I've added a few videos from Vietnam so if you're interested be sure to check on those (specifically, it's videos of Vietnam traffic and of the water puppet show).
My photos are all uploaded on kodakgallery.com so if I didn't send you the link and you'd like to see them, please email me (or comment on this entry - just be sure to sign it so I know who you are).
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Layover Heaven
Well, we've made it back to Japan. We're trying to stay awake as much as possible today. Thao is currently walking around to prevent herself from sleeping. I had a cup of coffee and am fairing a little better. She managed to sleep about 5 hours and I about 4. Now we're waiting for 6pm (more or less) to arrive so that we can catch our next flight. FYI, it's 8:52am right now.
Both Thao and I have enjoyed our trip but we're both ready to go home. We're both craving Jamba Juice. Yum (I think it's been too much hot and humid weather). I'm also wanting a hamburger and what I REALLY want is cereal. I haven't had cereal since leaving the U.S. and turns out I have a cereal addiction. Who knew? I'll probably have dreams tonight on the flight about cereal. Ah, cereal.
Okay, enough perseveration on cereal... maybe I am tired...
Here in the Tokyo airport there are showers for ~$5 for 1/2 hour so we think we're going to shower on our crazy long layover.
Take care and come back in a few days as I'll be posting a few pictures. I've finally decided how I'm going to do this: I'm going to add them on each day's blog and then reference with a number or letter. That way both Thao and I can add photos and just stick them onto the blog.
Homeward bound...
Both Thao and I have enjoyed our trip but we're both ready to go home. We're both craving Jamba Juice. Yum (I think it's been too much hot and humid weather). I'm also wanting a hamburger and what I REALLY want is cereal. I haven't had cereal since leaving the U.S. and turns out I have a cereal addiction. Who knew? I'll probably have dreams tonight on the flight about cereal. Ah, cereal.
Okay, enough perseveration on cereal... maybe I am tired...
Here in the Tokyo airport there are showers for ~$5 for 1/2 hour so we think we're going to shower on our crazy long layover.
Take care and come back in a few days as I'll be posting a few pictures. I've finally decided how I'm going to do this: I'm going to add them on each day's blog and then reference with a number or letter. That way both Thao and I can add photos and just stick them onto the blog.
Homeward bound...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Last Day
Today we leave for Tokyo before returning to the U.S. It's been a long trip but one I have enjoyed. Thao said last night that we tried to do too much and I agree. Good thing we didn't follow the trip's original itinerary!
Yesterday I didn't do much. In fact I was extremely tired and took an afternoon nap. Thao met up with some friends and relatives she hadn't seen in a while.
Today we're just taking it easy in anticipation of our flights home. We leave Vietnam at 11:35pm and arrive in Tokyo in the morning. Then we both don't leave until about 6pm to head back to the U.S.
We'll write more from the internet cafe at Tokyo's airport if we're able.
Yesterday I didn't do much. In fact I was extremely tired and took an afternoon nap. Thao met up with some friends and relatives she hadn't seen in a while.
Today we're just taking it easy in anticipation of our flights home. We leave Vietnam at 11:35pm and arrive in Tokyo in the morning. Then we both don't leave until about 6pm to head back to the U.S.
We'll write more from the internet cafe at Tokyo's airport if we're able.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Last day in Nha Trang
Today we head back to Ho Chi Minh City for 2 days before heading to Tokyo and home. Our flight isn't until evening though so we had some time to kill.
How did we spend it one might ask? We rented a taxi to drive us around for a few sights. The concierge desk tried to get us to rent a private car/driver for the day for almost twice as much (I'm starting not to trust concierges). Nevertheless, we went to these this beautiful temple (can you tell I don't have my guidebook on me) which looked like Angor Wat (which we're both sad we didn't have time to visit and were tempted to tell everyone that what was the picture was). The taxi driver said while we were there that he knew of this other temple about 20km away which was bigger and nice. Hmm... So first, as planned, we went to Hon Choung bay which Thao has loved since she was younger and we walked and hiked over giant boulders. There is one huge boulder which has this strange hand-like indentation which is said to be the hand print of a giant. The bay was a beautiful sight. The only downside is that it's REALLY hot today (hotter than I think it's been on this trip which is saying a lot).
Afterwards, we went to this temple which the taxi driver said was big and nice. (He also promised us that the ride would be about 1/2-2/3 of what the price actually was). The temple was OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! It is apparently a very busy temple during a particular festival in March but we were nearly the only ones there (and most certainly the ONLY tourists there). It was at the top of a giant hill (a hill with 175 stairs to be exact - Thao counted). The views of the valley were nice but the temple was the least exciting we've seen on the entire trip. The taxi driver's "village of weavers" that we stopped by on the way back to the hotel consisted of 2 houses in the slums. Still it was half the price of the private car though...
Now we're back at our hotel (which we checked out of earlier in the day) awaiting the taxi to take us to the airport (which for those who know what I'm talking about reminds me of a smaller version of St. Croix's airport).
I don't know when we'll have a chance to write again as tomorrow we'll be back in Ho Chi Minh City and are again at the mercy of Thao's family's neighbors (who were so kind to let us write on their computer previously). I think that we might try to take a day trip from the city out to the countryside to see the underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War.
Take care and if I don't write back soon it's because we don't have the internet (but we should at the Tokyo airport at which we'll be spending something like 10 blissful hours).
How did we spend it one might ask? We rented a taxi to drive us around for a few sights. The concierge desk tried to get us to rent a private car/driver for the day for almost twice as much (I'm starting not to trust concierges). Nevertheless, we went to these this beautiful temple (can you tell I don't have my guidebook on me) which looked like Angor Wat (which we're both sad we didn't have time to visit and were tempted to tell everyone that what was the picture was). The taxi driver said while we were there that he knew of this other temple about 20km away which was bigger and nice. Hmm... So first, as planned, we went to Hon Choung bay which Thao has loved since she was younger and we walked and hiked over giant boulders. There is one huge boulder which has this strange hand-like indentation which is said to be the hand print of a giant. The bay was a beautiful sight. The only downside is that it's REALLY hot today (hotter than I think it's been on this trip which is saying a lot).
Afterwards, we went to this temple which the taxi driver said was big and nice. (He also promised us that the ride would be about 1/2-2/3 of what the price actually was). The temple was OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! It is apparently a very busy temple during a particular festival in March but we were nearly the only ones there (and most certainly the ONLY tourists there). It was at the top of a giant hill (a hill with 175 stairs to be exact - Thao counted). The views of the valley were nice but the temple was the least exciting we've seen on the entire trip. The taxi driver's "village of weavers" that we stopped by on the way back to the hotel consisted of 2 houses in the slums. Still it was half the price of the private car though...
Now we're back at our hotel (which we checked out of earlier in the day) awaiting the taxi to take us to the airport (which for those who know what I'm talking about reminds me of a smaller version of St. Croix's airport).
I don't know when we'll have a chance to write again as tomorrow we'll be back in Ho Chi Minh City and are again at the mercy of Thao's family's neighbors (who were so kind to let us write on their computer previously). I think that we might try to take a day trip from the city out to the countryside to see the underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War.
Take care and if I don't write back soon it's because we don't have the internet (but we should at the Tokyo airport at which we'll be spending something like 10 blissful hours).
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Vinpearl Land
This morning we decided to spend some time on one of the many islands off the coast of Nha Trang. Thao had heard of Vinpearl Land and it was recommended to us by the hotel concierge so we went.
For around $19 we took a tram over the ocean (apparently the world's longest transocean tram) to the island. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park. http://www.vinpearlland.com/default.aspx?lang=en-GB We walked around taking pictures of the campy statues and then went to the aquarium. The aquarium was actually very good. It had one of those underwater tunnels (complete with moving walkway - I've never felt like luggage so much in my life). The tanks were big and the animals all looked happy (except for one dead frog which was being eaten by a lizard or something - the frog was thrown in dead as food).
There was also an indoor area with a 4D ride (one of those rides where the seats move, the screen is in 3D, and they spray water and air on you). It was pretty good. We also had a very good time on the bumper cars (followed by ice cream).
It's lunch time now (can you tell we have free internet at our hotel?) and we're off to grab some food. I think this afternoon is going to consist of either pool or beach time.
Tomorrow afternoon we fly back to Ho Chi Minh City but think we're going to spend the morning visit a temple not far from here. Until later...
For around $19 we took a tram over the ocean (apparently the world's longest transocean tram) to the island. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park. http://www.vinpearlland.com/default.aspx?lang=en-GB We walked around taking pictures of the campy statues and then went to the aquarium. The aquarium was actually very good. It had one of those underwater tunnels (complete with moving walkway - I've never felt like luggage so much in my life). The tanks were big and the animals all looked happy (except for one dead frog which was being eaten by a lizard or something - the frog was thrown in dead as food).
There was also an indoor area with a 4D ride (one of those rides where the seats move, the screen is in 3D, and they spray water and air on you). It was pretty good. We also had a very good time on the bumper cars (followed by ice cream).
It's lunch time now (can you tell we have free internet at our hotel?) and we're off to grab some food. I think this afternoon is going to consist of either pool or beach time.
Tomorrow afternoon we fly back to Ho Chi Minh City but think we're going to spend the morning visit a temple not far from here. Until later...
Nha Trang
We're all settle into the beach town of Nha Trang.
We arrived here this afternoon. It's beautiful. I imagine this is what the Caribbean or Southern California looked like before tons and tons of tourists arrived. It's got quite a few high rise buildings but nothing like Waikiki. The beach seems nice as well.
We haven't decided what we're going to do tomorrow, go to the beach or maybe take a boat trip. Who knows?
Our hotel here is $40/night (five dollars less per night than our hotel in Hanoi) and is a lot nicer. In the Hanoi hotel room, the tub was so high off the ground that I was afraid we were going to slip and fall and break something (yes, I spend my time with old people so these are things about which I think). We do have a beautiful view of a wall outside our room here. Thao and I are very content looking at a wall in exchange for good old fashioned cleanliness.
Since I don't have much to write about today I thought I'd take a moment to discuss the things that we've experienced abroad which we think should be imported into the U.S. such as in Vietnamese airports any package or odd thing one would like to be checked in as baggage can be wrapped in clear plastic "cling wrap" for about 3 dollars, all meals in Japan and Vietnam start with moistened handy wipes, the trash (even the bins on the street) in Japan is separated by types, e.g. cans, bottles, "combustibles", and "others," Vietnam has a universal helmet law, 1.5 liter bottles of water have a handy handle built in, and I'm sure there are others but I can't remember them right now. If I remember more I'll write them down.
Good night (it's about 7:30pm here).
We arrived here this afternoon. It's beautiful. I imagine this is what the Caribbean or Southern California looked like before tons and tons of tourists arrived. It's got quite a few high rise buildings but nothing like Waikiki. The beach seems nice as well.
We haven't decided what we're going to do tomorrow, go to the beach or maybe take a boat trip. Who knows?
Our hotel here is $40/night (five dollars less per night than our hotel in Hanoi) and is a lot nicer. In the Hanoi hotel room, the tub was so high off the ground that I was afraid we were going to slip and fall and break something (yes, I spend my time with old people so these are things about which I think). We do have a beautiful view of a wall outside our room here. Thao and I are very content looking at a wall in exchange for good old fashioned cleanliness.
Since I don't have much to write about today I thought I'd take a moment to discuss the things that we've experienced abroad which we think should be imported into the U.S. such as in Vietnamese airports any package or odd thing one would like to be checked in as baggage can be wrapped in clear plastic "cling wrap" for about 3 dollars, all meals in Japan and Vietnam start with moistened handy wipes, the trash (even the bins on the street) in Japan is separated by types, e.g. cans, bottles, "combustibles", and "others," Vietnam has a universal helmet law, 1.5 liter bottles of water have a handy handle built in, and I'm sure there are others but I can't remember them right now. If I remember more I'll write them down.
Good night (it's about 7:30pm here).
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sightseeing the Hanoi Way
We've taken it easy today. We took a taxi this morning and then have been lounging around part of the afternoon (watching cartoons on the Disney Channel no less). But that's now...
This morning started with a leisurely breakfast in our hotel and then a taxi ride to the northwestern part of Hanoi. There we stood in line with hundreds of other people (tourists and locals alike) to view Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body in his mausoleum. It was kind of creapy and anticlimatic. I was told to change out of my skirt (which was knee length) into pants before leaving the hotel and Thao was told that her sleeveless shirt was okay. When we got to the mausoleum she was told that she could either buy a new scarf for about $3.50 to cover herself up with or "rent" for free dirty shirts to wear over. She bought the scarf.
Afterwards I walked over to the house in which Ho Chi Minh lived (it's a little house on stilts) and walked through the gardens.
Then in direct opposition to our previous activities we visited a Buddhist Temple called the One Pillar Temple because it's built on, yes, you guessed it, one pillar. It was very simple and quite lovely.
We then walked to the Temple of Literature which is actually a temple complex. It's large and has been in that spot since 1070. Parts of it have been rebuilt and added onto since that time. There are beautiful stone "stele" or tablets which date from the 15-18th centuries.
Afterwards we visited the Hoa Loa Prison Museum (better known to most Americans as "Hanoi Hilton.") Only part of the prison remains as most of the complex was torn down to build a fancy, Western style high rise (in which we ate lunch). The prison is absolutely moving though. Inside was John McCain's flight suit which he was wearing when he was captured and pictures of him smiling at the physicians taking care of his wounds. There was definitely a slant to the museum with a distinctive "look how good we took care of the American pilots while they were here" message.
Now we're back at the hotel and pondered visiting the market to buy more souvenirs but I think we're both tired and a tired of being in the sun so we're spending the afternoon inside.
Tomorrow we head to Nha Trang (a beach destination) for 2 days of fun in the sun before we return to Ho Chi Minh City.
This morning started with a leisurely breakfast in our hotel and then a taxi ride to the northwestern part of Hanoi. There we stood in line with hundreds of other people (tourists and locals alike) to view Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body in his mausoleum. It was kind of creapy and anticlimatic. I was told to change out of my skirt (which was knee length) into pants before leaving the hotel and Thao was told that her sleeveless shirt was okay. When we got to the mausoleum she was told that she could either buy a new scarf for about $3.50 to cover herself up with or "rent" for free dirty shirts to wear over. She bought the scarf.
Afterwards I walked over to the house in which Ho Chi Minh lived (it's a little house on stilts) and walked through the gardens.
Then in direct opposition to our previous activities we visited a Buddhist Temple called the One Pillar Temple because it's built on, yes, you guessed it, one pillar. It was very simple and quite lovely.
We then walked to the Temple of Literature which is actually a temple complex. It's large and has been in that spot since 1070. Parts of it have been rebuilt and added onto since that time. There are beautiful stone "stele" or tablets which date from the 15-18th centuries.
Afterwards we visited the Hoa Loa Prison Museum (better known to most Americans as "Hanoi Hilton.") Only part of the prison remains as most of the complex was torn down to build a fancy, Western style high rise (in which we ate lunch). The prison is absolutely moving though. Inside was John McCain's flight suit which he was wearing when he was captured and pictures of him smiling at the physicians taking care of his wounds. There was definitely a slant to the museum with a distinctive "look how good we took care of the American pilots while they were here" message.
Now we're back at the hotel and pondered visiting the market to buy more souvenirs but I think we're both tired and a tired of being in the sun so we're spending the afternoon inside.
Tomorrow we head to Nha Trang (a beach destination) for 2 days of fun in the sun before we return to Ho Chi Minh City.
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