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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 29, 2023 21:00:02 GMT 2
I finally made it back to Saigon after 21 years. It was my 4th trip, and the changes did not please me since they are trying to become Bangkok. Nevvertheless, I did my best to remain hydrated.
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Vietnam
Jun 30, 2023 11:11:08 GMT 2
Post by auntieannie on Jun 30, 2023 11:11:08 GMT 2
hey, K2! enjoy your time. Are there any remnants of the passage of the french in vietnam?
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 1, 2023 5:37:13 GMT 2
Many of the government buildings still date from colonial times (Hôtel de Ville, Opéra, Palais du Gouverneur, museums) but the vast majoriity of the old private buildings from back then have disappeared, at least in the centre. I'm sure there are still some splendid villas in the outer areas.
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Post by sophie on Jul 1, 2023 5:44:52 GMT 2
Envious!
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 2, 2023 20:18:09 GMT 2
Now I'm working on a trip to Luang Prabang and Vientiane next month. Naturally, I'll have to go via Bangkok.
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Post by Baz Faz on Jul 2, 2023 23:18:41 GMT 2
When we visited Luang Prabang we were delighted. An awful lot of other people were too. It is one of those places that are too attractive for their own good. Vientiane didn't appeal at all.
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Post by Netsuke on Jul 4, 2023 18:17:16 GMT 2
When I was in that part of the world, I travelled from Chiang Khong >Huay Xai and worked my way south, including a very nice two day slow boat to Luang Prabang. We overnighted at Pakbeng. . A few of us had dinner at Phakdee Bakery Cafe, Pakbeng. I would include a photo but it still isn’t possible.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 6, 2023 17:09:44 GMT 2
One thing that impressed me way back when (25 years ago?) in Vientiane was the concept of a national capital that still had unpaved streets in the centre of the city. I found that charming, and even more so the fact that there was practically no traffic on the streets, neither cars nor motorbikes. I fear that all of that has changed by now, but if I go to Luang Prabang, I will also take the new Chinese train to Vientiane, and then? Maybe I'll take the bus to Bangkok, maybe I'll fly.
In the old days, going by boat to Luang Prabang was considered to be foolishly dangerous because the boats often hit logs and sank. Of course, this increased the appeal to backpackers.
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