OK, this is going to be some what of a trip report. But more pictorial than words.
But at least it’s contributing something! Hint hint!
OMY and I just did a trip through Vietnam. Hanoi, Da Nang, or at least I think it was Da Nang. It was raining so hard we hardly got out of the hotel.
I was stationed there in 65-66 on hill 327 where the Ammo dump was. It was blown up in 69 by the VC.
Now it is an Army base and 1. we couldn’t get in and 2. it was raining so hard we had maybe 20 ft visibility.
There was a dirt road that could have maybe taken me up to where I was before but we weren’t willing to chance it in a car. A Humvee maybe but not a Toyota cambry.
First up was Hanoi. We fly out of BKK and it was pretty uneventful. Thank God!
We landed in Hanoi and OMY had been to VN back in Sept so he was wise to the Taxi scams.
You know the ones. “Meter broke” OR they travel at the speed of sound. The meter not the Taxi.
There are a couple of good taxi companies but I can’t remember the names. Mark will know.
Let me say upfront how great the people were. The young ones were inquisitive and enjoyable always with a smile on there face very, very friendly. Most spoke very good English. And would come up to us and want to practice there English skills.
Anyway here we go.
Oh another BTW. Before you ask there were no mongering pictures. Why? Because there was no mongering. Not because we didn’t want to. It’s just not an easy place to monger.
Well it wasn’t hard making new friends
We seemed to draw crowds where ever we went
It would start off with 1 or 2 people asking “where you from?’ can we practice our English with you?
And it would build from there.
On My Way was signing autographs as Steven Seagal.
We arrived on 10/11. the day after their independence day. I wish I could have been there for that.
The place we stayed was close to this lake which became kind of our center of operation.
I want to say that in all my travels, And I’ve traveled a lot. These are some of the most delightful, friendly, happy, people I’ve come across.
I was here during the war years and it was hell on earth.
And to look at it now, you would never know there was a war here.
I found no animosity with the people here against me being an American.
But I will add that in taking pictures. The young people were eager and liked to smile and pose for you. The older ones. Well that was a different story. They would scowl and turn away. Mumbling things in Vietnamese that I’m sure were not compliments. I had to go into my “stealth” mode to get a few of those.
I can’t say as I blame them. They remember!!!
OK, back to the picture taking. Which brings me to cameras. These people had some serious stuff!!!
I’m not talking pocket instamatics.
I’m talking high end Nikons, Canons Fuji’s and some unbelievable lenses.
I’m going back next month to Hanoi with my Sweetie. I got to get some pictures of these guys and there cameras.
There were a lot of photo shoots going on and we got in on some of them.
They must have been doing a Bridal Magazine or there are a lot of people getting married.
I really wanted to take the one in the gray home
I think the guy in back of her knew what was on my mind.
Just some random shots.
Look at the girl but notice the lens on the guys camera. I have no idea how they can afford these puppies.
Back in the 60s they all used to dress like this. Either white or black. But I didn’t see much of it on this trip. Kinda miss it
BTW the flashing of the “V” means “hi” not victory or peace
With the stock market crashing OMY has decided he needs to make some extra cash in order to finance his trips. This is his new job
He tired of it quickly and sold it (at a profit). What is it with this guy and selling stuff? Toasters, speakers, futons, I guess it’s hard trying to make ends meet!!
OK keep this to yourselves! Rumor has it that the reason he’s moving into a bigger house is because there’s a wedding in his near future.
AND it’s been reported the he and the missus to be were seen in a furniture store looking at baby furniture, Think about it, The guys moving into a 3 bedroom house??? I mean OK. 1 bd rm for the newlyweds, a small one for an office and that 3rd one? Lets just say keep an eye out for some cute little mobiles for above the crib.
And the whole trip the guy was drinking Shirley temples and coffee
Love is in the air. And the trees too!
For those of you that don’t know Vietnam is/has become a very puritan country.
Males and females can not check into the same rooms unless they have a marriage certificate.
I would imagine from what we saw they have a hard time getting together in front of family too.
SO, they come to the public park to kiss and fondle. Hey who am I to judge.
OK we’ll end here with some scoff. Matty said Malaysian food was some of the best ever so thought I’d give it a try.
It was OK but not near the top of my “have again list” but it could have been just the dish.
The bad news is: I shot over a thousand frames.
The good news is: I’m not going to post them all!!!
But I will do more later on Halong bay and Saigon
Got rained out in Da Nang, but that’s another story.
I’ll save the “tunnels of Chu Chi” for last
“Now hold that pose”
