Leaving Saigon now.

I'll be leaving in a few hours. I don't know how the system, works here. Maybe, next time, I'll get it.

Will be back in Manila around 7pm +.

Let see how I view Manila now, after I've been to a chaotic and hectic country, which is the norm to them, but not to me.

Well, I've been to many Asia countries, so I, expect this, anyway! ; 0

Too Many Maybe! & Back To The Philippines Tomorrow!

This is a big surprise, b/c there are time, that I don't like the Philippines, but this time, there something about it.

Maybe, I really, really Love my gf, and is looking forward to see her? She might have broke it off, so maybe, I, just want to know? Maybe, I really enjoy it there, after an hectic vacation in Vietnam (my first time!). Maybe, I, just Like The Philiipines............................... Maybe, it's mean that my vacation is ending soon? I'm more excited, b/c this is my last trip, before I go home, and get an earful of " Where were you?" "Why wasn't you there?" Maybe, I'm trying to avoid this, by going home in a slow motion way, so I don't hear this?

Too many maybes', There's got to be some truth to all this???????

Or Maybe, it's just "OMG!" :; 0

Anyway, my flight leaves at 3:15 pm, and arrive in Manila at 7:15pm

Tired! From Walking In Chon Lon (Chinatown) in Saigon

I'm tired as Heck from walking around Chon Lon (Chinatown). The problem is that my feet hurt, b/c I have these cheap flips-flops, that i brought in Bangkok. I can't walk very long with them, even if I wanted to.

I went to a couple of Markets there in Chon Lon: Binh Tay, Kim Chon are two of the wholesale markets there. There's more, but I'm too tired to move, so I took the bus back.

Yes, I rode the bus to try it. It's cool, with a/c, tv, nice seats and the cost is 3K d (about .18 cents USD)

Funny, I didn't get lost today, and I rode the bus too. : 0

Went To Pho 2000 In Saigon

This place is where President Bill Clinton, stopped by to have a bowl of "Pho" to eat.Which makes this place, very famous to Foriegners & other people.

I went there to have grilled pork with rice for 35,000 d, and a fruit drink 16,000 d. Ice 2,000 d. total cost: 53,000 d (3.00 USD).

It was very good, and delicious, and the fact, that our President, want to go there to eat in 2000, when he was touring Vietnam, and most of Asia.

The Pho, is not bad. I have some tonight for 35K d. Will try other places too.

Good Food In Saigon Tonight

Dino's new friends, Mr. Hi & his brother, whom Dino brought the airline ticket from to Singapore tomorrow.

They took us to eat some Vietnamese dinner, which consisted of:

Stir-fried chinese broccoli
Clams in a broth
Big Snails
Deep-fried Eel
Salted Mackerel, which is lightly fried.

Over 12 heinkens, @ 2.00 USD each.

The total cost is:

650,000 D ($37.00), total is $40.00 USD. including tip of 3.00 (50,000 d) for services.

The food was very good, and cheap to us! We think we got a good deal here! In the States, the cost is over 80.00 to 100.00 or more easily. Well, worth it!


Tomorrow, I'll return the scooter and try walking to places. Too much concentration on getting lost, and the road to avoid accidents. Anyway, I'm tired of getting lost! : (

Got Lost Last Night, Sooooo What Else Is New?

Yes, The Robster got lost AGAIN! How can that happen to an experienced traveler like myself.

Well, let see......................... Well, I wasn't walking, like usual & I was at night. Oh yeah, I was also, driving the scooter. Forgot to mentioned, that I was wearing glasses, that are kind of weak in prescription, so I don't see so well. That's all the stupid excuses I can't make! On with the show, anyway.....................

Getting Lost? How do I feel? I think of it as an adventure, like in Bangkok. You see things, that you don't see if you just going there. I did notice a lot of things, like a happening night market in District 1, or elsewhere. I reminded me on a beginning in China in 1981, and then again in 1989. There was Sanyo, Toshiba, Signs. Brand name companies on the wall or neon signs in Saigon, such as Motorola, Restaurant, like KFC! (Don't worry, I'll add some more, b/c I was losted, so I needed to get back)

So, it became an adventure, and discovering new things here in Saigon. I'm just feeling the place. With only 5 days to visit, there not too much time here for me, and I don't like to rush things. I like long vacations, so I take it easy, slow, and enjoy it.

If you're lost, you can't notice too many things, b/c you don't know where you're going! You have to concentrate on the road and the traffic to find your way. People here know where they are going, so they concentrate or naturally drive that way..

Overall, tired, watch HBO & napped, then woke up, and everything was closed, b/c it's late! I guess, I didn't need to eat afterall! : (

Just Became One Of The Ants Here In Saigon!

I was taking a nap yesterday, and woked up. Decided to take a drive around Saigon, maybe to Chinatown, when I noticed that traffic in more heavier than usual.

What is this? Well, it's rush hour here in Saigon. Everyone is getting off work about this time 4:30pm.

What's it like??? It's like traffic in Manila, but motorcycles and scooters. Everyone is driving inch to inch and getting in line or out of line to funnel into the streets.

Just look at the ants, when there an army of them. Everyone is fighting to get through traffic. Well, I felt that way here in Saigon. To drive here, where there's more motorcycles & scooters, than cars(I can count a hand full of them). You have to just flow with the traffic, but don't weave in and out. These driver goes with the flow. It's like inertia, moving in one direction.

The problem here is that if someone goes against the grain, that's screw everything or everybody up, and there could be an accident. It seems that it doesn't bother anyone here, b/c they're use to it.

In our country, or westernize countries, there'll be "Road Rage!" People get hurt, beaten up, or killed here. Not here, This is Daily Life, and people do their thing! That's it! That's all you have to do to succeed in life.

"Do your thing, and don't worry about someone else!" Just like Rob, ; )

But Rob's likes sticking his nose into someone else's business! As he was told, by someone! : 0

With Dino In Saigon

Dino, and I, are having a good time, eventhough, we haven't spend even a day here.

He has this laid back style, like all of us, from the States???? No, not really! When we work, we work! When we play, We play!

Dino eat almost anything, like checking out things, knowing how much does it cost, and does he walk, and walk. He's not picky about too many things. We, somewhat what our budget, eventhough we can afford it. But I'm a cheap guy, anyway! Anway, I know for sure, that Dino loves the prices here, if they don't try to get over on us!, lol

To get along with me: I told my gf, "You need to let things flow!" Rob's style! lol I have to say Joking, b/c she'll get mad. What a way to go!

Almost Finished All My Books, That I Brought With Me To Asia

I'm finished with 2 more books:

Buy Even Lower
Short Sales Pre-foreclosure

I have one book with me in Vietnam, and hopefully, I'll finish it here. 101 Commercial Real Estate.About 130 more pages to go!

Why mention that I'm reading books, b/c I have never read that many books before, and again, I will mention, that I don't like to READ!

I'll be down to two copied books, and I'm not sure that I'll be interested in reading it.

1st Meal In Vietnam

We, just had our first meal here, ever in Saigon, Vietnam. While walking and watching uut, that we won't get hit by any motorcycles. We started to get hungry, and wanted to get something to eat. We saw a restaurant, that had many people, looks like locals, eating there.

Anyway, Me & Dino had "Pho (68,000/2 d)," spring rolls (17,000d), (1) Beer (16,000d) , (1) Ice Tea (2,000d). The total cost: 103d (5.88 USD) for two people. Can't beat that!

Now, for the food, we think it was very good, and better than the States. The noodles tasted good, and the beef was not bad! Spring rolls were very tasty! Heinken for around 1.00 USD, Tea for less than .15 cents.

Tomorrow, let see what's happening then! ; )

In Vietnam Now!

Just arrived a few hours ago, after looking for a cab to get down to the downtown area of Saigon, which is District 1,

Not much to report yet, but judging from the looks of this place. It's reminds me of China in 1981, when everything is not settle yet. There's ton of motorcycles, few cars, people everywhere. I don't see people walking around much. We'll see, when I start to walk around.

Tomorrow, I'll try to go to District 5, which is Chinatown in Saigon.

Going To Vietnam Tomorrow

I'm going to Vietnam tomorrow for the first time ever! Let see why the Vietnamese people didn't want to leave. They told me that their country is a beautiful place.

It sounds like countryside, or provinces, that these people are talking about. I'm sure there are lot of money to be made there. I don't think I'll have the time to see that. Just going there for 5 days (3/8-3/13) to see what's going on there.

I'm sure the country is still backward, and maybe, I'll exchange my money, but I'm might stick to the US dollar, while I'm there!

Will be leaving at 12:45 Sunday. Will keep, everyone post, if possible. If internet is too expensive, then I'll wait, until I return back to the Philippines.

Cost of the Ticket with Philippines Airlines is 230 USD. Visa costed 50 USD, a day to get it, and in only 15 min.

Met Up With Dino

Called Dino, this morning.

Dino founded out that I live in the Malate area. Around 5mins from where he stays. I thinks that he knows where I am. I stay on M.H. Del Pilar, by Gen. Malvar. I have a view of Manila Bay!

Dino told me, that he would like to check out the place that I'm staying, b/c it maybe in his price range to stay in Manila. He's thinking about staying in the Philippines, and maybe, working or have a business there to keep him busy.

He came by and he liked the place. The cost is around 25K ps. around 30K with utilities. Around 600 Usd a month. The building I live in is for foriegners. No Filipinos want to pay that kind of rent, and for that size, if they can get a house.

Malate is a party and entertainment area. Many locals go there to party, every weekends.

Dino In Manila!

My friend's John Malilay, best friend is in Manila today. Dino texted me. He returning from Davao, from golfing .

He told me that not much is happening in Davao. So, back to Manila for him. He thinks it's more exciting here in Manila, like I think so too!

We plan to hook up tomorrw!

Back In Manila (Monday Morning)

We arrived back in Manila on 2:30am. The drive took us 5 7 1/2 hours to get back.

Our first stop back is to eat, yaaaaaaa!!! Hungry at Hell!

My gf's daughter, Laiza is flying when she's driving. Her nickname is "Rabbit," that's what my gf cals here., b/c she can move non-stop.

Going to Quezon City to eat at a place called "Mr. Kebab. It's ok, and the cost is at less 700 ps for the 4 of us. That's with drinks too.

Tired and sign out!

It's Panabenga Festival In Baguio! And We Didn't Know!

We didn't know there was a festival in Baguio. We, only wanted to celebrate my gf's no birthday there.

I found out that the festival is called Panabenga, and it's the biggest one here in the northern Luzon. They'll be having events and parades on Saturday and Sunday. It's has to be big here, and everywhere in the Philippines, b/c it's on TV, with some stars!

We're going to have a hard time doing things here, b/c of the crowds and prices are going up!

The plan is to site seeing, horseback riding, and eating fresh foods. of course, since they are all women, shopping! ME, just checking things out, and why people like to come up here! Long drive, like going to Los Angeles, but risking my life, lol! : 0

Rob, just delivered a low blow! : 0

Saturday: Arrived In Baguio around 7am

As I woked up, from the drive, of course, we're stopping and getting eats and drinks along the way, like in the States highways. There's your typical McDonald, KFC, Of course, Jollibee's (Can't be without one, lol!) There's a lot of their buggers, like 300+ in all of the Philippines. Actually, I want to kill that Bee!!!

As we approached Baguio, there are all these landscape and high mountains. Kind of breathtaking. Our first stop, before Baguio City is the Loin head, which was refurbish! The roads to Baguio is winding and not very safe, maybe, that's the way they drive here. I don't think they think about safety first, they rather get there.

Really, it doesn't make sense, if you get in an accident, or killed. Just so you can rush to get there??? Doesn't make sense!

Anyway, that's just my opinion, and the people here have their own!


Just Rob trying to have a good time! ; )

Friday: Left For Baguio Late Night

We left for Baguio, at 12:30am. It's a long drive and will take around 6 hours drive to get there!

This will be my first time up this far in the Luzon province in the Philippines

I heard a lot about Baguio, that it is suppose to be like San Francisco, cool weather and hilly. We shall see! ; )