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
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
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