Pictures from my SE Asia trip

[pitzerwm]

http://autocareforum.biz/photogallery/thumbnails.php?album=29

These are some pictures from my trip so far, been in Bangkok, 11M people, not as dirty as Mexico City, but a lot of simularities. They do drive like crazy and on the left side. Going to Vietnam tomorrow.

 

[borumrm]

Very nice pictures. I traveled to Bangkok and a few other cities there serveral times when I lived in Saudi Arabia back in the 80's. The Golden Buddha is really awesome to view. Did you get a change to go up to Chaing Mai? Another neat city. Fortunately (or not) I have never been to Viet Nam...if I had gone it would have been during the 70's but the lottery systems saved me from going as my grades surely did not.

 

[mac]

Bill, I see a lot of cars there. Any washes?

 

[pitzerwm]

So far I haven't seen any carwashes. There are a few places that have one pump and are washing a car, and hand washing, but very few and far between.

 

[JJJakubowski]

Hey, Bill:

It was today ... Christmas Day ... 42 years ago when I arrived in Vietnam.

If you by any chance, go thru a village called Trang Bang, I'd appreciate your taking some pix of the soccer field and the stucco wall to one side of it (if they're still there). That village (and that wall in particular) are of considerable personal significance. Remind me, and I'll share the story some time.

Also and if they're on your itinerary --- the Black Virgin Mountain; what was the 25th's base camp near the village of Cu Chi; and Montyard villages in the Central Highlands would also be of interest.

Wishing you a Blessed & Merry Christmas. Travel safe.

JJJ/SSCWN

 

[pitzerwm]

JJ, I would do that, but have no idea where I'm actually at other than outside Du Nang, a city of 88K called Hoi An. Today we went to Marble Mountain, which is on the outskirts of Du Nang. We drove by the old air base, it is in total disrepair. On China Beach Hyatt is building a resort/timeshare or something. Greg Norman is putting a a golf course and condos. Montgomeries has build a course here too, and some American has build a casino here too.

MOre pictures posted.

 

[Randy]

Once upon a time a long time ago I spent 411 days in Vietnam. I’ve never had much desire to go back. But the pictures are interesting.

 

[pitzerwm]

Thankfully, I wasn't here. I met a local that teaches English in a high school. He took me around a bit and was able to tell me stuff about the politics and economy etc. He was hit with some shrapnel at age 14. Some of his friends and relatives went to the consentration camps for 10-15 years. Wages are between $100-$200 a month. Gas is $3.80 a gal., $127 round trip to fly from Du Nang to Hanoi. One lady I buy pop from pays $53 a month to rent a space which I think doubles as her house. Its about 12-16' wide and 30-50' long, two floors. $10 a month for electricity.

I also met an American woman about 30, that lives here and has a bar/rest. on the beach. She said that its long hours just to break even.