Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport: passing through. Decent airport, but inconvenient for lounge users: I wanted to try the Capital One lounge but it’s too far and I’ve to go outside – then going through the security check again.
… the airport with 60,000 passenger daily has replied to my brief review: is it by AI or a human? By the way, JFK is not top five busiest airport in the nation – it’s the 6th!
Their guacamole is wonderful, so is the clam chowder.
The open lounge is very pleasant and calm for the many hours we’re here. Perhaps they’re the only lounge that has no time limit, as of now.
The agents are very helpful at front desk. UA app can get you in if you forget your credit card.
Unlike Amex’s Centurion lounge – 3 hour rule, this lounge is lenient in terms when you can check in – our flight is 9 hours away. Last time with Centurion in Buenos Aires, although it was transfer and does NOT fall under the 3-hour rule but the manager there insisted their 3-hr rule.
Bathroom stalls, at time, could use some cleaning. No shower.
The wine glasses can use some improvement – I know I’m asking a lot -:)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport / Korean Airline is the first airport that made me to check my carryon, that would set off a troublesome chain reaction in Saigon‘s SGN.
How did I leave Saigon, or about to leave.
It’s the first time ever that an airline made us to check in our carryons: over weight by 2kg. One of it has a charger, which will cause problem soon.
Customs. The agent asked for my eVisa, on exit the country. I always throw away unnecessary items, including used papers. As something unusual this time, I’ve both eVisas inside my passport. Before handing him my passport, I took the two folded papers out. Only when he asked me, I thought to myself, good heaven that we kept them, this time. So I handed him both. He looked at them and returned the first one to me. … SO I’d think if I threw away my eVisa, the likelihood is, pay more to exit.
After clearing the customs, I walked pass the booth, toward the security check. A woman was directing traffic, right after the customs. Some go left and some go right. She mentioned me to go right. But I waited for my spoons to clear the customs. When she saw me standing there, she barked in language I don’t understand. But after I pointed to my spouse, she was ok with it.
Then my spouse ISN’T ok.
The same agent demanded his eVisa and of course he doesn’t have it. So he was pulled. Of course he was sweating … after nearly ten minutes, little Irene suddenly thought, oh, maybe he needed his eVisa and that piece of paper the agent returned to me, was his eVisa or exit visa – thinking Casablanca.
For that short period of time, I did feel unease. We could see each other, separated by the bank of customs booths. I was inside and he was out…
We finally reunited, to go through the security check. He was cleared. And me, NOT. The problem? My checked in luggage has a problem, and they chase me down or find me.
Someone led me out of the security check point. Being told where to stand or what to do with sign language (or I call it) isn’t too fun. Seeing the green uniform, I told myself, this is no joke. So, when a stocky agent in the green uniform, used his finger to make a circle motion, and I went it. Soon a Korean Air agent came to collect me. The stocky asked for my passport – nice of him, so I don’t have to clear it again.
KA girl: you’ve battery in your suitcase.
Me: “no, I don’t.” Thinking all electronics, which is my iPhone is WITH me. She said a bit more, I chose not to answer. Then she led me to a tiny shallow room: it isn’t a body check place or torture chamber -:). I took a pix of it. A man jumped out and barked something, I’m sure it’s NO PHOTO. I put up my two arms as surrender. He said no more, and took no action. I kept the photo. I went into the tiny room. A worker pulled up my carryon, (wondering how did they know so precisely …). “Battery” or I think he said battery. Without saying a word, I pulled out the charger …
It’s all easy peacy for the security check. Although they did make me to take off my shoes, scarf …
Reunited with my spoons again.
…
By now, I’m pretty spent, have no desire to go to a lounge. I just wanted to wait by the gate and leave. As I was waiting, I remembered the hotel or our tour manager insisted to pack me a breakfast bag. AND when I looked into the bag, I see a bottle of water! This is the only airport that let me to bring a bottle of water, unknowingly, because the hotel packed the bag.
Today, arriving at Terminal B: Two things stand out: the global entry – we’re the only one or the first two, didn’t have to stop, just walked (especially sweet after what I’ve been through at Saigon airport); and luggage cart is free: JFK charges for using their cart – at least till a few years ago – my last time there. Bathroom could use a little more cleaning.
The tunnels at Củ Chi (Địa đạo Củ Chi) are a complex underground network. It was used by the Viet Cong. One of their operations was the Tết Offensive in 1968.
It had everything, from kitchens to bedrooms to hospitals. It also had happy rooms where 6,000+ babies were made and born.
We left hotel at 8am, spent two plus hours on site. The traffic is heavy both ways, two plus hours to and from the site, getting back to the hotel at 2:30pm. We could have returned a little early but some mates enjoyed the shooting of AK47, we all waited.
The site is shaded, part of the paths are slightly uneven.
The first exhibit is a bobbie trap: 11% of Americans, about 7,000 were killed by the bobbie traps during the war.
A park range demonstrates how to get into a tunnel. (Our tour manager took out his wallet and tipped him, and urged us to do so too. Our groups are mostly Americans and a few Canadians. I wonder if he would do so with a European or Chinese group?)
A tunnel rat – me following it, getting into the tunnel …
… more tunnels
By the shooting range (yes, it’s AK47), there is a rice paper making hut.
… the day trip
战壕入口
下面的地道错综复杂
几十年战争的生存空间
有医院 有厨房… 还有happy room where 6k babies were born 开心洞 六千娃出生
Clean. Efficient. Polite and gentle young staff. And they take credit cards / contactless. I went in for my French but ended up getting a 30 minutes foot massage as well. The young lady who did my nail, painted the tips differently. They provide a small bottle of water.
A small square to honor the monk who burned himself: Thích Quảng Đức (chữ Hán: 釋廣德 (1897 – 11 June 1963). He was protesting Diem’s persecution of Buddhists – Ngô Đình Diệm was a Roman Catholic.
A beautiful building in Saigon but too many tourists, and way too many social medial personalities, like everywhere in SE Asia.
“Why so many girls or young couples dressing up?”
“…they’ll post it on Facebook and social media…”
Across the street, is their Notre Dame but is under renovation, as well.
Next to it (northwest) is the lovely Book Street, and the yellow building locates at 22 Gia Long Street, that is southeast of the post office, was where the last American helicopter left.
