rhkkmk, Read your thread and it sounds like you're off to a great start. Who would've thought that Korean Air beats out Singapore!

I'm sorry that I don't have time to write up Bali right now....we're packing up to head up north for the season.

Quick summary w/o details: Seminyak area was disappointing except for the fabulous Legian resort..(loved La Lucciola, Sarong just OK) Putu took us to Tanah Lot on way to Komaneka at Bisma...hotel lovely but I didn't "connect" with it. Dinners at Terazo, Nomad (best value) & Ari's Warung...all great. Disliked Lotus Cafe and the show. Dance show at the Palace was great. LOVED the white river rafting with Sobek. Toured with Putu two days...favorite was Lake Bratan temple. Overpriced lunch at Four Seasons to see it...not worth it.

Can't wait to hear about your experiences in Bali!

Barefoot - thank you again for your wonderful report. We are off to Sapa tomorrow and have about 9 days left here in Vietnam. You sure weren't kidding when you said "SE Asia...It's so Hot!" We've never experienced anything like it. Glad we have plenty of time here so that our daily naps don't interfere with seeing the sites. I look forward to your Bali section.

dgunbug,
Thanks! Those naps are essential....never do that at home so couldn't understand the need! Just learned to accept that our normal sight seeing schedule couldn't apply there.

Be sure to share your Sa Pa experiences. I reluctantly cut that from our itinerary so that we'd have a little more time at other places, so I hope that it's not that great : - ) !!!
Seriously, I hope you enjoy it immensely. I loved the purses and silk pillow cases from there that I bought at Craft link in Hanoi.

One additional observation about Vietnam. It was so disconcerting to see so many women wearing masks while driving or riding motorcycles. In Hanoi, we thought it was from the traffic fumes....but then we actually saw more wearing them in Hue and Hoi-An which has much less traffic. I finally asked someone and they said it was for sun protection. That dovetails with the comment we overheard in the Peninsula pool in Bangkok. One little girl about 7 or 8 was lamenting to her mother that she was going to get "dark" and never be light again, after being in the pool. Guess as much as we want to get tan, they prefer being light. Maybe we'll meet in the middle.

thanks... will look for more when you have time... we have putu today and tomorrow...

bob

Bob,
forgot another great restaurant experience in Ubud....Three Monkeys...great food and outdoor dining overlooking a small rice paddy. Hope you had a good time with Putu.
Laura

The Bali section of the report is covered in a new thread "Bali: Saved the Best for Last"

The previous one was getting long and I felt that Bali really fit in a different category.

Hi...A bit of housekeeping. I posted these photos that accompany this trip report separately, but I thought I should include them at the end of the report for future reference. If you're interested in seeing the photos for a specific area, just click on the following links:


Bangkok:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=BAjaD

Koh Lanta & Phi Phi Leh:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=Nhfje

Siem Reap:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=hFbZo

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=68Mht

Hue & Hoi An:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=J4qtk

Mekong Delta & Ho Chi Minh City:
http://barefootbeach.smugmug.com/pho...AlbumKey=rt97Y

Thanks for putting them with your trip report. I'll say it again... nice pics!

Barefoor....enjoyed your report. We will be in Vietnam next April 4-19....hope I'll be prepared for the heat. Curious...did you see many people walking with umbrellas to shield them from the heat? I'm thinking about doing this. Also, would I be more comfortable in a sun dress than in shorts? Thanks for posting.

Thanks simsonc510 for the comment.

floridagal2,
Yes, we did see a lot of locals walking with the umbrellas...we just wore hats always. But, you might need an umbrella for rain, esp. for Hanoi, so you can use it both ways. Many locals also wore masks for sun protection, esp. while riding their motorcycles. I think that would be so hot!
I was much cooler in a loose sundress (esp one where you don't need a bra) than in shorts. And, lightweight linen (wrinkles be damned!) was most comfortable.

Thanks for your quick reply. I think an umbrella might be good to keep shade my whole body....don't care what other think of how it might look. Even though we live in Florida, I still don't handle heat well. This trip should be interesting. One more question....were you able to wear sandals, or is a closed shoe better for the terrain?

Thanks again.

<<<Many locals also wore masks for sun protection>>>

For sun protection? Not for pollution?

Hey, what kind of sundress do you have that you can wear without a bra?????

floridagal2,

During the day I either wore Keen Newport H2 sandals that had nylon webbing and a rubber toe covering...it worked well for climbing ruins to prevent stubbed toes. And, they were great for kayaking since they could get wet...and to clean off the dust & dirt, just threw them in the shower. When I was in the cities, I wore Merrell Circuit MJ Breeze shoes....maryjane style with mesh uppers so very cool (you could also wash these).....and at night, I wore Naot's Cheer leather sandals with a heel....all were extremely comfortable for walking and I thought the Naot's were dressy enough for a dress or skirt.

sf7307, I thought they were for pollution too, until I asked our guide. And, I saw so many in Hoi An where pollution didn't seem to be a problem. But, I'm sure they serve double duty. I like sundresses that either have a built in type bra, or are constructed so they hold you in enough without having to wear one. The sundress I got in Siem Reap actually had a seam across the top of the bodice with thick enough cotton that you couldn't tell you were just hanging out there!

Thanks....sounds as if I have what I need. Now I just need to think "cool" thoughts for the next 7 months.

floridagal, I only have to "think cool" for 6 months!