Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Final thoughts on our trip
We stayed in Hanoi an extra day partly because of plane connections and partly because we thought it would be nice to have a day "off tour." However the pollution is keeping us near the hotel except for meals which are a fraction of the hotel price on the outside.
The Cambodian and Vietnamese have their own monies but American dollars are accepted everywhere. We brought 150 one dollar bills as well as good bundles of fives and tens. It is amazing how many things can be purchased for one dollar.
If you want to visit Vietnam come soon. It is growing very fast and it is predicted that in 5 - 10 years there will be high rises and fast food, more pollution and traffic which is already bad.
The people are friendly and like Americans and are especially grateful to Bill Clinton for lifting the embargo against them in 1986, allowing the country to grow.
Visit a travel medicine clinic to be sure you are current in your immunizations and have some antibiotics for Montezuma's Revenge and others you might need. Bring asthma meds if you have them.
The Cambodian and Vietnamese have their own monies but American dollars are accepted everywhere. We brought 150 one dollar bills as well as good bundles of fives and tens. It is amazing how many things can be purchased for one dollar.
If you want to visit Vietnam come soon. It is growing very fast and it is predicted that in 5 - 10 years there will be high rises and fast food, more pollution and traffic which is already bad.
The people are friendly and like Americans and are especially grateful to Bill Clinton for lifting the embargo against them in 1986, allowing the country to grow.
Visit a travel medicine clinic to be sure you are current in your immunizations and have some antibiotics for Montezuma's Revenge and others you might need. Bring asthma meds if you have them.
Day 14
Our water puppet show last night was very interesting. The puppeteers stood behind the scenery in waterproof boots up to their waists and manipulated the puppets via long sticks under the water. The puppets performed 11 scenarios of traditional life including fishing, horse racing and planting rice--all accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra.
Our French dinner was outstanding and beautifully presented AND very reasonably priced.
This morning was free and Chuck and I took a walk. The pollution here was giving some of us coughs and I was able to find some Ricola drops.
At noon the group headed for lunch. In the afternoon we took another cyclo ride. Unlike the last one this was not a pleasurable experience. We were in horrendous, noisy traffic (did I mention that the Vietnamese cannot drive without their horns?) The pollution was bad and because of the bad traffic we could not drive around the lake as planned. No notable scenery, we just circled the block.
Our final stop on the tour was a visit to the "Hanoi Hilton" prison where John McCain and other American flyers were held during the Vietnam War. No pictures today except the utility wires in the older part of town.
Our French dinner was outstanding and beautifully presented AND very reasonably priced.
This morning was free and Chuck and I took a walk. The pollution here was giving some of us coughs and I was able to find some Ricola drops.
At noon the group headed for lunch. In the afternoon we took another cyclo ride. Unlike the last one this was not a pleasurable experience. We were in horrendous, noisy traffic (did I mention that the Vietnamese cannot drive without their horns?) The pollution was bad and because of the bad traffic we could not drive around the lake as planned. No notable scenery, we just circled the block.
Our final stop on the tour was a visit to the "Hanoi Hilton" prison where John McCain and other American flyers were held during the Vietnam War. No pictures today except the utility wires in the older part of town.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Day 12
This morning we took a dragon boat ride through the famous Halong Bay which has a couple thousands islands. Unfortunately the weather was foggy and polluted from the coal industry in this province. Our trip highlight was a climb up to a very large cave on one of the islands. The cave was lighted by colored lights and looked like something out of Alice in Wonderland The cooler temperatures in the north made for a pleasant hike.
After the cave experience, we had one of the standard 9 course lunches. Nine is considered a lucky number in this predominantly Buddist country. We have had lots of different kinds of fish and the food is generally good and sometimes very good.
After the cave experience, we had one of the standard 9 course lunches. Nine is considered a lucky number in this predominantly Buddist country. We have had lots of different kinds of fish and the food is generally good and sometimes very good.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Day 11
This was a travel day. We took an early flight to Hanoi and then boarded a bus for a four hour drive to the Halong Bay area. We stopped at a pearl factory to learn about that industry and the values of different kinds of pearls (black salt water pearls are the most rare and therefore the most valuable.). More tomorrow.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 10 continued
This big "cooking" pot was for boiling enemies in oil.
The next event was a ride in a Dragon Boat on the Perfume River which was just a dirty river. The ride was mostly about shopping from the vendors inside.
Of course we also saw some pagodas and temples also.
After one of our usual 9 course lunches we ended the day at the public market.
Tomorrow we leave for the Hanoi Airport at 6:00.
The next event was a ride in a Dragon Boat on the Perfume River which was just a dirty river. The ride was mostly about shopping from the vendors inside.
Of course we also saw some pagodas and temples also.
After one of our usual 9 course lunches we ended the day at the public market.
Tomorrow we leave for the Hanoi Airport at 6:00.
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