Hoi An to Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam, March 25 2006

After my experience at 'Marble Mountain' I am feeling very mellow. Bonsoon takes me to Da Nang, which is the city very near the DMZ ; the boarder that separated North from South Vietnam. Now this is a thriving place.


I noticed the old and the new here. Beautiful new buildings going up everywhere and old trucks from the Seventies right next to modern vehicles on new paved roads.

I don't know what this tower is but it reflects what I'm seeing everywhere in Vietnam. This is an up and coming Country with a lot of talented people doing the building.
My guide takes me for a spin around the city for half an hour while we wait for my Tour bus to arrive. Now this is a site I keep trying to capture on film for you to see. These four people are trying to balance a large white chest on the back of that motorcycle. I see amazing things loaded on the bikes for transport in heavy traffic. Earlier today I actually saw a man transporting a large piece of plate glass on his bike. He was balancing it in his knees, sideways so that he was looking through it like you would look through a window. If he slips, he cuts himself to ribbons. I also have seen people carrying ten foot poles on their motor bikes. They look like jousters. I don't even like to think about it.
There is the old right beside the new here. This guy is pulling his large cart like a rickshaw. A minute after I took this photo, the man with the motorbike put this guy on the back and he pulled his cart by the handles, at twenty kilometres an hour, on the bike. I don't know how he kept from falling off backwards. Bonsoon sees me cringing and saying things to myself as we pass these scenes and he just gives me a whimsical smile and keeps driving.
The good news about Vietnam is that they use an English alphabet. I still don't know what these billboards say most of the time, but at least I can read the letters.

Time's up. I'm at my destination. I give Bonsoon twice the amount of money I promised him in our agreement, and we shake hands in fond farewell. When I travel I feel very safe most of the time because I seem to always meet someone to take me on the next step of my journey and to watch my back. And you were that for me Bonsoon. 'Coum on' and all the best to your family.

Paradise In Waterloo

I have been struggling to write a screenplay of my life and adventures in Thailand. My dear friend Kitty from Cape Cod suggested that when she wants to clear her head and get the creative juices flowing, she goes walking in nature. I just wanted you to know I'm following your example Kitty. I run in the morning and here's what I see.

There is a beautiful winding path between the houses. It's very quiet. The scent of the trees and the lush vegetation is invigorating.

I weave my way around wild flowers growing beside the path.

this is the trillium, which is the Provincial flower of Ontario. I see them growing all around me here.

The neighbors take great pride in their yards, growing tulips around their trees. I find the colors are incredible this time of year.

My Mom has a beautiful front garden where she has daffodils blooming right now. This doesn't do it justice though. I'll give you a proper view of it soon.

I pass this sign every day when I run. Paradise really is right on the end of my street. Thanks Kitty! for your suggestion. And thank you to the many people who write with encouragement as I share my journey with you. Khop khun krup!

Sign Of The Thais

I love reading signs. They tell you so much about the culture. Here are a few I saw in Thailand that made me smile.

I saw this one a lot. The caption over the little guy's head is: "Clean food Good Taste". In Thailand they don't have the same food inspection standards as we do in Canada. So you can imagine that telling us that their food not only tastes good but is 'clean' could be a selling point.

This sign really sums up the beauty of the Thai philosophy. You are not in the right place here; you ARE the right place.

I found this sign everywhere. When I would tell the store owner that it was supposed to read: 'Overseas' she would just smile and ask what country I wanted to call.

I stayed in a Hotel in Chiang Mai that has this notice on the wall of each bathroom in all 28 rooms. The owners had it proofread by a Dutchman who spoke English as his second language.

I enjoyed this sign at a Bangkok Hotel because of the enticement. No mosquito is safe tonight!

Now this sign is very enthusiastic but didn't Pizza places already win that battle?

This sign hangs in front of an office in Phuket. I never found out what the doctor does, but it sounds painful. I'm glad he has that room available just in case.

This is my favorite sign of all the ones I saw in Thailand.

Here's a close up of the sign.

They really understand the idea of having a good time in that wonderful country. Thank you Dodee's Thailand for capturing this photo. I only saw it for a fleeting moment while riding on the Sky Train in Bangkok.