Neil Hannan's 2016 Vietnam Trip: April 16 1500 Vietnam Time Saigon

Well, we've relocated to a hotel in Saigon near the river, which is the last stop before home. It has been a fairly hot 98-99F of late with dripping humidity. But, the hotel room is nice and cool, as will be the temps at home. Traveling has resulted in my being behind on blog entries. Sorry.

After climbing LZ East four days ago, we stopped to visit Duong before setting forth for Da Nang. The day before, in Hoi An, I bought a 25" flat-screen TV to present to my 196th Light Infantry Brigade comrade. With no legs, being able to watch news and such makes life more tolerable. Let's go back two years. On February 26, 2014, I transferred funds to my former Vietnam "facilitator" for the purpose of securing a TV for Duong. A generous "travel/expense contribution" for the facilitator was included. On last year's trip, to my dismay, Duong advised that the TV had only worked for a few months and was no longer operative. Checking the unit, I was shocked to see how huge, heavy, and antiquated it was. I had been told, though, that it was a new unit. Anyway, now I have Thong and Khanh, both good and trusted friends, to help with efforts in Vietnam. The flat-screen TV just purchased is NEW with a two-year warranty. I have recorded Thong as the purchaser, which is a benefit if warranty service is required. Cost was $111 US.

OK, now I'll back up a bit. With advance notice of our arrival, Duong was patiently waiting at the road in his wheelchair. The cement path that we had built is immensely useful to him. He was smiling and looked good in the his new 196th Light Infantry t-shirt, which you may recall was produced and provided by another 196th veteran, Gary Bonar. I immediately presented Duong with a gift of bottled tea, quite a treat for him. His eyes really lit up, though, when the new TV was gifted. This new unit, unlike the stone-age one purchased in 2014, is very light and embodies the latest technology. After making it to the house, we managed to figure out how to make required connections. Great quality.
Thong will address any questions that Duong may have and will also handle any warranty service.

Further discussion involved a well for Duong, which seems to be a logical project. He currently has a hose running a great distance from a neighbor's house with water availability/quality being hit or miss. I had questions, though. Where would the well be drilled? The proposed location is between his house and the one next door. I confirmed that the water would be used strictly for Duong and not by others in the area. This was emphasized several times and Duong understands. Also, the pump must have a pressure switch, as Duong cannot get around to turn the pump on and off. Further, I want the well drilled in the summer, when the water table is lowest....June/July. Thong will take the funds to Duong and insure that the project is completed properly. More on this as plans materialize. Thank goodness for friends like Thong! He is, after all, the #1 Damn Guide in all of Vietnam.

After goodbye hugs for Duong, we headed for Da Nang, where we had no hotel secured. But, it took just a short time to land a four-star (unusual for me) at a very cheap price just one block from Thong's house....free upgrade to a 14th floor suite even. Amazing river view. Dinner was at a little sidewalk eatery...very tasty.

This has already been mentioned, but the following day we visited Marble Mountain with Thong's motorbikes. The carvings are just magnificent....jaw-dropping. Rarely do I purchase items to take home, but the desire for a Buddha statue couldn't be ignored. This is the traditional Buddha, which is found at the alters, not the the large-bellied, or "happy", Buddha. So, I'm now the proud owner of my very own Marble Mountain Buddha statue.

OK, now to hit the streets and see what's going on. I've thrown in a couple photos from the boat trip back from My Son holy land and a few more from the LZ East climb.

Neil