Just returned last Saturday night from Siem Reap, Cambodia, home of Angkor Wat, the seventh wonder of the world. We stayed two nights at the Raffle's Grand Hotel d'Angkor, the best hotel in Siem Reap, but they're building some five star hotels that should be completed before the year is out. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
We started our trip on February 7, at 12:05 AM, to catch our Singapore flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong for a three night stay at the Harbor Plaza Hong Kong located on the east side of Kowloon. On the first day, some of us did the optional Flower Market Tour and dinner. The market was packed like sardines full of people; buying flowers for Chinese New Years. Small orange trees seems to be their favorite. On the following day, we were treated to a half day tour of Hong Kong which included the usual tours to Aberdeen (sanpan cruise), Stanley Market (shopping), Victoria Peak, a walk in Wan Chai (world of Suzy Wong), Statue Park, and a ride on the underground and Star Ferry. We were dropped off after the tour close by the Peninsula Hotel, and I went on my own across the street to the art museum to see if I could go see the Impressionist paintings, but the line was too long with the people on holiday for the new years. Those of us that chose to attend the Chinese New Year Night Parade met in the hotel lobby at 6PM, and we were bussed to Hong Kong Island. There were participants in the parade from Thailand, Japan, China, and the US (marching band from the U of Nevada). It was very colorful, and they even had a Disney float because they're building a Disneyland on Lantau Island to be completed by September 2005. Our group had second and third row seats near one corner - so we were able to see each performance twice! To celebrate Chinese New Years, I joined one couple from California, two young men from New York City, our guide's friend from Mexico City, and our guide to the pub district in Central. I barely made it back to my bed that night!
No hangover.
On the following day, we went on an optional tour to the New Territories to visit the Yuen Yuen Institute, a religion that combines Taoism, Buddhism, and Confusionism. I burnt incense for my immediate family based on the Chinese horoscope. We visited a small village where they were having a special celebration by writing wishes on paper strung to an orange, and we throw it on tree branches. Mine caught on the second try. Some people threw it so often, their oranges were all crushed on the ground.
We also visited one of the oldest, walled in city in the New Territory before we made our way back to Kowloon. I asked to be dropped off near the Peninsula Hotel, so I could do some walking. That evening, we went on the optional Victoria Harbor cruise/dinner to see the fireworks. It was just beautiful; there's no other city in the world that can accomplish what they did with their landscape and fireworks in the bay. Many buildings had colorful lights with Christmas and New Year's designs.
The next morning was early for us; we were provided with wake up calls at 6:45 AM to catch our flight to Singapore. ugh!
It's only a three hour flight from Hong Kong to Singapore. We stayed at the Marina Mandarin Hotel for one night, and my friends I met on a England, Scotland and Ireland Tour back in 1998 picked me up a little after 6PM for a driving/walking tour of Chinatown, and supper at their beautful home. They live next door to the American Ambassador - in a gated home. Their son, an architect is now married, and expecting their first baby in June. Their son and his wife joined us for dinner. I met the son and daughter (now in Bali on business) on the tour in 1998. Their daughter graduated from university in London a few years later. John is a physician, and Yvonne is a manager for a company in Singapore. We had to wake up at 3:45 AM for our 8:00 AM flight to Hanoi. double ugh!
Hanoi was hot! The temp stood at 100 degrees with 90% humidity. The first day in Hanoi was a quick bus tour before our arrival at the Sofitel Metropole where we stayed for a total of three nights. Some of us went to Bobby Chinn's (one of the most famous in Hanoi) for dinner, and I had the filet steak that was so tender it could be cut with a butter knife. Delicious too! Cooked just right; medium-rare. Consumed with a couple glass of red wine. yummy...
On the following day, we were on our way to Halong for a one night stay to see the mountains and caves in the bay. It reminded me of Quilin in China - with those uniquely shaped mountains. The cave in Halong was the largest I have ever visited. We had to climb 150 steps to reach it, but it was worth the climb. Took a whole lot of photos.
We returned to Hanoi for two more nights, and learned new things about Vietnam. Most of the Vietnamese people do not know about the Vietnam war, because the majority in their population is under 40 years of age. Hanoi is a very American-friendly and safe city. The food is first rate (and nothing like what most of us think as Vietnamese food); and at reasonable cost! Hoan Kiem Lake is the geographical and spiritual center of Hanoi, located but a few blocks from the Sofitel Metropole. Bike ricksha or taxi is really economical to use, at about US$1 to $2 for most destinations. The traffic is nightmarish for most Americans; all forms of vehicles, bikes, and scooters use the wrong side of the road on a regular basis. What is most surprising is that accidents we were told are few. Picture this: you're in a bike-ricksha, and a car is coming straight at you or a scooter zips right in front of you! yikes!
For dinner, some of us went to the Wild Rice restaurant by taxi for dinner. Food and drinks were delicious and at reasonable cost.
We were provided with a full-day tour of Hanoi which included a visit to a temple. A group of us went to the Opera restaurant next door to the hotel for dinner, and enjoyed the prefix menu that included soup, salad, spring rolls, duck, shrimp, vegies, noodles, dessert and coffee/tea. It was just too much food! In our small room was another party of eight that included Bob Woodward. Yeah, Bob Woodward. We had a guy in our group that works for ABC News in New York City, and I egged him on to introduce himself to Mr Woodward, but he said you're not supposed to disturb others during meals or in the WC. shucks! Had my camera too!
We flew down to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (pronounced Shaigon) the next morning for a three night stay at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, and was provided with a half-day city tour after our arrival. A small group of us made reservations for dinner at the Mandarin Restaurant, because it was recommended by several in our tour group. Well, it's probably the best restaurant in Vietnam! The staff met us before we arrived at the restaurant door, and directed us to our table. The food and service at this establishment is all first rate - all at reasonable cost! I had the salad and abalone for my entree. D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S Two in our group had ice cream (I was one of the two), and it was housed in ice with flowers inbedded inside with hot ice on the bottom that 'steamed' as we ate the ice cream. We must've had about six waiters/waitresses serving us all during the meal for a party of six. The abalone you ask? It was heavenly.
Our tour on the following day was to the Mekong Delta where we cruised to Coconut Island, and rode dugout boats in the canals to visit a place where they served fresh tropical fruits with tea/coffee/soft drinks and a place where they make coconut candy and honey.
TO BE CONTINUED AT A LATER DATE.
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