Rants, Raves, and Reviews
As this 7 week adventure starts to wind down, Marci and I have begun to have our usual conversations reviewing what we loved about the trip, and what we might have done different. We always approach these chats as if we are going write a travel book with advice for others....which I guess is partially what these blog posts are.
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| Yes, always, Safety Firts...!! |
As this trip was the first time ever for us to use help in planning and booking, for the reasons previously disclosed, I am of two minds about this style of travel. We were able, unquestionably, to see more, and cover more ground with the aid of prearranged drivers and guides. As we spent relatively little time in each location, this is a big plus...we probably will not be returning to any of theses spots, and were able to really get a good grasp of the history and sights they all had to offer. I love the mystery and adventure of arriving in a new strange place and having to dope out, on my own, the way to get into town and to my lodging...but having a friendly face awaiting my arrival, with the requisite handheld “Welcome Marci Schwartz” sign just outside the international arrivals door is easy, fast, convenient, and something that is strangely seductive.
But I must admit that I felt constrained a bit by our prearranged touring schedule, that many people spent time creating for us, even though made with with lots of our input. While we saw much, it didn’t really allow for much serendipity along the way. And much of what was planned would be easily accomplished on our own. Our touring in Hong Kong and Singapore (done without the travel company) seemed more natural and with a rhythm that worked better for me. But I would never have driven at any of these places, and that would have constrained our choices in some places.
So, overall, a good choice for this particular trip, but something I’m not sure I would do again elsewhere. I would, however, now consider using drivers and guides selectively in future trips on a city by city basis.
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| Calligraphy Class in HCMC |
I have been saving up a lot of small observations during these travels; this post seems as good a time to unload them as any.....
• Money - Six countries with six currencies is a bit of a pain in the ass. Learning the US Dollar equivalence so I understand what things are costing is an ongoing challenge. I loved Laos, not for it’s pretty Kip banknotes, but because not only can you pay for things in Kip, but also Thai Baht ( next door neighbor) and they would really rather have US dollars anyway. So much so that when you go to an ATM in Laos, you receive US money...! It’s not that I mind using all these various currencies, but guessing how much to have so that there is not too much left over on the last day in country.
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| New type of BARBER SHOP in Singapore |
• Luggage - I had to rush out and buy 2 new suitcases just before we left, as I didn’t think my trusty Eagle Creek bags would make it through 14 more plane flights without some failure. But the choices were limited to the newer hard-shell bags most people seem to like. I hate these, as they are hinged in the middle of their height, and that you have to open them all the way to retrieve anything. This ‘opens like a book’ style is also in direct conflict with all newer hotel rooms, where most furniture has been eliminated. How to unpack? I can’t live out of the suitcase, if it needs a space four feet wide to open...it can’t stay open on the floor....the only other surface big enough is the bed. The hotel industry needs to collaborate with the luggage industry to find a better solution for the traveler.
• Salt - Can we have an international conference to decide, once and for all, which shaker on the tabletop holds the salt? Some counties use the big hole/ more holes one for salt, some use the opposite...annoying.
• Shower heads - who decided that ALL hotel rooms needed to switch to the jumbo, rain shower style shower head? This is not an improvement; I don’t want to feel like I’m in waterfall just to wash my hair. The single best shower in this entire trip, out of 13 different lodgings, was the only one with a traditional shower head coming from the wall.....it still was modern, hip, slick, and just a great shower.
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| Who designed this??....Want to take a shower in Macy's window? Our Shower in Saigon....good views from the bed. |
• WIFI - how long will we pretend, in the USA, that we are the tech leaders when every country has more free access WiFi than us? In SE Asia, every cafe, pizza joint, airport, open air market, and even the barbershop has free and fast WiFi. Everyone is online in all these places for free, while I still live in a country where Marriott thinks this should be a profit center. I’ve been in public parks where there is free WiFi available - it should be like that here also.
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| Coffee shop in Hue....free WIFI, But No Card Playing... |
• Bed Sizes - this has just gotten silly. Marci and I have been married for 38 years, and slept all that time comfortably in a queen bed. On this trip most of the beds were monster size, and the two sides needed their own zip codes. The winner is our hotel in Saigon, where the bed was easily over 9 feet wide.
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| Is a bed this wide really better? How about a chest of drawers instead? |
• Beds - All the mattresses in Asia are super firm, better than any in the US. They seem not to use the kind with springs. My back has never been better. I am getting a new mattress as soon as I return to Santa Fe.
• Disease - Really, everyone here in Asia is sick. At least 33% of adults seem to be suffering from some sort of upper respiratory infection....never seen and heard more hacking, coughing, sneezing, spitting, nose blowing, repulsive noises, amongst people not in a sick bed....I’m sure the rampant pollution in most of these places is at least partially responsible. Maybe 25% of everyone is wearing a face mask...some to prevent breathing in germs, some to avoid the pollution, especially those on the motorbikes. Not sure any of these masks do much at all.
• Headliner - In Vietnam, many cars have had their headliners ( the inside roof of the passenger compartments) slipcovered...??? Just like when some of our parents used to do to the car seats....it looks kinda wierd....and never really got an explanation for this.
• Check In - Most hotels seem to have switched to the check-in style where you are swept away to a discrete sofa, given some sort of welcoming beverage, and told to relax while they do the paperwork.....no standing at counters. Very civilized...this is an improvement.
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| Checking In at The Veranda, in Phou Quoc |
• Chinese Tourists - OK, I’ll talk about the elephant in the room. And this is not a problem unique to SE Asia.....I’ve had the same experiences in Europe and Australia. Chinese Tourists ( let’s just use CT) are unfailing rude, and loud. They seem oblivious to their disruptive behavior.....when a tour bus pulls up to an attraction ( CT only seem to travel on bus tours) everyone already there has a shiver of apprehension run down their backs. CT seem to think that everywhere they go exists only for their amusement, and that it doesn’t matter how loud they speak or shout to each other while they quickly snap the required photos, and then pile back onto their tour bus. They seem to take no pleasure or real interest in the history or beauty of the places they stop, but seem rather like they are rushing to check off things on a scavenger hunt. The official tour guides all think they are rude and disruptive, but don’t criticize too much as they have become the major customers in every country. Instead, they plan my tour so we arrive everywhere before they arrive, and then we move on, trying to stay ahead of these groups. CT never try to speak to anyone not in their group, do not socialize with them locals, stay in their own special hotels, and only want to eat in special restaurants created for CTs, serving food they eat at home....they are the worlds worst travelers, and this is a problem that will only be getting worse.
OK.....getting down from my soapbox now....I’m sure Marci will have some final thoughts of her own.
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| Twins on the MTR in Singapore |
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