Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Ho Chi Minh City Gets My Lowest Rating
Of all the cities I have visited in Southeast Asia, the former Saigon gets my lowest rating. Other than decent shopping, there is not much to do. The museums are uninteresting. The best architecture is ho hum.
The major hum is the traffic. Traffic is a bigger negative here than anywhere in the region. There are 37 million motor scooters in Vietnam. All of them seem to be in HCMC. Not only do drivers make unexpected turns from middle lanes, but they drive on the sidewalk. Nor do they slow down on sidewalks. Scooters can come at you during a walk, from either direction, at 30 to 40 miles per hour. Leisurely strolls are impossible.
The major hum is the traffic. Traffic is a bigger negative here than anywhere in the region. There are 37 million motor scooters in Vietnam. All of them seem to be in HCMC. Not only do drivers make unexpected turns from middle lanes, but they drive on the sidewalk. Nor do they slow down on sidewalks. Scooters can come at you during a walk, from either direction, at 30 to 40 miles per hour. Leisurely strolls are impossible.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Southeast Asia on a Rope: Thailand and Laos is now available.
The first of my two completed guide books is now available on Amazon, Google Play and Barnes and Noble. It is also available on ebookit, and will soon be available from Kobo and Ibook.
Please give it a try. Of course, a good review would be a treasured gift.
Please give it a try. Of course, a good review would be a treasured gift.
What makes a great hotel
A good hotel meets your needs. A great hotel cares about your needs. Ruby Villa in Hoi An is a great hotel. We had a lovely room with a river view. The owners made a free dinner for the guests so that we could sample a family recipe, and get to know each other.
The hotel has only been open 5 months, but is already planning to expand and add a pool.
The hotel has only been open 5 months, but is already planning to expand and add a pool.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Traveling in Bangkok Like a Pro
The skytrain is a wonderful way to avoid Bangkok traffic. When you use it you will see tourists at the ticket window buying individual tickets because it is hard to calculate the zone based cost.
Not for a traveler on a rope. Buy a Rabbit Card for 50 baht and add on more baths to the card than you will use on your trip, say 400 baht. Then each time you use the skytrain, swipe your laminated card when you enter. When you swipe it to exit, it will deduct the fare. When you have taken your last trip, right after you exit, go to the ticket window. You will be refunded the cost of the Rabbit Card, and any unused credit on the card. No waiting in lines to buy tickets. This is how a traveler on a rope traverses Bangkok.
Not for a traveler on a rope. Buy a Rabbit Card for 50 baht and add on more baths to the card than you will use on your trip, say 400 baht. Then each time you use the skytrain, swipe your laminated card when you enter. When you swipe it to exit, it will deduct the fare. When you have taken your last trip, right after you exit, go to the ticket window. You will be refunded the cost of the Rabbit Card, and any unused credit on the card. No waiting in lines to buy tickets. This is how a traveler on a rope traverses Bangkok.
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