My new friend Eddie Murphy and I just spent the last four hours cruising the streets of Nha Trang looking for trouble. Eddie Murphy is one adventurous son of a bitch. I only hope that in this entry I can capture a fraction of the strange world he showed me.
Desperate Whores and 35 Hours of Travel
Met some new friends last night. Three Spanish girls and one Irish. We drank too much. Good times.
Land of Garbage
Yesterday I waded into the knee-deep waters rushing through the city streets of Hue. I was awaiting the arrival of my bus to Hoi An and marveling at the river that formed on the city streets because of the night’s rain. And as I sat there gawking at the torrent, I became a bit depressed. The capacity of the Vietnamese to destroy their own environment is limitless. Frankly, it’s not just them. The whole region is guilty.
The DMZ
I spent all day yesterday lying around reading my book and all night sipping a few brews with some fellow travelers. But this morning I got up for a motorcycle tour of Hue. Despite my “tourist fatigue” I really enjoyed this trip. (“tourist fatigue” is caused by too much time taking pictures, looking at architecture, eyeing big golden Buddhas, etc.)
Hue: The Final Stretch
This morning my night train arrived in Hue, Vietnam from Hanoi as I head down the coast to Saigon for my last seven days on my vacation. I’m wracking my brain for any stone I’ve left unturned or animal I’ve left uneaten so I can finish this mission. With only one week and several small cities between here and my departure from Saigon, I may finish out this trek with a bit of beach time.
Protected: Pictures from Cambodian Meal (Same Password)
Hanoi
I touched down into the muggy heat that I’ve come to expect from every city in this region. From the airport, Hanoi looks just like Saigon. But within the city, its a world of difference.
Restaurant Management
I’m staying at the bakery guest house at the city center of Luang Prabang, Laos. This is my last stop in this lovely country as I’m jumping a plane to Hanoi in a few hours. The last couple of nights I’ve become quite friendly with the owner, Nao, as we’ve swapped stories of old loves and future plans. Today she woke me up early and took me to her villa in the countryside. We sat under the shade of a banana tree and listened to the Mekong gurgle past. Then she gave me a job offer.
Why a Man With an AK-47 Was On My Bus
I just arrived in Luang Prabang (colonially beautiful!) from an nine-hour bus ride from Phonsavan. Laos is a strange and beautiful land. And obviously a bit dangerous. In fact, there was a man holding an AK-47 on the bus. Why? Let me explain.
Do Not Step Off the Path
Editor’s note: when we last left our hero he was bemoaning a possible one-week stay in a remote and isolated part of a seriously backwards nation. Stomach cramps were on the liminal edge of his senses and a trip to Laos’ famous Plain of Jars was on the horizon. Let’s pick up with our brave adventurer at the end of the next day.