Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

I found a new favorite city.  Well, not my very most favorite, but Ho Chi Minh City has soul.  It has everything I was missing in Bali.  I mean everyone loves a good beach, but maybe I just like a good crowded city.

We got in last night, fresh off the plane... first stop, immigration.  I was somewhat sad about the 45 USD for a 30 day visa, but I mean, once you hit the streets, it really is worth it.  at 20000+ Dong per USD, you instantly become a Vietnamese millionaire.  I mean, yeah, that visa costs 1million dong, but I mean, there are still plenty of good deals to be had.  Fine food for under 5 USD for a meal, sometimes under 2 USD, not to mention fresh fruit and drinks you could only dream of at home.  Yesterday, I had a passion fruit juice, fresh for under about 1 USD.  Today I had a fresh coconut for a little more.  Then, I had another one.

Immigration was funny though, all the foreigners lined up - worried.  We are all worried about how we will get into Vietnam.  The immigration officials are rather strict.  They were friendly enough with me but they were giving us all a good once over.  We all needed our pre approved welcome letters and photos and 45 USD.  Question - where do you get 45 USD when you haven't been home in a while.  Question - why are dollars the preferred currency for a transaction to get into a Vietnam.  Answer - because the world and life is funny.  More on that tomorrow.

One reason I like Vietnam is because the Vietnamese like what I like.  They like good coffee, they like good fish, they like fresh fruit.  Those things alone are the basis of a wonderful culture.  So first thing this morning when I got lost, I walked to the nearest coffee house, ordered a cup, used the abundant wifi and plotted my direction.  I was headed to the war remnants museum a few blocks away.  I drank my coffee, had a second cup and was one my way.   I felt guilty for indulging, but I think the Vietnamese iced coffee might be better than the Thai iced coffee.  It is strong, with condensed milk added and is simply wonderful.  I don't know how Starbucks exists here, but they do.  I guess there is enough love of coffee to go around.

So on the agenda for today was a trip to Unification Palace, where we went on the official tour, which deserves and will get its own post, then we went to the War Remnants museum.  We also visited a couple of other French structures and then went to the market.

More pictures will follow.  Oh, Asari, right off the airplane at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, this was waiting - this picture is just for you.

Massage

So in my pursuit to remain mellow and relaxed rather than turn to negative habits I have found a nice way to relax, the massage.  A proper massage can vary depending on the provider, but I will be writing about the differences and similarities between three types I have received so far in Asia, the Thai massage, the proper Chinese massage and the Balinese massage.  Each massage has its own merits for what makes it a good massage, however my favorite massage is a Thai massage - given by a Chinese masseuse.

Reclining Buddha

Wat Po

So Thai massage was my first foray into professional massage therapy.  I visited Wat Po, which is a temple dedicated to massage and the massage of Buddha.  Christopher and I both visited massage therapists for one hour who provided a very respectable service.  My masseuse was a bit heavy handed, but was very professional.  I stared jealously at Christopher's masseuse.  She seemed to have the perfect touch, but alas, another day.  Wat Po is also a training center, so I imagine my masseuse was not only well trained but also a trainer who was keeping all the hidden secrets of Thai massage and passing them through to me with gentle massage.  Maybe not, but it was at least a relaxing massage.

Later while visiting one of the beach cities, Cha am, I received a better Thai massage.  I think the masseuse used a better technique and it was a generally more relaxing massage.  The massage was from foot to head and back.  Oil was included.  The pressure applied was nearly perfect, which is why I prefer the Thai massage.  I think overall I prefer woman masseuse to men, because the touch.  It is somehow easier for most women to add pressure than for most men to release pressure from their touch.

Cha Am, Thailand

Chinese massage is usually accompanied by one word, pain.  Chinese massage is full contact, of course you can ask your masseuse to go easy, but they will probably ignore you, or just go easy enough.  My friend commented once, you should cry during a good massage, because the tears are toxins released from your body.  I am like, which part of relaxing does that include?

So, you can get a good Chinese massage, but you have to be prepared for some pain.  In addition, you might also get some accupressure or cupping included.  Accupressure is where pressure might be placed and released on particular trouble spots.  This, I highly recommend, because it increases blood flow.  Cupping, I would recommend only for the brave.  It involves hot cups being placed in position on the body and released over time.  They build pressure as they remain.  They can leave marking on the body for weeks after... after a few days, when the pain is gone, you can feel the effects of a good Chinese massage.  This is not the Chinese massage we are familiar with in America, sort of like American Chinese food, different concept.

The final massage I received about a week ago was the Balinese massage.  My friends comment - that is a sexy massage.  I don't know if I laughed harder at that comment or the surprise when they handed us disposable underwear to wear during the massage.  The masseuses and I had big laughs.  Still, after it was finished I had to promise never to have a Balinese massage again, not because there was any hanky panky, but because it was too relaxing.  I don't know if my masseuse was that relaxing for me, I mean I was coming down with a cold, so maybe I wasn't in to the massage enough.  But from where my friend was sitting, I was too relaxed.  The technique is a combo between Chinese and Thai techniques, easy and then heavy pressure.  Also they pay plenty of attention to the feet and as well as the full body.  In the end they got my money because of the advertising of the poster.  The lady looks so ready for a massage...

Looking forward to another Thai massage soon, but seeing how I am headed back to China looks like I might have to put my body through the abuses of a Chinese massage next time I need to relieve some stress.  Much better than reaching for a drink or a pack of cigarettes.  At least with a good masseuse.  Enjoying Bali.

Bali Sunset

Bali.

Where to start, maybe the headache.  This is day five I think.  Anyone that knows me also probably knows I have really bad headaches that drone on for a few days.  I don't make much of them, but every now and then they catch up with me.  This time, I managed to get sick on the way to Bali and so not only did I have the headache I had a cold and sore throat.  All with the beach 3 minutes away, meanwhile me in bed sweating and moaning like a Black Martin Sheen from Apocalypse Now, minus the liquor and the war of course.

The flight from Kuala Lumpur was wonderful enough.  Beautiful skies, short, excited.  Hop off the plane and clear customs in a breeze.  There is an ATM there so you can pay for your Visa on Arrival.  It is no sweat at all.  When I hit the ATM, I realize I have finally made it!  I take out 1.2 Million IDR.  So I am officially a Balinese Millionaire, huh?  But that is only 100 USD.  So After I pay the 25 for the visa on arrival I am no longer a Balinese Millionaire.

  I am thinking finally Bali and respectable beaches.  Anyone who knows me also knows I love a good beach.  So I am looking forward to coming in, getting some shut eye and heading out to the beach.  First things first, I remember I needed to catch up with my oldest daughter in the states so I give her a call.  We talk for a while.  I look at the clock and it is past 2 in the morning.

No big thing I figure, I can stay up as late as anyone.  Wake up the next morning ready to head to the beach.  First things first, a proper fresh made watermelon juice.  Before I can have it though, I have to walk and get it.  That's when the headache came, then the body aches.  Later in the day, the cold.  So no beach for me.

While waiting for the room to be prepared I figured the hotel spa might be a good idea.  I mean the price can't be beat.   85,000 IDR is about 7 USD.  If you had a bad headache and wanted more than anything to sleep what would you do?  Plus the sign looked so promising...  so I decide to go for it.

The massage was more than respectable, and the prices on everything here are amazing for value.  For example, my room is under 30 USD a night, although you could pay 200 USD a night as well.  Food can be had for about 2-3 USD for a more than respectable meal.  Although I would have to say the food in Malaysia is better.  Still, there is value to be had if you avoid touts and do your own thing.  This one guy wanted me to spend 1,000,000 IDR (85 USD) for a pair of flip flops out of our mutual love of Obama.  As I ran out of his store disgusted he yelled, okay 100,000.  Found them later on for 45,000 (3.50 USD) at a convenience store.

So last night I finally made it out to the beach.  Still with the headache, and the beach made it a bit better but going on day five... at least there is a wonderful beach!

The dog runs past us, cuts me a look as he runs out to the water alone to swim.  He looks at me like, what are you waiting for?  Oh you don't know?  Then a second later he is in the water doing his thing...

More to come.

Penang Hill

Photo album from Penang Hill

So I try to avoid places that are overpriced.  I mean, why should I pay money to climb to the top of a hill, if I can walk there for free.  I have legs, I like to exercise, and that is especially true if it costs three times more for me to ride to said hilltop than a local resident.  I don't want to be overcharged.

All that is true, but sometimes, when the hill is huge, really huge and the view is really really beautiful you have to pay.  The ride up was worth it, and you were paying for the ride and not the view...

Penang Hill is a place to spend an afternoon if you are in Penang.  I wish I had come here sooner.  If for no other reason, for the monkeys.  They seem to have a good sense of humor and are willing and able to eat if you offer them food.  Of course you should never do that.  I mean, you might end up with a lifelong friend, like the monkey from Monkeyshine, who comes to think of you as his or hers.

Also worth note, besides the beautiful views and the monkeys is the wonderful garden - Monkey Cup Garden, more than worth the extra few RM to tour.  They have a lovely garden of not only monkey cups but also other exotic plants, insects and the like.  In addition there are a couple restaurants on the top of the hill, not to mention a temple and a mosque as well.

Monkey Cups

Venus Flytrap

• Photo album From Penang Hill

Where to start? Penang

Photo album of Kek Lok Si

Maybe best to start where I am and talk about where I was, and then where I am going.  Hope you can keep up!  First of all, this is my second trip to Malaysia.  The first time I visited only Penang, then took the sleeper train to Bangkok.  I thought it was an interesting trip, but a little bland.  We stayed in a area called Batu Ferringhi, which if I remember right means foreigner's rock.  All in all the area is overdeveloped.  The small beach is nice enough, but there isn't much there.

This time, I decided to start the voyage in Kuala Lumpur and then make my way to Penang via a cheap Air Asia flight.  The flight was under 30USD and was less than an hour.  Instead of staying in Batu Ferringhi I stayed in Georgetown with its wonderful selection of food and proximity to temples and shopping.  I mean I can walk out of my hotel to the temple of Quan Yin, then turn eat breakfast, or have coffee and head out to the beach or sightseeing.  All on the bus route from Komtar center.

So the first day in Penang, that is exactly what we did.  We woke up and had porridge.  What - porridge?  Yup, porridge, Chinese people have a thing for porridge apparently, so me and the lady had some porridge, it was pretty darn good rice porridge too.

She cracks me up when she says porridge, it is more like porridge aye.  But same thing.  I mostly eat vegetarian, but Chinese tend to have to cut up some meat and put it in everything.  Since this is a Cantonese joint, they cut up chicken and put it in the porridge, more or less just for flavor.  It is a pretty delicious dish.

In my opinion, and I suspect I am in the minority, Kuala Lumpur kicks Penang's butt insofar as food, but the food here is pretty good too.  You just have to hit the small places and avoid bigger places.  Anyways, after we ate we walked to the temple of Quan Yin and made offerings.

Yesterday we visited an Indian temple when we visited Penang Hill.  The thing most interesting about Penang is that all religions are represented here and they all manage to live in peace.  This is a mostly Muslim city though, so you hear the call to prayer throughout the day but there are plenty of Chinese who are mostly Buddhist or Taoist.  Then there is a Christian population, not to mention all the Godless heathen tourists that come through for thrills on the way to or from Bangkok.

Me, I am here waiting to travel onwards.  All the cheap flights flow through Malaysia right now.  Air Asia is a savior for budget scrapped travelers like me.  So thanks to Quan Yin and Buddha and Jesus and Allah and Jehovah for that.  Anyways, besides the temples there is the food, but I will talk about that on another day.  Good food, good temples and monkeys... back to the temple of Quan Yin.

There is a bigger temple in the middle of the island that I went to earlier today.  It is the largest buddhist temple in Asia, from what I read.  This temple Kek Lok Si has a huge statue of Quan Yin, this one is like a neighborhood buddhist temple.  After that we went to Penang Hill and Monkey Cup Garden.  I will have to make a photo album of that trip.  For now, enjoy a few pictures of Malaysia and Georgetown in Penang.

Photo album of Kek Lok Si

Free from China - Well Not Really

So I managed to get out of China for a bit.  China is a wonderful country and is a very interesting place to live.  In fact, I think it has replaced Egypt as my favorite country to visit or live in.  However, there is a problem with living in China, China has an ongoing war with all things google.  As such, blogger is not very easily accessed inside China, thus the blog hiatus.

While I am out from behind the great firewall I will be updating the blog on all things I have done while in China and around and about Asia.  I managed to take some wonderful pictures and have a fun and exciting time.  I lost a few traveling companions along the way, but I will be catching up with the best of them soon.  Also, I managed to destroy a SD card with some of the best pictures of the journey.  Of course it wasn't backed up.  So it reminded me that I needed to start putting some of my favorites that I did keep on the web.

Anyway - it looks like I will be heading back to China soon anyway.  Business before pleasure.  Have some things to take care of before I can move on to more exciting locals, like Nepal and India.  But in the meantime, I will  be updating the blog with my travels to Beijing, Zhaoqing, Hong Kong, Bali, and a train journey I am planning from Saigon (Ho Chi Min City), Vietnam to Yunnan, China and further through to Hong Kong.  That should be quite the adventure, and should put my 10 words of Mandarin to the test...

Bangkok Redux

Still thinking about buying a new tablet I decided the place to go was MBK.  MBK is not a mall, it is like a megamall-flea-market-bazaar.  The first time I walked in I fell in love.  I mean, I like walking in a store like a Macy's or a Dillard's and picking up a nice Polo or something along those lines, but I have to admit that I love the idea of being able to select from even more stylish premium knock offs at half the price.  There is just something in that, and then the selections are often better than Ralph Lauren or whoever would have though of himself.

If you haven't figured it out yet, Bangkok is a shoppers paradise.  Not only do you have all the premium stores you could think of lined up down one street in malls such as Siam Square, Siam Paragon and Central World, but you have malls such as MBK and stalls lined up and down in nooks and crannies selling even more stuff.  MBK is eight levels of shopping for anything you can think of.  I was looking for electronics.  A tablet, and among the rows and rows of cellular merchants I knew I would find what I was looking for.

MBK is about a twenty minute cab ride from where we are living now.  So we flagged a cab down, most people say you should avoid the parked cabs, because they are waiting to exploit tourists.  The cabbie I flagged down sized me up and started the meter.  I let out a sigh of relief.  I have gotten in cabs where the driver refused to start the meter or refused my destination.  Cabbies here often go after the quick tourist dollars at the expense of an honest fare.

We passed through the center of Bangkok, over the river and past the train station, soon we were at MBK.  The meter read 75 baht, I gave the driver a 100, about three dollars and thanked him. The hulking mass greets with hustle and bustle and the first thing I noted walking up.  A school girl walked in right before me giggling.  I notice another, and allow her to pass.  Two others pass giggling, cutting me off, I can't help but laugh.  The uniforms and the giggling are way too much for me.

We pass security who inspect my bag and we proceed up the escalators.  They take you up and up and up.  Floor five, we approach electronic chaos.  There are row after row of merchants selling Apple stuff, and behind them row after row of merchants selling Samsung stuff.  The guy I approach doesn't want to bargain that much, just enough.  He is way too shrew, perhaps I should have purchased elsewhere.  However, he has just the model I want, as well as used models of others I can compare it to for value and quality.  I decide to buy the Samsung Tab 7.7.  The Samsung Tab 7 would have been too slow, and the 10.1 too big.  As I buy I wonder if I should have waited until Apple introduces their 7 inch tablet in a few weeks.

After we buy the tablet we head down the street to the Siam Paragon.  We window shop as the beautiful people shop for Rolexes and such.  We marvel at the manmade river inside the mall.  We decide against eating in the food court and soon head home.