arctangent's Guestbook
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Date: 9th August 2010
Coffee
Hey Alex how ya been looks like u r having a blast. Did you try the coffee? or are you sticking to Moonshine. LOL
From Blog: Pakse and Bolevan Plato
Coffee
Hey Alex how ya been looks like u r having a blast. Did you try the coffee? or are you sticking to Moonshine. LOL
From Blog: Pakse and Bolevan Plato
Date: 15th June 2010
BEER
Its nice to see that in your synopsis on Nam. You started with the price of beer and how affordable it is. I'm happy to see that you still have your Priorities in order. Some people might have mentioned Possable Health Issues, or Safety, or getting ripped off First,but not you, You started with the real important stuff. BEER. I cant belive you have been in Nam for a month already. Be Safe
From Blog: Sapa
BEER
Its nice to see that in your synopsis on Nam. You started with the price of beer and how affordable it is. I'm happy to see that you still have your Priorities in order. Some people might have mentioned Possable Health Issues, or Safety, or getting ripped off First,but not you, You started with the real important stuff. BEER. I cant belive you have been in Nam for a month already. Be Safe
From Blog: Sapa
Date: 15th June 2010
Yes, that was our lunch. The stuff in the bowls is Pho - rice noodle soup that has meat in it, usually beef. It's quite tasty and pretty feeling. But I agree - there is a reason Asian people are so skinny :)
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
Yes, that was our lunch. The stuff in the bowls is Pho - rice noodle soup that has meat in it, usually beef. It's quite tasty and pretty feeling. But I agree - there is a reason Asian people are so skinny :)
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
Date: 14th June 2010
Lunch?
Please tell me that the stuff in those bowels wasn't lunch. I would lose a lot of weight.
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
Lunch?
Please tell me that the stuff in those bowels wasn't lunch. I would lose a lot of weight.
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
Date: 13th June 2010
Scams and rip-offs in Vietnam
<> You are right. But things have improved a lot from 5- 10 years ago, except taxi and other transportation business. Nowadays tourists can buy things in the supermarket and shopping centers where the prices are posted. I don't remember much about Ha Noi, but Ben Thanh market has a huge section with displayed prices for everything. Most shops in Sai Gon also post price. Buying a bottle of water, just giving the seller about 8,000 dong or 10,000 dong. a few thousand dongs extra from the price recommended in the guide book is fair price. It's just so simple once you know how thing works and of course if 10 cents is unimportant to you and you should always ignore the extortionate price. After all, the Vietnamese practice Chinese culture, so they do business just like the chinese do. There is even a Chinese proverb, "we can always fool the foreigners." In Vietnam, particularly north VN, the asking price is usually 3-5 times more than the sold price, but in China in tourist areas, they post 5-10 times more expensive, and of course, the local Chinese all know the real price for everything. That's the reason why the Chinese bargain for whatever they buy. I think you should write down all scams and rip-offs that you'd encounter during your Vietnam trip and then some hints about how to fight them in order to help future travelers enjoying more their trips. Many travelers said they won't come back when they are in Vietnam, but many do come back because after the trip to Vietnam they are automatically a bit smarter about how to deal with every thing. Besides, one trip, people hardly know all tourist attractions in Vietnam. Con Dao, Phong NHa cave, Qui Nhon, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Bai Tu Long bay, Ha Giang province, Kom Tom, taking one day or 2-3 day boat trip through numerous villages and pass under tens to a hundred of monkey bridges along several canals (water system) in the Mekong Delta, etc. are still not popular destination. I hope you enjoy your trip although being constantly scammed and ripped-off. About taxi. If you think the meter went too fast, you just pay the estimate correct price, perhaps add another 10-20 thousands to make sure that it's fair price to the driver and then walk away. You don't have to stay to fight with him. Don't fight! just write down all information on the displayed card in front of the front passenger seat and license plate number. That will scare the guy off. In conclusion, taxi in Ha Noi just try to rip off thin-skin tourists and the ones who hadn't well done their homework prior to the trip. Take care! Paul
From Blog: Hanoi
Scams and rip-offs in Vietnam
<> You are right. But things have improved a lot from 5- 10 years ago, except taxi and other transportation business. Nowadays tourists can buy things in the supermarket and shopping centers where the prices are posted. I don't remember much about Ha Noi, but Ben Thanh market has a huge section with displayed prices for everything. Most shops in Sai Gon also post price. Buying a bottle of water, just giving the seller about 8,000 dong or 10,000 dong. a few thousand dongs extra from the price recommended in the guide book is fair price. It's just so simple once you know how thing works and of course if 10 cents is unimportant to you and you should always ignore the extortionate price. After all, the Vietnamese practice Chinese culture, so they do business just like the chinese do. There is even a Chinese proverb, "we can always fool the foreigners." In Vietnam, particularly north VN, the asking price is usually 3-5 times more than the sold price, but in China in tourist areas, they post 5-10 times more expensive, and of course, the local Chinese all know the real price for everything. That's the reason why the Chinese bargain for whatever they buy. I think you should write down all scams and rip-offs that you'd encounter during your Vietnam trip and then some hints about how to fight them in order to help future travelers enjoying more their trips. Many travelers said they won't come back when they are in Vietnam, but many do come back because after the trip to Vietnam they are automatically a bit smarter about how to deal with every thing. Besides, one trip, people hardly know all tourist attractions in Vietnam. Con Dao, Phong NHa cave, Qui Nhon, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Bai Tu Long bay, Ha Giang province, Kom Tom, taking one day or 2-3 day boat trip through numerous villages and pass under tens to a hundred of monkey bridges along several canals (water system) in the Mekong Delta, etc. are still not popular destination. I hope you enjoy your trip although being constantly scammed and ripped-off. About taxi. If you think the meter went too fast, you just pay the estimate correct price, perhaps add another 10-20 thousands to make sure that it's fair price to the driver and then walk away. You don't have to stay to fight with him. Don't fight! just write down all information on the displayed card in front of the front passenger seat and license plate number. That will scare the guy off. In conclusion, taxi in Ha Noi just try to rip off thin-skin tourists and the ones who hadn't well done their homework prior to the trip. Take care! Paul
From Blog: Hanoi
Date: 12th June 2010
really enjoying your blogs. travelling to vietnam next february/march. regards abd keep publishing. dave
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
really enjoying your blogs. travelling to vietnam next february/march. regards abd keep publishing. dave
From Blog: Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay
Date: 11th June 2010
I am going back to Thailand on the 12th. Want to explore the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
From Blog: Hue
I am going back to Thailand on the 12th. Want to explore the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
From Blog: Hue
Date: 10th June 2010
Where next
Where are you going after nam. I know Gary just made plans to go to Southeast Asia
From Blog: Hue
Where next
Where are you going after nam. I know Gary just made plans to go to Southeast Asia
From Blog: Hue
Date: 2nd June 2010
I'll be right there
Wait a minute, did that sign in front of the bar say Happy Hour with a Happy Ending??? If so I'm leaving now :) Thats a great idea!! Maybe we can open a bar like that in Brooklyn.
From Blog: Hoi An
I'll be right there
Wait a minute, did that sign in front of the bar say Happy Hour with a Happy Ending??? If so I'm leaving now :) Thats a great idea!! Maybe we can open a bar like that in Brooklyn.
From Blog: Hoi An
Date: 26th May 2010
The name of the place is Nhat Lan Resort. I highly recommend it. Don't forget to bargain with them. The A/C bungalows were $20, but when I was there you wouldn't need A/C. Good luck.
From Blog: Phu Quoc
The name of the place is Nhat Lan Resort. I highly recommend it. Don't forget to bargain with them. The A/C bungalows were $20, but when I was there you wouldn't need A/C. Good luck.
From Blog: Phu Quoc
Date: 25th May 2010
The name of the bungalow in Phu Quoc
I'm a stranger and I understand well that you are busily traveling. Perhaps you don't have much time to reply to me, perhaps you don't remember the name of the bungalow you'd stayed in Phu Quoc. I really enjoy reading your trip and wish to know the name of that $13/n bungalow. Happy travels! Paul
From Blog: Phu Quoc
The name of the bungalow in Phu Quoc
I'm a stranger and I understand well that you are busily traveling. Perhaps you don't have much time to reply to me, perhaps you don't remember the name of the bungalow you'd stayed in Phu Quoc. I really enjoy reading your trip and wish to know the name of that $13/n bungalow. Happy travels! Paul
From Blog: Phu Quoc
Date: 25th May 2010
Yeah, I must look like a conehead! The water is really muddy. There is not much pollution as the nation around here are just starting to industrialize. Most of the women here wear face masks when doing anything in the sun. The beauty standards up here value whiteness, so women go to great length to avoid getting a tan. Whiting creams and lotion are also a big business.
From Blog: Mekong Delta
Yeah, I must look like a conehead! The water is really muddy. There is not much pollution as the nation around here are just starting to industrialize. Most of the women here wear face masks when doing anything in the sun. The beauty standards up here value whiteness, so women go to great length to avoid getting a tan. Whiting creams and lotion are also a big business.
From Blog: Mekong Delta
Date: 24th May 2010
nice head
Boy O Boy the sun must be bouncing off the head of your's. How is the Delta Water Quality? Is it just muddy or Polluted. It looks like alot of people ware something around their faces.
From Blog: Mekong Delta
nice head
Boy O Boy the sun must be bouncing off the head of your's. How is the Delta Water Quality? Is it just muddy or Polluted. It looks like alot of people ware something around their faces.
From Blog: Mekong Delta
Date: 17th May 2010
Yes, Ho Chi Minh fought the Japs with the Americans, and yes, after the war he declared independence and of cause France had a cow and went on fighting, but they were defeated in 1954 and completely withdrew from Vietnam by 1955. Even before French defeat, US supported France with arms and money, after France withdrew, they set up a dictator in South Vietnam and the rest is history.
From Blog: Ho Chi Minh City
Yes, Ho Chi Minh fought the Japs with the Americans, and yes, after the war he declared independence and of cause France had a cow and went on fighting, but they were defeated in 1954 and completely withdrew from Vietnam by 1955. Even before French defeat, US supported France with arms and money, after France withdrew, they set up a dictator in South Vietnam and the rest is history.
From Blog: Ho Chi Minh City
Date: 17th May 2010
Ho Chi Minh
During WW2, Ho Chi Minh fought with Amer.Special forces to oust the Japs. He had so must resepect for them that after the war he had a huge parade in their honor. All he wanted was his independence from France. But of course France said No. and the UN stood by France. The rest is History.
From Blog: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh
During WW2, Ho Chi Minh fought with Amer.Special forces to oust the Japs. He had so must resepect for them that after the war he had a huge parade in their honor. All he wanted was his independence from France. But of course France said No. and the UN stood by France. The rest is History.
From Blog: Ho Chi Minh City
Date: 13th May 2010
Actually, Thailand is a country of contrasts. Prostitution is legal and is a huge business, yet pornography is not and the country is actively blocking porn sites! So, hopefully the government doesn't consider my pictures pornography :)
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Actually, Thailand is a country of contrasts. Prostitution is legal and is a huge business, yet pornography is not and the country is actively blocking porn sites! So, hopefully the government doesn't consider my pictures pornography :)
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Date: 12th May 2010
Hello, your in Thailand
Your in Thailand they dont know what PG 13 is. :) Ok, i guess I understand. Just tell about it when U get back
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Hello, your in Thailand
Your in Thailand they dont know what PG 13 is. :) Ok, i guess I understand. Just tell about it when U get back
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Date: 10th May 2010
I was trying to keep the blog PG-13. I will try to take some pictures for you :)
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
I was trying to keep the blog PG-13. I will try to take some pictures for you :)
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Date: 10th May 2010
Where r the babes
Pics look great, beautiful, but by this time I expected to see you with a least one hot babe on each arm. LOL apes r cool but????? But, No love you long time.
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Where r the babes
Pics look great, beautiful, but by this time I expected to see you with a least one hot babe on each arm. LOL apes r cool but????? But, No love you long time.
From Blog: Phuket and Ko Phi Phi - Cousin Boris joins me
Date: 4th May 2010
your right
Hey Alex, your right I feel Terrible thinking that thats all this Extremely intelligent baby elephant has to look forward to for the rest of her life. I guess its better than starving to death in the wild due to loss of Habitat . Take care.
From Blog: Ko Lanta continued
your right
Hey Alex, your right I feel Terrible thinking that thats all this Extremely intelligent baby elephant has to look forward to for the rest of her life. I guess its better than starving to death in the wild due to loss of Habitat . Take care.
From Blog: Ko Lanta continued
Date: 1st May 2010
Actually, diving off Ko Phi Phi was not that crowded - it might have to do with the volcano irrupting in Iceland and disrupting air travel in Europe and the riots going on in Bangkok. Richy, as far4 as being lucky - I thank my lucky stars I have this opportunity - and still can't believe it is happening to me :)
From Blog: Ko Lanta
Actually, diving off Ko Phi Phi was not that crowded - it might have to do with the volcano irrupting in Iceland and disrupting air travel in Europe and the riots going on in Bangkok. Richy, as far4 as being lucky - I thank my lucky stars I have this opportunity - and still can't believe it is happening to me :)
From Blog: Ko Lanta
arctangent
arctangent
Yeah, I am loving it. The coffee is actually fantastic here. They drink it really sweat - with condensed milk and it's pretty strong.
From Blog: Pakse and Bolevan Plato