Pictures and Android tablet

Planned to post more but haven't been able to load pictures to the blog easily using Droid tablet. Trying to figure out one that let's me load directly from the camera SD card inserted into tablet but nothing's worked so far.

Anyway trip is going well. Once I get the picture loading figured out will back post the pictures to existing entries and new ones that are posted before method is figured out.

First night...

Exiting the HCM airport involved going through customs, getting my checked bag, finding my ride and getting to the hotel.

Customs was incredibly easy.  No wait, all the booths had an agent in them even at 9:30 PM. I went to an open window  and handed over my passport with visa inside. The agent opened it up, made an exclamation when he found the visa as if he wasn't expecting it, stamped the visa, handed everything back to me and waved me through. At that point I said "cảm ơn" the agent looked surprised, grined a bit and waved at me.

It took a while for my checked bag to come down the carousel. But it came through just fine. Collected the bag and exited the bagging area. Exiting was a new experience. In addition to comparing the bag claim check to the tag on the bag both the bag and carryon went through Xray to get out of the airport.

From there it was time to find my cô giáo for a ride to the hotel. I snapped a picture of her when we met.

traditional clothes called áo dài

Airport to hotel was a short taxi ride. Even at 10:00 or 10:30 at night the amount of two wheeled traffic was incredible. I'll be attempting to document it so I can post a picture or video that conveys the complexity and volume. For now I'll say I've never seen anything like it before, ever.

After checkin another short taxt ride to get a meal. Again cô giáo gets me there and we share some phở.

While eating one of the innumberable motorcycles pulls over with a huge bundle on the back. In the dark I can't see clearly and ask if the bundle is coconuts. Nope, turns out its durian! It's one of the fruits I've been looking forward to try fresh here in Vietnam. I bought one and the vendor opened it for me. Incredible the work needed to open this thing up. I'm amazed anyone ever found out there's anything edible inside given the work it takes to open it.

My first thought about the flavor is nothing special. The texture is quite unexpected though. Unlike any fruit I've ever had. Rather than some sort of fiber like in oranges, apples, etc. or soft but cohevsive flesh like a banana or some mellons the flesh is almost like pudding. After dinner it's back to the hotel with plenty of left over durian to put in the fridge.

Next morning I find that there's some of that pungent smell durian is famous for coming from the fridge. And I taste some for breakfast. Wow, much better than when it was first opened. There is now a sweetness to the flavor and a sweet aftertaste. Can't describe the flavor though except to say it is not citris and it is good.

The flights out

I'd have to say my concern about being stuck in a small seat for an interminable amount of time is only 1/3 true. The flight from JFK to Narita, Japan on a Boeing 777 was quite comfortable. The 777 seat is quite comfortable as economy airplane seats go. Or perhaps it is roomier because the aircraft is used for such long duration flights. Total flight time to Japan was about 14 hours.  The seat reclines and there is a foot rest on the seat in front so I can change my foot positoin with ease. And I'm pretty sure the seat is wider than the standard economy seat on domestic flights. So it doesn't feel so cramped.

The 777 has all seats, even economy, outfitted with an entertaiment system that includes a video display in the back of the seat in front. Movies do cost but music and some videos are free. Also there is a live travel map with several different views showing progress of the flight. It is just the type of thing that really draws my attention (shows live realtime information about something relevant to me).

The 2nd leg was a 767. Perhaps because of the length of the first flight, perhaps because of the seat or maybe the combination, the seat was much more uncomfortable. Certainly there was much less leg room. So for the second leg I fidgeted uncomfortably quite a bit.

Both flights were operated by ANA though the booking was with United. The service on board is very good and the stewardesses have been readily available with assistance. Additional water, a pen when needed (mine's packed away in the checked bag) rapid meal service, etc. were all quickly and cheerilly provided.

The meal choices on the 777 were "J-Menu BENTO" and "Western Choice". No idea what would be served with J-Menu but that's what I asked for. After eating and later spending time exploring the various features on the in seat electroinics I figured out the J-Menu. It is deep-fried sablefish with thick seafood and soy sauce. And it was quite good. Compared to the sad sandwiches I've gotten on even the longest domestic flights in recent years this was gourmet quality.

So far it seems my jet lag avoidance plan may have a chance to succeed. I stayed up late and woke early two days before the flight and the day before. I planned to arrive at the airport tired and sleep for a while on the first leg of the trip out. Then stay away for the remainder of the trip to HCM. Hopefully I arrive there beginning to feel tired and will be able to sleep when I get to the hotel at about 10:30 PM local time which would be 11:30 AM my time.

I was very tired in the terminal and able to fall asleep once I boarded the plane. I got about 4 hours sleep. For someone who sleeps 5 to 7 hours most nights that's a pretty good chunk. It's now 11:35 PM my time, 10:35 AM HCM time and I don't know what local time is here over the Bearing Sea or North Pacific and west of the International Date Line. I don't feel any more tired than I normally would during mid day.

Earlier in the flight I read my dad's book "A Saigon Diary" and was able to get all the way through without nodding off. That tells me I'm pretty alert. Usually reading and travel knock me out. Dad's book is no page turner so it would put me out even after coffee. Just a few more hours to Tokyo Narita Airport, a few hours wait for my next flight and then about 6 more hours to Saigon. A pretty easy 6,000 mile jaunt.

Different behaviors

Reflecting on my flights I have to describe some noteworthy experiences at Narita and HCM airports.

When the plane landed in Narita there was the usual announcement over the pa about keeping seat belts buckled until the sign was off. We taxied for several minutes and finally pulled up to the terminal. The plane stoped and finally the fasten seat belt sign was turned off. Once the sign was off the sound of seat belts unbuckling was almost a chorous. It was then I realized I hadn't heard any unbuckling to that point!

Departing Narita included an equally unusual experience. Once the plane was pushed back from the gate and turned perpendicular to it to begin taxiing away the ground crew stood in a line and waved at the departing plane. One fellow was a bit late to the line and I saw him drop what he was doing and run over to join his colleagues and wave us off.

These experiences added weight to my preconception of Japanese orderliness.

The experience on landing in HCM was quite different! Once the plane touched down again there was the expected announcement about staying seated. Not long after that and before the plane had turned off the runway I heard seat belts being unbuckled.

Once we had turned onto the taxiway more belts were unbuckled and people got up, opened overhead compartments and started pulling carryon items down! At this point the stewardess came into the asile and asked everyone to sit down now and buckle up. Everyone complied although several people took their time about it and finished rummaging through the overhead before returning to their seats.

Once we had stopped at the gate and before the seat belt sign was turned off seat belts were again unbuckled and people were up and emptying the overheads. I'd have to say the Vietnamese are a bit unrully compared to the Japanese.

The adventure begins

Waiting to leave JFK. Got here early so I didn't worry about rushing through the airport. Waiting 2 1/2 hours for my departure. Right off the bat the flight is delayed 15 minutes. Hope that doesn't change!

Saw somethig I never expected in an airport, power went out briefly at all the shops in the concourse that I could see. The lights bliked out, came back on and blinked again then finally went out for several second at some shops and is still out at others 15 minutes later.

The general lighting in the hallways and at the gates hasn't been affected though. And the food shops only flickered they didn't go dark like the news stand.

Shop lights came back on after about an hour. Just in time for me to board.

...and away I go.

Time to go...

After collecting stuff in a bag for months, slowly accumulating the cache of Vietnam travel stuff, food (no, I'm kidding), medicine, clothes, toiletries, documents (can't get in without a visa) it finally came time to put it all in a suitcase.

My plan has been to pack light for the two week trip. Into the bags went a few gifts for people there, a camera to record the trip, a tablet to blog it, toiletries, way too much medicine and, of course, some clothes.

I would have been able to get everything into one carry-on but I have some gift items that are liquid/paste and over 3 oz. so a checked bag is necessary (no it's not alcohol!). If it weren't for the over 3 oz. items I'd be taking a two week trip to Vietnam with only a carry-on!

Not bad packing light for a two week trip, eh?

Time to say goodbye

Held a small party Sunday to celebrate my pending trip. A bunch of friends came over for burgers, chips & dips, beans, corn, watermellon, beer and dessert. Seems like I was the only one who really liked the jalapeno stuffed olives. And I forgot to serve the potato salad!

Rain didn't come and we were able to be inside and outside for the party. Kids played on the lawn and seemed to have a great time.

Everyone wished me well. Mary said "don't bring anyone back", Jessa said "let him be himself and do whatever happens" (thanks Jessa) and Kevin wants to know what it would take to bring back a good nanny for Regina.

Mom said it was a good party, my friends are nice I should enjoy my trip. Thanks mom.

Nice way to get sent off.