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Page 2 of Brian Clements Travel Blog Posts

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 March 10th 2011

This is our last full day in Ho Chi Minh City. The group leaves for the U.S. in the morning and I am off to Hanoi, the capital in the north. The temperature will be much more to my liking, mid 70's. The past few days have been a complete blur of tours and shopping, nearly done with this jet lag business. Last night was interesting. A few of the more adventurous in our group wanted to try an "authentic" meal of cobra. I think it maybe as authentic as a bowl of chitterlings in the states because there were numerous locals gaping at the display. None of the snake is wasted, the beating heart in a shot of vodka, the blood and bile mixed with vodka for a lovely before dinner cocktail, boiled snake, fried ... read more

We would never get this kind of access in the U.S.

The wild, wild west

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 March 8th 2011

Morning Market on Woman's Day

Brian Clements

As I type this it is about 15 minutes before sunrise on the pool deck (4:25pm Nashville time). Yesterday was a three tour day beginning with a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe to hear a presentation from a Vietnamese branding company. Their main brand (cash cow) is Highlands Coffee, a locally successful Vietnamese coffee attempting to go international. The next visit was to a wildly successful English language school owned by an expat and the last was to Unavailable, where all of my preconceived notions about sweatshop garment manufacturers in Asia were shattered. Yesterday was international woman's day and the Vietnamese celebrate in full force. Started the morning with a stroll around town where the sidewalk vendors were spilling into the streets selling the usual fresh produce and freshly cut flowers. Walked to the Majestic ... read more

Chicken Foot Anyone?

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 March 7th 2011

5:30am view from swimming pool

Brian Clements

Started the day off right with a Saigon sunrise at 5:30am and a stroll around district 1. It is amazing how many folks are on the move at this hour, setting up shop, exercising, milling about. A very refreshing swimming pool on the sixteenth floor, daytime temps in the mid 90's with 400% humidity. U.S. Commercial Service was our first tour. They are a U.S. government agency that assists American businesses wanting to do business in Vietnam. Very interesting visit on many levels. The Vietnamese leave nothing to the imagination in the (American) War Museum and the Reunification Palace, built by the French in the mid 1960's, was stately. Had a fabulous lunch for $100,000 dong (insert audible gasp). This is only five American dollars. :) Ended the evening with an entertaining dinner cruise, complete with ... read more

Welcoming Party

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City » District 1 March 6th 2011

Welcoming Party

Brian Clements

Saturday morning departure from Nashville at 6:45am headed for Chicago/ Hong Kong/ Ho Chi Minh City. Arrived at hotel at 11am Sunday, Nashville time (28 hours later) or midnight local time. It was a very long day but I feel good and am ready to explore. We were greeted upon arrival by a throng of screaming fans. Maybe Bieber was coming. Here is a short list of things I will try to avoid at all costs. 1) Hospitals 2) Dog meat 3) Karaoke Brian... read more

Why Vietnam?

North America » United States » Tennessee » Spring Hill February 24th 2011

Now Boarding

Brian Clements

Many of you are probably wondering why I am headed to such an exotic place as Vietnam. With numerous life-long friends in Scotland, Europe is only a short flight away; South America shares our time zones, and the Middle East is predictably unstable. A study abroad trip with a professor and fellow classmates is a requisite for graduation and with only three classes left I have chosen to explore Vietnam. The first week will be spent in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) ignoring jet lag, touring businesses, and scrutinizing my Western sensibilities. When the Belmont group departs I will become a solo scrutinizer; flying to Hanoi, which will serve as my base camp as I explore the mountains of the northwest (Sapa) and a beautiful bay with thousands of limestone cliff islands (Halong Bay). I have ... read more