A long walk on a short pier maybe?

Feb 03, 2013

Well Friends,

I am getting my bag ready and my cameras set up for my trip that starts tomorrow at 10:25am from Ft Myers.

I am going back to Viet Nam for a 2 week visit after leaving there almost 41 years ago to the month. I'm going alone because my Vietnamese girl friend from 40 years ago can't make it due to the onset of dementia and our son is working and already had a vacation. Soooo, I end up going alone rather than with one or both of them. Would have been nice as we are friends but such is life. I wish Betty would have come but she says no way she is flying 27 to 29 hours.

I start my air time tomorrow by flying into Boston and stay in a hotel overnight resting up, probably with a pre-sleep order of food and beer. Flights are:

1. 4 Feb 2013 - Flight Jet Blue 466 from Ft Myers to Boston - Depart 10:25am - Arrive 1:24pm Flight 2 hr 59 min

2. 5 Feb 2013 - Flight UA284 Boston to Chicago - Depart 8:55am - Land 10:40am - Flight time 2 hr 45 min

3. Flight UA895 from Chicago to Hong Kong - Depart 1:20pm - Land 7:05pm +1 Day Wed Feb 6 - Flight time 15 hr 45 min (They have enough gas for that flight? Won't be any gas stations along the way I don't think )

4. Flight US117 from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Depart 11:am - Land 12:40 am +1 Day (Thur 7 Feb 2013) - Flight time 2 hr 40 min

5. Ride to Saigon Euo Hotel compliments of the hotel or tour company I don't know. Gonna be nice to see a sign held up ' Lee Chasse ' or ' Anh Hai ' - LOL, Anh Hai is big brother and is what the Vietnamese used to call me and relatives and friends here in the US still do.

Day 1 - 7th Feb - Welcome to Vietnam & Ho Chi Minh city arrival - pickup and ride to hotel. Rest of day free (after 27 to 29 hours of flying, I think I'll nap)

Day 2 - 8th Feb - Ho Chi Minh City - Cyclo Tour, Water Puppetry Show & Dinner Cruise - Evening tour (group)

Day 3 - 9th Feb - Ho Chi Minh City - Free Day - Evening Bonsai Dinner Cruise on Saigon River

Day 4 - 10th Feb - Ho Chi Minh City - Remembrance Museum ( War ) and city walking

Day 5 - 11th Feb - Botanical Gardens Ho Chi Minh City - Market Place - Walking

Day 6 - 12th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh city Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum,

Day 7 - 13th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh City & visit great Cao Dai Temple and witness the midday religious ceremony, a curious blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity.

Day 8 - 14th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh Mangrove Forest and Monkey Island - Full day trip - Group tour

Day 9 - 15th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh City tour & Cu Chi Tunnels Private tour

Day 10 - 16th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh city & Mekong delta Can Tho City - Private tour

Day 11 - 17th Feb 2013: Can Tho Return to Ho Chi Minh City - Private tour

Day 12 - 18th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh Free day

Day 13 - 19th Feb 2013: Ho Chi Minh Departure

Entire trip with air fare and hotel and tours will total about $2100.00

Exchange rate now about $ 1 US dollar equals $20,800 Vietnamese Dong. (In 1964 I think I remember getting 33 dong to the dollar)

Coke/Pepsi - 10,407.50 dong or $ .50 cents
Inexpensive Restaurant 1 person meal - 54,119.00 or $2.60 up to $5.50 with drinks
Beer Domestic - 20,000 or $1.00

The cost of travel in Vietnam varies from bargain basement to sky high, depending on taste and comfort. Cheapies (like me) could just about get by on US$15 a day, while a conventional budget traveler can live it up from US$25 to US$35.

As I speak enough Vietnamese to get along, I don't anticipate much or any problems. I spent 6 1/2 years in country during the Vietnam Conflict (War?) and understand and respect the country and culture. Most times I'll have an English speaking guide also. I doubt if I'll be drinking and raising hell as I did over 40 years ago so I'll be pretty safe. LOL

I'll take lots of photos and keep a daily blog/log on my computer and probably post my dribble on UHH while I'm gone using the internet in my hotel.

Take Care & if you don't want to get/see my updates, just don't look at any post here in Chat titled ' Vietnam - The Trip Day and a number such as todays minus 1. LOL

I've scrimped and saved for this trip and I'm going to enjoy it.

Sarge69

Lee