showcasing the terrors of the war.

Aside from the many tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, simply walking around the streets during sunrise was an amazing thing especially at some of the local parks where locals would be stretching, playing football, chess or getting in a morning workout.

Ho Chi Minh City isn’t always busy so make the most of the mornings when everyone is still sleeping and if you want to get somewhere such as the Mekong Delta or out of the city to Dalat, leave early to avoid heavy traffic and lengthy delays.

3. Dalat

Scooters are allowed everywhere!

Spending too much time basking in intense humidity can’t be too good for you, so for some relief, Dalat is the perfect mountain getaway. Dalat is perched 1,500 metres above the South China Sea and only a few hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh making it a seriously idyllic city escape.

Vietnam is home to a variety of environments including mountainous areas and these are Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. Dalat is surrounded by forests of pines, agriculture farms and many waterfalls which are 100% swimmable!

Dalat’s Central Market is the perfect place to go for a bowl of Pho;a vegetable or meat broth infused with noodles, meat or vegetables topped with chilies, basil and spring onions. Dalat’s produce will be immensely better than what you would taste in Ho Chi Minh, so eat your heart out!

Dalat is located on the shores of Xuan Huong Lake which is a fantastic morning stroll around the rather brown looking lake. Hiring a bicycle is a good option if you plan on exploring Dalat but be prepared for hill climbs!

Relaxing by waterfalls is a must while in the Southern Highlands. One, in particular, that is my favorite is Tiger Falls, some 14 kilometers east of Dalat.

Tiger Falls is a solid half-day adventure which requires some gnarly navigation skills enroute to the waterfall making it so much more fun.

Having gone from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh to the natural wonders of Dalat, exploring Vietnam’s coast is a must do!

4. Nha Trang

Nha Trang from above!

From the mountains of Dalat, heading north, Nha Trang is a serious must do. Nha Trang is a hidden gem located on Vietnam’s south-central coast where coral reefs flourish, beaches are relatively free of rubbish and the views are stunning!

A must do while in Nha Trang is a day adventure and cruise out to the neighboring islands to go snorkeling or diving amongst the corals and tropical fish.o Or if you prefer to lay on the beach and do nothing I won’t blame you for doing so!

On land, Nha Trang has a place where you can go immerse your body in warm mud that is said to be beneficial to your skin at Thap Ba Hot Springs. Being covered in mud not your thing? No worries!

Nha Trang has some top quality bars by the sea which are great for sunset drinks but if you prefer to tuck into Vietnam’s salivating street food, I would recommend Dam Market, a place generally void of tourists where prices are a lot cheaper than beach side restaurants.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An during a misty morning

Hoi An might be my favorite city in Vietnam with its gorgeous French charm, peaceful riverside influence and exceptional fresh produce. It’s definitely one of the top places to see in Vietnam.

The best way to start off an adventure in Hoi An is at the Central Market Cho Hoi An for exceptional Vietnamese food. As Hoi An is heavily influenced by France, Bahn Mi never fails to deliver with a baguette filled with fresh herbs, cucumber and meat topped with a hot sauce.

A lot of tourism in Hoi An revolves around custom clothing especially suits and pants. Some of Hoi An’s streets are dedicated to tailors and the end product is generally very good, cheap, and the waiting time is usually less than a day for a custom piece to be made. A few top sites in Hoi An are:

The Japanese Bridge

While most of Hoi An is influenced by France, there is an exception with The Japanese Bridge, built during the 16th century. The Japanese Bridge isn’t for traffic; instead it serves as a shrine on the inside to commemorate the Japanese Emperors of the time (that being the year of the dog and year of the monkey).

For a few Vietnamese dong, an incense stick can be purchased in order to pay respects.

Hoi An’s Japanese Bridge

Coastal Hoi An

Central Hoi An is very close to the East Vietnam Sea where spectacular coastlines spread from north to south. Most beaches in Hoi An have a bar or restaurant prime for cracking open a fresh, chilled coconut and watching the last rays of light disappear.

If you are keen on checking out Hoi An’s coastal areas, I suggest hiring a bicycle as the ride weaves through rice paddy fields as water buffalo frolic in mud. By bike, it takes about 30 minutes each way.

6. My Son Temple

The remains of a temple at My Son

One hour west of Hoi An, My Son Temple is a complex series of Hindu temples, pagodas and dense rainforest said to date back to the 2nd century. Guided tours operate on a daily basis and provide a look into the life of the Champa, an ancient kingdom.

My Son Temple has survived a lot of hardships including the recent war were the temple was targeted by bomber planes where craters the size of swimming pools are still seen around this historic complex.

My Son Temple is so important to the people of Vietnam and its culture that it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural values and being part of an Ancient Civilization in Asia.

7. Da Nang

One of Vietnam’s most famous views

Getting to Da Nang is an adventure in itself and if you were to ask a local where the most scenic views are in Vietnam is they’d probably say the Hai Van Pass. The first time I saw the Hai Van Pass and The Lang Co Peninsula was on an episode of Top Gear.

Da Nang is located in central Vietnam and very nearly is equal in distance to both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Da Nang is a less traveled destination and is generally bypassed due to it serving as a place of industrial and economic purposes however, don’t write it off just yet as there are a few things to do in Da Nang! My two favorites were to see Dragon Bridge and explore Cao Dai Temple.

Da Nang probably has the most awesome bridge anywhere in Asia, or the world with the so-called Dragon Bridge tailing over the Han River. The Dragon Bridge isn’t just something that is driven over, it sprays fire and water while changing color which would be very distracting when crossing on a scooter.

One of the more strange temples that can be visited is the Cao Dai Temple which is seemingly confusing especially the architecture. The temple doesn’t host just one religion, but I honestly cannot even tell you how many it does. The purpose of the temple states ‘all religions have the same purpose’.

8. Hue

Continuing north, Hue is known to most as the Imperial City or Citadel where a fortress was built during 1804. The Imperial Citadel at the time was impenetrable with a moat, the Perfume River while being protected by eight meter high walls.

Within the Imperial Citadel, there are a multitude of buildings, pagodas, temples and courtyards of gigantic scale. Unfortunately during the war, a lot of damage was inflicted upon the citadel and to this day, repairs are still being made.

Exploring the citadel can be as short or as long as you want it to be. Guided tours in the citadel are also a good option as there are so many things going on with history, types of buildings, and war knowledge so having someone with local information join your day is truly worth it.

9. Halong Bay

Halong Bay tops the list as the most beautiful place to visit in Vietnam. It is certainly a Vietnam tourist spot, but a worthwhile and unique one! I remember the first time I saw Halong Bay as I watched the hosts of Top Gear navigate the limestone islands on their boats/ scooters and the scenery they were in was incredible! A few years later, I got to experience Halong Bay for myself.

There’s no doubt, Halong Bay is the most visited place in Vietnam by foreigners putting increasing pressure on the environment and resources however things seem to be improving.

So what do you do in Halong Bay? Halong Bay and its hundreds of limestone islands can only be accessed by boat or kayak. So the first step is to find a company to go with and decide if you just want to visit for a day or do an overnight experience.

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Once you have decided on your trip, there are so many places to check out and the best way to do so is via a kayak. Cat Ba Island is one of the largest islands with a multitude of beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails while precious reefs surround the shores of the island.

Kayaking by far is the best thing you can do in Halong Bay as there are endless places to explore with caves, waterfalls and monkey’s jumping from tree to tree trying to get a glimpse of you in the kayak.

Halong Bay is one of the most unique places in Vietnam and that is due to the people that live in floating houses, sometimes never setting foot on land. Most of the floating houses have markets where fresh vegetables, fruits and sometimes even poultry are sold so why not check them out!

Overnight junk boat cruise

If you have time, I highly suggest an overnight cruise! Overnight cruises are seriously the most chilled out thing you can do in Halong Bay as there’s more relaxing on the sundeck and eating delicious Vietnamese food to be had.

A general cruise leaves from the town of Ha Long and set sail towards the islands usually around midday. Most of the boats have fairly good rooms, a bar, dining area and a sun deck along with kayaks making it the perfect way to get out and explore Vietnam’s natural wonders. We went on the Au Co by Bhaya Cruises and had a fantastic time – see the full review here.

For the best weather in Halong Bay, make sure to visit in the warmer months from April to October.

10. Hanoi

Vietnam’s flag

Hanoi is one of those Vietnam points of interests you can’t miss. The capital of Vietnam is a step back from the chaos of Ho Chi Minh with a charming vibe of old buildings, lakes, pagodas and intricate system of streets dedicated to selling a particular item. If I had to choose a city to spend more time in, Hanoi would be it.

I spent six days exploring Hanoi and surrounds doing a whole complexity of different things, but before leaving Hanoi to explore its wonders there are just so many places to see in the city first.

Getting around Hanoi is so much easier than that of Ho Chi Minh and that is partly due to a milder and cooler climate. The chances of breaking out into a sweat by 8 am are unlikely. A few of the best things to do in Hanoi are:

Lake Hoan Kiem

My perfect day in Hanoi would start by Lake Hoan Kiem which once was home to a rare tortoise said to be sacred and if you spotted it, it would bring a lifetime of good luck! At one end of the lake, the Rising Sun Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple where a taxidermy tortoise remains the centerpiece to the temple.

The Old Quarter

Some of Hanoi’s Old Quarter dates back to the 13th century. Today, the Old Quarter has some of the best street food, beer and historic buildings in all of the city.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter might take the award for the most unique place to visit with 36 streets dedicated to selling specific items. For instance, Hang Chieu Street is solely dedicated to selling mats for houses or Hang Bo Street sells mainly bamboo baskets. If you are after something very specific, you are sure to find it in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum structure is unlike anything else in Hanoi, a building made from marble and granite to house the body of Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho is received by many Vietnamese as a hero showing courageous leadership throughout the American/ Vietnam War.

Uncle Ho is known to most as Ho Chi Minh and on certain occasions, his body can be visited at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Bia Hoi Corner

Time for a beer at Bia Corner

After a long days exploration, there’s no better way than to soak up the atmosphere than by taking a seat recommended for a child, delving into a bowl of pho and washing it down with Hanoi’s famous Bia Hoi, a preservative-free beer.

Bia Hoi Corner is quite chaotic and finding a seat is a challenge in itself as everyone rushes to get the first glass of freshly brewed beer as once the keg is empty, there won’t be any for another 24 hours.

A glass of Bia Hoi costs roughly 3200 dong and the best thing about the bia is that it will not give you a headache!

Whilst sipping away, Bia Hoi Corner becomes a haven for street vendors where Bahn Mi, household items and basically anything you can think of are sold. So sit back and watch Hanoi go by!

11. Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda

At first, I was unsure of what else to do other than to stick to Hanoi. However after going on an array of adventures within three hours of the city, it opened up a whole new world of places to visit in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Perfume Pagoda and Buddhist Temple; Huong Tich Grotto require an epic adventure into the depths of the Hoang Son Mountains to find a Buddhist Temple that almost seems hidden and getting there is by far the most extraordinary part of the day.

Starting off in a wooden canoe or kayak, you are rowed down the Perfume River in a unique technique as the rowers use their feet to steer and row instead of their hands, you really need to see it to believe it.

90 minutes later and depending on the flow of the river, you disembark the boat and stroll into a seemingly abandoned town where lots of restaurants line the cobbled street.

Ideally, you’ll want to fuel up on food before continuing on and there’s no better way to do so than eating fresh cuisine like rice-paper rolls filled with vegetables; banh trang cuon nuong or Vietnam’s famous jackfruit, a spikey fruit the size of a bowling ball!

Vietnam’s Perfume Pagoda including that of Thien Tru Pagoda is a collection of ancient Buddhism statues, pagoda’s, and shrines immersed into the lush forests surrounds. The Perfume Pagoda, named so due to the fragrant smells that are said to flow through the Hoang Son Mountains.

After visiting the temples of the Perfume Pagoda, Huong Tich Grotto is close by, so get back back in the boat and head up stream!

12. Buddhist Temple; Huong Tich Grotto

Vietnam’s remote cave systems

After the Perfume Pagoda, you may as well head to Huong Tich Grotto. The last part of the journey can be done according to preference; taking the scenic route on a gondola over the Hoang Son Mountains or the stairs…I definitely chose the stairs.

Once at the top of the mountains, the views are jaw-dropping! At the top of the mountain, a steep staircase takes you into the heart of Hoang Son Mountain to where the Buddhist Temple lay.

This particular Buddhist Temple is like no other in Vietnam or the world with stalagmites and stalactites are everywhere in sight. At the end of the temple, the Buddha can be seen as pilgrims pray under a dimly lit cave.

13. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is simply the best of Vietnam. In Cameron and Natasha’s opinion, Ninh Binh is the best place to visit in Vietnam. Just a short train journey away from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is ideal for anyone who only has a few spare days around the capital.

Ninh Binh was described by a fellow traveler as being like Ha Long Bay, just less popular and with less water, and that’s exactly what it is!

Once you arrive you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of limestone monoliths, topped with beautiful dense greenery that elegantly emerge right from the earth.

There are plenty of things to do in Ninh Binh like explore Bai Dinh and Bich Dong Pagodas. Another option is to climb Hang Mua Peak, or just venture around on a motorbike. Ninh Binh i picking up in popularity on the Vietnam backpacker trail too, meaning there are plenty of delicious places to eat. Make sure to get to Chookies for healthy vegan food and an iced coconut coffee!

14. Tam Coc

Just near Ninh Binh Town, another fine day trip from Hanoi is Tam Coc. This is a truly stunning area of Vietnam that is best seen by the river. Much like the Perfume Pagoda trip, Tam Coc requires hiring a wooden boat and a rower to take you through Halong Bay like landscapes, rice paddy fields and a series of caves which are quite spooky.

Picking the right time of year to go Tam Coc is crucial as the scenes are much more beautiful when the rice paddies haven’t been harvested. Once everything gets pulled up, there’s a lot of muddy water and no lush green crops to see. However choosing travel times can be difficult as the harvest season is so broad so you may just have to be lucky!

Getting to Tam Coc is the hard part and although it might not seem far from Hanoi, the roads have seen better days so expect the journey to Tam Coc to take 2.5 hours. Or you can just stay in Ninh Binh!

15. Sa Pa

Still wondering where to go in Vietnam? From the Mekong Delta to the far reaches of Vietnam, Sa Pa is about as far as you can go before you cross into China. Once you escape the city of Hanoi, Vietnam’s natural wonders shine and it’s truly one of the most spectacular off the track destinations you can go in Vietnam

Getting to Sa Pa is no easy feat taking 12 hours by train from Hanoi. I highly recommend purchasing a sleeper cabin because of this.

Sa Pa is known for its hillside rice paddy fields extending as far as the eye can see while Vietnam’s tallest mountain shows drastic contrast to the rest of Vietnam.

Mount Fansipan soars to 3.143 meters and is known as the ‘roof of Indochina’. Hiking to the top is an option, but a grueling one, otherwise opt for a gondola.

If you are traveling from south to north, make Sa Pa your last stop as it truly reflects what Vietnam is all about, enriched in traditional culture, unattached from civilization and completely immersed in nature. Sa Pa is incredible.

When is the Best Time of Year to Travel to Vietnam?

Ho Chi Minh City

To avoid the monsoon season, October to April is recommended however temperatures will be higher.

Da Nang

September and October by far has the highest rainfall while temperatures peak from May to August.

Hanoi

Hanoi has the best climate in Vietnam making the best months to visit from December through to April.

How to Travel Around Vietnam?

Fresh fruit is always available

Getting around Vietnam is easier than you think with trains, buses and bikes readily available. If you are planning on hiring a scooter or motorbike for a length of the country adventure, I highly recommend being an experienced rider as road conditions throughout the country can be terrible and scary at time. Always wear a helmet – it’s actually a law in Vietnam (although many don’t obey it).

If you are constrained by time, planes are a perfectly safe option in Vietnam. Opt for Vietnam Airlines over low-cost VietJet Air, which almost always runs with delays and cancellations.

Major airports are located in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi while smaller regional airports are found in all of the mentioned places apart from the Mekong Delta and Sa Pa.

Plan Your Trip to Vietnam

Book your Halong Bay Cruise! Planning on visiting the beautiful Ha Long Bay? Read our full review of our trip and use the code THEWORLDPURSUIT20 for 20% your three-day cruise!

Need Transportation? See the best ways to get around Asia here. 

Travel Insurance: We never travel without travel insurance with World Nomads. Natasha is a bit of a worry wart and would rather stay safe than sorry. World Nomads offers incredible flexible and great plans!

Water: The water in Vietnam is not drinkable. Check out some of our favorite purified travel water bottles here. 

Guide Book: Sometimes it’s nice just to have a real book in your hands when traveling. We recommend Lonely Planet.

Adapter: Make sure you find a good universal adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may struggle to find one once you land.

Read More:

15 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

16 Reasons Why You Need to Travel to Taiwan

16 Best Things to do in Ubud, Bali • The Spiritual Capital of Indonesia

30 Reasons Why Japan is My Favorite Country to Travel

15 Amazing Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam • A Must Visit City

Niseko Ski Resort • 25 Things to Know For Your Ski Vacation

15 Best Things to do in Osaka, Japan

The 20 Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Furano Ski Resort • The Best Spot For JAPOW

13 Halong Bay Cruise Tips To Know Before Your Trip to Vietnam

30 Unique Things To Do In Japan • Ultimate Japan Bucket List

15 Worthwhile Things to do in Colombo, Sri Lanka

About the Author

Calumn Hockey

G’day! My name is Calumn Hockey and I am a keen adventurer, traveler, and photographer from Bowraville, Australia. I have a huge passion for the mountains of the Himalaya in Nepal to the Southern Alps of New Zealand while being one who loves to become immersed in local culture. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to some pretty epic locations such as Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Nepal, and South East Asia. I might not have a high tally of countries under my belt but there is nothing better than exploring somewhere you love in depth and becoming connected with the sights and sounds. Keen to follow my adventures? Follow me on @CalumnHockey

THANKS FOR READING!

Join Our Email List!

The post 15 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam appeared first on The World Pursuit.

[businessfrontrunners]

How These Dallas Based Real Estate Professionals/Managing Partners, Mr. & Mrs. Sharma, Are Helping Their Multifamily Apartment Communities & Local Area Hospitals During The COVID-19 Pandemic

https://authoritypresswire.com/?p=32487 One thing is perfectly clear, The Sharma’s passionately care for the community and strive to provide residents homes in which they feel happy and wish to live in for a long time. They successfully provide better places to live, improved amenities, and more secure locations to raise the family. Meet Our Featured Guest, Bhuvan & Pratima Sharma: They are known as the "King & Queen of Real Estate." As RE Professionals/Managing Partners, they are one of the most respected couples in the Multi-Family Real Estate Profession and have an excellent reputation for what they have accomplished in a short time. This husband and wife team are Elite Residential Real Estate Investors that have invested in properties all across the US. Overall, they have 5800 units and 29 properties in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia.  As general partners, they have over 1700 units & as limited partners; they have over 4000 units. Here are the 4 properties they currently own, located in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. Sierra Vista Apartments, 2775 Northaven Rd, Dallas, TX Oak Meadow Apartments, 11050 Woodmeadow Parkway Dallas, Tx Oates Creek Apartments, 1805 Oates Drive, Mesquite, TX Terraces on the Parkway Apartments, 1109 N Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX As Asset Managers, they are focusing their attention to details and being pro-active to improve their property values. They consistently review the key performance indicators, and notice trends to make improvements, resulting in an increase in overall income. Together, they have 54+ years of experience in banking, technology, utilities, & consumer industries, and 14+ years in Real Estate. They are well set to manage and operate multifamily properties. Also, they have established a great team in place to aid with real estate transactions and operations. They are passionate about asset management and taking their properties to new heights. THE MAIN QUESTION FOR THE SHOW WAS: "What are some of the ways that you are helping your residents and community during these critical times?" Mr. Sharma started by saying, “As you know, the apartment industry has been hit hard by the pandemic. For example, the eviction moratorium set in place for residents has unfairly burdened many apartment owners and is only exacerbated by the new loan requirements.” Mrs. Sharma added, "We always plan and have always kept operating expenses for rainy days. We have also gotten the PPP and some EIDL grants. We took early action as soon as COVID hit, and due to that, all our properties are operating well. Our occupancy has been in the 90s. We have kept all our staff intact throughout this time. For our residents and residential communities, we have been doing the following things. Working with our residents who have lost jobs to see how we can help them Guiding them on how to get rent assistance. We have provided a list of local organizations where our residents can get rental assistance Some residents are making masks for which we are paying them, and then we are donating masks to the local hospitals. We have donated over 500 masks to Children's Hospital in Dallas and Plano, Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Baylor, and Medical City of Plano We have purchased over 1400 rolls of toilet paper and 10,000 gloves to give to our residents across all our properties in this time of need Working with local charities to provide free food several times a week to our residents The Host, Tom Chesser, wanted to point out that even before the Covid-19 thing happened, the Sharma's were already giving back to their resident communities & "Providing Better Living Places" by: Running minimal cost after school & summer school programs. We have 35 kids range from 3 – 14 yrs Providing kids with free meals, swimming lessons, Homework Help Buying computer and printer to aid with their homework Having Back to School Supply Distributions Doing ESOL & Nutrition classes for adult residents Hosting Soccer Competitions Providing Health screening programs Community Parties - Easter Celebration - Summer Cookout - Thanksgiving & Christmas Parties Mr. & Mrs. Sharma were eager to explain by saying, "Frankly, that is a shortlist of what we do. We are working with the YMCA and other organizations to provide valuable after-school activities to the children, who are residents in our properties, to raise community cohesion, and keep residents staying longer and being happier. And we provide FREE… yes, FREE… back-to-school supplies for any children in the community who need them at the start of each new school year. We do this as we believe in educating the children since they are the future of our society, and to add to that; We care for the HEALTH of our residents by providing educational training on healthy living by working with local medical providers and hospitals, to offer crucial healthcare and screenings to our community members. When it is appropriate, we even arrange for English as a 2nd Language class for residents to break down communication barriers." When asked why they do all of this? Mrs. Sharma instantly replied, "Well, there is a sense of social responsibility, for sure. We should all aspire to do good while we are doing well for ourselves. It is a win-win-win…, and the win for SevenSeas is happier residents who stay longer and who pay more reliably. There is a real, tangible benefit to a clear social good." During the interview, they also talked about being Asset Managers, Investors, their Team, and how people can get involved. To hear the full interview go to https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/dallastx-how-mr-mrs-sharma-are-helping-their-multifamily-apartment-communities-local-area-hospitals-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ To learn more about Bhuvan & Pratima Sharma, please visit: https://www.sevenseashld.com/aboutus

[tutorinkarachi]

Hire Home Tutor and Online Teacher in Karachi, Lahore, Pakistan | MBA, B.COM, BBA, O-level, A-level, IELTS, Spanish Language

Hire Home Tutor and Online Teacher in Karachi, Lahore, Pakistan | MBA, B.COM, BBA, O-level, A-level, IELTS, Spanish Language

AL Tutor Academy Karachi +92-313-2287896 Home Tutor in Karachi | O-level Home Teacher in DHA | A-level Private Teacher in Clifton | GCSE Home Tuition in Zamzama | Accounting Tutor in Karachi | Mathematics Coaching Classes in Karachi | Additional Math | IELTS Tutor in PECHS | English Language Tutor | MBA Tutorin Pakistan | Spanish Language Tutor | ACCA Home Tutor in Tariq Road | Inter Commerce…

[hikertracks]

The Berg Lake Trail: There and Back (Plus Some)

(Originally posted here on July 4th 2017.)

Snowbound high elevations, from Roger’s Pass.

Winter seemed to last too long here in British Columbia this year; in fact, up high in the alpine, winter is still present in most places as I write this, on July 3rd, just over a week after my trip. Mount Revelstoke’s summit is still snowbound and across the Rockies, most high places remain enrobed in a blanket of white, so that one almost begins to wonder whether winter will ever end at altitude this year. Despite this, the world famous Berg Lake Trail (the ‘spiral road’ as it was known to its land’s first human inhabitants,) which graces the toes of the majestic monarch Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, is somehow snow free. With three days off in this past late June and with my hopes of alpine hiking dying, I heard from a client that Robson might be lacking the white stuff. Rushing home after work that day, I managed to procure a reservation for a camp - but just for one night, and at the camp furthest from the trailhead, Robson Pass. It would be a flash trip - 23 kilometres in and 23 kilometres out within a period of 48 hours, for a total of 46 kilometres, more than a standard marathon, kilometres which I would hike completely by myself.

Me, in front of Emperor Falls. Note the mud on my right shin from slipping.

This sound tough? It actually pales in comparison to what some thruhikers do, hiking as far as 48.3 kilometres in a single day (that’s 30 miles!) That being done (reputedly) on a fairly gentle grade compared to the Berg Lake Trail’s almost constant vertical gain, I still felt like this would be a pretty good test of my future thruhiker mettle. While I still have no idea what it feels like to hike for days on end, I do feel that my endurance was proven and I learned a great deal from this trek about my gear. I gained confidence in hiking, surmounting obstacles which once spooked my younger self, half my life ago. I learned that I like hiking alone, that I love solitude, and that I dislike having other non-kin hikers near me, even in camp. (Of course, I also work a highly social retail job; put me in the wilderness by myself long enough so that I can fully decompress from that and perhaps I might be a much more social hiker.)

Going in, I felt concern that other hikers, and, indeed, parks staff, would take offense at my hiking alone because of my gender. Thankfully, I only experienced one moment of sexism, and it was incredibly minor; a concerned guy with quite bad English tried to convince me to let him hike with me at the trailhead. After pointing out exactly how far I was hiking, I gleefully ditched him and bounded onto the trail, whooping in excitement because my long awaited adventure had finally began. I’d been gearing up for this trip for years and while I hadn’t known that Robson would be my first test, I was ready for it and I had been dreaming about returning to the big mountain’s beautiful shadow.

The bounding didn’t last long; it had been a very long time since I had last backpacked and while I had been reading religiously about thruhiking as well as updating my gear for years, while I usually hike with quite a bit of weight for a day hiker (my inner Scout demands that I Be Prepared,) the heft of my new pack was still quite a new thing. I felt like a horse wearing a saddle for the first time and as such, it took me quite a long time to settle into my stride, something which I usually do when day hiking within a few hundred metres. (I have day hiked up to 26 kilometres easily before and I am absolutely capable of 30, although I haven’t tested this.) By the time that I reached Kinney Lake, the first camp, in good time, I had relaxed into my pack, although I was still fighting a battle between the chafing around my shoulders and the chafing around my hips.

Kinney Lake.

Here, I would make a crucial error, although I wouldn’t figure that out until the next day; to spare the pain of my hips, I adjusted my pack wrong and unknowingly threw most of my pack’s weight onto my shoulders. Human shoulders are not load bearing like human hips are; the next day, I corrected the problem and hiked easier, but for this first day, I frantically ate the contents of my hip belt pockets, thinking that that would help instead. (I also drank a lot, thinking that that would be a good idea to shave weight, until I realized that the three litres in my pack had to last me at least fifteen kilometres, so I began drinking more as I felt was needed.)

The first big climb to Whitehorn, a camp set in a small, beautiful river valley, feels grueling, but I rewarded myself with a nice long break beside the water. Here, I filtered water with my beloved Sawyer Mini for the first time, mixing up a bottle of electrolytes in the hopes of augmenting the water supply in my pack on the way up the long climb to Emperor Falls high above me. I also munched on more trail rations, and contemplated how my electrolytes should be stored somewhere more convenient, but somehow I never did do this; next hike!

The suspension bridge at Whitehorn. There used to be another suspension bridge on the other side of the camp by White Falls, but it got washed out too frequently, so the Park replaced it with something more sturdy.

Up, up and away! The climb to Emperor Falls, past first White Falls then Falls of the Pool, was long and draining, especially on a hot day with bluebird weather. (Weather which I was deeply thankful for!) Many switchbacks above White Falls, I found the bench where I had sat with my mom and dad as a fourteen year old kid, the last time that I had visited Mount Robson and teared up. Carrying on, at Falls of the Pool, a super nice but rather confused German tourist snapped my photo for me, succeeding after several attempts. (I suspect that he had never used a phone for photography before.) Climbing up onto a ridge, I caught my first glimpse of Emperor Falls and crossed over a ravine, then after about an hour, I finally found myself at the trail junction for visiting the falls. Here, I contemplated dropping my pack and slack packing to the falls, but I couldn’t bear to be seperated from my stuff, so I clambered down the trail.

Emperor falls, with Mount Robson behind it.

What a relief! The trail became mud as refreshingly freezing mist blasted my body. A friendly trio of girls came giggling down from the falls-side cornice and burst out laughing as my hat was blown off of my head. In rescuing it, I lost my balance and scrambled back onto my feet, a streak of mud freshly adorning my right shin. Adamantly proclaiming myself fine, I retreated from the falls and attempted to take a selfie from a distance and one of the girls took pity on me, taking my picture for me. With my entire front soaked with spray, I went back up the trail and continued my ascent to Emperor Falls’ Camp, which is undoubtedly the prettiest camp on the trail (although my camp, Robson Pass, definitely has the best view!) Finding the trail more level, I cruised on, crossing a scree slope before descending down onto an alluvial fan, from which I watched a couple of helicopters buzz around from their landing spot beside the lateral moraine which hides Mist Lake from the view of the trail. Finally reaching Berg Lake, I was delighted to see that there were indeed icebergs at large and I happily began the final stretch of my hike. Fortune was with me, and I spied a snowshoe hare in its summer coat as it hopped fearlessly out onto the trail for my admiration.

Berg Lake, complete with a berg. Mount Robson stands proud in the background!

Having run out of water, I paused to filter more, refilling my electrolyte bottle in the hopes of getting myself through to camp. Four rare harlequin ducks and two icebergs delighted me close to shore while I rested my sore body for the final push to Robson Pass. Regaining the trail, I finally trod through Berg Lake Camp and passed over Hargreaves Creek, soon finding myself at Rearguard Camp. The trail was flat and gentle, so I had no problem anymore with making distance, but I was still exhausted and very sore by the time I glided into Robson Pass camp. Discovering the site of the outhouse and finding it occupied, I dragged my painful body around the camp to find a tent pad to claim. My attempts to find one away from every other hiker proved in vain but I found one with an incredible vista of Mount Resplendant, Robson, and Snowbird Pass instead. A room with a view! People pay thousands for a place like that, elsewhere.

My view; Mount Resplendant in the foreground, with Robson behind. Snowbird Pass is offscreen to the left.

After pitching my tent and readying my bed, dropping most of my weight in my little shelter, I put my pack back on to hike 1.6 kilometres further, to Adolphus Lake, which I could not stand to miss after seeing it just a teensy bit past Robson Pass on the map. Also not feeling particularly enthused about having dinner in the camp shelter with all the other hikers, I brought my food bag and thus after crossing the border with Jasper National Park, I had dinner right on the tranquil shore of the pristine subalpine lake. This felt like a great reward after hiking for nine hours and my Mountain House Macaroni and Cheese Product dinner tasted sublime, even though I added way too much water (so it was more like cheesy soup.) I half filled my hydration reservoir, gobbled the last of my macaroni and watched the alpenglow light up the mountains, dreaming of hiking further, past what I could see. At the British Columbia-Alberta border, the Berg Lake Trail had become the North Boundary Trail, a 192 kilometre jaunt through Jasper’s backcountry which I yearn to conquer someday, when my gear is better figured.

Adolphus Lake, reflecting nearby peaks graced in alpenglow.

Returning back to camp, I sat by the stream and drew, watching the alpenglow continue its show until it finally faded. Slowly realizing that it had become hiker midnight, that all of my neighbours had gone to sleep, I sought out my own cozy den to seek my brief rest.

In typical fashion, I woke up obnoxiously early, at 6 AM (I seem to be entirely incapable of sleeping in while camping.) Striking camp, I grabbed my food bag, rationing chow fuel into my hip belt pockets for the hike out and gulped electrolytes again to revitalize my tired body. Practically inhaling my chocolate poptarts, I began my trek and quickly felt heartened by the time that I was making. Very quickly I was back at Emperor Falls and descending further, reaching Whitehorn speedily, then hiking back down to Kinney. At Kinney Lake, I took the flats route instead of the main trail to avoid some elevation gain/loss which I had experienced on the way up. Here, I also felt a flicker from my heart, so I drank more electrolytes and rested for a while beside the Robson River.

Those last few kilometres, although flat and downhill, were torturous. I wanted so badly to be done and back at my car, but I was so tired. My left knee had begun to hurt and my poor feet were feeling stone bruised, but I knew that the end of the trail was near. Here, with so many kilometres behind me and so little in front of me, I became incredibly intolerant of day hikers. The day before, on the way up, I had tolerated them passing me - with my heavy pack and the grade, there had been no way for me to outpace them, but now, with the trail going downhill, suddenly gravity was with me despite my flagging stamina.

A pair of shirtless male hikers came up behind me; catching sight of them in my peripheral vision, I saw red and bolted up the trail, stalwartly refusing to let them catch me. For a long time more, I had no sense of them again, having successfully left them in my dust, but soon the kilometres began to tell again and my speed faded. Suddenly, a mountain biker burst past me from behind, loudly and jubilantly praising me, “All the way from Robson Pass - atta girl!”

It was another hiker from Robson Pass, who had stayed with me there! (Mountain bikes are allowed up to Kinney Lake, where they must be chained up and stowed.) Energy filled me again; my smile came back and my toes bit back into the good trail dirt. Speed was again part of my name and I ate another kilometre until once again my energy began to flag. The trail curved, mocking me as it pretended to be almost done, then, low and behold, those same two damned shirtless day hikers abruptly almost passed me.

Ah, HELL NO. I bolted again - this time by running rather than going full steam ahead into my hiking gait - and suddenly it was there - the trailhead, no more than two hundred metres distant. I didn’t have the energy to keep running, but I managed a shambling hiking pace, desperate to stay ahead of my appointed enemies, the shirtless duo. In the last fifty metres, I found the strength to run and I loped raggedly across the finish line, the two posts which flanked the start of the trail to kiss the trailhead sign. DONE!

Limping the final few metres to my car, I drank yet more electrolytes and gratefully dropped my pack, exchanging my boots for my merciful sandals. After giving a trail report to a group of girls heading out on their own hike, I drove the single kilometre back to the Mount Robson Provincial Park visitor’s information centre where I reported my harlequin duck sightings. The guy manning the desk took one look at me and wryly said, “I’d offer you a chair but I don’t think you’d get back up.” He then referred me to the nearby cafe and I bought a victory shirt before following his advice, rewarding myself with a big cold waffle cone of icecream.

Then I drove to Jasper, and recuperated at Honeymoon Lake, which was gorgeous. The next day, I drove the entire Icefields Parkway, hiking the Valley of the Five Lakes, then Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park before driving back home. It was an exhausting but fabulous three days which I will remember proudly for a very long time!

Mount Robson Visitor’s Centre.

______________________________________________

Final Distance Hiked (in Robson): 49.2 km

Day Hike Distance: 9.9 km

Total Distance Hiked (with Valley of the Five Lakes & Emerald Lake): 59.1 km

Approximate Pack Weight: 36 lbs

Trek Location: Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada.

Approximate Distance Driven: 1,266 km

Weather: Absolutely perfect bluebird weather with excellent trail conditions. Robson was never once hidden by cloud, which is saying something for a mountain which is tall enough to create its own weather patterns. (In 2004 when I went I only saw its peak once in four days. This time I saw its peak nearly constantly the whole trip. It was amazing and I was truly grateful for it!)

Favourite Piece of Gear: Mountain Hardwear Dynama Skirt (y’can’t imagine the ventilation and ease of living - pants and shorts are stupid now - plus the thing has wicked awesome pockets.)

Second Favourite Piece of Gear: Nuun Active Electrolytes (helped my exhausted body deal!)

Gear I Might Not Bring Next Time: pants, fleece (my Arc’teryx Atom LT makes bringing a fleece redundant,) and underwear (unless you are on your period or you have a big chest, underwear is not worth the extra chafing when backpacking. Go commando!)

Gear Which I Was Meh About: my Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL2 tent (loved the minute 2 pound weight, but the front entry was a bit annoying) and my Boreas Lost Coast 60 pack (but we’re still getting to know each other and my weight wasn’t dialed in.) My Oboz Bridger Mid Dry boots were about half a size too small by the end. Also decided that I’m not as fond as I thought I was of Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai, although it made an excellent breakfast on Day 1 for fueling me up all those switchbacks! (880 calories will do that.) In the future, I might just eat backpacker dinner chow for breakfast again; it seemed to work!

Gear That I Wished That I Had Had: Leukotape (I would have put it around my ankles to protect them from my boots and on my hips to protect those from my pack although they never actually blistered or anything,) and my right trekking pole. (I had to leave it at home because my physiotherapist told me the repetative movement would be bad for my injured but healing right wrist.)

Least Favourite Piece of Gear: Powerpond (never worked! Anybody want a powerpond? Might work with your phone.)

Stuff Which Surprised Me: My injured right arm handled the trail way better than my uninjured left arm. My right arm really wanted to handle the trekking pole, while my poor left arm got extremely sore and wanted nothing to do with it. On the hike out, I ended up shipping it in my pack and hiking without it; I prefer hiking downhill without brakes anyway. (Running is less painful than walking, y’know.) I was careful with my right arm, but in the end, it barely twinged the entire time, while my left arm was basically a crybaby. I believe there might be something funky going on with my collarbone on my left side, since my left arm didn’t like driving either and it kind of has a history of disliking pack straps. My mom has told me that I should visit a chiropractor for it; maybe this winter. (Still some big hikes left to go this summer!)

Stuff I Wish I’d Done Differently: Had I been able to, I would have booked a night at Emperor Falls on the way up. 23 kilometres up all that up felt like a bit much. I would have handled 16 kilometres that first day a lot better; 23 on the way down though was fine! (Once again, gravity was on my side!) I was actually offered a camp at Emperor on the way down at the visitor’s centre when I picked up my permit, but that sounded lame, and I was right. I also would have enjoyed another night at Robson Pass and going later in the season so that I could have day hiked to Snowbird Pass.

(And of course, Skydog came! He got a lot of really funny comments like “did he whine a lot last night?” “did he bark much?” and he really kept me company. When you’re hiking alone, you need something to hug, or at least, I do.)

All in all, a fabulous hike, and I am very proud of myself! Good job, Rosy!

[tutorinkarachi]

Tutor and Teaching Academy in DHA, Clifton, Creek Vista, Bath Island, Zamzama

Tutor and Teaching Academy in DHA, Clifton, Creek Vista, Bath Island, Zamzama

Aabshar-e-ilm Tutor Academy serves best professional home tutors and private teachers in Karachi (all areas specially DHA, Clifton, Kemari, Zamzama, Bath Island, Creek Vista, Bahadrabad, etc) and group tuition servicesand coaching classes for Montessori, Nursery, O & A level, class 1 to 9, Matriculation , Pre-Engineering, Commerce, Pre Medical, BBA, BSC, BCOM, ACCA, CA, CAT, FIA, IELTS, SAT, MBA,…