Travel Diary

Since Terry was back at work, Lesly and I wandered in the market looking for souvenirs and tasty food. Afterwards, we went to meet Terry, and then took the train over to a nice, large Temple. It offered some good photo opportunities and a grand view of the river. Incense was aplenty, but I like the smell--reminds me of my youth. (Long story)

After being done there, we returned to the train. At this point, Lesly had to go pick up the girls, so I said goodbye to her.

Terry and I returned to the Shilin area. I bought some snacks and a Chinese pizza. There wasn't much time left, but I was all set to go. Shortly thereafter, the driver came. He actually spoke English and was a very nice guy. We chatted during the drive, and he was fun to talk with. Normally, I don't tip the drivers there as it's really not part of the custom, but this time, I felt like it was needed. Normally, the drives are quite boring.

The wait wasn't too bad and my plane was boarding before long. Alas, the guy next to me was fairly large and spilled over into my seat. That was fine. Again, it was a short flight to Hong Kong.

Yeah. Another layover. This one wasn't long enough to tour the city since it was only three hours. Maybe I can get a longer one next time so I get some great night shots of the Hong Kong skyline. For the time being, I just watched a football game on my notebook.

Finally, we got to board. This plane was massive and packed. With hundreds of people, it took some time to board and find my seat...

...which was occupied.

Oops. This wouldn't do. I fetched a flight attendant. He checked the older lady's ticket and she was supposed to be in the seat one more in. In that seat was her husband, an older man. They asked if I could sit in his assigned seat one row back. I looked over the row. Um..it wasn't on the aisle.

Sorry. No can do. I mean it was a hard decision. I really like helping out others and being the nice guy, but this was a very long flight (over 10 hours) and I get up a lot. I had picked my seat early to ensure an aisle and an aisle is what I wanted. Yeah, I knew they were a couple and wanted to be near each other, but I was also fairly sure that both would be fast asleep once we were airborne (which was true), whereas I would have to bug the person next to me a lot to get to the aisle. Nope, it wasn't going to happen. I felt a little bad, but the feeling passed.

After takeoff, we had our first meal. I knew it was getting close to my last uncounted eating engagement, but I still didn't overdo it. After the meal, I tried to sleep...and actually did. I imagine I slept for about 7 hours on this flight. Maybe I was getting used to all the plane travel. After all, it was my seventh flight in about two weeks.

Arriving in SFO, I passed through customs without a problem and got my bags. In due time, my roommate arrived to pick me up. I was finally home an hour later and ready to relax.

But I was up all night until 11am the next morning. Jet lag took several days and I still found myself waking up very early in the mornings.

Took some time for that to change.

Final Thoughts:

• No seatbelts. This fact is widely common around these countries. I suppose it's just not a law and it's much easier to cut them out and not deal with them. It's not much safer, however, and serves as quite an annoyance--in my opinion. I suppose it's just a difference in ideals. To me, a little cost and convenience outweighs the increased risk of injury and death from not having a seatbelt. Granted, the chances aren't high, but then again, the way driving is done there, the chances seem a vast deal higher than back in the States.
• Vietnam -- It was well worth visiting. We saw so many contrasts. Impoverished  and well-off were side by side. The crazy city of Hanoi was countered by the calm atmosphere of Ha Long Bay. We also saw lots of new construction. Lots of changes are taking place in that country. One thing for sure is that the road infrastructure lags. The streets just aren't built for busses, cars, scooters, and pedestrians. Somehow, it all works though. The people are also very resourceful as they carry so many various things. I almost wanted to make a collage of just this theme. On scooters people carry their children (sadly, often with no head protection). Passengers also don't seem to hold on to anything more than a faithful reliance on Newton's third law. I suppose it must work out alright for most. I also saw people carrying bonsai trees, plate glass, aluminum siding, mass quantities of fruit, cardboard and so many other random things. Just about anything you can think of--well, carry-able. No one had a 747 on his back. At least no one that I saw. People also texted while driving scooters. That's simply just plain crazy. Back home, we just do it in our cars, the protective laws be damned.
• Haggling -- People seem divided on this one, but I usually just pay what is asked. My reasoning is that in comparison to many, I'm fairly well off, and don't like to spend a lot of time trying to simply ensure someone gets less cash for their wares. True, some things may be "overpriced," but heck, if tipping isn't even a custom, then money is often tight as it is. I would just rather be generous and make someone's day. No harm, no foul.
• Spontaneity versus planning -- This comes up a lot too: how much to explore, how much to pre-plan. It's a tough call, but overall, I'd say one should always have hotel reservations in advance. I thought I learned that lesson in Amsterdam back in 2002, when a whole morning was spent trying to find a room. But I will learn that lesson in time--I hope.
• Staying Positive -- When you're exhausted, it does become tougher to maintain a cheery outlook on everything, especially when you're use to certain things being a certain way. It's one of those things where you just need a quick reminder on occasion to keep a positive outlook and think about how exciting seeing a foreign country can be.
• Judging or Opinions -- Sometimes, it's easy to get judgmental. But likewise, it's easy to never have an opinion and not allow your own viewpoints or ideals to come through. I suppose it's just a matter of balance. Each of us has views on what's good and bad, right or wrong, better or worse--or simply how we feel things "ought to be." It's not a crime to have those feelings, or even express them in a respectful manner. When such feelings become bitter or full of hatred, then problems arise. When people generalize a whole country or nationality of people because of what is depicted on TV or otherwise, then I worry that those "opinions" are worth less than nothing, and can not only harm others, but the ones to whom they are beholden to. In short, people should maintain their beliefs, but still travel with a cheery outlook and an open mind.
• Numbers
• 7 - Plane flights taken
• 18, 350 -- Miles traveled
• 5 -- Different currencies handled
• 36 -- Hours in the air
• Last Thoughts -- "What was your favorite thing?" Ugh. This is such a frustrating question, since there were so many great things. I just can't really decide on one. But if I had to pick one from each country, that would help.
• Hong Kong -- Reaching the high viewpoint on the mountain near Victoria Peak
• Taiwan -- Tie between Hot Pot and the Grass Mountain exploration
• Vietnam, Ha Long Bay-- Kayaking under the tall cliffs in Ha Long Bay during the misty twilight
• Vietnam, Hanoi -- Photographing the pagoda out on the lake
• Thailand, Pattaya -- Visiting Walking Street at night
• Thailand, Bangkok -- Resting comfortably during a 2-hour Thai massage