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  • A Travel Tale From Danang, Vietnam

    Heartless Bastards Some Malaysians Are.

    Another Vietnamese story or travel tale to tell. I was traveling between Danang and An Hoi, Vietnam when our crazy (reckless) and impulsive van driver stopped suddenly at a very remote and isolated beach. I went down the beach and there were a row of empty beach chairs. I sat down on one and a man soon appeared out of nowhere to claim rental.

    Paid him and continued to relax with the sounds of waves and the South China Sea breeze massaging my face. Not long later, I spotted a hunchback old lady inching her way towards me from far. It can’t be good, my instincts told me. The old lady reached me, exhausted and almost breathless.

    She had a bag and she sells souvenirs. She pulled out a RM 20 note to show me. My van driver translated for her. A Malaysian customer previously bought stuff from her and gave her the RM 20 note. Being an uneducated villager, she didn’t know that Malaysian currency was not accepted at money changers at that time. Poor lady took a long bus journey to Saigon to be told she can’t exchange that. She didn’t know any black market dealer, of course.

    In my mind, I was thinking what a heartless bastard who gave her the note knowing full well that it will be impossible to change in a small town. Every tourist changed to USD before arriving. .

    I asked the driver how she got to know I am a Malaysian? Word got around in the village grapevine, it seemed. Is like one in a million chance a Malaysian will land here since it is off the beaten track and unknown, Fate had demanded that I redeem the name of the country. I gave her USD 50 and she told me it was too much. I said it was for her trouble and bus fare to Saigon.

    I stayed at a hotel similar to Emily Hotel near the beach in Danang, You can find this and many Danang beach hotels, Vietnam by searching at http://www.mycen.my/hotel/

    My Khe beach pic from Emily Hotel and Agoda
    My Khe beach pic from Emily Hotel and Agoda

    Pic of My Khe beach from Emily Hotel at Agoda. I was a fan of Dana Delaney and China Beach series but never knew I will one day be at My Khe Beach where the Vietnam War TV series was based on and (partly) filmed.

    Also Da Nang and Hoi An

  • Heritage Hotels In The Old Quarter Of Hanoi, Vietnam

    Since the recent post on meeting the girl in Saigon is well liked, I want to share another story of a Vietnamese encounter but this time up in the capital city of Hanoi. I was wearing a pair of exercise shorts, standing outside a bank in Hanoi. Opposite was the Hoan Kiem Lake park where many old people played chess and performed tai chi. It was a touristy area and a guy selling guide maps soon approached me.

    Without warning, he told me “Ptui! Sure Lose!”

    Me: I beg your pardon?

    Man:You are not from Malaysia?

    Me: Yes and thanks for the very warm welcome.

    Man:You are not from the football team playing in the match on Sunday?

    There was some Asian soccer inter nation tournament going on and Malaysia was to play Vietnam. It hurt me that outsiders think our national team sucks too. Maybe it was psychological pre-game warfare.

    There are many heritage hotels and French colonial hotels in Hanoi, I stayed at a very old hotel too but naturally cannot remember the name. One very famous heritage hotel near where I was standing is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel (pic from Agoda shown). The area with the fabulous and charming colonial day French architecture is known as the Old Quarter.

    Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel
    Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

    Other heritage hotels in or near the Old Quarter area:
    Hanoi L’Heritage Hotel,
    Maison D’Hanoi Boutique Hotel,
    Hotel De L’Opera Hanoi,
    Golden Silk Boutique Hotel,
    Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel,
    Anise Hotel,
    Maison D’ Orient Hotel,
    Mercure Hanoi La Gare,

    Map:

  • The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Chiang Mai in Thailand is a popular Malaysian tourist hangout. The cooler Northern city ia a popular with tourists from all over. It even has “winter” during November to February but no snow. When I was young, I keep hearing about pretty girls from Chiang Mai  and people would bring back colourful handicraft umbrellas as souvenirs.

    Now that I am an adult, I have a pretty friend on social media from that city. Gajeab Ketsala (@gaa_jeab on IG) is not only a homegrown beauty but happens to work at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel,  a Chiang Mai hotel popular with Malaysians and Singaporeans. It is at downtown and is a conveniently located hotel. According to Gajeab, it is near the night bazaar and there are many halal restaurants in the area.

    Book  a room at The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
    The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Book a room at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel at a low rate

    Picture of hotel from Agoda and Gajaeb visiting Bangkok in inset.

    Address: 53 Sridonchai Road Chang Klan District, Amphur Muang, Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50100.

    Map / Peta: