James McDonald

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Blog History

Vietnamese Celebrity

This woman is a celebrity in Vietnam. When the locals find out she speaks Vietnamese they spend the time to find out why she can speak the language and as a byproduct they are especially helpful. Which I find really comforting because I get stressed when I dont know...

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Arrived in Sapa

Took an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and a minibus to the Sapa Eden Hotel which currently overlooks a misty valley. We have arrived early 5:30AM so we have to wait till about 11AM to check into our room. So for the moment we are having breakfast in the top...

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Hanoi – Old Quarter

Arrived in Hanoi yesterday at about 3. Had a small hickup at the airport when we went to get our visa the cost was 50USD for both of us but we didn't have any cash. So we had to wait until a customs agent was available to take one of us (Lisa) out into the airport to...

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Kuala Lumpur Traffic

Went 6.3 kms tonight at 6:30 in a Taxi and it took 1 hr 25 minutes and cost 70 Ringit. The return trip at 10pm took about 10mins and cost 10 ringits. But the Taxi rides allowed for some good shots of the KL nightline

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Sydney to Kuala Lumpur

On the flight I managed to sit across the isle from a man who couldnt release himself from his seat belt. So after assisting him with that he noticed my mastery of the inflight entertainment system and kept bothering me to help him with it. He was also a...

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Sydney Airport – Free wifi

Finally got through the customs to the gate. Everyone is so connected to their smart devices (us included) that they forget to read the signs telling them not to have their phones out while going through customs. The other funny thing is people dont get how to use...

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