The scenic path on the eastern side / Atlantic Ocean of Miami Beach, stretches from South Pointe Park northward for 7 miles to the Surfside border. It’s good for pedestrians, pets, bikers alike.
We walk on this path often but it’s the first time I biked: rode 8+ miles, from the Kempton hotel to 4925 Collins Avenue and back to our hotel. It’s great!
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 second day starts with the rickshaw ride on the busy streets of Saigon, during the morning rush hour, because the forecast indicates rain later on, which it did.
I don’t really think of it much because it was one of my childhood means of transportation in Beijing.
It’s interesting, we get to see different part of Saigon
This floating market 水上市场/漂市, or more like village, spreads out along the eastern bank of Mekong River in Long Xuyen.
Long Xuyen (龙川; formally called Thủ Đông Xuyên) is the capital of An Giang province 安江省, in the Mekong Delta region of south-western Vietnam. The backdrop is newly built or in the process of building, low rise apartment buildings.
Ships need eyes -:)
Many boats look a like, which were built with the durable mahogany woods that they paint it with tar at the end of each year. Many of them live on their boat year around. Their children go to school on land, ferry to shore by small boat. People are very friendly.
The guide lives 40 miles (65 km) from here, who showed us some boats where he purchased, we also get to visit one of the boathome.
We also visited a boat, the owner has a 12 years old daughter who’s at school. The owner treated us to juicy watermelon. Our only question is, what do we do with the seeds and rind.
“It’s organic, throw into the water.” Buffalo said.
The guide served us coconuts and pineapple on the boat. He cut off a small piece to use as spoon, to scrape off the white flesh, which is very yummy.
After the market, we continued on the Mekong, passing by a Catholic Church Giáo Xứ Mỹ Thạnh/My Thanh, (Google Maps). Mỹ Thạnh is a commune (xã) / village of Long Xuyen: population 26,100 (2019); and the culvert bridge (涵洞桥?), a little over a mile down south.
Victoria Mekong Cruises Joint Venture Company Limited, is a partnership between Vietnam-based hospitality managers Thien Minh Group and Wendy Wu Tours, since 2019. Their headquarter is perhaps in Can Tho, or at least they’ve a substantial resort there.
After lunch @ Stung Saen, we drove straight to the port, passing through Damrei Choan Khla → Kampong Siem – Krala →Ampil (bathroom break)→Kampong Cham – Boeng Kok→Veal Vong, where the ship is anchored.
On this sail, from Kampong Cham near Siem Reap in Cambodia, to Can Though in Vietnam, has two group of tours: ours and one from Europe. The capacity of our ship is 60 passengers.
From the design of the cabin to service from the crew, is very good. It has one restaurant – Claypot, serving Asian and Western cuisines: both are good.
After each excursion, two members would be by the door, with cold towels and different drinks. During the movie, they even sneak in to provide drinks and popcorns.
… some meals
… some port of calls are just patch of dirt.
The cocktail competition on Dec 9: our small group of three women won, thanks to Karyn who made an excellent Sea Breeze -:)
A neat, clean and efficient airport. Bathroom has a kiddy sink.
We landed at 10:54am and out of the building by 11:07, after the customs and exchange money, for the ride to the hotel. It does seem our plane is the only one at the time.
Everywhere I looked, I see China: it was built by a Chinese company (Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd., under a 55-year build–operate–transfer agreement), opened Oct 2023. 25 miles to town, “takes about an hour” the driver said. Did I hear a little resignation – the old airport was closer … The two way traffic road looks brand new.
We used app Grab for the ride, and a car is immediately ready for us, according to the app. However, one man met us right outside, who has multiple phones, said, our car is coming from outside of the airport, “less expensive.” A suv did come quickly and a second man took two phones from the first man. Our driver is a young man whose command of English is better than little Irene. He has a relaxed manner; saying he forgot the phone, and u turn back to the airport, handed two phones to a man.
To town, 120k riels (about $30) in car and 60 riels on tuk.
On our way into town, prime minister’s entourage passed by us.
This lounge is by Gate #247 on the 4th floor at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport, in South Korea. It hosts Priority Pass, Diners Club (still exist?), Plaza Premium Lounge, etc. It’s average, calm on a Friday evening.