Heartland

Back from a fucking fabulous holiday in "the 'nam" - truly brilliant. Lovely people, a billion motor-scooters, incredible street food (7 of us went out for dinner, drank our own weight in Saigon-brand beer, ate more food than you can possibly imagine, and the bill came to $25 total including tip), amazing weather, stunning scenery, truly amazing coffee (hot, thick, sweet, with a kick like an angry mule). I'll be getting some photies together when I wake up (only downside is 24-hours travelling with a 12 hour time difference, so I don't know what day it is right now).

Suffice to say I would recommend it as a travel destination, but go soon before the central coast turns into another Benidorm - it's going that way.

Welcome back, did you bring us all a present?

Find a suitable venue for to play?

weebleswobble wrote:Find a suitable venue for to play?

Bizarrely, yes - there's an auditorium at the War Remnants Museum in Saigon (which should appeal to his anti-imperialist sentiments) which would be perfect. Not only that, touring costs would be minimal - based on what I've seen being carried on the back of a scooter (including but not limited to wardrobes, fridges, and livestock) he could get the lighting rig, smoke machine, and the Doktor on 2 Vespas and a Honda Supercub circa 1973.

Damn. Misread the title and thought it was a thread about Dan Dare.

Were you in Saigon the whole time or did you get farther north as well?

Petseri wrote:Were you in Saigon the whole time or did you get farther north as well?

Started in Saigon, night bus to Nha Trang, train from there to Da Nang, bus to Hoi An and Hué, night train to Hanoi, bus to Halong Bay and back. I don't recommend the bus unless you're a committed masochist, and if you're going by train stump up the extra $10 for the "soft" sleeper.

Sounds like a great trip and experience! Welcome back.

i'm truly envy.

EvilBastard wrote:

Petseri wrote:Were you in Saigon the whole time or did you get farther north as well?

Started in Saigon, night bus to Nha Trang, train from there to Da Nang, bus to Hoi An and Hué, night train to Hanoi, bus to Halong Bay and back. I don't recommend the bus unless you're a committed masochist, and if you're going by train stump up the extra $10 for the "soft" sleeper.

Very impressive.

Not that I can see myself doing it in the next couple of years, I would be interested in heading there as well. A close friend was in Nha Trang (not really a pleasure trip...) so going there (as well as the Central Highlands like Pleiku) would be my main points of interest. If we ever share a cab ride again, I may ask for recommendations.

Finally got around to uploading some photies to Picasa - take a shufti if you like

Beautiful pictures. How long did you stay?