Spent first 2 nights of my Vietnam vacation at Flamingo Las Vegas
Nov 6th, 2006, 07:52 PM
#1
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Spent first 2 nights of my Vietnam vacation at Flamingo Las Vegas
Got picked up at 5:20AM (had two hours of sleep) by the Supershuttle to go to LAX. Made it there with plenty of time. During the ride, I realized that I left my neck pouch, for my passport, at home. Long story short: my passport slipped out of my pocket while waiting for my delayed flight from LAX to SFO. Missed my flight and then the one after was delayed enough by weather that I couldn't catch the SFO-HKG-SGN flight that showed on-time.
Got a FF ticket to Vegas and a comp room at the Flamingo. Saturday night I rolled them bones for about 45 minutes straight, so it was a good stop. Flew from LAS to SFO to HKG to SGN and got here last night. Was able to get the upgrade from SFO to SGN.
Saigon Sheraton is excellent. Great buffet breakfast. Saigontourist in lobby. Am headed to Hanoi this afternoon. Will be on the Dragon's Pearl for the 2D1N tour starting on the 11th, Saturday. Then back to HCMC on the 12th. Out of here on the 14th.
So my 9 full-day trip turned into 7 days when 11 would have been much better. But I survived the flights very well.
Got a FF ticket to Vegas and a comp room at the Flamingo. Saturday night I rolled them bones for about 45 minutes straight, so it was a good stop. Flew from LAS to SFO to HKG to SGN and got here last night. Was able to get the upgrade from SFO to SGN.
Saigon Sheraton is excellent. Great buffet breakfast. Saigontourist in lobby. Am headed to Hanoi this afternoon. Will be on the Dragon's Pearl for the 2D1N tour starting on the 11th, Saturday. Then back to HCMC on the 12th. Out of here on the 14th.
So my 9 full-day trip turned into 7 days when 11 would have been much better. But I survived the flights very well.
Nov 6th, 2006, 08:01 PM
#2
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wow....wouldn't know whether to be happy or p ode.
45 minutes....why can't I have shooters like you when i play. Hope you bought all the inside and outside.
Thanks for the report, hope the rest of the trip is better for you
Aloha!
45 minutes....why can't I have shooters like you when i play. Hope you bought all the inside and outside.
Thanks for the report, hope the rest of the trip is better for you
Aloha!
Nov 6th, 2006, 09:20 PM
#3
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thanks, ht, it is getting better.
checkin for the VN Airlines flight was very easy, the security check took about 15 seconds, maybe less. Airfare (one-way) purchased this morning was $90 coach (or maybe $95) and $135 for business class. So I got the biz class. Nice lounge with drinks and food (e.g. barbecued pork chop with rice that you reheat in a microwave, not fancy but it hit the spot). Free internet, too, so here I am.
I was definitely p o'd with myself on Friday, but I got over it. Thought about cancelling the trip and was looking for flights to Japan that had upgrades available but there were none. Also looked online (while still at LAX) for upgradeable flights to Zurich and LHR. Good thing there weren't any available because I am packed for VN and I would not have been prepared for the climate in Europe. Just wasn't thinking straight.
checkin for the VN Airlines flight was very easy, the security check took about 15 seconds, maybe less. Airfare (one-way) purchased this morning was $90 coach (or maybe $95) and $135 for business class. So I got the biz class. Nice lounge with drinks and food (e.g. barbecued pork chop with rice that you reheat in a microwave, not fancy but it hit the spot). Free internet, too, so here I am.
I was definitely p o'd with myself on Friday, but I got over it. Thought about cancelling the trip and was looking for flights to Japan that had upgrades available but there were none. Also looked online (while still at LAX) for upgradeable flights to Zurich and LHR. Good thing there weren't any available because I am packed for VN and I would not have been prepared for the climate in Europe. Just wasn't thinking straight.
Nov 7th, 2006, 05:38 AM
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mrw, choi oi. lol. your trip seems like a script from a national lampoon vacation movie.
unbelievable, miss your flt, a hot roll(prob. paid for your trip), then a free upgrade to saigon. you gotta be livin right.
hope the tables are still hot on thurs.
unbelievable, miss your flt, a hot roll(prob. paid for your trip), then a free upgrade to saigon. you gotta be livin right.
hope the tables are still hot on thurs.
Nov 7th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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Happens to all of us. Going Long Island to Baltimore last week to see sick aunt...left drivers license in other pocketbook. Had to drive to NYC (in the traffic) and back to get license. Instead of going at 11:00am went at 4:00pm and had to stay an extra day in Baltimore. What can you do!!
Nov 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM
#7
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So far, this trip is about flying and food. Decent food on the UA flight over. Fruit basket at the Sheraton Saigon including the little bananas, big grapes, and what I later learned was a dragon fruite. Food at the VN Biz Class lounge at SGN and a pretty decent meal on the VN Airlines flight to Hanoi. The upgrade was definitely worth it for the separate checkin, the lounge, and the seating was like international biz class. Very very comfy and modern on a 777-200.
Checked into Hilton Hanoi Opera, whisked up to the exec floor. This is a great value for using HHonors points. In the room were what looked like two cold red peppers. But I bit into one, tasty fruit which I learned this morning is persimmon.
Went over to Handspan last night and booked the Dragon's Pearl for Saturday. Then went to Cha Ca street to the Cha Ca La Vong restaurant and had their namesake dish (cha ca). Then back to the hotel and I happened to make it for the last 15 minutes of the evening happy hour where they had a variety of snacks laid out. Breakfast in the lounge this morning.
The locals are friendly.
Checked into Hilton Hanoi Opera, whisked up to the exec floor. This is a great value for using HHonors points. In the room were what looked like two cold red peppers. But I bit into one, tasty fruit which I learned this morning is persimmon.
Went over to Handspan last night and booked the Dragon's Pearl for Saturday. Then went to Cha Ca street to the Cha Ca La Vong restaurant and had their namesake dish (cha ca). Then back to the hotel and I happened to make it for the last 15 minutes of the evening happy hour where they had a variety of snacks laid out. Breakfast in the lounge this morning.
The locals are friendly.
Nov 7th, 2006, 05:16 PM
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aloha....
when you go on the dragons pearl, if a water taxi arrives with a couple of less than reputable fellows get off with a satchel of black pearls....
buy a strand or two....they are real and our maui pearl dealer said they were of excellent quality. makamae loves hers
and if i had known they were actually
good ones, i would have purchased more.
dragons pearl is great, same food for each meal, tho...
have a great time
when you go on the dragons pearl, if a water taxi arrives with a couple of less than reputable fellows get off with a satchel of black pearls....
buy a strand or two....they are real and our maui pearl dealer said they were of excellent quality. makamae loves hers
and if i had known they were actually
good ones, i would have purchased more.
dragons pearl is great, same food for each meal, tho...
have a great time
Nov 7th, 2006, 06:20 PM
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I am grinning ear to ear while reading this.
Best laid plans of mice and men often go...well, maybe to Vietnam by way of the Flamingo.
Glad you got over it and are enjoying the trip now.
Some guys have all the luck.
Best laid plans of mice and men often go...well, maybe to Vietnam by way of the Flamingo.
Glad you got over it and are enjoying the trip now.
Some guys have all the luck.
Nov 8th, 2006, 03:17 AM
#11
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I think Í'm falling in love with Vietnam. Hanoi is certainly an interesting city. I have read and heard it said that it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I will just say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Lots of trees, thankfully, including some awesome banyan trees.
I followed a walking tour starting at the pagoda on the lake and weaving a way through the old town. I obviously amused a few people, being the big guy that I am. Stopped at a place called Bun Bo Nam Bo and had their namesake dish (bun bo). Rice noodles with some kind of meat and some greens with that brown sauce. A buddy of mine joked by asking why I went all the way to VN, I could have just gone to Westminster, CA (near to Seal Beach, it has an area called little Saigon and lots of Vietnamese restaurants, which is where I (sorta) learned that the brown sauce is pulverized and fermented langostinos or something wacky like that). The bun bo was delicious, and I am happy that I tried several VN dishes in Westminster before this trip. To get acquire a taste for the brown sauce and to appreciate the blend of flavors.
On my ride into the city yesterday I saw a motorbike with a wire basket on the back. A box cage, basically, and it was stuffed with dead dogs.
On that ride I fully expected to eventually see a couple of fatalities or critical injuries by the side of the road. But no, somehow all those crazy beeping motorbikes, trucks, bicycles, and taxis miraculously missed each other again and again. So I was inspired to actually try to cross the street today. Only contact I had with a moving vehicle was when a bicycle clipped my heel. I was moving a bit too slowly. Moving slowly because of a severe pain in my right knee (didn't bother me half the time, only every other step). But I still walked for 4 or 5 hours.
Saw the Hoa Lo prison and Quan Su pagoda. Both were good visits but I got terribly lost on the way to QS. At the prison there was a photo with 5 men in it, two Vietnamese and three westerners. The caption said that the photo was of the traitor puppet prime minister Thieu meeting with a US DOD official. Funny they should mention the photo and not the two other westerners: Richard Nixon and Henry K.
I will keep an eye out for the black pearls. My sister would love them.
water puppets tonite
I followed a walking tour starting at the pagoda on the lake and weaving a way through the old town. I obviously amused a few people, being the big guy that I am. Stopped at a place called Bun Bo Nam Bo and had their namesake dish (bun bo). Rice noodles with some kind of meat and some greens with that brown sauce. A buddy of mine joked by asking why I went all the way to VN, I could have just gone to Westminster, CA (near to Seal Beach, it has an area called little Saigon and lots of Vietnamese restaurants, which is where I (sorta) learned that the brown sauce is pulverized and fermented langostinos or something wacky like that). The bun bo was delicious, and I am happy that I tried several VN dishes in Westminster before this trip. To get acquire a taste for the brown sauce and to appreciate the blend of flavors.
On my ride into the city yesterday I saw a motorbike with a wire basket on the back. A box cage, basically, and it was stuffed with dead dogs.
On that ride I fully expected to eventually see a couple of fatalities or critical injuries by the side of the road. But no, somehow all those crazy beeping motorbikes, trucks, bicycles, and taxis miraculously missed each other again and again. So I was inspired to actually try to cross the street today. Only contact I had with a moving vehicle was when a bicycle clipped my heel. I was moving a bit too slowly. Moving slowly because of a severe pain in my right knee (didn't bother me half the time, only every other step). But I still walked for 4 or 5 hours.
Saw the Hoa Lo prison and Quan Su pagoda. Both were good visits but I got terribly lost on the way to QS. At the prison there was a photo with 5 men in it, two Vietnamese and three westerners. The caption said that the photo was of the traitor puppet prime minister Thieu meeting with a US DOD official. Funny they should mention the photo and not the two other westerners: Richard Nixon and Henry K.
I will keep an eye out for the black pearls. My sister would love them.
water puppets tonite
Nov 8th, 2006, 07:36 PM
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Glad to hear you made it to Hanoi and that you are enjoying it. Fascinating city. If you get a chance to eat at the original "Little Hnaoi" restaurant in the old quarter (not the sandwich shop near the lake by the same name) do so!
Nov 9th, 2006, 04:20 AM
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Looking forward to your review of the Water Puppets. Some have said "very boring, too long". Would it be impolite to leave after first hour? I'm trying to find out if my 7 and 10 year old grandkids would like it.
Nov 9th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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What a fabulous story!
The planet Mercury is retrograde until November 18. (Please wipe those smirks off your faces.) This astrological event is said to portend travel delays and communication breakdowns. In an attempt to avoid the typical traffic jams, missed connections, etc. that characterize a retrograde Mercury, many people in the "astrological know" often avoid long-distance travel whenever possible at these times. Mercury goes retrograde 4 times a year.
It sounds, however, as Traveler mrwunrfl unknowingly handled the characteristic snags of Mercury Retrograde with genuine aplomb. Clap! Clap! Cheer! Bravo! Whistle!
Well done, well done, nobel son. Mama Ladyhawk is proud of you.
The planet Mercury is retrograde until November 18. (Please wipe those smirks off your faces.) This astrological event is said to portend travel delays and communication breakdowns. In an attempt to avoid the typical traffic jams, missed connections, etc. that characterize a retrograde Mercury, many people in the "astrological know" often avoid long-distance travel whenever possible at these times. Mercury goes retrograde 4 times a year.
It sounds, however, as Traveler mrwunrfl unknowingly handled the characteristic snags of Mercury Retrograde with genuine aplomb. Clap! Clap! Cheer! Bravo! Whistle!
Well done, well done, nobel son. Mama Ladyhawk is proud of you.
Nov 9th, 2006, 04:10 PM
#16
Original Poster
The water puppet show was well worth the 40,000 VND ticket price (about $2.50). Actually, the one hour performance was enjoyable. I think that your grandkids would enjoy it Elainee, and you will too. It would be difficult to leave during the performance and it would be disruptive, so you won't be doing that, but it is only one hour. There are 7 or so musicians and 9 puppetteers. No it wasn't boring and some people enjoyed it quite a bit. Not too long either.
The trip from hotel to the theater in a taxi was 12000 VND. On the return I walked south and then east thru a park to a big square north of the Sofitel Metropole (this walk was in the direction of my hotel). I flagged down a tiny taxi, not one of the Hanoi Taxi or Taxi CP cars, but something else. Meter started at 3500 (versus 11,000 normally) and quickly jumped up (by a couple thousand at a time) so that by the time we reached the hotel it was 19,500. I gave the driver 10,000 (too much, probably) and when he protested I called over the doorman. At that point the driver accepted the fare. I had read about rigged meters, but this was the first. There is a third company that is reputable but I don't remember the name.
Ok, so it was retrograde Mercury's fault, not mine? I feel better now, lol!
The trip from hotel to the theater in a taxi was 12000 VND. On the return I walked south and then east thru a park to a big square north of the Sofitel Metropole (this walk was in the direction of my hotel). I flagged down a tiny taxi, not one of the Hanoi Taxi or Taxi CP cars, but something else. Meter started at 3500 (versus 11,000 normally) and quickly jumped up (by a couple thousand at a time) so that by the time we reached the hotel it was 19,500. I gave the driver 10,000 (too much, probably) and when he protested I called over the doorman. At that point the driver accepted the fare. I had read about rigged meters, but this was the first. There is a third company that is reputable but I don't remember the name.
Ok, so it was retrograde Mercury's fault, not mine? I feel better now, lol!
Nov 10th, 2006, 03:57 AM
#17
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Glad you found the puppets interesting. I wanted to go but was put off by the negative comments I read. Seems to be something special for Vietnam and it would be a shame to miss it. We will be careful re taxis.
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