On My Vietnamese Bookshelf
My awareness of Vietnam’s history and place in the world when we arrived here was spotty, at best. I knew it primarily by its food, notably the subtle yet complex broth in a good bowl of pho.
Sending Mail Home from Vietnam
I found some great postcards at a shop called Little Cat Studio in the old city of Hỏi An, Vietnam. They have watercolor illustrations of Vietnamese food and life on the front, and are printed on soft, thick handmade paper. It wasn’t until a couple of days after buying them that I sat down to address the cards and noticed something strange.
First week in Vietnam
We’ve been enjoying the warm ( by US standards ) weather and learning more about the history and present day region of Vietnam that we’re currently living in.
I think that what’s surprising me the most about Vietnam is how different it is than Thailand. In common, they both have a lot of English spoken by locals, especially those who cater to the tourism market. But the relative lack of temples and Buddhism caught me off guard.
Church in Vietnam
It would be a fairly easy transition for an American Catholic to move to Vietnam given the prevalence of English spoken and the visible presence of Catholic churches here. The Portuguese brought Christianity with them when they arrived in the 1500s, and their influence was reinforced by the French a few centuries later.
Unexploded Ordinances in Laos
Like most people my age and younger, the war in Vietnam is a distant memory. It was a far away war with objectives that no one seemed to really understand. It caused a lot of pain and suffering for a lot of people.
A Slow Boat Journey Down the Mekong River
As we were planning our nomadic journey, we knew we wanted to spend time in Southeast Asia—especially Thailand and Vietnam. To round out the region and fill the time before heading to New Zealand, we decided to add shorter stays in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos.
Highlights of Chiang Rai
During our one full day in Chiang Rai we had a whirlwind tour to see some of the highlights in the area. We visited Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple), Baan Dam Museum (the Black House), House of Opium, Chui Fong Tea Plantation, Golden Triangle and a Padaung Village (the Karen Longneck). It was quite a lot in one day but it was great to get a taste of everything.
Chiang Mai – City Review
How to review a city? Should I review cities? I’m toying with the idea and this is my first attempt. I really don’t want to be negative about any place since it’s all going to be so subjective so I’m trying to come up with a specific set of categories to try and make it a little more objective, but also to highlight why my overall experience may be a “me” problem, and not something everyone visiting would feel or experience.
Digital Money in Thailand
The official currency in Thailand is the Thai baht (THB). The symbol for Thai Bhat is ฿. Cash is used quite regularly in the Kingdom of Thailand, but they are modernizing and digitizing quickly. You’ll see QR codes and digital payment options all over the place.