The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City is an interesting outing. It is operated by the Vietnamese Government and was first opened September 1975 under the name Exhibition House for US and Puppet Crimes. Puppet of course refers to government of South Vietnam, who were our war hosts in tropical unparadise. Saigon fell April 1975 so just like any nation ravished from war, they opened a museum 4 months later. History shows that apparently this is a North V...

At this moment I am sitting along the Saigon River at DEAR friends' house. They have rolled out the red carpet. We feel cradled like babies and must admit we need the lovin as are a bit beat up from the road and the China pollution poisoning. We just got back from the local salon where 12 people united to peel the China off of us with facials, shampoo and head massage, blow dry, color where needed, manis and pedis. The total bill for the 5 of us to be primpe...

This city is coastal so the pollution does not hang like in the others. It is a great blend of old traditional architecture and super modern chic buildings. The food specialty is dumplings and dim sum. Teahouses with amazing handmade bundles that reanimate into a full flowers when soaked in hot water are sprinkled through the town. In our travels as tourists I would say 2-3 out of 10 service people speak English. There are many tourists here from other ...

5Am. I feel so poisoned right now. My sinuses are trying like hell to purge the unnamed multitude of invaders. My lungs and throat burn. My eyes are gooey. My skin has aged years in a week. My head hurts. I just pieced together by threading some clues that the water made available in the last 2 hotels were bottled locally and are highly suspect. Years of buying organic and slaving over meals to keep my family healthy have been undone here. I spent an ...

We tried to leave the China air but could not deal with the ticket change due to the time difference until midday and had to make an early morning call. The Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from 1346 to 476 overnight- from hazardous to unhealthy. We cancelled all outdoor activities but suited up with masks and hats to do the terra-cotta warriors. Our research showed it is mostly inside with just quick walks between buildings so felt we should go for it. ...