Our man in Asia, Part 3

Southeast Asia Don has been able to extract some time from his tour to give us an update on his current adventures.

After Hanoi, there was an overnight cruise on a junk boat through the other-worldly landscape of Halong Bay. Peppered with hundreds of islands, the earth seems to rise suddenly from the water. Dramatic, but I’m not sure I needed an overnight experience, except to witness the sunset on the landscape and I guess the sunrise – which I missed because I slept through it. There were about as many tourist boats as there were islands, but they kept their distance from one another.

On our return to Hanoi, we were plunged into more tours (and temples) before boarding an overnight train to Hue. The 14-hour overnight train ride tested everyone’s patience since it was the second night in a row that we didn’t have access to our  luggage (we were only allowed an overnight bag) as well as no access to a shower. The ladies were grateful at least that there was an option to squat toilets on the train.  But everyone had to share four-person sleeping/berth compartments. It was unpleasant, but everyone made the best of it.

It was especially hard, since on arrival in the morning, we were immediately expected to tour more temples and other historic sites. The most important one was the Imperial Palace of this once-capital of Vietnam (before the French arrived). It is a vast complex that was heavily damaged during the “American War,” but is now being  slowly restored.  

After Hue, it was on to Hoi An. This is a former trading center town that now centers on being a beach town. The old section of the town, called the Ancient City, is where all the merchants of various nationalities clustered next to the river that carried their goods in and out throughout Southeast Asia and beyond. 

Now, it’s repurposed as a tourist center with lots of “boutique” hotels, restaurants, tailor shops and T-shirt shops in the renovated shops. The most interesting part was looking at the architecture of the various buildings to see the influences of the original builders. Chinese over there; some Portugese here; British in another location; Japanese somewhere else — all within a maze of twisting and turning narrow streets.  The rest of the town is a classic beach town. You could be fooled into thinking you’d been plopped down in any spot in the Carribean. The same drinks, same lounge chairs and umbrellas, same hawkers selling shell jewelry and other trinkets . . . Well, you get the idea.  

Just not the same

London, England I usually work a visit to Covent Garden into my London plans. It’s consistently entertaining and full of things that sparkle and catch the eye.

I always start by seeing what’s new at the Transport Museum. Several years ago they started merchandising the patterns from old tube seat fabrics, which were distinguished by underground line. There were multitudes of pillows, sofas, tote bags and socks. I did invest in a collection of the socks, which wore quite nicely.

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Our man in Asia, Part 2

Southeast Asia Don is currently in Singapore, but had some time to catch us up on his travels:

My last missive had some issues with matching my remarks with the appropriate photos. It doesn’t matter. You get the idea. Plus, my photos are scanty. I find it difficult to juggle photo-taking with trying to pay attention to the guide. They say that travel is not creative. You only need to be attentive. So, attentive I am. Being attentive to me means not being quick on the trigger with a camera. Plus, it seems I can never get a decent photo without being part of someone else’s selfie. I wish I could collect a penny for every selfie taken.  

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An embarrassment of riches

London, England If ever there was a person who should have had a yard sale, Sir John Soane might be at the top of the list.

Sir John was a visionary Regency architect whose house has been a national museum since the early 19th century. Preserved just as Soane left it in 1837, the Museum showcases his extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, casts, artifacts, books, and models from around the world.

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Art is everywhere

London, England It’s been a few days of this and that. Yesterday I spent some time working on a group of photos from Don. We’ve finally got it down to a system of how he transmits them and labels them. I’ve finally figured out how and where to download them for future access. Don’t ask.

Then, thanks to a very well-equipped kitchen in my rental flat, I was able to have June and Alan come for dinner last evening. (And a big thanks to the Marks & Spencer Food Hall around the corner.) 

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