We had already heard about it but weren't sure what to think of it. Finally, we had the chance to hit the so called "banana pancake trail".

Wikipedia frames it as such: "'Banana Pancake Trail' or 'Banana Pancake Circuit' is the name given to growing routes around Southeast Asia travelled by backpackers and other tourists. The Trail has no clear geographical definition, but is used as a metaphor for places that are popular among Western tourists." And, if we may add, you know that you reached the trail as soon as restaurants have banana pancakes in their menu.

After weeks of diving into for-us-new cultures, including different languages, cuisines, beliefs and societal conventions in numerous countries of Europe and Asia, we embraced the fact that we finally had hit the banana pancake trail on Cat Ba island. You can surely be critical about this trail and Western backpackers travelling on it. However, for the past three days we put critique and doubts aside and just enjoyed the comfort: English menus in the restaurants, mango smoothies, cool beer (without ice cubes!) and loads of opportunities to explore the island without a guide, to chill on beaches, to drink and party. It was freaking awesome.