Ride 'em Cowboy Can't wait to see you on an elephant next time!
When you get back down in elevation find out about watching a polo match. Polo is a very popular sport in India.
Sapa Hi Adam, I just read your account of the trip to Sapa. The tribes and environs are a real time warp. It looks just like Northern Thailand in the 1970's. I worked for Thai Airways for 25 years and lived in Bangkok for 4 years during the mid' 70's. I traveled throughout the north of the country and Sapa is a dead ringer for that area. During the Vietnam project I flew over the Sapa area coming in from China, and decided I wanted to travel up there, but I never got the opportunity though, so I'm happy to see your photos and narrative. What a great experience you're having! I don't really have any suggestions for you, as you seem to be covering the bases very well. When you get back home, and if your are ever in the Paso Robles area please stop so we can exchange stories. 805-704-2785. Good luck and travel safe. Sam
Keep on Keeping On Man, its just the road, huh? The further I go, the more I realize how long the damn thing is, and how many prongs a fork in the road may have. It looks like you're doing your thing, having a great time.
You're definitely right, we'll have to meet up eventually, although the road might be taking me back to the other hemisphere. But phere not my phriend, I'll be back to Asia before too long. We'll have to see if the whole job thing even goes through. I guess I'll know soon enough.
Keep doing it.
Mat
re: the tank Sam, I'm delighted that you could share a bit of your Hanoi/Vietnam memories with me. It has certainly been an experience to see all the war relics and stories that accompany them. Yes, Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam has changed very quickly in the past decade. Today's Hanoi is jam-packed with motor bikes and on most days I look on, wishing I could have experienced the days of only bicycles and smog-free traffic. From the Vietnamese perspective, it's hard to argue with economic progress and effeciency. Hopefully it will bring the people of this great country better lives. I look forward to hopefully hearing more stories of your time in Vietnam and please don't hesitate to email me with any suggestions. - Adam
the tank Hi Adam, I'm a friend of your Mom. We went to high school together. Her friend Mary, also a dear friend, sent me your blog, I think becuase of my experiences in Vietnam. First, the reason the tank at the Army Museum is listed that way is because, that is the tank that crashed the gates of the South Vietnamese presidential palace in Saigon, which was the symbolic end of ARVN resistance and end of the war. That was the same time the helicopters were leaving the roof of the US Embassy for the last time. Anyway, that's that. I had a couple tours there during the war, 1965-67 in the Navy Seabees. Later, after a long career in Asian civil aviation, I was a consultant for Boeing and conducted a ten year project in Hanoi 1993-2003, working with Vietnam Airlines to develop a new corporate identity and brand image. The blue/gold aircraft and Lotus logo you see there is the result of that project. I absolutely loved Hanoi. In 1993 when I first went there to meet with the airline management there were no cars in the city, except a few old black Chinese dedans used by the government. All transport was by bicycle and trishaw. The city was quiet except for the sound of the little bells on the bicycles. No big hotels or office buildings and very little commercial trade. As you can see, that changed very fast. I've enjoyed your blog and will follow it as you travel through my favorite part of the world. Have fun! All the best, Sam
Motivation, Sacks If reading my journals solidifies your desire to travel in a few years from now, start making some plans. Not putting the idea of going off will ensure that you will actually make it happen. Good to hear from my man.
at last nice to see you've finally spelt my name right!? also, how come you got 20 pictures of a temple, 10 of a monkey and none of me? come on smith, sort it out!
Final Destination Mat, you couldn't be more on point with those monkey bastards. One actually bit a French women that was near us on the beach feeding the monkeys as well. I don't want to make any assumptions but I'm pretty sure the monkey knew she was French and gave that lady what she deserved. The French colonialists have a well-documented history of monkey abuse and this monke was obviously a scholar in the brutalilty associated with all those French bastards...the whole monkey incident actually gives me an idea....but I'll save that one for later. take care
Oh yeah, we're eventually gonna end up in Bangkok before I take off for Cambodia.
Joe loved the grapes Rita- I'm sorry I didn't specify which one of the monkeys was so interested in eating the grapes. Before Joe cut his beard he could have easily joined up with a troop and been accepted as a monkey half-breed. Fergus and I actually had to convince Joe to give the grapes up, I decided to leave out that he was the greedest one of them all when it came to the food. Thanks for checking my blog! Hopefully our tales can keep jealous minds satisfied and even more hopefully inspired to come visit this amazing part of the world.
Greedy Bastards Those monkeys are a bunch of greedy bastards. They are typical beggars; give 'em a buck and they ask for a beer, give 'em a pancake and they throw it back at you. I really loved how the monkeys were just cruising around Ton Sai, doing their own thing. Where are you gonna end up on this road trip? If you really want to impress the Thais throw a little, "sawadee pi mai" in to the mix. Let them know that you can say happy new year in any language they want, then just it up in the other languages if they are clever enough to ask. Good luck.
nice bro hey nucka,
mat and i stayed at that exact same river bungaloo in Pai, I'm glad you got there, it was a cool town. Miss you back at home and enjoy the holidays in the south.
good update,
Z
Sorry About Not Checking Comments For everyone who has posted a comment and thought I didn't care, that was not the case, it's more a case that I didn't know. I didn't realize that people were leaving comments for me to see but now I do and I will check them more frequently. Happy Holidays to everyone! -Adam
Great to hear from you Grand Aunt Mikki, I certainly did not expect to receive a comment from you. I would love to visit Eastern Europe some day, all of it sounds fascinating. Thailand is beautiful and I cannot say enough good things about the people here. Take care.
yo It sounds like your havinga blast, Rock Climbing? thats kind of Random, were did you find the proper equipment? take some photos of the rock faces you climb. Also take a photo of a Thia Hooker.
Peace
Stiefel
Good to hear from you Hey Adam, Good to finally hear from you. I'm very glad (but not surprised) that you are having a great time and doing well. I'm also jealous of your adventures. We'll miss you this Christmas but I'm so happy you are finally able to do this trip. Make sure the cobras stay behind wire...
Love you,
Mary
we are so envious of your trip. David and I were in Thailand a number of years ago and
enjoyed it immensely. I will look forward to reading your travelblog
as you progress. Won't it seem a little odd being so far away on
Christmas?
You call that a Cobra? Smithy - Wow, totally jealous, but looks and sounds like everything is great. Looking forward to more stories, more updates and more pictures. Here is your update on America. : It is Florida v. Ohio St for the BCS after UCLA upset USC. Cal is playing Texas A+M in the Holiday Bowl. The US rep to the UN John Bolton, just resigned.
Thanks so very much for sharing your adventures! Although we've been doing a fair amount of travelling in recent years (Italy(7 times), Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary), Thailland has not been on our list, but I think you may have just put it there...
Best, M
Hello everyone and thanks for checking out my travel blog.
It feels strange to think that it's been nearly 14 months since I left home in California. Over the course of that time I've had some truly incredible experiences that have touched my life in the most rewarding of ways. It's those special moments when I've witnessed such unabashed warmth and generosity from complete strangers, spent time with other delightful travelers, or when I've just stopped to appreciate how beautiful this world really is. In light of the recent passing away of a good friend from back home, I am once again r... full info
Constance
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Ride 'em Cowboy
Can't wait to see you on an elephant next time! When you get back down in elevation find out about watching a polo match. Polo is a very popular sport in India.