Our wooden vessel glided along Ha Long Bay’s jade green waters. Located off the coast of Northeastern Vietnam, its stunning 620 sq miles of seascape is one of the country’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hundreds of towering karsts dotted the horizon. Vendors in little skiffs tapped on the side of our vessel, selling unfamiliar exotic fruits – mangosteen, rambutan (aka Harry Cherry), longan, star and jack fruits.

Vietnamese food is considered one of the healthiest worldwide due to a minimal use of oil and dairy products and a heavy reliance on herbs and vegetables. During our initial visits to this country we would often spot locals sitting beside heaps of green veges plus a variety of herbs while dining.

Throughout our travels the past several years we’ve often tended to wander towards off-the-beaten path nature destinations, shying away from crowded locations as much as we can. But there’s something beguiling about the busy and chaotic setting that is Hanoi, Vietnam and its celebrated Old Quarter.

An elderly couple have dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the wives leave the table and go into the k,itchen. The two gentlemen are talking and one says, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly."

I am thinking of a filthy, disgusting creature that wasn’t invited into your home and just won’t go away. No, this is not a lawyer joke nor am I thinking about your uncle. Because of the types of places, I have gone, particularly third world destinations, war torn countries and disaster sites, I have come to expect cockroaches to be one of my traveling companions or at least my welcoming party. But at least let me begin with some good news.