CAMBODIA – Water Buffalo Cart Ride, Floating Village, National Museum

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Wednesday, March 24th – Morning in Siem Reap, and late afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh

Dressed to the nines while paddling her canoe

Colorfully and neatly dressed while paddling her boat

Driving a short way outside of Siem Reap, we passed by rolling hills and farm land. The soil is parched and everything appears dusty, which is to be expected at the end of the dry season. But this is even more extreme than normal as they have been experiencing a drought for several years.

Once again we are surprised by just how much can be loaded onto a motorbike.  Continue reading →

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Day in Phnom Penh and Evening in Siem Reap

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

March 22nd ~ Traveling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (again)

Spring flowers at Royal Palace

Spring flowers at Royal Palace

Note: I’m still filling in the blanks from a few days I missed writing about on our Gate 1 Cambodia/Vietnam trip

The last time we made this journey, two weeks earlier, it was via tour bus. This time we flew. Much quicker this way, but we missed seeing so much. I think I liked going by bus better.  Continue reading →

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Cu Chi Tunnels and the American War

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

March 25th ~ Cu Chi Tunnels, outside of Saigon, Vietnam

Cu Chi Tunnels

At the entrance to the site, we first have a chance to walk past enormous shells, bombs and weapons that had been collected by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War years. Here in Vietnam, the war is known as the “American War”.

Bombs, large artillery, weapons on display

Bombs, large artillery, weapons on display

From their standpoint, we were the bad guys. Local propaganda taught that the Americans “invaded” first South and then North Vietnam.  Continue reading →

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Black Teeth Women of Vietnam

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

April 2nd ~ (continued) ~ Near Hanoi, visiting the Black Teeth Women

Our hostess pouring the tea

Our hostess pouring the tea, proudly wearing her pearls

Finally the stop I had been most intrigued about and what had tipped me over the edge to go on todays optional excursion – visiting the small town where the Black Teeth Women reside.

We were very warmly welcomed into a community home, and greeted by two women who were both in their 80’s. Initially neither one wanted to show off her blackened teeth, yet wanted to make us feel at home. First tea was placed in small cups for us, then rice wine was poured into shot glasses, and finally a milk colored liquor was offered.  Continue reading →

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VIETNAM ~ Thay Pagoda, Dao Thuc Village, Thuy Dinh Stage and Long Tri

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

Warning: This post may be disturbing to some. The first half is fine, I’ll clue you in when to stop reading if you are kind-hearted, love animals, have a weak stomach, or simply a decent human being…

April 2 ~ (part 1) Thay Pagoda, Dao Thuc (Near Hanoi, Vietnam)

Sitting in the doorway at the temple making a woven basket

Sitting in the doorway at the temple in Dao Thuc making a woven basket

Our trip with Gate 1 was down to the last day. Some of our group opted to spend their free time doing some last-minute shopping in the Old Town portion of Hanoi. Tim and I joined a few diehard travelers for an optional excursion to see Thay Pagoda and visit So Village to meet the Black Teeth Women.  Continue reading →

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Life on the Streets in Hanoi

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

April 1st – Evening in Hanoi

The street vibe is alive

The street vibe is alive

Life happens on the streets and sidewalks in Hanoi.

Many items are for sale – in fact you can buy just about anything.  Continue reading →

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Hanoi ~ Hanoi Hilton, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and a Water Puppet Show

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

April 1st ~ Hanoi, Vietnam

Spring blossoms in Hanoi

Spring blossoms in Hanoi

Today was rather blah. We once again had some drizzle, interspersed with simply dark clouds and cool weather. The type of day that most people would prefer sitting in front of a warm fire, have a Hot Toddy and read a good book.

But as they say, something about “April showers bring forth May flowers.”

Tim was trying to come up with a good April Fools Day joke to pull on our tour leader, which he finally managed to do by dragging it out over several hours. I’ll explain more as the day goes on.  Continue reading →

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Vietnam ~ Farming and Burial Customs

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

March 31 ~ North Vietnam

Tending to her crops by hand

Tending to her crops by hand

Conical woven hats dot the fields. Both women and men can be seen squatting over their crops, using wooden hand tools, or planting by hand. This is agricultural land where over 70% of the Vietnamese population live in rural areas. Agriculture is their main livelihood.  Continue reading →

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Ha Long Bay (Halong Bay) – Much anticipated, surreal, ephemeral, gray

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

March 30th & 31st ~ Ha Long Bay (Halong Bay), Vietnam

Gus at Halong Bay

Gus at Halong Bay

In real-time, we are now nestled back in Southern California, enjoying our time with our son and his girlfriend for a few days before heading up to our tiny mountain cabin retreat. But I have several days worth of pictures and information to still share from our time in SE Asia.  Continue reading →

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Traveling with food allergies – the good, the bad and the very ugly

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Tim and Joanne Joseph

WARNING: Graphic content (and she says grinning – NO pictures)

Tuesday, March 29th ~ Hue, Vietnam

The thin door separating our bedroom from the bathroom could not muffle the moans of pain. I knew what he was going through and felt helpless to do anything. When it hits, it is merciless, brutal and wracks him to the core.  Continue reading →

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