My Southeast Asia tour continued today with a visit to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. I was surprised at how green the city was with many trees and parks. We drove past Truc Bach Lake where U.S. Presidential candidate John McCain crashed his plane during the Vietnam War. I knew that McCain’s plane had been shot down during the war but …
Today I got a real taste of Vietnamese culture in an active day of touring. We started by visiting a farmers market in the town of Hoi An. The streets were bustling with activity as we strolled down the streets of the market. We saw the locals bartering to take home the freshest produce for their families. Our group of …
Climbing in tunnels used by the Viet Cong was part of a day reflecting on the Vietnam War for me. The Chu Chi tunnels were navigated by North Vietnamese fighters to outsmart U.S. troops. These tunnels, which stretched for 120 miles near the South Vietnam capital of Saigon, showed me how the Viet Cong could defeat the better equipped U.S. …
On day two of my Southeast Asia trip I visited the Mekong River near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Life on the river is quite different than what the average American like me experiences. To the left is a picture of an open market on the river with merchants selling their goods on floating stores. On the banks of the …
I am now settled in my hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a long day of flying on May 19th – my birthday! I left Denver at 9 am, connected through LAX where I boarded a Korean Air flight to Seoul, South Korea. This flight was a long one, made easier by the excellent service of Korean Air. …
I consider myself a “glass half full” type of person, generally looking at the bright side of life. But my positive attitude was challenged on a recent trip to New York. My wife Anne and I had just come back from a wonderful 7 night Canada/New England cruise. We were scheduled to fly home on a late October Saturday afternoon. …
Is Disney World just a place for kids to enjoy? Last week I attended a travel agent conference at this top tourist destination. Sure there were lots of families in attendance appreciating the Disney characters, a variety of rides, shows, restaurants, and more. On this trip, however, I was reminded how a visit to Disney World can be inspirational too. …
When participating in a guided group meditation session I am often encouraged to picture a peaceful scene in my mind. The one that always comes to me is shown at the right – a beautiful, remote beach on the island of Tabuaeran in the South Pacific – 900 miles from Hawaii. My wife and I visited this Island on a …
Last week I was in Las Vegas for a travel conference at the same time the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was being held. And the town was overrun with cowboys. I saw cowboys in the casinos, in the buffets, in the shows, everywhere! On this particular trip I noticed how attached these men were to their cowboy hats. I never …