On The Road Now

April 5, 2019April 8, 2019

Not to worry… We’re still here

John and Melanie enjoy a typical Vietnamese meal in Danang (photo courtesy Michael Caven/Tran Restaurants)

DANANG, VIETNAM – Rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

Melanie and I have lately had a few queries along the lines of…

“Are you guys OK? You haven’t written anything new on your blog for more than a month!”

Or…

“Are you two still living in Vietnam? We haven’t heard from you in a while.”

The answer to both of those questions is a resounding “Yes!”

We’re fine. We still live in Vietnam. Our daily life goes on as usual, with interesting experiences almost every time we step out of our apartment.

It’s just that…

Continue reading “Not to worry… We’re still here”

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019

You named your store what? Another quirky biz name

Another curious example from our growing collection of quirky business names

DANANG, VIETNAM – Here’s another one of the curious business names we’ve run across in our travels outside the U.S.

We’ve seen a lot of business names that make us stop and wonder, “What were they thinking?”

Sometimes the odd names are the result of faulty online translation engines.

Other times they come from an effort to sound “Western” and hip…

Or a grandiose way to blow your own horn.

And sometimes they’re just odd.

Take a look at the shop pictured above…

“C+ mini Mart”

If you were going to assign your own grade, wouldn’t you give yourself an “A”?

Maybe even an “A+” if you were feeling really good about your efforts.

I certainly would!

But a “C+”?

That’s all they could muster?

Top of the class or not, at least it’s above average.

January 28, 2019October 15, 2020

Boun Awk Phansa, the Candlelight Parade (video)

A lighted dragon float waits to join the procession for Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS – One of the most colorful festivals in Southeast Asia takes place each fall at the October full moon.

Continue reading “Boun Awk Phansa, the Candlelight Parade (video)”

January 16, 2019January 15, 2019

Party at the pool, Vietnamese style

Celebrating the New Year with friends at the My An Sport Center in Danang — Celebrating the New Year with friends at the My An Sport Center in Da Nang

DA NANG, VIET NAM – It all started with a text message from our friend Linda. “Are you coming to the party at the pool?”

Party at the pool? “Oh yeah, I vaguely remember something about a year-end New Year’s party at the My An Sport Center on the 11^th. Is that tonight?” I asked.

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January 2, 2019July 27, 2019

Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos (video)

Temple decorated for Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS – Each fall, at the October full moon, the Lao people celebrate Boun Awk Phansa.

The festival marks the end of the three months of Buddhist Lent, a period of meditation, learning and retreat during the height of the rainy season.

Sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights, the boun (or festival) is held on the 15th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar.

Continue reading “Boun Awk Phansa in Luang Prabang, Laos (video)”