As Seen by TV

I will keep the commentary short this time around, said most of what I needed to about Brunei in my last post.  Pictured above the official seal as seen on the gates to the Sultan’s Palace, while below you see the magnificent Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque.

We had rented a car and drove around… from the Sultan’s palace (couldn’t really get a good view), legislative buildings, beautiful mosques, beaches and parks.  Brunei spares no expense!

Just a quick note about the image of the house on stilts… it is a very rare site, as Brunei is pristine!

Night photos comin’ in the next post…………

Seems strange sitting here months after the fact reminiscing about my trip to ‘nam.  Especially considering my trips to Hangzhou, Suzhou and just getting back from 2 weeks in Thailand (more pics to look forward to!!).  But back to the subject… Vietnam was everything I could have hoped for and so much more.  Happy smiling people, amazing food, beautiful scenery… shit, words can’t really explain the sights, sounds and delicious aromas that can onl be experience first hand.  And make sure you do.

Took the last full day in Vietnam just cruising around the city… over the river, past markets, fields, palaces and temples.  Also had to give our farewell to Uncle Ho, well his empty tomb at least.  We even drove through these tiny back alleyways… which got a little tricky when you hit oncoming motorbike traffic… yup, just look at those small street pics and imagine head-on around-the-corner-lurking traffic!

Then, when the sun went down, we saw some proper traffic (check out that last pic!).   Ah, Vietnam… I miss you already.

GOOD NIGHT VIETNAM.  Trust me, I will be back.

After buying a very nice copy of Lonely Planet Vietnam (for $3), we headed straight to the
Reunification Palace (called ‘Independence Palace’ during the American occupation and as ‘Norodom Palace’ during the French), which is said to have remained largely untouched since the PAVN tank bulldozed the gates outside on April 30, 1975, marking the very end of the American/Vietnam war. I don’t know how truthful that statement is, but the interior decorating does scream 1960′s!

Completed in 1873, the French built the palace after their successful colonial conquest of Cochinchina, with building materials mostly imported from France. It served as the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the American war, and was even under Japanese control for several months at the end of World War II after defeating the French in a successful coup. It was then bombed in 1962 by two rebel Southern Vietnamese Air Force pilots and destroyed. President Diệm ordered it rebuilt, but was arrested and assassinated after yet another coup d’état in 1963. A couple more coups later (both failed and successful), the palace was inaugurated in 1966 by Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (who’s name should ring a bell!).
(If you aren’t familiar with Vietnamese history (and this sort of thing interests you), check out some history books, as I did prior to my visit, and although I am somewhat of a history nut already, Vietnam has a very interesting and colorful heritage full of upheaval… worth checking out).

The basement had an interesting layout of old military command centers and bomb shelters, as well as a massive kitchen and shooting range… among other things. If you get the chance to visit, make sure to watch the hilariously propagandist and not-at-all biased films as you exit.

Foiling Schemes of Mara

I mixed some pleasure with business and hit up Wuxi last week, a “town” (population 4.5 million) a 2hr drive north-west from Shanghai (map here).
Visited the Ling Shan Buddhist Scenic Spot, which includes Nanchan Temple, “5 Signet’s” Temple, the 88m Grand Buddha (8th tallest in the world), and the impressive [¥ 2billion] Brahma Palace, which you may only enter if you wear shoe covers.