CatieRogers

To me, half the fun of traveling is the planning and anticipation. Last summer I knew that I wanted to take a big trip in 2017 so I started toying with destinations. Where to go? I don't tend to re-visit but there are many places still to see. I've traveled extensively here in the USA but there are still six states on my "To Do" list including Alaska, Oregon, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine. I will visit these states but not in 2017. I've been to most of the Caribbean islands but I live in Florida so not high on my list. Central America is awesome and my excursions to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize did not disappoint but that area is close by and relatively easy and inexpensive to visit. The only country in ... read more

Geo: 14.0583, 108.277 Day 11: Hue. The drive to Hue was breathtaking. We traveled by air conditioned bus through the mountains of central Vietnam stopping at various locations along the way. At one point, we were high up overlooking a deep valley and the China Sea. A small stand (selling souvenirs, imagine that!) at a bend in the road was one of our stops. Three or four older women (by that, I mean they were probably around my age) were selling trinkets, cold drinks, and snacks. I want to point out here that all of the places that sell snacks don't just sell the typical Vietnamese snacks of some sort of peanut brittle or coconut “cookies” but Pringles, Oreos, Ritz Crackers--they're everywhere in these little packs. Anyway, back to these women…they all came over to me. ... read more

Geo: 14.0583, 108.277 Day 8: Nha Trang. Today, mostly I wandered around the town, walked on the beach, stopped at various places for iced coffee, and did a bit of shopping. I watched a man painting scenery on rice paper inside a store and I ended up buying two paintings of his. They are relatively typical--junks on the water, palm trees, sun--I think they're very pretty and I'm going to have to figure out what paintings I need to move around in order to display these. It was pretty hot today--very little breeze so when I got back to the hotel, I decided to go for a swim. I had to check out at noon but I had put my bathing suit in my daypack. I spent a couple of hours just relaxing. At 6:30 we ... read more

Geo: 14.0583, 108.277 Day 5 Saigon--THE FINAL DAY This is it. My third and final day in a city that has surprised me. Yes, I said it was dirty and noisy but it is also fascinating and full of things to see and do. I spent the morning wandering around, looking in stores, stopping several times for iced coffee (I'm addicted). At about 11:30, I came across a young lady who wanted to “do my nails”. I politely showed her that my nails were already perfect so, ever the saleswoman, she listed some of the other services offered by her establishment. She said the magic word--massage. I followed her up two flights of stairs to a room containing several regular massage tables… muted lighting and soft music completed the ambiance. I took off my clothes and ... read more

Geo: 14.0583, 108.277 Day 1: Saint Petersburg, FL INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNING. Got up at 3:30 am. Showered, dressed, made a cup of cappuccino, walked Mika, took my vitamins and my first malaria pill. The shuttle arrived right on time at 5:00 am. On the way to the airport, I experienced a strange sensation in my stomach but decided it was probably nerves or the lack of sleep. Got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. As I was checking in with the TSA official, she asked me a question. I couldn't answer because with no warning whatsoever, that strange feeling in my stomach came again and I threw up all over the place. How embarrassing. I missed the officer and I missed me. I just spewed. I hadn't eaten anything so it was all liquid ... read more