Sorry for the long delay, finally got to internet and back up and running!

I have a lot to post but wanted to just keep you all in the loop. I'm staying at the Saigon QuyNhon resort, across the beach: LUXURY!

Our ride today was breathtaking, minus the snooty kids. The heat was getting to me.

My stomach has been having a hard time coping with the heat, but regardless i'm still pedaling!

Yesterday we went to the My Lai Massacre museum in Quang Ngai. It left a very horrific image of the 504 victims killed during that time. We were actually one day early to their 40th anniversary of that event!

Anyhow, I had a WONDERFUL time in Hoi An. Nothing beats seeing grandma and having GREAT food. I have a few clips and great photos from my time. I think Jason charmed the family. By the end of our rest day, Di Chien was crying with Jason!

It feels good to be in Vietnam and on vacation for this long. Only a week left and I know I'll already miss my compadres. =]

Gotta get to showering, so I'll keep you updated on the juicy details.

Xin chao!

Afterwards we rushed to the Puppet Theatre in Ha Noi... I can't even describe how breathtaking it was. Imagine puppets in the water, traditional folklore music sung live and a whole audience fully engaged!

Somehow in between the show I started to miss my brother. Perhaps its because it's the second time I'm here without him... But I started to really miss him and felt a bit more chipper after I heard the dragon fireworks on the water. What a great way to end the show! =]

We then stopped by for a Bia (Hoi) at the infamous junction. =] Just waiting for a relaxing moment before hitting up Minh's Jazz Club. Oh man, it was expensive for a glass of whisky and a red glass of wine but it was worth it. Some people in the audience came on stage (European male who stunk at singing, i'm sorry... and a Japanese exchange student who sounded like Bill Clinton who got ran over while playing the Sax.) But toward the end we were jazzzing it up with the song 'TEQUILA!' Jason was jamming with the drummer and I was totally cheering for the pianist. He was great and into it....((Sigh)) The closest I get to musical talent would be the flute back in grade school.... Bah!

But a GREAT night, this a.m. we are hitting up a tour to go to the Perfume Pagoda. What a great time to pay respects for my brother. Boy do I miss him! =]

Until tonight! Corbin, Nathan, Irene and Andy are coming. Thinking of buying them all a beer and taking them to "Little Ha Noi" for dinner. =]

Can't wait!

I don't know about you, but begging is one thing but trying to rip off a few people by charging them to use the bathroom is hilarious. I stood out the bathroom, watched people ignore the obnoxious woman and threatened for her to call the cops. There was no way I was paying for a woman like that!

We woke up early for a free breakfast at the hotel and went for a nice stroll down the busy market. Enjoyed a romantic (swan boat ride on the lake) time and saw a few pagodas down the street. I think we walked nearly half of Ha Noi and it gets even more interesting. =]

Tonight we're getting ready for a fancier dinner, Jason deserves it! Then hitting up the Puppet Theatre in famous Ha Noi and getting my groove on at the Jazz Club.

Hope everyone is having a great time!

-H

The flight wasn't bad, with the fact that I probably only had 8 total hours of sleep for the past few days! I slept like a baby and am not feeling as jet-lagged as I thought!

Jason's having an overwhelming experience in a good way! =] Glad I'm able to spend this special adventure to show my culture!

We found a cutesy hotel in the middle of the Old Quarter for a $20, not bad for something in the middle of town! We took a shower and got ready to go exploring the street. I started my own rating scale for dining. Scale of 1: sitting down on a child-like bench in the middle of a busy market. Scale of 2: sitting down in a crowded market, still on a child-like bench but in an overcrowded touristy area where street kids are haggling random crap. Scale of 3: sitting down in an upscale restaurant where the menu is pre-fixed on US $ (unless you know it's damn good, you're wasting money you could have spent on a whole days worth of beer).

Jason didn't know where to go but I didn't feel like overspending. We settled for a 1.5 or 2 scale and found an overly popular hangout to eat "mi xao" and "com rang ga." It's basically fried rice and stir fry noodles. I must admit for $2 bucks, i'm feeling pretty good and satisfied.

We found the Bia Hoi (beer junction) for only 3000 VN dong. The currency here is about 15,500 to 1 US dollar. That means fresh beer only costs 20 cents, if  i'm doing my math correctly.

Anyhow, getting used to the shower being right next to the toilet. Imagine taking a bath and trying not to wet the toilet seat because there is no separate walls.

We have a balcony in our room, but no shampoo. Eep! But nothing soap can't help!

Randomly, I haggled for a barbecue pork bun. The woman was selling it for 20,000 (but it stated 1800 on the board)...trying to rip me off. So i walked to a less crowded area and guess what? I bought 2 pork buns at 10,000 dong each.

I'm getting a bit tired and must relax for a fun adventure tomorrow... What's plan for Ha Noi day 2?

1. Hitting up the market to get shampoo and other fun desserts

2. Going to a jazz club down the street?

3. Checking out water puppets or else...hearing Jason whine the whole trip... =]

4. More cheap beer at the junction? OF COURSE!

Wish you all were here! oh, the weather is great. i'm getting along well with just a thin sweater. It hasn't rained yet, just a bit humid with a lot of action around.

Weirdest thing: I saw a kid (less than 3 and able to walk) being coaxed by his mom to pee on the side of the street...into a PLASTIC BAG. HA!! He just pulled down his pants and went at it, in the middle of town. It's funny now, but people in Ha Noi definitely do not have any respect for the sidewalk, nonetheless littering. Oh, if only San Francisco could have a say here! =]