Camel Stinks

Was just on a bus from Hue to Danang. I'd paid extra to stop at Lang Co for an hour, as well as a few other places. The driver did not stop anywhere--hoping to breeze on through to Hoi An. He didn;t even stop in Danang where I was supposed to get off. I went to the front (both the driver and I are bilingual, so there is no misunderstanding). He refused to let me out in Danang. I had to yell at him and cause a scene to get him to even stop at all. He told me I would have to go back to Danang by Taxi or else go all the way to Hoi An. I told him to call his office (I didn;t have the number) and ask them to come get me, or pay the cab fare himself, but he refused. I make no bones about it--it was an ugly scene, but I should not have had to fight to be let off in the city I bought the ticket for--let alone fight not to be left in the middle of nowhere. Eventually he turned the bus back to his buddy's Mai Linh Taxi stop and I had to find my way back into town from there at my own expense (I won;t even go into all the issues I faced next, invluding the meter that was rigged to display double the fare...).

Did I mention the bus also had no AC or water, despite the attendant assuring me it did before we left?

My apologies to the other passangers that had to sit through the exchange with the driver, but I hope they'll understand how unpleasant it is to be tossed out on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere from your bus.

Bottom line--Don;t take Camel/TM Brothers between Hoi An & Hue.

China Earthquake

I spent several months living in Sichuan Province a few years ago and have visited many of the effected areas. My sister-in-law is also from Chengdu. It's very distressing to see all the death and destruction.

If you'd like to help the people effected, please check out this link. My brother has been affiliated with the people running the program so I can vouch for it. Agape Way

Living A Day at a Time in Small-Town Vietnam

My essay won second Place in Transitions Abroad's recent yearly expatriate writing contest. Read the story Here.

Adam Bray, Guidebook Writer

I'm in Vietnam now updating the next Insight Guide to Vietnam and Thomas Cooke Guide later in the year. So much to write and post but how to find the time?... For the moment, "my new book" (well, 5 essays of it anyway), will hit the shelves in June. To Vietnam with Love features personal stories, tips and recommendations by people who've actually put their time into the country.

Visit the new promo page at ThingsAsian.com