Pictures and some info of Vietnam

Folks...what follows is a lot of different images of the last 2 months in Beijing and also time I spent on holidays in Vietnam...some scenes speak for themselves the others, you have to read in....I am not much of a blogger so can't get captions right now....enjoy....I know it is tough





























This blog is only going to be minimal for info but maximal for pictures...I will out them on as soon as I get back to Beijing as I forgot the cord necessary to do just that...

Vietnam 2

Forgot to mention on the last a phenomenon that I have noticed in Asia...if a shopkeeper has an idea for a shop say...scissors,and it works, there will be more shops set up right beside so that it is not unusual to see 4 or 5 shops of exactly the same thing in a row...and scissors was exactly what I saw that made me laugh ...it was so comical to see exactly the same scissors in almost exactly the same place in two or three different shops...how people make a living is beyond me...

The next day in Vietnam saw us scuba diving...it was not my first time but Reg was the rookie....he went out first and I stayed on the boat for th 1/2 hour he was under...then I went for my turn....still a little apprehensive about the going down but did....the scenery was not as good as Thailand and the water was definitely colder....we did not go out on the second dive although the other two on the boat did..but they were more experienced than us and...but Neil said the water was murky and he didn't see much more than what was visible the first time

Got back at 3 and spent the rest of the afternoon buying and shopping at a market.... tomorrow will be a day of beaching as long as the weather is good....if not we may use it as a scooter day...

Had a mediocre meal...except for some terrific vegetables....then tried a massage parlour...with a walk on the back which was not even good...and the lady basically beat me and then tried to squeeze a little....she certainly would not rival my number 68 back in Beijing....the best deal for the money was the steam bath that we went to yesterday..after our mineral swim....

Had a terrific morning run....thanks Jamie for those helpful words..hope to see you in Montreal sometime if I am ever passing through..what was the favorite..a Cosmopolitan

Today we moved to the beach..bought our little sugar shack...actually a straw hut sort of dealie....just to keep the sun off.....the waves were pounding all day...the sun was hot..we had a gorgeous afternoon and morning....went into the surf 3 or 4 times...no nudes on the beach a bit of a disappointment...hahaha.....tried to swim..not much success...Reg has become a soothsayer....quote "Watch Darryl I will lose my glasses".....and he did ....the first rogue wave hit him and off they went never to be seen again.....said he almost lost his shorts a couple of times, too.... met a fellow from France who told us stories from all over the world..he was a tour agent..he could tell em....wants to come to Beijing so I offered my palace.....

We ate and drank on the beach ...had our nails done and had a massage...got 3 t shirts that say "Same Same" on the front and "But Different" on the back for the 3 amigos who were the same but different....still want to find serapes for us....hit a good restaurant and 2 bars before hitting the hay....asked Reg if he thought this was a good way to train for the Boston marathon and he said he hadn't read of this before but thought that I would sweat the booze out in the first 1/2

Yes I did get your beach sand Janet....so now you have Philippine and Vietnam sand...if I get imprisoned in Vietnam for stealing relics I will be upset...just kidding!!!!!

Rented a motor scooter...Reg got one for $5 as it was standard...I have enough trouble with driving so I took the automatic...$10...plus we had to fuel it up for about $5....and then we were off...but as Monty Python said in the Annual Twit Race...no they're not....couldn't even start the darn thing..let alone beep the horn....after a couple of embarrassing attempts we found the gas tank along with the extra helmets...15 minutes in and Reg had a minor accident....and he has ridden motorbikes for years..said hasn't had an accident since he was 167...anyway was in the intersection before he knew it and hit the brakes another guy hit him and he went off the bike...the other guy kept on going...he was not seriously hurt but enough that we had to find a pharmacy and get him bandaged up...he said he was in the wrong...we continued heading out into the country....Reg's hip and toes were also hurting....saw a lot of the countryside but not the jungle that we had convinced ourselves was there....rest of the trip uneventful....tried to find the market by myself as Reg wanted to get the minor repairs done to the bike.....couldn't...no matter how many alleys I took I never found it....frustrating....so I took the scooter back and checked in with the buddy.... re-wrapped his wound...elbow...nurse Darryl and then went out and bought dinner...some English style Fish and Chips and they were good....we ate in the room...Reg said I was on my own for the evening as he couldn't walk too well...was a little stiff and sore

Thought you might be interested in this ...interesting to say the least...this is pg 16 rated so don't read on...I walked around the block of the hotel we are staying at the Golden Hotel in Nha Trang.....I was propositioned 11 times.....I was trying for an even dozen ..if I would have stayed out another 5 minutes I am sure that I could have made it...now here is the vernacular...massage for you...young lady...Vietnam young girl...number one....yum yum .....boom boom ...suckie suckie...cheap cheap... $10......one hour....all night.....ride on bike to hotel....need woman....very good....I have lots...you only lookie look....

I did enjoy the last night....went out to 4 bars and had my 4 drinks....then came back and chatted with Reg...he is hurting but won't admit it...a man thing....also saw 7 sugar daddies....older (significantly older) men with young Vietnamese women....I have even heard of holidays that you can have where the lady is provided as a part of the stay....to help you "enjoy" your visit...

The three cleaning ladies were funny ..two of them obviously married and trying to marry off the third.....they noticed Reg had his ring on so they steered away from him but were trying to get me to notice the 3rd (who happened to be 31)...she was saying "i love you".. and they were saying "no man"...the others were trying to get us together...we just laughed and said no no....apparently the cook was unmarried as well...and they saw us there too and were working their magic???

Started my final day in Vietnam with a very good run of 41 minutes and 40 seconds... only supposed to be 40 but had to run around some blocks so it took longer…..I was able to find the Market on foot that I wasn’t able to on the scooter…..strange hey!!!!.......!On the jog back I was running by a school where parents were dropping off their kids….it was a complete traffic jam…I couldn’t even jog…there were scooters and kids and parents everywhere and horns blasting of course…bought some bowling pins and 3 sepak takra balls at a local corner store ……came back about 1 hour later and at a store across, bought 3 Vietnamese hats…..took a couple of good pictures…of the surf …the wind was blowing today and so the waves were bigger…perhaps metres tall…we would have had a heck of a time standing up to them…can’t imagine 10 metre high ones that hit during a tsunami

Reg alias Forrest Gimp has been a real trooper…he wandered around for about 2½ hours with his injuries….laughing and forcing me to buy stuff…..a ring and a jacket of sorts...lots of window shopping…….....saw Vienne,,,the Harbin tour guide again in Nha Trang...promised to meet and have a coffee or a beer or whatever....

THEN

we paid our hotel bill and the grand total was…drum roll please…….drdrdrdrdrdrdrdrdr……

4.4 MILLION and we didn’t even bat an eye…..thought it was a bargain and it was…..see picture

Our taxi ride was uneventful...saw what we didn’t think Vietnam was mountainous, sandy, more southern Sask than jungle….in fact we didn’t see much of a jungle...flight back was uneventful except for the first time I disembarked from the back of an airplane...unusual

Got to Ho Chi Minh airport and checked our luggage and ate without having to worry about the luggage….spent my last 50,000 on supper……saw a neat information poster that was obviously made for the public…..about what you could not bring on the planes…stuff like firearms, explosives, exotic pets, $maximum of 15,000,000, forestry products…but the funniest part was the last line…all it said was ETC….so if they wanted to confiscate anything that was covered…Reg asked if I had any etc’s in my bag that they were going to confiscate……we had a good laugh over that….our flight leaves at 340…it is 2220…a little time to kill so I typed out this in word and will try a copy and paste to see if it works …if it doesn’t I’ll have to give Jamie a call….she said it is the way she does lots of emails…

Trip back..had to get out at Nanning...(I had 3 seats to myself so almost got some shut eye)... to make a sort of pit stop...just to check us back into the country...then onto the plane again...and home....just before we got off the plane a man was seen heading to the washroom....didn't make it...barfed on the floor...a first for me ..isn't that what airbags are for..then into the airport to pick up our bags.....all the people from Ho Chi Minh were asked to go to the #6 baggage turnstile....while there, it looked like security was checking for some bags ...had a dog sniffer we think....after about 15 minutes wait and about 20 bags being separated the rest of the bags started coming and we got home...

Just missed saying good bye to Fred....darn....came and unpacked and went out for my run.....had a shower and then got a few groceries and then blogged...thus ends my holidays in Vietnam...as Reg said....I never in my lifetime thought I would go to Vietnam...now I am glad I did...me too

Final tidbits...saw a few interesting things while just walking or in the early morning jogs...many people are up by six...saw many exercising...playing soccer.... playing badminton... looked like regulars...saw an old man in the morning pedaling his bike and his wife holding on to him riding on the back...looked like she was sound asleep....fishermen in their round boats were sorting out the catch early in the am to take to the markets....the night time was still a hive of activity on the sidewalks...people were always eating or cooking the days catch...families sitting together I think...lobster... crayfish...shellfish in their small barbecue...or whatever they call them...most look like they are poor....this is a resort town and much of the living comes from tourists...lots of German and French...our scuba guy was French....nights come at 6:00 and the mornings are at 530 ish....had to pay for use of washrooms on the beach....saw a funeral march there...took a couple of pictures...

Will put lots of pictures on the other blog..enjoy ...I did

Holidays

First off, some not so good news. My friend Fred Savoy who had a heart attack could not go back when expected. He has an infection in the brain which is curable but will take some more time...just needs to stay a little longer so that it will clear up. His heart condition is good and all that...just got some good news he may be going home....!!!!

The bikes in Ho Chi Minh...Saigon..high chair...five on one...Go Go Bar...poverty...New Year..Spring Flower Festival....finding money....jogging in the heat....Mekong Delta tour...snake...banana wine...new drink
seduction.

The flight down was uneventful except for an unexpected and unknown stopover...on the ticket it said Beijing to Ho Chi Minh but we stopped in Naning for a walk around a cubicle, another security check that was unnecessary because all we did was walk around the cubicle and then reload the airplane,,,but it must have been done for a reason...Mine...as I was standing in the lobby waiting to get on I heard a lady say are you Darryl...I turned around and a young Chinese lady (Vienne)was there and she said..I think I was your tour guide in Harbin last year and sure enough she was...we started talking...she remembered me because of my Huskie hat...or maybe just because I am a memorable person...you pick...but how amazing to have a lady from all of the people inn China come up to you and say I know you ...strange world we live in..she is working in Beijing and has asked to meet again..just to talk about what she is doing which is evaluating live arts performances like the Legends fo Kung Fu ..etc


Getting into Ho Chi Minh at midnight was an experience as well...not so much the drive but the fact that you had to go up a narrow street about the width of 1 car with a Land Rover was exciting enough..they unlocked the gates sop that I could get in and then took the passport and sent me to my room...by the time I finally got to bge it ws around 300 and I got up at about 7 for my jog...down unfamiliar streets to say the least...just out and back for one half an hour and I was familiar with the place..right...damn near forget to take a hotel card so that if I got lost I could ask for directions....the next day I actually did forget....if anything were to happen to you no one would know who you were or where you were staying and maybe who would even care...so now I take a card each time..also should take some money but don't do that either

Was able to skype so sent a couple of messages home...one to Mom and one to Mark...got to chat with Jaxon....told him it was noon and he looked out the window and said no it was night and he had to go to bed ..told him he should fly over but he said he had to go to bed...sounds like Tammy is having another fun time with the pregnancy...hope to see them when I get home in April for the run....


Banana pancake on the agenda for a morning breakfast...small crepes with bananas in the middle had them twice they were good...also a Pineapple shake one day and strawberry the next....right off the vines I think....meals have been very good for the most part...we try various things and seem to have good luck...even Lasagna

Interesting reaction to me as I jog..almost unheard of I think...people have been smiling and laughing as I run...maybe a very unusual sight...maybe in the morning...not a lot of people out...relatively speaking...days get very hot very fast...I was sweating bullets one day....did get a great video of an intersection at night...hundreds of motorcycles going all sorts of directions,..I don't know if there are any signals that anyone follows...you'll see if I can get it on or if not I will bring it home to you...

The first day I was going to book a tour when an older man actually probably not older, came up to me and offered his services as a guide and pulled out a bood that had some references from others who had taken him..they all seemed good so I booked hi for the day $25.....his name was Mr Kim...first order of business was to exchange my rmb to dongs (Vietnam)..I did just that and was an instant millionaire........ well, actually a 4.2 millionaire...now does that feel good....I am bringing home the currency to prove it....I am a millionaire for the first time in my life...I laughed about that ....costs 4000 for a bottle of water....70,000 for a cocktail....but you know I can pay for it cuz I am a millionaire....hahaha

Found a new drink called Seduction..containing 1/3 Kahlua, 1/3 Medjori
or mejori and 1/3 Bailley's..... too smooth and too easily distracted

Mr Kim took me to several temples and then I told him I was templed out and he had about 5 other things to show me ....one of the places he stopped was at a shop that sold a whiskey drink. Inside the bottle was a cobra that had a scorpion in its mouth...I kid you not and there are hundreds of these all over the streets at various vendors. Funny thing he said it was a cure for arthritis or a poor sex life....I think just about anything it would cure...not sure hat it would taste lie....looks like the snake had been there for a while...
temples

Also went to a war museum and to the former presidential palace...funny how one man's terrorist is another mans freedom fighter...when you view it from the other side....the War in Vietnam looked like hell...many pictures and stories on the walls and in books....one really disturbing picture had a marine holding the shell of a jacket that had the arms and head only of the man that the mortar shell had destroyed...and another thing......there was a guillotine that the French had used on prisoners up until 1960.....can you imagine that....hard to believe..but these two parts of the day were a little sobering and showed what kind of lives these people have had to put up with over the years

Have been looking for 5 people on a motorbike....supposed to be possible...they are like our cars..one person bike two person bike 3 and 4 person...kind of like carrying a hockey team in a Honda Civic...one interesting one had a baby's high chair on it...yep!


The weather is so good and warm as well that people many times do not go inside to sleep but will stay outside right by their selling spot and just sleep out there..Saw that many times ..... sleeping outside..near their vending area

Oh forgot to tell you...Reg came in late the second night and I was just out walking around getting used to the place...probably in a half an hour span, I was asked 6 times if I wanted a lady and/or a massage and also 2 times if I wanted some drugs and or marijuana...guess I must have looked lonely and in need of a joint!!!! Reg told me he had also been propositioned as well as he was outside the next night...

One of the bar's name is the Go2 bar.....go to eat go to drink go to bed....and they have levels on the the building....

Took a tour onto the Mekong Delta ..I think it was an area of fierce fighting in the war...but it is a fertile land area that is home to millions of people who supply so much stuff to he rest of Vietnam and also to the world...we went on some boats....saw some people who performed some of their songs...... saw an operation making coconut candy and also some banana wines....had my picture taken with the python bought a few knick knacks..prior to that we made a pit stop...they now are getting North Americanized....organizing potty breaks..... complete with trying to sell you something...the tour was spent mostly driving but it did open your eyes to another part of Vietnam...bars stay open..usually until about 2 but I think as long as someone is willing to drink, they are willing to stay open
'

Jogged late in the morning...it was very hot and I became very sweaty ...as I was jogging , I noticed a whole bunch of dollars on the ground...picked them up and found out they were just play money ...The Abode of the Dead was the slogan on one of the bills....whether a joke or whether it is used for their New Years celebration I am not sure..

Spring Flower Festival was on and the place was packed with apricot blossoms..and all sorts of flowers....an interesting site too

Check out an interesting time...had made a couple of calls to home using my credit= card as the skype was not operating....$85 later my bill came a t check out....live and learn......phone bill

So we head to the airport early...good thing because it took a long time to get through the lineup...got through and was called over ...I had forgotten to transfer my Cobra Whiskey to the checked baggage....I could drink it there or take it back...... I took it back to the checked luggage ....Final boarding call for flight 454 (mine) and I was hustling back to the line up for security again and was the 2nd last one on the plane....the last one was a standby!


The flight was a quick one .....up and down and we were at Nha Trang...It is a resort town...similar to Phi Phi island but bigger....lots more people...lots of beach ..noat as nice a sand...Yes Jan...I will be getting some...it seems to be a richer area than the part of Ho Chi Minh but there were poorer areas we saw as we drove to Nha Trang from the airport.

The hotel is quite modern and good for $26 per night/person. There are some as low as $6 so we are just going to have a look to see what it was like....but there are very many, Ours was built in 2005 I think. Maybe because of that or for any number of reasons, I have been getting good sleeps lately...and have had some very good runs here....the air is definitely better and the temperature is more conducive to running...have seen many people out in the morning...about 12 were playing badminton today, 4 playing sepak takra, several hacky sack or some version of it, a couple getting wedding pictures taken..the normal 2 or 3 joggers and then the population waking up...eating on the street, sleeping by their wares, walking along the beachm driving,,,,honking etc

Went to a place called the Sailing Club....right on the beach...it was darn hot....and...get this...there were actually people on the beach wearing leather jackets, or hats, coats and GLOVES, and dressed up for winter...well sort of...we found out that they do that for two reasons...one for sun protection...the other to keep the skin whiter....go figure....anyway it was damn hot and they had more on than I would have on on a spring day...I took at least one good picture that I will put on the blog

The weather here has been great so Reg and I are relaxing....I hope that you all are feeling a little sorry for us having to hold up the whole North American continent that we know so that we can keep the heat here in Asia..someone has to enjoy it before it leaves...

had a great jog on Saturday and the day in the countryside was very interesting...we satrted off in the morning seeing the way the noodles were made but unfortunately we were not able to see that as the ladies who did it were finished...they worked early in the am and then were off...pigs were in the same area..it was a rural..not my idea of rural...and were fed all the scraps from the process..somewhat interesting
....then we went to where they were creating rice paper which is used in the spring rolls that we ate later that night...and it was interesting how they laid them out and let them dry in the sun...we got a few pictures..... then off to a tea break and a typical house although it was a little ornate for my typical house but we did get a few chances to talk to the tour guides...we had two as each motorbike had to have a driver...young men ..one a university student and one a former fisherman..looking for better work...young pups..then off to a factory as they called them..where people made place mats..daily..old bugger about 70 still helpig out in the process..then to a dinner by the river ..did not have enough but got sto see some people celebrating the Tet..festival...Vietnam..where people get together and have a celebration...a little drinking and carousing and singing...typical of our new Years get together except longer

...then we went to a mineral spa that was not as good as Moose Jaws but had a lot of people there...the water was not as minerally.....but they did have some good massages and a steam bath that I really liked complete with a steam bath...we returned home and rested.....on the way we bought

Take a a couple of face masks for riding our bikes and for Beijing pollution and I also started looking for a horn for my 3 wheeler in Beijing....bought a couple of shorts for tomorrow and booked scuba diving..hope you don't mind that we are having a good time...off to the bar tonight and then tomorrow into the waters of Vietnam..about 25 degrees


Well I will sign off now and get a new one of these started...Cheers

February...Chinese New Year

Had an interesting weekend here with Kylie and Jocelyn Barnstable....Kyle is the son of one of my best friends from Saskatchewan...we were able to see the Bird's nest and the Water Cube...part of the Olympic venues...at night and during the day.....Eric, the taxi driver from Tuan Li was a great help to us on the Sunday....we went to the Great Wall and to the Silk Market....we did purchase some things there...Fred has a good quote which he used several times.."so what did you buy that you wouldn't have bought but because you were with Darryl decided to buy?"..........I guess it is my fault that people buy stuff..hahaha

Fred leaves tomorrow 02 05 and I am going to miss him...we were just beginning to get to know each other and became good confidantes.....I have promised to see him again when I return home...a definite must...he is to have another operation soon and then will begin his rehabilitation...

Got back from a lunch an my apartment had been locked...so I had to get the maid who locked it to open it up....sometimes these things are a little annoying...am ready to leave for Vietnam and have cleaned the place....hope to take a lot of pictures and find out a little bit more about the world....

No pictures this time but maybe on my next one...after I either get back or get to Vietnam...We'll see.


Last night was an eye opener..we were playing hockey..Sunday...and a few guys asked if they could play...as guest players....well we were on the end of a losing effort...one fellow, and he was that good, had eleven points....I think the score was something like 12 - 5. He was worth watching and we did....I think we are not as good as our coach??? thinks we are....I will not be playing after this as I concentrate on the marathon....at least not until I get back from Boston....

Ok see ya soon