Ways to fill spare time

Too much time on here and other forums, Facebook a bit, I go to the gym pretty much every day now.  Since we bought a cashew farm recently I've been doing as much research into the right way to grow cashews and black pepper.  A lot of things here are still being done "the way it's always been done".  For example I'm planning on planting cocoa under the canopy of the cashew trees.  Cacao requires shade and it's been grown as a companion crop under cashew and rubber trees.  That's also interesting because the rubber farm - hate to call it a plantation because it's only 10,000 meters - next to my farm is also for sale.

Half of the current farm is in pepper and cashew each but about half of the pepper is being removed this year for vegetable farming.  I've also been working on house plans to build out there.

Wow you bought or rented a farm ... You have been busy

Yes, 25,000 square meters.  It's right on the lake which is why I bought it.  My wife's young bother is going to operate the farm and take the profit.  I just wanted the land.

This cleared area is where the house is going to go.

Oh, and one of the ways I'm going to kill time is to build another boat.  I've built one, along with one airplane and three cars.  This is going to be a sailboat.  I can launch it right off the shore at the house.

Awesome.. hats off to you both

Jlgarbutt wrote:

How does everyone fill their free time ?
I arrived here back on the 20th January, and now after the daily routine of job searching and house gold chores.. I'm running out of things to do.

Any suggestions or ideas ? Having walked most places in the city to kill time..

Which city are you currently located in? If you're in Saigon, there are a handful of museums that are worth checking out at least once. I never did when I lived there but as a tourist with more time, I decided to have a look.

I see that you're searching for a job and also wanting to fill up your spare time. Maybe look into meetups in your area to help Vietnamese practice their English speaking skills? It's usually after work and not an everyday thing and you can always not go if you're busy with work or don't want to go. Maybe in return, you will pick up a little bit of Vietnamese which will may help with your job search and make new friends.

Try one of the "back of the bike tours" you can see them touting for business at many of the big parks & saw them outside the Central Post Office yesterday, costs about 50usd negotiable.
Even students at the parks you will see them approaching foreigners saying they will do it for free, just to brush up on their English, but be wary, there is no such thing as a "free lunch" here!! there's always an angle!
If you can competently & confidently ride a scooter you could rent one & head off into the suburbs & countryside & get a view of real Vietnam outwith the expat enclaves. Google Maps is a must though!

goodolboy wrote:

Try one of the "back of the bike tours" you can see them touting for business at many of the big parks & saw them outside the Central Post Office yesterday, costs about 50usd negotiable.
Even students at the parks you will see them approaching foreigners saying they will do it for free, just to brush up on their English, but be wary, there is no such thing as a "free lunch" here!! there's always an angle!
If you can competently & confidently ride a scooter you could rent one & head off into the suburbs & countryside & get a view of real Vietnam outwith the expat enclaves. Google Maps is a must though!

When I first moved here there was no google maps, I just headed off to find new places. Got lost a few times, but that was all part of the experience.

colinoscapee wrote:

goodolboy wrote:

Try one of the "back of the bike tours" you can see them touting for business at many of the big parks & saw them outside the Central Post Office yesterday, costs about 50usd negotiable.
Even students at the parks you will see them approaching foreigners saying they will do it for free, just to brush up on their English, but be wary, there is no such thing as a "free lunch" here!! there's always an angle!
If you can competently & confidently ride a scooter you could rent one & head off into the suburbs & countryside & get a view of real Vietnam outwith the expat enclaves. Google Maps is a must though!

When I first moved here there was no google maps, I just headed off to find new places. Got lost a few times, but that was all part of the experience.

I was same mate 2008 I got here & headed off but it could be a bit nerve wracking sometimes especially    out on my own, lost, forgot to take passport, was coming down dark, phone battery finished, nearly out of petrol, no google translate at that time & forgot exactly where it was I was living with GF at the time (later wife) as you say was part of the adventure & made a good "swing the lamp" story when I got back to work every month.
But now I am older & still travel the length & breadth of Vietnam on my bike & to be honest I just love Google!! & it can add to the adventure actually cos you can get right off the beaten track & know it will get you to where you want to go but in an off main road rout.
Last month I went from HCMC to Da Lat.  main road to  Dong Xoai, after Dong Xoai  completely off main roads all the way to Da Lat, it was absolutely brilliant & stunning scenery, but without Google to guide me I would never have made it, some of the tracks were barely 1 meter wide & gravel. My partner was crapping it, completely out of her comfort zone but after we got safely to Tuyen Lam lake hotel she said it was the best 2 days of her life!!