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Ho Chi Minh City
18 July 2003 Dear Family and Friends, |
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Please click on the image for photos of Ho Chi Minh City. |
I am sitting in the lobby of the Riverside Hotel, a charming colonial style building with tile floors, Corinthian columns, and French provincial furniture. Recently renovated, the hotel overlooks the broad, container ship-filled Saigon River.
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Bien Hoa |
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Please click on the image for photos of Bien Hoa, Vietnam. |
A one-hour motorbike ride from HCMC past Bien Hoa. My driver stops for directions a few times.
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Ho Chi Minh City |
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Please click on the image for photos of HCMC and Tay Ninh. |
On my flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, I met Mi, a lovely young woman who was returning home from a business trip. Mi owns the Cara Nguyen Fashion Design Company. I called her and she invited me for lunch.
Dalat
Central Highlands
Vietnam
OK “Blinky.” Here's one for you....
Please click on the image for
photos of Dalat.
Flew from HCMC to Dalat... Hilltop city on a lake. Cool ... need sweater ... didn't bring one. Rain sometimes ... need a jacket ... didn't bring one. Chilly at night.
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Dalat My Dear Curious Friends, |
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OK. I know more than a few of you are just aching to know the details of my "coffee date" in Dalat.
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Nha Trang Now, here's a story: |
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Please click on the image for more photos of Han. |
In Nha Trang, I have breakfast at the rooftop restaurant of The Rainbow Hotel. The owner, a woman about my age is surprised and then happy when I insist on the Vietnamese breakfast of Pho -- delicious broth with noodles and vegetables, and a cup of filtered Vietnamese coffee.
Danang
Vietnam
Dear Family and Friends,
Please click on the image for
photos of Danang and Marble Mountain.
The flight from Nha Trang to Danang was uneventful. At the Danang airport the drivers persuade me to hire a taxi for the trip to Hoi An.
Hoi An
Vietnam
Please click on the image for
photos of Hoi An.
At last Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town famous for its dozens of custom tailor shops. The driver brought me to a new hotel, with very comfortable guest rooms that surround an inviting swimming pool. The receptionist was apologetic when she quoted the rate of $15.00, including buffet breakfast.
Hue, Vietnam
29July 2003
Sunny, hot, breezy
Please click on the image for
photos of Hue, Vietnam.
I am sitting at the Mai Huong Patisserie, a small sidewalk cafe near an intersection of the main street. I am watching an unending stream of incessantly beeping motorbikes; police officers with whistles stop speeders! I am enjoying my favorite - iced Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Deeelicious.
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Hanoi |
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My most frequent question for other travelers is "What are the highlights?" I will answer that question regarding my brief visit to Hanoi, the end point of my journey from south to north in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
