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19 March 2012

Return to USA

I departed Saigon on Saturday, March 17. After almost 30 hours travel time and 10,000 miles (16,000KM), I arrived at IAD (Dulles in Washington, DC) on March 18.

There were many sad, long "Goodbyes" during my last week in Saigon. The most difficult of these were those with the "Phamily" <-- Linh, Long (11 year old brother), Thuy (mother) & Vinh (father) Pham. They are terrific people and I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent with them - Tet trip to Long Hai, week-escape to their first trip to/experience with a democratic country (Phuket, Thailand), playing Phom (a popular Vietnamese card game), and sharing many fabulous meals prepared by Linh and her mother. I will truly miss them all.

At the moment, I have no future travel plans - not yet anyway. I will let you all know when I do.

14 March 2012

Saigon Street Vendors

I bought "waffles" from this vendor everyday. On the left is her charcoal grill/"waffle iron) used to make the waffles, on the right are cooked & packaged waffles. All portable and can be carried away in seconds!

Saigon Street Vendors

This lady sells/delivers styrofoam containers to other street vendors who sell prepared food!

Saigon's Vibrant Street Vendors

One of the things I will miss most about Saigon is its vibrant street vendors. As I have said before - youi can find just about any products or services on Saigon's (or any major city's) streets. This is a bicycle vendor selling many varieties of brooms/feather dusters. I saw him almost every morning. Although I never purchased anything from him - we would always greet one another with a smile.

10 March 2012

Back to Saigon

After 11 hours travel time and 1500 miles (2400KM) I made it safely back to Saigon. I'm pooped.

Goodbye Langkawi Island, Malaysia

This morning I leave Malaysia and return to Saigon. I truly enjoyed my experiences on the island and would return. My abundant, ever-present friends (like the one in above pic) bid me fond farewells.

09 March 2012

Questions re Malaysia

Here are questions/answers to most of the questions many of you have asked about Malaysia:

Islam/Muslim? Yes - most Malays are devoted Muslims. Temples & calls to prayers are common. Only odd experience (like that I experienced in Indonesia) is seeing Malay women swimming (at pools and beaches) fully clothed - including head coverings!

Chopsticks? No - Malays do not use chopsticks. Most eat solid foods with their fingers. They do use spoons for soup. Fortunately, most Malay restaurants offer forks!

Diving (SCUBA)? Because Malaysia, especially Langkawi Island, has many "protected marine parks" - I wanted to dive here. But, I was discouraged from doing so after speaking with some German divers who told me visibility and sea life were poor. I was really bummed.

Weather? This is Malaysia's dry season and therefore their tourist high season. Temp highs were low 90sF and lows in the mid-70sF. There are intermittent brief showers everyday. Yesterday it was cloudy/showers all day & appears it will be the same today - bummer. I hope the weather clear up soon - I return to Saigon tomorrow.

07 March 2012

Tanjung Rhu Beach

I finally found what is regarded as the best beach on Langkawi Island = Tanjung Rhu - a 40 minute drive from my hotel. There are 2 resorts here. One is the Four Seasons - I was going to stay there but the cost was too steep (least expensive room is $400+ a night) and it is located very far away from anything! I spent the entire day on the beach eating lunch at Four Seasons ($85 for a delicious soft shell crab & iced tea). As you can see from this pic looking west - I had the beach all to myself! Beautiful white sand and water. Mountain in background looks a lot like Diamond Head!

More Tanjung Rhu Beach

This is a pic of the beach looking east. More mountains, white sand and turquoise waters. Again - I had the beach all to myself!? Four Season staff told me that the hotel had very few guests - rare event for their "high season".

Tanjung Rhu Rocks Meet Jungle & Beach

This sheer rock wall was very thin - probably less than 25 feet. Its was awesome how it jutted up from the jungle at its base and the jungle lined the beach. I watched several "sea eagles" fish just off the beach from here. I assume they were nesting or hanging out on the cliff.

Last of Tanjung Rhu Beach

There was a boat shuttling people to the nearby islands in background - so I decided to explore them. Wasn't worth the cost - just rocks/jungle and no photo ops.

Four Seasons

I thought that the Four Seasons deserved at least one pic. It was recently purchased by a member of the Saudi Arabian Royal family. This is their lobby area. Grounds were magnificent and service/hospitality fabulous - and I was only a visitor!

06 March 2012

Durian Perangin Waterfalls

This multi-tiered waterfall has water all year. This is a pic of its highest tier - almost a 2km (1.2 mi), 800+ feet vertical climb to get to it! I was the only person there! I was hot/sweaty from the climb so took a dunk and meditated on a rock. Note thick, virgin jungle. This is the last waterfall I will be visiting on Langkawi Island. Tomorrow - beaches!

Jungle

This is a pic of one of the waterfall tiers with the thick jungle surrounding it.

More Jungle

This is a pic of some of the jungle taken on my trek going up to the waterfalls. Beautiful and serene. AND many monkeys - very shy so no pics of them.

Mountains

There are many "plateau" type mountains on the Langkawi Island - but most are too difficult to photograph (at least with my BB). This pic is an example of what I'm talking about. Btw - these mountains are primarily sandstone and granite.

05 March 2012

Temurun Waterfalls

Temurun Waterfalls is the tallest (about 600 feet) on Langkawi Island. Unfortunately, this is Malaysia's dry season so there is little water falling! It is a 3-tiered waterfall. This is a pic of its tallest tier.

Langkawi Island Jungles

The island is noted for its mountains, wildlife sanctuaries, and abundant forests. It is very difficult to get good pics of a "jungle". But the huge trees shown in this pic are evidence of the fact that they have not been timbered.

Langkawi Island "Car Vandals"

Most of the parking areas for the Langkawi Island's parks are patrolled by monkeys who break into cars - primarily looking for food. This guy (a large male) was checking out my rental car - he felt it was his! For several minutes he wouldn't let me into it!

Langkawi Island Traffic Hazards

All the roads on the island are narrow and go up/down hills with many curves (maximum speed limit is 36 mph - 60 kph). Water buffalo (like those in this pic) and other "cattle" freely roam the roads - one can't be sure when they will suddenly decide to cross a road. Legally, they have the right of way and there are serious/substantial fines for hitting one! Note thick vegatation in background.

04 March 2012

Langkawi Sheraton

The rooms here are clustered into "quads" each room has its own private entrance and nice "decks/porches" with table/chairs. Rooms are very comfortable and very private/secluded. This a pic of my "room" quad.

Sheraton "Wildlife"

Langkawi Island is noted for its wildlife. However, I was surprised when I saw so many monkies roaming around my room and on my deck! They were all very well behaved and there were many babies - making monkey watching relaxing and enjoyable.

More Sheraton Wildlife

This is a pic of some adolescents making themselves at home on my room deck.

Langkawi Cable Car

Langkawi Island's cable car is world famous - length = 1.3 miles (2.2Km), incline = 42 degrees, vertical climb = 2310 feet. This pic is from bottom looking up. Destination is top of the far peak! Amazing views.

Langkawi Cable Car Nears Peak

The steepest part of the cable car ride is just before it reaches its peak - this is a pic of that last steep climb! Btw - there are really 2 separate cable car systems and a total of 4 different overlooks.

Telaga Tujuh Waterfall

This is a famous waterfall that can be viewed from the cable car. This is Malaysia dry season - so there is little water. Note that all the mountains are covered with virgin jungle.

Suspension Overlook

The Langkawi Cable Car is known for its "overlooks". This is probably its most famous and photographed - it is a complex suspension bridge!

Langkawi Mountains

This is a view of some of Langkawi's famous mountains with the Andaman Sea in background.

Langkawi Islands & Beaches

This is a pic taken from the cable car (note cable) of some of Langkawi Island's famous small, uninhabited islands and beaches.

03 March 2012

Saigon, Vietnam to Langkawi Island, Malaysia

After 12 hours of travel time and 1500 miles (2400 Kilometers), I arrived at my Sheraton hotel on Langkawi Island. It was a long day of travel - especially the 4+ hour layover in Kuala Lumpur. And, like all of my "commuting sojourns", I am thankful that it is over!
Everything I read about Langkawi said to definitely rent a car at the airport. So I did - very inexpensive = < $20/Day including insurance. One problem - they drive on the wrong side (left) of the road here! Guess that I have to be mindful/cautious!
I arrived at my hotel at 8PM - too late to explore anything but the hotel itself - it is sprawling over 48 acres on a hillside! They run a shuttle service - couldn't survive without it.
Langkawi Island is known for its beaches, marine and wildlife sanctuaries. I look forward to exploring this island tomorrow!

23 February 2012

Back to Saigon

Left Phuket, Thailand at 7;30AM this morning and arrived at my hotel in Saigon at 8:30PM this evening <-- included a 3+ hour layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has been a long day and I'm happy it is over!
The Phamily left Phuket 4 Days ago. I look forward to seeing them sometime tomorrow.
I will be in Saigon until March 3rd - then I'm off to Langkawi Island, Malaysia for a week or so.

19 February 2012

Bangla Street "Boys" 1

Bangla street in Patong Beach is world-famous for it "honky tonk" bars, clubs, and sex shows - most are open to the street and have great live bands!. I and the Phamily visited Bangla street every night. Dragon Boy was fascinated by the transvestites roaming the street - like those shown in above pic.

Bangla Street "Boys" 2

More Bangla Street "Boys"!

Farewell Patong Beach

This is the Phamily and me having their final dinner at Patong Beach at my favorite restaurant there - "The Handlebar Restaurant". It caters to westerners, has great food, great/friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and terrific 70s/80s music! I first visited Patong Beach 4+ years ago and have returned several times since. I have gone to this restaurant many times during my trips to Patong.

Infinity Pool

We spent a lot of time at the infinity pool on the 3rd floor of our hotel. This is Linh, her mother & Dragon boy in the pool. The beach is located in the far background - about a 10 minute walk from hotel.

Linh on Patong Beach

This is Linh "exposed to the sun". She "covered up" most of the time but still got a slight sunburn.

Lounging at Patong Beach

This is the Phamily "lounging" at Patong Beach. They found several things incredible about the beach: how "clean" the beach was (beaches in Vietnam have a lot of litter); how fine/white the sand was (Vietnam beach sand is very much "brown"); how comfortable the beach chairs/umbrellas were (they are shabby in Vietnam); the absence of "beach hawkers.

Many "Firsts"

The Phamily and I spent their last day at Patong Beach on the beach. This trip provided the Phamily with many first time experiences. Perhaps the most important of these being experiencing a free, democratic country for the FIRST time. They we amazed that they saw very few police or military.
I rented a jet ski because no one in the Phamily had ever been on one. Above pic is of me, Linh & Dragon Boy on jet ski. Linh's father rode with me later. They were amazed at how fast they were!

17 February 2012

Phuket by Tuk Tuk

Today, I and the Phamily hired a tuk tuk (pronounced tewk tewk) to explore Phuket Island. Driving the small, mountainous roads there are many "overlooks" of Phuket's world-famous beaches - like the above pic.

Big Buddha 1

The Big Buddha is a must see for anyone that comes to Phuket. It is located on the highest mountain on the island. He is very large and constructed of white marble shipped to Phuket from all over the world. It has been under construction for 20 years and will be completed in about 10 years. Amazing facial expression and sitting position <-- note position of arms/hands.

Big Buddha 2

I thought that Big Buddha deserved 2 pics from different perspectives. Btw - it's official name IS "The Big Buddha of Phuket!

My Favorite Critter

As many of you may know, I love all critter and elephants are my favorite. Thailand has many elephants and Phuket has what I would consider many given its small size. Here I am with an 11 month old baby. We spent a lot of time getting acquainted.

16 February 2012

Andaman Sea

I and the Phamily spent our entire first day in Phuket touring the tiny islands & atolls in the Andaman Sea near Phuket. These islands are primarily limestone & granite with major cliffs that are undercut by the sea. Few have beaches and most are covered with "jungles" that have never been touched by man - like those shown in above pic. Many also have large monkey populations. Btw - the water is crystal clear and has fairly healthy coral.

More Andaman Atolls

Here's another atoll. Note how sea undercuts steep cliffs.

Birds' Nest Soup

Many of the tiny Andaman Sea islands have large caves like this one where swallow nests are harvested <- sold by weight at prices higher than gold! Families actually live in this cave to "protect" their investments in constructing permanent bamboo scaffolding and the valuable birds' nests. The tour guide said that this one was included in the James Bond film "The Man With the Golden Gun".

Phi Phi Island

Phamily swimming at Phi Phi island. This is the island where the movie "The Beach was filmed. It has been a hot tourist destination since the movie was released (> 12 Years ago).

Swimming in the Andaman Sea

This is the Phamily swimming in the Andaman Sea at one of the several atolls we stopped at today.

Me & Phamily on Phi Phi Island

This is only pic of me during the day's activities - taken just after we arrived on Phi Phi Island.

15 February 2012

Saigon (Vietnam) -> Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -> Phuket (Thailand)

Today, the Phamily (Linh, Long, Vinh & Thuy) & I traveled from Saigon to Kuala Lumpur to Phuket. Our journey began early this morning and we arrived at our hotel at Patong Beach on Phuket Island, Thailand about 7PM. Total miles = 1100 (1700KM), but with stopovers total travel time = 12 hours - ugh!
This was the first time any Phamily member had flown overseas. They were amazed at all the security check-points. In Kuala Lumpur we had to take a "train" to another terminal. This "rapid" tram was the first time they had seen or rode in a "train that moved so fast with NO driver"! Kuala lumpur was where they also saw/experienced their very first Starbucks! Also, soon after arriving in Phuket, Vinh (Linh's father) was detained by Thai police for lighting a cig before leaving the terminal building! <-- police let him go with a stern warning.
It was very nice to experience/share so many "firsts" with the Phamily!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

09 February 2012

Com Tam

It has been a while since I posted a blog dispatch. This is because not much has been happening. However, because many of you have asked several questions about Vietnamese foods, I decided to post this update.

Com Tam (pronounced "cum tum") is one of my favorite lunches or dinners. Com means "broken rice", which is just like regular rice but "broken" into smaller pieces resulting in a pleasant yet different texture than regular rice.

I am not sure what Tam literally means - but in this case it signifies "pork chop". It is normally served with a clear, pork-broth soup with "greens", and a small dish of cooked vegetables. The "dipping sauce" is mildly hot. It is normally served with Cha Da (iced green tea). All are delicious and only cost $2.39 as shown - including drink!

28 January 2012

Long Hai Beach Resort

I have just returned to Saigon from a week visit at this 4-star resort located near Vung Tau. Linh & her mother weren't feeling well and therefore only Vinh, Dragon Boy & I went on this trip. The Phamily's friend is the "Director" of this hotel and they somehow arranged for 2 free rooms! I agreed to go if I paid for food/transportation. Staff, rooms, property, and food were great! this is a pic of the lobby/receptionist area. For other pics/info see http://www.longhaibeachresort.com/

Long Hai Beach Resort "Cottage"

Top pic is of me and Dragon Boy on porch/terrace of my cottage. Bottom pic is of me & Vinh fooling around in front of my cottage. Room had all conveniences including great A/C, refrigerator and an actual shower!

Long Hai Beach Resort Walkway

The property's grounds were well landscaped and maintained. This is Dragon Boy on "main walkway" of the property.

Long Hai Beach Resort - Infinity Pool

The resort is "beach front" - but the Vung Tau beach is very dirty and crowded most of the time. To compensate for this, the resort had a huge infinity pool overlooking the beach where we spent most of our time swimming, laying in sun, and playing Phom. This is pic of Dragon Boy at pool taking early in the morning before many people "arrived". Note South China Sea in background.

23 January 2012

Tet 2012 & "Phamily"


The Pham family (Linh, father Vinh, mother Thuy & brother Long) have really "adopted" me as a family member. Understanding this, my daughter (Kimberley) suggested that I refer to them as the "Phamily" - which I thought was a great idea & they even chuckled when I explained this to them.



The Phamily invited me to spend the entire day of Tet Eve with them. The day began at 10AM when Vinh picked me up at my hotel. We drove many kilometers shopping for flowers/plants for their house <-- an absolute cultural necessity in Vietnam during Tet.
Above pic is me with the Phamily eating Tet eve feast which includes many traditional, culturally significant foods. Vinh took this pic - hence his absence.



We then spent the rest of the day honoring their ancestors with food/incense offerings at the family alter, playing Phom (a traditional Vietnamese card game often played during Tet), debating politics, and general socializing with extended family members & friends. The long day concluded with a trip to the Saigon River front to watch the fireworks ("flowers in the night sky") & back to my hotel for a much needed rest.



Btw - 2012 is the year of the Black Water Dragon which occurs only once every 50 years or so..