Arts and Entertainment

There are actually three Durbar Squares in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most famous is Basantapur Durbar Square which is considered the traditional heart of the old town and is famed for its traditional architecture. The Basantapur Durbar Square was in front of Nepal’s 19th century royal residence. It was hard hit in the 2015 earthquake when more than half of the temples were destroyed. Some buildings were badly damaged but are still standing and in the process of being repaired.

The names of some destinations have a magical draw for me, such as Katmandu and Timbuktu. I will probably never get to Timbuktu but I decided if I was ever going to Kathmandu I better go while I still can. When John and I arrived at Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport it was very busy with several planes arriving about the same time. We decided to get a visa on arrival, but so did most of the other passengers. So it was very hectic.

No matter how one gets to Asia, it is a long, arduous trip. Flights to Bangkok are often the best deal. During our three-plus months in SE Asia we fly through Bangkok several times; sometimes via Suvarnbhumi Airport, usually referred to as Bangkok International airport. The other airport is Don Mueang International. I love it when our flights arrive at Suvarnabhumi because we stay at the Novotel at the airport.

The towering limestone, forest-covered karst formations in Halong Bay are the iconic image of Vietnam. They are much-loved by the Vietnamese, have been featured in various movies and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 10-day cruise John and I took on Pandaw’s Red River ended in Halong Bay. The perfect place to end an amazing trip. We learned there are two Halong Bays – one on land and one in the Gulf of Tonkin. Pandaw’s crew takes care of everything.

I have never taken a voyage aboard one of the popular big ship cruises. But I am a fan of small ship river cruises, especially in Asia. I love river travel. Asian rivers are dynamic. They transport people and goods plus many towns and cities grew up along waterways. At low water time, the fertile shore become gardens.

The Hoa Lo Prison is better known to Americans as the “Hanoi Hilton” and where John McCain and other American POWs were held during the Vietnam War. It is called the “American War” in Vietnam. Vietnam has been invaded by the Chinese, French, and Japanese. The “American War” was the most recent and the shortest except for the five-year control by the Japanese. The major portion of the prison depicts the incarcerations of prisoners other than Americans.