16 hours since we left our hotel room in Siem Reap. Had to hang for 5 hours in the hotel to catch the bus to the airport. Then short flight to Hanoi, couple hours layover and a 4 hour flight to Seoul.
Now 12 hours to wait for a 10 hour flight to SEA.
Having fun!!??
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Pictures from Siem Reap
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| The night before |
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| There plenty early |
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| Sun finally pops out |
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| The equinox |
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| Nose to nose |
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| Where is Waldo? |
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| Dinner entertainment |
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| Second tuk tuk driver |
Angkor Wat
We missed our 6:00 a.m. bus from Hanoi by a minute so took the 6:15 bus and got through immigration and customs and through security with two hours to spare. I thought I'd spend my last $500,000 VNDong at the airport ($21USD), but everything was priced in US dollars. Found a place that would accept VND and got some snacks.
Jones had their own plane, an A320 with plenty of seats so everyone split a three seat side with two and it was about an hour and half flight. Picked up in medium sized busses and driven around, then stopped for a lunch that was outdoors, but covered. HOT! Had beer and wine and a nice lunch of stuff you can't order in Longview.
Arrived at the hotel about 2:30 and found our room that overlooks the garden vs. the road. Cranked on the air conditioner and I decided to go for a cooling swim. The pool temp had to be in the 90's. Usually when I jump into a pool I want to get out because it is too cold, this was too hot! Like jumping into a hot tub.
I was guided by an 'older' guy from East Texas which is an independent state from Texas which is a sovereign nation (according to him) to the swim up bar and filled our Speedos with ice cubes. Okay we had a beer.
We had two choices for the Angkor Wat tour . . . 5 a.m. sunrise three temple tour or an 8 a.m. two temple tour. I insisted on the sunrise tour which actually meant get up at 4 and have a light breakfast, then on the bus at 5 for a 15 minute ride to the temples.
Turns out that this is the morning of the Spring Equinox and Jupiter is aligned with Mars (it is the dawning of Aquarius) and the temple and grounds are laid out for this twice a year occurrence. There were thousand of people, tripods, cameras, phones, and 1 iPod maneuvering for the best spot. We had a good guide who positioned us well, but there was some cloud cover. We were ready at 5:30 for a 6:30 sunrise.
Because of the cloud cover our guide kept moving us forward and then the sun popped up and I saw a better angle down below the walkway. Got some amazing shots, but fell behind the group. I got back on the main walkway and saw one guy from our group running back to where we started. I said, "Where are you going?" He was coming to find me because I was 'lost'. I told him I'd buy him a beer at the hosted dinner, but he doesn't drink. I saw him drinking Coke before and bought him a cold CC at the next stand and he was my BBF!
Lots of climbing and redundant explanation from our guide. Wanted to give us the details, but we just wanted the broad brush. Had a second breakfast and two more temples. Our guide dropped a couple F bombs talking about the communists and a story that someone told him (it wasn't me, it was him). An exhausting day and got back to the hotel by noon ready for a cold beer, but our room was being serviced, so beer in the lobby.
Another dip in the pool that seemed cooler and dinner off site that was nice and Siam entertainment.
Today, Saturday????, we had breakfast and went to the front of the hotel and they suggested we take a tuk-tuk (motorcycle with a couch trailer) and keep the same driver for $8 for 3 hours. Mr. Mot picked us up and give us a tour. Spoke good English, hates the Chinese, and took us to his 'favorite' stores. Dropped us off at a HIGH end store where you could buy a silk scarf for $650 USD, because we have soo few!
I drug Pam out, but no Mr. Mot. He rolled in 3 minutes later with 4 beers on ice. He dropped us off at a store where he gets 30% off (and we get hosed), but we held our ground. He got a call and had to take his baby to the doctor and arranged for another driver to pick us up and finish our tour.
The new driver took us to the local grocery store where I replaced our mini bar with beverages. Again they were cleaning our room (we are not that messy) so I ordered ice and we had another beer in the lobby.
Final dinner will be in 3 hours. Then a 6:50 p.m. flight tomorrow to Hanoi and a flight to Seoul and a 12 hour layover for a 10 hour flight to SEA!
We hope everyone is doing GREAT!
Jones had their own plane, an A320 with plenty of seats so everyone split a three seat side with two and it was about an hour and half flight. Picked up in medium sized busses and driven around, then stopped for a lunch that was outdoors, but covered. HOT! Had beer and wine and a nice lunch of stuff you can't order in Longview.
Arrived at the hotel about 2:30 and found our room that overlooks the garden vs. the road. Cranked on the air conditioner and I decided to go for a cooling swim. The pool temp had to be in the 90's. Usually when I jump into a pool I want to get out because it is too cold, this was too hot! Like jumping into a hot tub.
I was guided by an 'older' guy from East Texas which is an independent state from Texas which is a sovereign nation (according to him) to the swim up bar and filled our Speedos with ice cubes. Okay we had a beer.
We had two choices for the Angkor Wat tour . . . 5 a.m. sunrise three temple tour or an 8 a.m. two temple tour. I insisted on the sunrise tour which actually meant get up at 4 and have a light breakfast, then on the bus at 5 for a 15 minute ride to the temples.
Turns out that this is the morning of the Spring Equinox and Jupiter is aligned with Mars (it is the dawning of Aquarius) and the temple and grounds are laid out for this twice a year occurrence. There were thousand of people, tripods, cameras, phones, and 1 iPod maneuvering for the best spot. We had a good guide who positioned us well, but there was some cloud cover. We were ready at 5:30 for a 6:30 sunrise.
Because of the cloud cover our guide kept moving us forward and then the sun popped up and I saw a better angle down below the walkway. Got some amazing shots, but fell behind the group. I got back on the main walkway and saw one guy from our group running back to where we started. I said, "Where are you going?" He was coming to find me because I was 'lost'. I told him I'd buy him a beer at the hosted dinner, but he doesn't drink. I saw him drinking Coke before and bought him a cold CC at the next stand and he was my BBF!
Lots of climbing and redundant explanation from our guide. Wanted to give us the details, but we just wanted the broad brush. Had a second breakfast and two more temples. Our guide dropped a couple F bombs talking about the communists and a story that someone told him (it wasn't me, it was him). An exhausting day and got back to the hotel by noon ready for a cold beer, but our room was being serviced, so beer in the lobby.
Another dip in the pool that seemed cooler and dinner off site that was nice and Siam entertainment.
Today, Saturday????, we had breakfast and went to the front of the hotel and they suggested we take a tuk-tuk (motorcycle with a couch trailer) and keep the same driver for $8 for 3 hours. Mr. Mot picked us up and give us a tour. Spoke good English, hates the Chinese, and took us to his 'favorite' stores. Dropped us off at a HIGH end store where you could buy a silk scarf for $650 USD, because we have soo few!
I drug Pam out, but no Mr. Mot. He rolled in 3 minutes later with 4 beers on ice. He dropped us off at a store where he gets 30% off (and we get hosed), but we held our ground. He got a call and had to take his baby to the doctor and arranged for another driver to pick us up and finish our tour.
The new driver took us to the local grocery store where I replaced our mini bar with beverages. Again they were cleaning our room (we are not that messy) so I ordered ice and we had another beer in the lobby.
Final dinner will be in 3 hours. Then a 6:50 p.m. flight tomorrow to Hanoi and a flight to Seoul and a 12 hour layover for a 10 hour flight to SEA!
We hope everyone is doing GREAT!
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Hanoi
On Saturday, still in Danang, our driver took us to Marble Mountain where we CLIMBED up and down steep steps amongst the masses. We left a little later after our full day in Hoi An.
Then an hour ride to My Son where there were a few mostly destroyed temples made of bricks.
A little over a mile of hiking. We could have passed on that!
Admission was 150,000 dong each so I gave the attendant 500,000 and she either tried to say I gave her a 20,000 or was giving me 20,000 in change, which she pretty quickly turned into a 200,000 when she figured out I didn't fall off a turnip truck.
Got back to our hotel and went down to the beach. Restful!
The next day, Sunday, was peace and quiet. Time on the beach and walked, then pool time.
The airBnb owner arranged for a driver to pick us up outside our door and deliver us to the airport on Monday. A smooth flight and were met by the Jones travel assistants who took us to the hotel about 30 minutes away. It is the hotel where Donald and Kim Jong met, but each stayed elsewhere. Decent room with a view of nothing, but close to old town and great breakfast.
We had the welcome dinner at the Hotel which was nice. Big selection and met the home office hostess who runs the retirement transition program and I had spoken with her a few times during my retirement process.
Had our hour long meeting on Tuesday morning and then a tour of the "Hanoi Hilton" which the French used to hold and torture folks who rebelled against the French invasion. It was later used to hold mostly US pilots shot down over North Viet Nam including John McCain. Pretty gruesome and probably could have skipped that or taken a much shorter tour.
Then took a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of the old town, then a walking tour down narrow alleys where the locals shopped. Interesting and had a good guide. Instead of shopping for trinkets, we spent a buck for a cold beer and watched people.
For dinner we found a decent restaurant nearby for some good food.
Today, Wednesday, I got up for the 6 a.m. walking tour through the park and by the lake to watch the city wake up. Lots of people out doing exercises, dances, laughing, clapping and enjoying themselves. Fun to see and they insisted we join them. "Where you from?"
After breakfast Pam wanted a foot massage, so they recommended a place 1/2 mile away that we turned into at least a mile, passing dozens of other massage places. It warmed up
to the 80's and humid so back to our room. I may try the pool and an early night as we have to have our bags outside the room at 5 tomorrow morning for our trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. FUN! It will be a charter flight and they promised beer and wine, but no food. It is nearly 100 in Cambodia.
I'll add a few pictures later as it is too frustrating to add them with the text.
Then an hour ride to My Son where there were a few mostly destroyed temples made of bricks.
A little over a mile of hiking. We could have passed on that!
Admission was 150,000 dong each so I gave the attendant 500,000 and she either tried to say I gave her a 20,000 or was giving me 20,000 in change, which she pretty quickly turned into a 200,000 when she figured out I didn't fall off a turnip truck.
Got back to our hotel and went down to the beach. Restful!
The next day, Sunday, was peace and quiet. Time on the beach and walked, then pool time.
The airBnb owner arranged for a driver to pick us up outside our door and deliver us to the airport on Monday. A smooth flight and were met by the Jones travel assistants who took us to the hotel about 30 minutes away. It is the hotel where Donald and Kim Jong met, but each stayed elsewhere. Decent room with a view of nothing, but close to old town and great breakfast.
We had the welcome dinner at the Hotel which was nice. Big selection and met the home office hostess who runs the retirement transition program and I had spoken with her a few times during my retirement process.
Had our hour long meeting on Tuesday morning and then a tour of the "Hanoi Hilton" which the French used to hold and torture folks who rebelled against the French invasion. It was later used to hold mostly US pilots shot down over North Viet Nam including John McCain. Pretty gruesome and probably could have skipped that or taken a much shorter tour.
Then took a bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of the old town, then a walking tour down narrow alleys where the locals shopped. Interesting and had a good guide. Instead of shopping for trinkets, we spent a buck for a cold beer and watched people.
For dinner we found a decent restaurant nearby for some good food.
Today, Wednesday, I got up for the 6 a.m. walking tour through the park and by the lake to watch the city wake up. Lots of people out doing exercises, dances, laughing, clapping and enjoying themselves. Fun to see and they insisted we join them. "Where you from?"
After breakfast Pam wanted a foot massage, so they recommended a place 1/2 mile away that we turned into at least a mile, passing dozens of other massage places. It warmed up
to the 80's and humid so back to our room. I may try the pool and an early night as we have to have our bags outside the room at 5 tomorrow morning for our trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. FUN! It will be a charter flight and they promised beer and wine, but no food. It is nearly 100 in Cambodia.
I'll add a few pictures later as it is too frustrating to add them with the text.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Pictures at 11
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| Rush hour traffic! I'm so glad we didn't try to rent a car as we would probably still be here with constant horn honking! |
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| Had to stop for the mandatory wine! Driver escort! |
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| Where we had our first night's dinner. |
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| A close family! |
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| Anybody know this celebrity? |
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| The hotel's buffet for $50, but we weren't that hungry./ |
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| Grocery store |
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| On the hike to the cooking school |
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| Big connect 4 game |
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| Relaxing before school. |
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| Got lost to and from cooking school. Texted this to the driver. |
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| Basket boat with a fish trap. |
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| Walked down the beach. Pretty soft sand so slow going. That is our building on the left. |
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| In a temple in Hoi An |
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