More Photos

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In Hanoi... ditched my crappy bus pass and took the overnight train from Hue to Hanoi with my aussie friends and a belgium couple. I can't remember their names, so I refer to them as Hanz and Franz (even though I know that's German...and I don't do it in their company, of course.)

Anyway, train was lovely. Paid more for the one trip than my entire idiotic tourist bus pass, but it was worth it. I gave my bus tickets to the lovely Vietnamese girl who worked at my last hotel. She was very excited! I felt good about that.

Hanoi, as far as I can tell, is just another city. Lotsa bikes. Lotsa motorbikes. Lotsa nice lamps and pottery to buy. Lotsa people bugging me to 'Lady, lady! You buy something!' (Postcards, toothpicks, cigarettes, rubber door stops, gum, lighters, etc. etc. etc. etc.) It's very tiring. I just don't respond anymore. I'm heading out on a three day boat tour in Halong Bay tomorrow and can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that. Thousands of limestone islands that shoot straight up into the air... snorkelling, swimming, fishing, kayaking. No hawkers trying to hawk me anything. (Well, so they say, but I'll believe it when I see it.)

Went to the Hanoi Hilton today. It was the least interesting of all the museums I've seen. Full of propaganda.

In fact, I see a huge difference in the north so far. Less friendly. Anything to do with the war tends to have a north Vietnam vs. South Vietnam tone rather than Vietnam vs. the US. Fewer people speak english... and if you can believe it, finding this internet place was difficult. I got a taste of what foreigners in our country must feel like today... when not a one could understand me. Not a word.

It's 36 degrees. I am learning loads about patience today.

As for the situation in Siem Reap, that's horrendous. I know where that school is, I walked passed it and thought about going in to volunteer. It wasn't the school I did teach in -- that was a very small public school. Siem Reap was the place in Cambodia where I felt safe. Very sad.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads and uncles and grandfathers gathering in Prospect today. I honestly wish I were there... instead of this stinky city today. 😉 x ox x ox x ox x xox ox x

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Photos

This lady has a rooster on the back of her bike.
I really wanted to get the one of a woman carrying buckets of ducks off her handle bars.

My train friends.
I'm the fifth wheel! Kinda like the stupid little sister, or something... :)

Sooo hot....
Even the locals can't stand it.

Pottery in Hoian
I loved loved loved it... so cheap... but no room. Too expensive to mail.

Beautiful streets of Hoian
Remind me so much of southern France.

Down on the pier in Hoian
Still so old fashioned... getting fish from the boats to sell in the nearby market.

Water pumpkins
Mel, these beat Zuke the Wonder Zuke, I think!

Typical gas station...
Motorbikes fill up for like 40 cents.

Mr. Phong and his grandchildren...
...outside his house in his village. That's the motorbike we rode!

Marble Mountain
With Dale (Raymond) and Katherine. Don't mind my hair.

China Beach Babe!
Too bad the sea lice were killing me.

Dale and Buddha
Made o' marble. Except they now ship in the marble from China so they don't tear apart the mountains... and leave nothing for tourists.

Hey Dad...
...recognize this? Was eating 'world famous springrolls' in this place near China Beach and couldn't figure out why this reminded me of you... and then it hit me!!!

Amazing view of South China Sea
driving from Hoian to Hue

The Vin Moch Tunnels
Muuuuch better.

Leaving the DMZ tour in our dust!
(And yes, I wear the same few things every day. That's what you do when you're travelling)

Comments

[Rita J.]

Hi Kel: Thanks for another interesting history lesson-can I assume that Australia may be your next destination? Continue to enjoy everyday (regardless of the adventure), stay safe and keep those journals coming, Love, Rita

[Carol C]

St. Pat's reunion
Here I am in Halifax after the wonderful St. Pat's 50th reunion -- it was a blast! Had a great time seeing old friends. Monica & Kevin and your mother -- didn't get to see Terry though. Too bad we're missing each other. Love your journals. Love, Carol

[Big John]

Con Thien
sufring around, can across photo. Looks really peaceful now. I was there in 1969 & 70, lived in a hole in the ground right in front of the old concrete bunker,ate out of a can for 13 months on the hill. The hill took many many hits from the nva & vc, rockets, motors & gun fire. was know as hill of angels. thanks for the post.

[Steve Sexton]

The Old French Bunker
Smoked my first joint in Vietnam in that bunker - nov. 1969

[buttahfly]

For real?!
Tell me more!