Jan

9

Danang, South Vietnam

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Jan at China Beach

Jan at China Beach

Since the takeover of South Vietnam by the communists forces in the North during1975, Vietnam is now longer identified as North & South. The DMZ no longer exists. I use the terms because that is how I relate to the land. One of the first sights I encountered in Danang was a military deuce & 1/2 with US Army insignia on the door and a communists red flag with star flying from the radio antenna. That didn’t feel very good, but then the past is often hard to put aside considering the massive loss of the war.

After visiting the Cham Museum in downtown Danang, we were taken on a walk thru a Vietnamese village just a few miles from town. Seeing a village under today’s conditions was insightful, but not much has changed in the living conditions. We walked along rice patties and observer workers in the fields and water buffalo still being used for plowing and a variety of labor intensive chores. For a brief moment I experience an anxious moment as I unconsciously found myself scanning the far treeline for AK-47 tracer rounds. I took a deep breath and reassured myself that we are in a different time and it was great to be here under much different conditions. The painful past doesn’t die easily.

As we were leaving the village, our guide informed us that the Viet Cong had occupied the hamlet throughout the Vietnam War (The Vietnamese call it the American War). No wonder sniper fire, motars. and rockets plagued American fortifications such as Danang, regardless of their relatively secure environment. Next we visited Marble Mountain, a major source for marble statues and other artwork.

Before leaving Danang, Jan & I walked the sandy shore of China Beach. It was very peaceful and relaxing. After all these years I finally got to experience my first incountry R&R.

Jan

9

Halong Bay, Vietnam

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Junks at Halong Bay
Junks at Halong Bay
Islands of Halong Bay

Islands of Halong Bay

Halong Bay, the seaport to Hanoi, consists of over 2000 islands. We took a junk boat ride thru the islands. Blanketed by tropical forest, the islands are wondrous rock formations that sparkle like emeralds in the shimmering aqua sea. During the course of the day, we explored a cave that is only slightly smaller than Carlsbad. Beautiful limestone formations throughout. In total, the limestone islands of Halong cover an oceanic area of over 900 sq. miles.

Tomorrow we move southward toward South Vietnam and the port of Danang, at one time the first and most heavily occupied location by American forces during the war.

Jan

8

Hanoi, Vietnam

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

"Hanoi Hilton"

Hoa Lo Prison "Hanoi Hilton"

We spent the past 2 days in Hanoi & Halong Bay. People, mopeds and bikes everywhere! The drive inland from the Bay to Hanoi takes almost 4 hours one way. The country is undergoing change, but remains very poor with a low standard of living. Hanoi shows very little diversity, with the residents primarily North Vietnamese & Chinese.

After countless invasions and centuries of control by the Chinese and other countries, Vietnam was occupied by the Empire of Japan, in collaboration with France during WW II. The turning point in Vietnam’s recent history came in 1954 when Ho Chi Minh ordered the removal of French Soldiers from their military firebase at Dien Bein Phu. The destruction of the French army soon lead to the US involvement in the region. In 1973 the US military began withdrawal from Vietnam and in 1975 Saigon and the south fell to communism and the takeover by the North Vietnamese army.

While in Hanoi, we visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where “Uncle Ho” has been embalmed and on display since his death in 1969. The local Army Museum has thousands of military artifacts and vehicles on display, primarily from Russia, China, and the United States. Our final visit was to the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) where American Prisoners of War were held captive. Photos included John McCain and many other US military personnel…mostly pilots. The prison conditions where difficult to view and following our time there, Hanoi began to close in on us. It was time to leave.

Jan

6

Hanoi, Vietnam

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We begin our 12 hour R/T into the heart of the city. I go with some hesitation…

Will write about the experience tomorrow.

Jan

6

Two Days in Hong Kong

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Traffic in Hong Kong

Traffic in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a diverse city with its bustling harbor and towering skyscrapers. In Cantonese, Hong Kong means “Fragrant Harbor”. Over a dozen islands make up Hong Kong Bay with a present population of around 6 million. Following 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in June 1997. Although many predicted the handover would be the death of this great city the fears never materialized. Today Hong Kong is as dynamic, energetic and business minded as any major business city in the world.

Some of the highlights of our visit include a tour of the bustling financial district, tram to Victoria Peak to overlook the city and bay, visit to the Aberdeen fishing village and a Sampan ride thru the bay, and a visit the the famous Stanley outdoor market. As we departed the bay on Sunday night, the harbor displayed its Symphony of Lights which is a spectacle to behold. Now we cruise south to Hanoi…

Jan

2

Hong Kong

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Arrived in Hong Kong on United Boeing 747 following 16 hours non-stop from San Fran.

Long flight! Looking forward to touring the city for next 2 days – “The City that Never Sleeps”!

The time here is 15 hours later than MST. In other words it’s already tomorrow!

Beautiful.

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