February 10 - March 7, 2016
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 10-11
WEST PALM BEACH *** ATLANTA *** LOS ANGELES *** TOKYO *** BANGKOK
 |
 |
THAILAND FLAG
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
February 12
Bangkok
This trip started like a nightmare in Bangkok. Heidi and I found out that our passports needed 3 blank pages for the three visas from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam! Spent several hours at the US embassy, making them understand what my problem was...first with the security guards who could hardly speak English. But finally got through and got new emergency passports good for a year. So we were able to relax but our first full day in Bangkok was shut and even missed the Welcome Dinner. Went back to the hotel then walked to a park before we found a nice restaurant for dinner.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
February 13
Bangkok
Morning was spent to visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) which is actually made of either jade or jasper, created around 43 BC by an Indian saint named Nagasena. Next we visited the Grand Palace which was the official residence of the Kings of Siam and later of Thailand since 1782 until 1925. It was built by Rama I , the founder of the Chakri Dynasty.
WAT PHRA KAEW & GRAND PALACE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
After visiting those beautiful but crowded places we spent the next hour on a relaxing boat ride along the Chao Phraya river. On the way back to the hotel we passed by students in costumes going to watch a football game between two universities.
CHAO PHRAYA BOATRIDE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
After the boat ride and a light lunch our tour guide was very nice to take us on a trip which we missed yesterday. We went to the Wat Pho to see the 46-meter long reclining Buddha. This temple was built by Rama I and has the largest collection of Buddha statues and also known as the birthplace of Thai massage because it houses the school of medicine. This makes it all better. Back on track but the day is packed and still not finished.
WAT PHO
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Saturday night dinner and entertainment was at Siam Niramit which featured a buffet dinner of Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes and a performance of "Journey to the enchanted Kingdom of Siam".
SIAM NIRAMIT
 |
 |
 |
February 14
Bangkok***Ayutthaya
Today we left Bangkok and on our way to Ayutthaya, the second Siamese capital for over 400 years, to visit the Bang-In Palace, built by King Prasat Tong in 1632 as the Royal Summer Palace. Then we visited Wat Mahathat and Chai Wattanaram, a replica of Angkor Wat and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stayed at the Kantary Hotel
BANG-IN PALACE
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
WAT MAHATHAT
 |
 |
 |
 |
CHAI WATTANARAM
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Checked in at the KANTARY HOTEL.
February 15
Ayutthaya***Sukothai
First we visited a school and gave school supplies and cash donations. Then we drove on towards Sukothai, the birthplace of the Thai nation. Visited the Impressive temple and palace ruins at the Sukothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stayed overnight at the beautiful Sukothai Heritage Hotel. Nice dinner of risotto with lotus seeds and truffles.
VISIT TO A SCHOOL
 |
 |
 |
SUKOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Checked in at the SUKOTHAI HERITAGE HOTEL, tasty risotto with truffles at the hotel's restaurant
 |
 |
 |
February 16
Phrae***Wat Rong Khun***Chiang Rai
Today is a long drive to Chiang Rai but stopped along the way to visit the reclining Buddha in Phrae, have lunch along the way, then visit the white temple Wat Rong Khun. We checked in at Le Meridien Hotel.
PHRAE
 |
 |
 |
WAT RONG KHUN
 |
 |
 |
LE MERIDIEN HOTEL, CHIANG RAI
February 17
Mae Sai***Burma***Golden Triangle
Drove up to the border town of Mae Sai then crossed to the city of Golden Triangle in Burma where we visited a convent for nuns; then a visit to a Buddhist temple. Lunch was at a remote little restaurant named La Vallee, owned by a French speaking Thai lady. Had a nice grilled fish, yellow rice, glass noodles and banana and crepe. Next we visited the House of Opium Museum and then a boat ride on the Mekong River to go to Don Sao in Laos where we tasted tiger penis drink (whisky) and checked out fake Louis Vuittons. Back at the hotel, had dinner later at a local Thai restaurant near the hotel by the river.
MAE SAI, THAILAND/TACHILEK, MYANMAR BORDER
 |
 |
 |
NUNNERY, SHWEDAGON PAGODA
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lunch at LA VALLEE
 |
 |
 |
OPIUM MUSEUM
 |
 |
 |
MEKONG RIVER***DON SAO, LAOS
 |
 |
 |
February 18
Chiang Mai
Depart for Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of the Lamma Kingdom this morning, to visit the Mae Salong Hilltribe. Then lunch at a restaurant named Cabbages and Condoms. Continued our drive to Chiang Mai, checked in at Le Meridien Hotel then got ready for this evenings entertainment at the Kantoke dinner.
MAE SALONG HILLTRIBE Karen Long Neck (metal neck rings), Yao (black jacket with red fur-like collar), Akha (headdress made of coins and metals), Hmong and Lisu.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CABBAGES AND CONDOMS RESTAURANT Lunch along the way was at this interesting restaurant and inn.
 |
 |
 |
LE MERIDIEN, CHIANG MAI
KANTOKE DINNER
 |
 |
 |
February 19
Chiang Mai***Mae Sa Elephant Training Camp***Sankampang Street***Thai Massage
Visited the Elephant Training Camp where we were able to ride on elephants and saw them bathe in the stream and later produce amazing paintings. In the afternoon we visited Sankampang street, the center for handicrafts. Finished the afternoon with a very soothing, relaxing Thai massage. Walked to the night market and had dinner at a local restaurant.
MAE SA ELEPHANT TRAINING CAMP
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
THAI MASSAGE
 |
 |
 |
February 20
Chiang Mai: Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep***Jade Factory***Wat Suan Dok***Dinner at a Local home
First we visited the Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep up in the mountain, then to the Jade factory. Then to another temple Wat Suan Dok before returning to the hotel. Free afternoon before dinner at a retired restaurant owner's house.
WAT PHRATHAD DOI SUTHEP
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
WAT SUAN DOK
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Group picture before dinner at a Thai chef's house.
February 21
Luang Prabang
We flew today to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Laos. Checked in at Le Palais Juliana then attended a Baci ceremony performed by a Buddhist monk to bestow good fortune.
LUANG PRABANG AIRPORT & LE PALAIS JULIANA HOTEL
 |
 |
 |
BACI CEREMONY
 |
 |
 |
DINNER AT THE HOTEL RESTAURANT
 |
 |
 |
February 22
Luang Prabang
This morning we participated in the alms-giving ceremony where we gave sticky rice to the passing orange-robed monks. We passed by the day market where I bought a cage with two little birds which I freed right away. We visited a paper-making factory next. Then we rode on a boat on the Mekong to see the Pak Ou Caves with hundreds of Buddha sculptures. Lunch was on the boat served by the family of the boat owner. Next we visited the hillside of Phou Si with Buddhist shrines by the Mekong. Next was a visit to the old royal palace which is now a museum before we went back to the hotel to enjoy the pool. Dinner was at the Blue Lagoon where I tried a local Lao stew and beer.
ALMS-GIVING
 |
 |
 |
DAY MARKET Bought a couple of caged birds and freed them.
 |
 |
 |
PAPER-MAKING FACTORY
 |
 |
 |
PAK OU CAVES Took a boat trip to the caves with hundreds of carved Buddha sculptures
 |
 |
 |
PHOU SI Hill in the center of Luang Prabang with several Buddhist shrines.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NATIONAL MUSEUM
 |
 |
 |
February 23
Luang Prabang***Bangkok***Siem Reap
Flew to Bangkok, changed planes and landed in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Checked in at the Somadevi Hotel. Later we went to the Crystal Angkor Restaurant for a pleasant dinner and beautiful Cambodian folk dancing. Very nice light food and very entertaining program!
BANGKOK AIRPORT***SIEM REAP Flew from Luang Prabang on LAO Airlines to Bangkok, changed to Cambodia Air to Siem Reap.
 |
 |
 |
SOMADEVI ANGKOR HOTEL Checked in at the Somadevi Hotel.
 |
 |
 |
APSARA DINNER & SHOW Crystal Angkor Restaurant for Khmer dinner and Apsara show.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
February 24
Siem Reap: Angkor Tom *** Ta Phrom *** Angkor Wat
This morning we went to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Then on to Ta Phrom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for the huge banyan trees growing on the temple buildings. In the afternoon we visited the most famous religious temple buildings of Angkor Wat, even climbed up to the third level.
ANGKOR THOM was abandoned some time prior to 1609, when an early western visitor wrote of an uninhabited city.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS is part of Angkor Thom used by king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army.
 |
 |
 |
TA PHROM a temple built in the Bayon style (12th to 13th century) by king Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university, is in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors; a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
ANGKOR WAT the largest temple complex and religious monument in the world, originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century, built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (now Angkor), as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. A UNESCO Heritage Site since 1992.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
February 25
Siem Reap
Today we experienced riding an ox-cart pulled by 2 water buffaloes. Then we went on a boat ride to see the floating fishing village on the Tonle San Lake. Lunch was at a local restaurant, the Khmer Charming Restaurant, ere I started with banana flower salad, vegetable soup, stir-fried chicken ginger, Khmer fried rice, and banana and pineapple slices. Dinner was at Amok, right next to Champey Restaurant.
OX-CART RIDE & TONLE SAP LAKE Took a ride on an ox-cart and then a boat ride to the floating fishing village on Tonle Sap Lake.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RUSCHEAT KHMER RESTAURANT Refreshingly delicious light lunch.
 |
 |
 |
AMOK RESTAURANT Another great dinner with Angkor beer!
 |
 |
 |
February 26
Ho Chi Minh City
Flew from Luang Prabang and checked in at the Paragon Saigon Hotel. Later on after a couple of Ricard and water, ventured out and had a very nice dinner at a nearby Vietnamese restaurant, Hoa Thuc. Started with Cha Gio Sai Gon (fried spring rolls) and Saigon Red Label beer. Then Thit Kho Tau (pork and egg stewed in coconut milk served in clay pot)...delicious! After dinner walked to a nearby park and into a bookstore before going back to the hotel (it was too hot and humid).
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
February 27
Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast our tour guide Trung (nicknamed Buffalo) took us on a walking tour. Saw the Saigon Opera House, the Hotel de Ville (city hall), Catholic Church, Post Office, lacquer factory, day market, then back to the hotel.
Dinner at Hoa Tuc Went back to my favorite Saigon restaurant, HOA TUC, where I ate at last night. Tonight I brought Heidi with me and we started with the mixed appetizer platter: cha gio (fried spring rolls), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), fish roll, and fresh vegetable salad. Main courses were breaded soft shell crabs in green rice batter in passion fruit sauce ; and salt and chili marinated bbq prawns with salt, pepper and lime. Great dinner! Also had a nice couple from Melbourne, Danni and Simon seated next to us and had great conversation with them. Back at our hotel, we checked out the nice night view from the topmost floor.
WALKING TOUR Saw the Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office
 |
 |
 |
ARTS AND CRAFTS FACTORY Saw how they made lacquer paintings and egg-shell art
 |
 |
 |
DINNER AT HOA TUC Took Heidi to the same wonderful restaurant I ate at the night before for some tasty appetizers and soft shell crabs and barbequed shrimp.
 |
 |
 |
February 28
Hoi An
Flew to Danang, stopped at China Beach then on to Hoi An where we went on a walking tour along the river and the interesting shops and temples. dinner was at Nha Hang Dao Tien River Restaurant.
DA NANG Arrived in Da Nang and boarded our tour bus.
 |
 |
 |
CHINA BEACH Stopped along the way to walk on the beach where I saw some tribeswomen (Hmong?).
 |
 |
 |
HOI AN Arrived in Hoi, a city by the river, and began our walking tour.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
HOI AN TRAILS RESORT Checked in at our hotel and then dinner at Nha Hang Dao Tien River Restaurant.
 |
 |
 |
February 29
Hoi An
Morning tour was a boat ride along the Thu Bon River then a visit to a little village where they make boats and woodcarvings. Next stop was a visit to an organic farm followed by a cooking class and a very nice lunch. I got off the bus and walked around Hoi An for shopping souvenirs then had a couple of beers before I took a cab back to the hotel.
BOAT RIDE Took a boat ride and saw some fishermen casting nets and a man on a moon boat.
 |
 |
 |
LANG MOC KIM BONG Visited a small village where they made boats and handicraft.
 |
 |
 |
ORGANIC FARMING AND COOKING CLASS Went to an organic farm and then took a cooking class and had a very tasty lunch. Back in town I walked around and then had a beer at a nice bar.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 1
Hue
Left Hoi An and visited a marble factory in Da Nang then stopped to see the Dragon Bridge on the Han River, the moon boats in China Beach. Then up the mountains and saw Hai Vin cove and then some bunkers from the war before reaching Hue. Delicious lunch was at Banana Mango. Next was the Imperial Citadel, copied from the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. Checked in at the Mondial Hotel before taking a Cyclo ride around the city. Very nice dinner at the Y Thao Gardens.
ON THE ROAD TO HUE Marble factory; Dragon Bridge; Hai Vin Cove; Banana Mango Restaurant.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
IMPERIAL CITY The Imperial City of Huế is fortified with ramparts ringed by a moat; inside the citadel is the Imperial City and within is the Purple Forbidden City.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
HOTEL MONDIAL***CYCLO***Y THAO GARDENS DINNER Checked in at the Hotel Mondial, then took a cyclo tour of the city to the Y Thao Gardens for a delightful dinner.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 2
Hue
Went on a boat ride on the Perfume River where we saw offerings floating along, got off at the Thien Mu pagoda where we made offerings of fresh fruits and incense. Visited he Chi Khiem temple dedicated to the minor wives of Emperor Tu Duc and his tomb. Lunch was vegetarian prepared by Buddhist nuns at a monastery. Next visit was the elaborate tomb of emperor Khai Dinh who ruled from 1916-1925.
PERFUME RIVER BOAT RIDE
 |
 |
 |
THIEN MU PAGODA
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
TOMB OF EMPEROR TU DUC
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
LUNCH AT DONG THIEN PAGODA NUNNERY
 |
 |
 |
TOMB OF KHAI DINH
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
DINNER AT LOCAL RESTAURANT
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 3
Hue***Halong Bay
We flew from Hue to Hanoi in the morning then drove to Halong Bay. Dinner was at the hotel (Royal Lotus) restaurant then went souvenir shopping at the night market. Had a couple of drinks at the rooftop bar with fantastic views of Halong Bay.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 4
Hue***Halong Bay***Hanoi Halong Bay***Hanoi
This morning drove to the pier at Halong Bay for a boat ride passing thru the beautiful rock formations before disembarking at Dau Go to see the Thien Cung grottoes with stalactites and stalagmites that are beautifully lit. Lunch was at the boat then drove on to Hanoi.
BOAT RIDE ON HALONG BAY
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
THIEN CUNG CAVES
 |
 |
 |
HANOI***PHO THIN
Arrived in Hanoi early evening, checked in at Sunway Hotel then had delicious Pho at a local restaurant.
March 5
Hanoi
First stop this morning was the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Then we went to the Museum of Ethnology where we saw different styles of houses of different tribes. Wonderful assortment of local fare was lunch at the student culinary school restaurant at the museum. Next we visited the "Hanoi Hilton", the infamous jail during the Vietnam War. Then we enjoyed a Water Puppet show before we embarked on another shopping spree and a wonderful dinner at the French-Vietnamese restaurant Green Tangerine.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY
HOA LO PRISON ("HANOI HILTON")
Notorious prison referred to as "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War.
LOTUS WATER PUPPET
Attended the famous Vietnamese Water Puppet show.
GREEN TANGERINE
Had a wonderful dinner at a French restaurant. The waitress brought a delightful amuse bouche then my appetizer which consisted of crab, peppers, tomatoes, Cognac sauce beautifully put together in mille feuille; main course was roasted pigeon marinated in coffee with mashed eggplant and broccoli.
March 6
Hanoi
This morning we stopped to see people planting rice before going to the ancient Thay pagoda. Later we went to the village of Dinh So where we met some of the locals. An 86-year old lady showed her house and then a man made some rice rolls. Then we visited another old woman who showed how to make betel nut chewing and the ingredients. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
March 7-8
Hanoi***Taipei***Los Angeles***Atlanta***West Palm Beach***Delray Beach
A very long trip home!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 5
Hanoi
First stop this morning was the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Then we went to the Museum of Ethnology where we saw different styles of houses of different tribes. Wonderful assortment of local fare was lunch at the student culinary school restaurant at the museum. Next we visited the "Hanoi Hilton", the infamous jail during the Vietnam War. Then we enjoyed a Water Puppet show before we embarked on another shopping spree and a wonderful dinner at the French-Vietnamese restaurant Green Tangerine.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
 |
 |
 |
MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
HOA LO PRISON ("HANOI HILTON")
Notorious prison referred to as "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War.
 |
 |
 |
LOTUS WATER PUPPET
Attended the famous Vietnamese Water Puppet show.
 |
 |
 |
GREEN TANGERINE
Had a wonderful dinner at a French restaurant. The waitress brought a delightful amuse bouche then my appetizer which consisted of crab, peppers, tomatoes, Cognac sauce beautifully put together in mille feuille; main course was roasted pigeon marinated in coffee with mashed eggplant and broccoli.
 |
 |
 |
March 6
Hanoi
This morning we stopped to see people planting rice before going to the ancient Thay pagoda. Later we went to the village of Dinh So where we met some of the locals. An 86-year old lady showed her house and then a man made some rice rolls. Then we visited another old woman who showed how to make betel nut chewing and the ingredients. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
March 7-8
Hanoi***Taipei***Los Angeles***Atlanta***West Palm Beach***Delray Beach
A very long trip home!
