Mike and Karen's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 25th November 2011
Solo vs. Package
We're solo travelers so we rely on word of mouth and blogs. Regarding Bali taxis; always negotiate the price before you get in the car and if the taxi has a meter always have it turned on. If the driver refuses get out of the car. If the driver tries to raise the price after the ride refuse to pay and start screaming for the police. Works like a charm.
From Blog: Bali For The Complete Idiot. What To See And Do.
Solo vs. Package
We're solo travelers so we rely on word of mouth and blogs. Regarding Bali taxis; always negotiate the price before you get in the car and if the taxi has a meter always have it turned on. If the driver refuses get out of the car. If the driver tries to raise the price after the ride refuse to pay and start screaming for the police. Works like a charm.
From Blog: Bali For The Complete Idiot. What To See And Do.
Date: 25th August 2011
nice and informative blog
we are currently planning to go to Bali, encountered a lot of hate blogs. We dont travel a lot so wouldn't want cheating drivers and other cheap trciks ruining our vacation. Isit better to stay on a packaged tour to better enjoy Bali?
From Blog: Bali For The Complete Idiot. What To See And Do.
nice and informative blog
we are currently planning to go to Bali, encountered a lot of hate blogs. We dont travel a lot so wouldn't want cheating drivers and other cheap trciks ruining our vacation. Isit better to stay on a packaged tour to better enjoy Bali?
From Blog: Bali For The Complete Idiot. What To See And Do.
Date: 7th June 2011
Paul Guimond was my neighborhood HERO!
Thank you for this information. I lived on 101st and Crandon. Paul was my neighbor. I remember the day he left for Vietnam. I was about 10 years old and my little brother was about 5. He came to say goodbye. I remember how handsome he looked in his uniform. But the thing that I remember the most and has stayed with me for over 40 years is how he picked up my little brother and kissed his cheek. I remember it like it was just yesterday. He was a Lovely kind young man. I still cry when I think of him. The day we got the news of his death my entire family cried and mourned. He was our Hero. Still is. God Bless you Paul. Thanks again for the pictures and stories. Sincerely, Patty Bogovich-Howard
From Blog: The 'DMZ'
Paul Guimond was my neighborhood HERO!
Thank you for this information. I lived on 101st and Crandon. Paul was my neighbor. I remember the day he left for Vietnam. I was about 10 years old and my little brother was about 5. He came to say goodbye. I remember how handsome he looked in his uniform. But the thing that I remember the most and has stayed with me for over 40 years is how he picked up my little brother and kissed his cheek. I remember it like it was just yesterday. He was a Lovely kind young man. I still cry when I think of him. The day we got the news of his death my entire family cried and mourned. He was our Hero. Still is. God Bless you Paul. Thanks again for the pictures and stories. Sincerely, Patty Bogovich-Howard
From Blog: The 'DMZ'
Date: 1st June 2011
Gili Air and the changes a year can make
Hi Mike and Karen, It's sad what tourism can do to a beautiful place. Soon the buck and pound will fill the world, you think? So Sad to see beauty spoiled by greed, but there isn't anyway that I can think of to keep those hidden places open to explorers and closed to ones with ulterior motives! See you soon, Jane
From Blog: Gili Air; Paradise Lost
Gili Air and the changes a year can make
Hi Mike and Karen, It's sad what tourism can do to a beautiful place. Soon the buck and pound will fill the world, you think? So Sad to see beauty spoiled by greed, but there isn't anyway that I can think of to keep those hidden places open to explorers and closed to ones with ulterior motives! See you soon, Jane
From Blog: Gili Air; Paradise Lost
Date: 23rd May 2011
Great post :) this blog is really interesting.. Keep it up and I am looking forward to see more contents like this.. :) GodBless If you have time you can also visit this interesting site I've seen: Hotels in Philippines<
Great post :) this blog is really interesting.. Keep it up and I am looking forward to see more contents like this.. :) GodBless If you have time you can also visit this interesting site I've seen: Hotels in Philippines
From Blog: Puerto Princesa's Hotels
Great post :) this blog is really interesting.. Keep it up and I am looking forward to see more contents like this.. :) GodBless If you have time you can also visit this interesting site I've seen: Hotels in Philippines<
Great post :) this blog is really interesting.. Keep it up and I am looking forward to see more contents like this.. :) GodBless If you have time you can also visit this interesting site I've seen: Hotels in Philippines
From Blog: Puerto Princesa's Hotels
Date: 4th May 2011
Noah finishes his 21st year!
Hey, HEY! Congratulations! A fine journey thus far with lots and lots of preparatory information and experiences. You're doing wonderfully at this thing called "Life". And, this is just the beginning! Happy Birthday and Happy Life! with Love, as always, Marc
From Blog: Kampot
Noah finishes his 21st year!
Hey, HEY! Congratulations! A fine journey thus far with lots and lots of preparatory information and experiences. You're doing wonderfully at this thing called "Life". And, this is just the beginning! Happy Birthday and Happy Life! with Love, as always, Marc
From Blog: Kampot
Date: 4th May 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!!!!
Thanks for the note about Noah's birthday! 21 years old, WOW, I could say I remember when but that is so ancient! Hope you day is awesome, your party huge, your wisdom multiplied, and your life magnified!!! Have a great day, Noah, and stop over for a home cooked meal sometime! Love to you, The Goodbrads
From Blog: Kampot
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!!!!
Thanks for the note about Noah's birthday! 21 years old, WOW, I could say I remember when but that is so ancient! Hope you day is awesome, your party huge, your wisdom multiplied, and your life magnified!!! Have a great day, Noah, and stop over for a home cooked meal sometime! Love to you, The Goodbrads
From Blog: Kampot
Date: 4th May 2011
Really brilliant
Just two words for your blog. Simply amazing. You guys have written this blog so beautifully that i really do not have any words to say.
From Blog: Kampot
Really brilliant
Just two words for your blog. Simply amazing. You guys have written this blog so beautifully that i really do not have any words to say.
From Blog: Kampot
Date: 21st April 2011
Hey Jane
Talk about rustic. We're now in Kampot on the Cambodian coast. Very strange (in a good way) place to hang out for a while. We'll write about it after we've had a few days to mull the place over. I'm still researching the local history. How did the wedding go? Or has it not gone yet? Hell, I don't even know what day it is. After a while on the road, time gets a bit muddled.
From Blog: Phnom Penh Cambodia from Vietnam
Hey Jane
Talk about rustic. We're now in Kampot on the Cambodian coast. Very strange (in a good way) place to hang out for a while. We'll write about it after we've had a few days to mull the place over. I'm still researching the local history. How did the wedding go? Or has it not gone yet? Hell, I don't even know what day it is. After a while on the road, time gets a bit muddled.
From Blog: Phnom Penh Cambodia from Vietnam
Date: 20th April 2011
malnurished children
Amazing video at the beginning! Very cool tour guide and Karen you look GREAT! I think I may have mentioned that one of our friends son and his wife (Brenda's age) helps with an orphanage near Phnom Penh. His stories about their very poor, often abandoned children is heartbreaking. Keep up the tour though, I am amazingly drawn to Vietnam, though I am reasonable certain that I will not get to go. The places you have stayed and seen sound so very beautiful, though rustic to say the least! Enjoy, friends! Love to you both, Jane
From Blog: Phnom Penh Cambodia from Vietnam
malnurished children
Amazing video at the beginning! Very cool tour guide and Karen you look GREAT! I think I may have mentioned that one of our friends son and his wife (Brenda's age) helps with an orphanage near Phnom Penh. His stories about their very poor, often abandoned children is heartbreaking. Keep up the tour though, I am amazingly drawn to Vietnam, though I am reasonable certain that I will not get to go. The places you have stayed and seen sound so very beautiful, though rustic to say the least! Enjoy, friends! Love to you both, Jane
From Blog: Phnom Penh Cambodia from Vietnam
Date: 14th April 2011
Anthony Bourdain
We'watched all of his videos especially the ones on Saigon and Tet special foods. We did try to visit Com Nieu in Saigon but we discovered that the restaurant is gone. The owner died a couple of years ago and I guess they couldn't do it without her. I covered that story in one of my Saigon Blogs. We love the food here and it is one of the primary reasons we visit Vietnam. Every place is different. We just had roast duck in Chau Doc. We leave for Cambodia tomorrow and we will surely miss Vietnam's wonderful people and great eats. Most especially Hue!
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Anthony Bourdain
We'watched all of his videos especially the ones on Saigon and Tet special foods. We did try to visit Com Nieu in Saigon but we discovered that the restaurant is gone. The owner died a couple of years ago and I guess they couldn't do it without her. I covered that story in one of my Saigon Blogs. We love the food here and it is one of the primary reasons we visit Vietnam. Every place is different. We just had roast duck in Chau Doc. We leave for Cambodia tomorrow and we will surely miss Vietnam's wonderful people and great eats. Most especially Hue!
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Date: 11th April 2011
Great story Mike and Karen. Hope you folks having a good time in my country. Have you ever heard of Anthony Bourdain? If not, Youtube'ing it. He was wandering all over Ho Chi Minh city and Hanoi and tasted all kind of foods. It showed on YouTube his food adventures. I enjoyed his clips greatly and hope that you somehow has a bite too since you are already there. Sincerely Hue
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Great story Mike and Karen. Hope you folks having a good time in my country. Have you ever heard of Anthony Bourdain? If not, Youtube'ing it. He was wandering all over Ho Chi Minh city and Hanoi and tasted all kind of foods. It showed on YouTube his food adventures. I enjoyed his clips greatly and hope that you somehow has a bite too since you are already there. Sincerely Hue
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Date: 9th April 2011
The Paradise
This is the place in the Philippines I've never been to.Maybe next year I'm planning to see this place.
From Blog: Ships of Fools in Busuanga
The Paradise
This is the place in the Philippines I've never been to.Maybe next year I'm planning to see this place.
From Blog: Ships of Fools in Busuanga
Date: 6th April 2011
Thanks for not skipping Danang
I really enjoyed reading this post. I know Anh, Bill and Suell and you could not have picked a better group of people to spend a few days with. It is hard to find some positive press about Danang, it truly is a great place to visit and to live. PS: I found your article here: http://www.vietnamtravelblog.info/travel-blog/american-vets-in-vietnam/ without any links or credit to you. I have also posted a link on InDanang.com: http://indanang.com/danang-in-the-eyes-of-travel-writers/
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Thanks for not skipping Danang
I really enjoyed reading this post. I know Anh, Bill and Suell and you could not have picked a better group of people to spend a few days with. It is hard to find some positive press about Danang, it truly is a great place to visit and to live. PS: I found your article here: http://www.vietnamtravelblog.info/travel-blog/american-vets-in-vietnam/ without any links or credit to you. I have also posted a link on InDanang.com: http://indanang.com/danang-in-the-eyes-of-travel-writers/
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Date: 1st April 2011
Dear Bill and Anh
Thanks again for making our trip with you one of our most memorable. Karen and I look forward to another on our return. Stay safe. Mike and Karen
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Dear Bill and Anh
Thanks again for making our trip with you one of our most memorable. Karen and I look forward to another on our return. Stay safe. Mike and Karen
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Date: 1st April 2011
Thanks
Mike, Thanks for the blog. You do a great job on it. And thanks for the kind words. It was pretty damn good trip in spite of the weather. Thanks for joining in with us. Bill
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Thanks
Mike, Thanks for the blog. You do a great job on it. And thanks for the kind words. It was pretty damn good trip in spite of the weather. Thanks for joining in with us. Bill
From Blog: American Vets In Vietnam
Date: 26th March 2011
HEY KAREN
WOW! THIS IS TRULY AMAZING!! YOU MUST BE HAVING SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T SEE YOU ON THE SCOOTERS. YOUR HUSBAND DOES A PHENOMINAL JOB IN HIS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVERYTHING! I FEEL LIKE I'M THERE!!! SIMPLY AMAZING!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING! XOXO ERICA
From Blog: Hue; A Feast For The Eyes
HEY KAREN
WOW! THIS IS TRULY AMAZING!! YOU MUST BE HAVING SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T SEE YOU ON THE SCOOTERS. YOUR HUSBAND DOES A PHENOMINAL JOB IN HIS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVERYTHING! I FEEL LIKE I'M THERE!!! SIMPLY AMAZING!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING! XOXO ERICA
From Blog: Hue; A Feast For The Eyes
Date: 26th March 2011
We are having a blast!
"I have discovered, however, that going to a massage parlor with my wife and going solo results in completely different massages." -I was laughing so much at this entry. We are in Quy Nhon headed to De Lat. Thank you so much for the travel advice. We are at Binh Duong now and I guess it will be Dreams in a few days! I got a teaching job in Dong Hoi that starts April 4 so my vacation will technically come to an end in Saigon. (Dong Hoi is close enough for a few weekend trips to Hoa's!) Bryan is going to continue his world journey into Cambodia and meeting a friend there so I am sure he will be using this blog as a resource. p.s. Do you remember the name of your masseuse? ;)
From Blog: Da Lat; Something Quite Different
We are having a blast!
"I have discovered, however, that going to a massage parlor with my wife and going solo results in completely different massages." -I was laughing so much at this entry. We are in Quy Nhon headed to De Lat. Thank you so much for the travel advice. We are at Binh Duong now and I guess it will be Dreams in a few days! I got a teaching job in Dong Hoi that starts April 4 so my vacation will technically come to an end in Saigon. (Dong Hoi is close enough for a few weekend trips to Hoa's!) Bryan is going to continue his world journey into Cambodia and meeting a friend there so I am sure he will be using this blog as a resource. p.s. Do you remember the name of your masseuse? ;)
From Blog: Da Lat; Something Quite Different
Date: 13th March 2011
I was worried about you two glad to hear that you guys are safe... MJH
From Blog: Effects in Vietnam from Japan Earthquake
I was worried about you two glad to hear that you guys are safe... MJH
From Blog: Effects in Vietnam from Japan Earthquake
Date: 11th March 2011
Dear Ngoc
We are in Hue right now. We were in Da Nang/ China beach after we left Quang Ngai. Had a great beach day there but the weather turned so we figured that Hue was as good a spot as one could have to sit out the clouds. The Vietnamese food here is amazing and the people especially charming. We're heading back to Da Nang on Sunday to see what happens with the sun. After that, who knows? We have six more weeks on our Visa so it's an easy go decision wise.
From Blog: Quang Ngai/ My Lai; A Town Without Pity
Dear Ngoc
We are in Hue right now. We were in Da Nang/ China beach after we left Quang Ngai. Had a great beach day there but the weather turned so we figured that Hue was as good a spot as one could have to sit out the clouds. The Vietnamese food here is amazing and the people especially charming. We're heading back to Da Nang on Sunday to see what happens with the sun. After that, who knows? We have six more weeks on our Visa so it's an easy go decision wise.
From Blog: Quang Ngai/ My Lai; A Town Without Pity
Date: 10th March 2011
Well, enjoying your new post again. Just wonder where have you been last couple days . Sorry to hear about your bad experiences in Quang Ngai. And also applaud you for the bravery to go to "My Lai". Most vet and/or tourist avoid and stay away that "thorn". Thank you.
From Blog: Quang Ngai/ My Lai; A Town Without Pity
Well, enjoying your new post again. Just wonder where have you been last couple days . Sorry to hear about your bad experiences in Quang Ngai. And also applaud you for the bravery to go to "My Lai". Most vet and/or tourist avoid and stay away that "thorn". Thank you.
From Blog: Quang Ngai/ My Lai; A Town Without Pity
Date: 7th March 2011
Ngoc
The traffic in Saigon can be a pretty steep learning curve for the uninitiated. You're right about Nam. We've fallen in love with the country, the people and the culture. Every new place is a new story. We're in China beach now and I'll be putting up a couple of new entries as soon as I can find a WI-FI hook up. There non-existant where we're staying. As a result I'm forced to spend more time on the beach and at the Pho cart.
From Blog: Survivor's Guide To Tet In Saigon
Ngoc
The traffic in Saigon can be a pretty steep learning curve for the uninitiated. You're right about Nam. We've fallen in love with the country, the people and the culture. Every new place is a new story. We're in China beach now and I'll be putting up a couple of new entries as soon as I can find a WI-FI hook up. There non-existant where we're staying. As a result I'm forced to spend more time on the beach and at the Pho cart.
From Blog: Survivor's Guide To Tet In Saigon
Date: 4th March 2011
Hi Mike and Karen, "They came spilling out of the Le Loi darkness mounted on screaming metallic steeds. It looked as if the entire regiment was headed right for our position." Ha ha, I enjoyed your humor greatly in every post. I never thought that way, probably so used to it. I can see you folks fell in love with Vietnam in someways. Once you're in VN, you're under the spell (in a good way) and you can't get it out of your mind and you will jump to the next opportunity to go bac. Just like in the "Hotel California" song's lyric - "You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave..."... Wait for your next post. Thank you.
From Blog: Survivor's Guide To Tet In Saigon
Hi Mike and Karen, "They came spilling out of the Le Loi darkness mounted on screaming metallic steeds. It looked as if the entire regiment was headed right for our position." Ha ha, I enjoyed your humor greatly in every post. I never thought that way, probably so used to it. I can see you folks fell in love with Vietnam in someways. Once you're in VN, you're under the spell (in a good way) and you can't get it out of your mind and you will jump to the next opportunity to go bac. Just like in the "Hotel California" song's lyric - "You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave..."... Wait for your next post. Thank you.
From Blog: Survivor's Guide To Tet In Saigon
Date: 3rd March 2011
Jane
Glad you enjoyed it. Our next stop is My Lai so I assume the resulting Blog entry will be less upbeat. Just giving you a heads up.
From Blog: Quy Nhon; Vietnam's Best Kept Secret
Jane
Glad you enjoyed it. Our next stop is My Lai so I assume the resulting Blog entry will be less upbeat. Just giving you a heads up.
From Blog: Quy Nhon; Vietnam's Best Kept Secret
Jane Goodbrad
non-member comment
FLORIDA TO TEXAS SAGA
I am always amazed!! You make a little trip from Florida to Texas the most amazing and exciting journey only to be compared to the exotics you two usually traverse!! Some day when I'm "older" I'd sure like to follow behind for all that adventure (however, much to Brad's pain, I don't climb mountains - though I really DO wish I wasn't such a wuss!!).
From Blog: Alamogordo, Family and Oliver Lee State Park