Finally the truth is out... and here is the proof... I'm a multi-millionaire and my Dong reaches up to my chin.

Actually this is the story of my Mum's trip to Thailand and Vietnam.

I took her to some interesting places - first stop Lumpini Park to meet some local characters...

This bugger lashed me with his tail and scarred my arm - it was like being whipped with an electrical cord!  There were a bunch of Thai onlookers laughing themselves silly when it attacked me.

Sometimes photographs are all about timing... or maybe it was sending me a message.

My Mum and I had some trips to some cool Bangkok eateries - Sunday brunch at Crepes and Co...

Coffee at Agalico...

My Mum loved this place.

And there is an interesting garden.

We had a trip to JJ Market and saw this guy doing the tea juggling...

 

On Sunday night I took her to see Tom Jones in concert - great surprise for her - and a FANTASTIC concert.  Even better, was the next day we went to the airport for Vietnam - and look who we bumped into...

Then onto Hanoi...

Romance for some...

By the Hoan Kiem Lake - looks better at night than the daytime!

We went on to Halong Bay... on the bus I caught this guy driving his wife to market...

At Halong pier - very misty and poor visibility...

At Halong Bay - still misty and poor visibility!

At Hang Sung Sot cave...

We slept on the boat... and next morning - still misty and low visibility!  I was very frustrated trying to get ANY good shots!  It was cold and wet and miserable (It was like being back in Manchester!)

 

We went back to Hanoi (to get my visa from the Thai embassy)... and I took some 'people pictures'... Much more difficult than in Thailand - lots of people are very shy about having their pic taken - NOT like Thais!  I used a long lens and cropped later...

She was OK - a little amused...

These two made me laugh...

This guy REALLY didn't want a lapdance in the middle of the city!

Women seem to do most of the work around Hanoi...

This girl is making a traditional Vietnamese drum...

On the last night we went to the Water Puppet show... The puppets are controlled from behind a bamboo curtain at the back.  They can dance and leap - the water adds an interesting dimension to the performance.

 

So... What was my overall impression?  I found Vietnam interesting, but I was VERY pleased to come back to Thailand.  I feel lucky that my first SE Asian country was Thailand.  I have visited Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia and Singapore, but none of them made me feel as welcome as Thailand.

The weather was pretty crappy.  The traffic was ******* outrageously bad and driving skills were non-existent.  The Vietnamese were not as friendly as Thais, and during the entire week there, I don't remember seeing any really attractive girls - whereas in Thailand I can look out of my window and see 3 or 4 in the street anytime of the day.

No-one speaks English - even the taxi drivers.  Hotel staff are OK, but for day to day living Vietnamese is absolutely essential.

I thought the Vietnamese food was more delicious than Thai food - more subtle flavours.  Prices were cheaper over there, but not by much.  There is a HUGE potential for business over there - I could make a LOT of money - but I really don't want to live there.

Next time I write something negative about Thailand - feel free to say - "It could be worse - you could live in Vietnam!"

 

lol, great journal.

Makes me miss my mom

Great shots. Your mum was so lucky to meet Tom Jones at the airport. What a lovely surprise, and that photo will be a great memento.

Some great pic there Dave......Tom Jones is still looking good at 101

Great shots all together! But the tea-juggling guy is A++!

good journal

what good journal. Great journal! That pig on a bike is priceless. Your mom looks lovely.

EB's got big dong. Truth be told.

Some awesome pics there EB, i especially like the second panorama with the morning mist and calm water. I remember when i could wake up early and take nice photos

But i would have followed that pig a little more for some extra shots... pig on a bike... only in asia, cool

The pig on the bike was a really difficult shot... I was on a bus going to Halong Bay. I heard some people laughing and pointing out of the front of the bus. We were rapidly overtaking the pig-bike and my camera was in my bag! I grabbed the bag and ran down the bus, taking out my camera, jumped on the back seat and took about 15 shots through a dirty window as we drove away! Only a couple were usable.

Halong Bay........... here i come........soon!

like panorama view of Halong Pier.. , would be good to see it in colors... and cool (young) mum.. :-D

Nice journal Dave and kewl pictures.

Great photos !!! I miss my mom too...

Thumbs up EB.

á¨èÃ.... like your description on picture of dead (?) poor pig in the back as it's kinda funny though sad for the poor pig.

cool journal and some great pics Dave ... nice one !!!

great photos EB

Tom Jones rocks!!!

LOL

I'm planning on going to ho chi minh and hanoi later this year. might have to get some tips off ya.

I'm sure all female TF members were hoping more from your jnl title!

Great journal Dave and some excellent shots. I really like Vietnam and Halong Bay is one of my favs. Chaotic yes but still a sense of freshness.

Your mum was lucky with Tom at the airport.

Great Journal EB, Hang Sung Sot cave pic was reallly good.

Well documented matey.

great pics ! Tom Jones wow thats cool !

The Tom Jones episode was fantastic...

We were at the airport. My Mum stopped to check out some duty free for a few minutes and we joined the electric walkways... I was about 10 metres ahead of her.

I turned back to check her progress and saw this group about 3 feet behind me. I did a double-take and checked - it was definitely Tom Jones (But I think if I hadn't been to the concert the night before, he wouldn't have registered).

I seized the chance and leapt in with something cool like, "Whoa Tom! I was at your gig last night... it was fantastic! I bought my Mum tickets for her birthday. Hold on... Mum! Mum... MUM!!! Quick c'mere! Tom, this is my Mum... Mum, this is Tom."

All the time we're gliding along the walkway, I'm scrambling for my camera and Tom's being a class act with my Mum - a little chat and a hug. No problem for photos... On his way to Hong Kong... Chit chat, wished us well, called my Mum, 'Love' and away he went...

I was laughing about it for hours. Just the sheer randomness of being on the same walkway at the same time. Lovely guy and a great sport.

nice pictures

great!!! for you& your mom, your pix, your journal, your story and your...what's else???

great pics!