Last in a series from the ruins and rivers of Southeast Asia My first trip to Vietnam ended in mid-March 2013. I flew out of Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City a few weeks shy of 45 years since I was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War. As a soldier, I never made it out of the United States, spending nearly two years based in and around Washington, DC. But I will never forget 1968. That …
Sixth in a series from the ruins and rivers of Southeast Asia For our last day on the Mekong River, the Avalon Angkor was docked in downtown Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), which was abuzz with people at work, at play and, in between, riding their motorbikes. Lots of locals still call it Saigon, this city of 10 million people and nearly as many motorbikes, which, said a guide, are primarily from China, because the bikes are …
Fifth in a series from the ruins and rivers of Southeast Asia On the edge of the Mekong, Cambodian and Vietnam flags flapped in an early morning wind at the border station. Crew aboard the Avalon Angkor approached soldiers from the station with some trepidation, as border officials here are known to insist on strict compliance with all formalities. For instance, entrance visas for each passenger — I bought mine for $167 through VisaCentral in Washington, DC, …
Today, Avalon Waterways announced that acclaimed author of the international bestseller books 1,000 Places to See Before You Die®, Patricia Schultz, will christen the Avalon Expression – one of two new “suite ships” being unveiled in 2013. Of her godmother duties, Ms. Schultz said, “It is an honor, without doubt, but also a thrill and a delight to have this chance to christen the Avalon Expression. I know that countless adventurers will fill every departure, excited by …
Well, this is pretty interesting news. We’ve seen resurgence over the last couple of years of river ships sailing the American waterways, and I’ve just learned that renowned line Avalon Waterways is getting in on the game here in the U.S. Avalon, which normally features European river cruises, will be offering a limited number of Mississippi River sailings in 2013 through a partnership with American Queen Steamboat Company. Apparently, the line has seen an increasing demand from …
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