Typically, I don’t write much about the cities I travel to.  I’ve done a few: Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and decided to say a few words about Saigon. I was there during Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese New Year. True to form, I had no idea this celebration was taking place until I arrived.

Saigon is upscale, clean and quite modern.  This time, I did not have the gaul to try much of the street food.  What’s different about this SE Asia city is that panhandlers can be quite aggressive in urging visitor to try out or buy whatever they are pedaling.  I had several people follow me for many blocks repeating the same offer over and over.  They seem to be harmless, but certainly annoying.  I’m not much for planning what I am going to see or going on guided tours.

Anybody been there and care to give their impression?

Here are some pictures from my 48 hours there.

opera house

opera house. open twice per month.

town hall. no visitors.

some dude

Occasionally, if I find some interesting sites, I will post some photos or write about the locations I visit.  The locations are the OBW (oh, by the way) of Planereality.  Where I go is determined by which airlines I am interested in checking out and what the fares look like.  Rarely do I stay in a city for more than 3 nights.  Trip planning starts with airline tickets and I work backwards from there.  Anyway, below are some pictures from Taipei.  I stayed at the Riviera Hotel, which I found to have outstanding service, all the amenities and in a central location, all at a very reasonable price.

I stand out like a sore thumb in most foreign countries.  I scream “American” with my running shoes and blue jeans, but people in Taipei did not even give me a thought versus some places where folks do a second and third take; which is fine.  I don’t try to stand out or try to hard to fit in…I am what I am

Ching-Fu Temple

The Grand Hotel

Quingguong Night Market

Quingguong Night Market

city street

flying above military police headquarters

Thanks for coming by!

Although tickets are free, visitors must obtain a ticket for the Skybridge Tour. I waited in line 1 hour for a ticket and another 15 minutes for my tour to start. It is well organized and worth the wait.

I know. Planereality is all about airlines, but I could not resist posting a few pics from Dubai:

clock at rotary (round about)

currency exchange
Burj Dubai-will be the tallest building in the world (when complete)
Martha?
Sbux shout out for T!
delicious lunch

skyline
who said there’s no booze in Dubai?

love when a hotel has this channel

outside hotel

cricket

U.A.E. Idol?

no clue…

Uh, Al Ras Corniche

told ya it was all about airlines