Ten years ago, with my family on our world trip, we traveled the length of Vietnam from the north to the south. It was epic, as was that entire year, and was of course the reason for starting this blog. You can check out my first impression of Vietnam from here (Hanoi) to there (Ho Chi Minh City), and several posts in between through by Contents page.

Now, in 2026, I’ve returned to go from south to north in Vietnam, then continue into China on yet another Intrepid tour. As with other trips, I’ve arrived early to spend a few days in Ho Chi Minh City – Saigon before the tour starts. Hangin’ in District 1, AKA Ben Thanh, I had to check out the famous Ben Thanh Market. This batch starts with the crib just off Ham Nghi street…

Here’s a couple clips of walking through the market…

Some random shots walking around town…

When you visit HCMC, ya gotta check out the alley ways…!

Last time, I did not go the famous Independence Palace. This time I did, eheck it out…

More of Independence Palace. This batch includes the bunkers underneath…

Unfortunately, the famous Notre Dame of Saigon is under construction, but I went to the Post Office and sent a couple letters to my children. Next time, I’ll get a motorbike to go fully local. It’s really an image of much of this part of the world…

In fact, not a motorbike, nor a tuktuk, but an actual bicycle, sort of…

Here’s the man with the pedal power! The rest of the post is the rather loud and sleazy Bui Vien Walking Street. Certainly, and interesting place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there more than an hour or so…

Here ya go: get more of an idea about Bui Vien Walking Street…

Next day, had to go back to the War Remnants Museum, one of the most difficult to visit, but important. Any person interested in the military or American History needs to spend some time here…!

More random shots around Saigon, including a recommended Buddhist Temple that seemed to be closed – even tho’ it was open…

From more closed religious buildings to rooftop bars, to random stuff…

Wow, three days can go fast. More soon, as the tour starts today…

Should I call this Betwixt, the Movie? Nah, these are just videos clips depicting some of the same content in my previous post.

Here are some riding in the newly opened Cotoni-Coast Dairies…

Here’s the UC Santa Cruz production of The Magic Flute with Charlie as Sarastro (and two other exceptional performances)…!!!

One night I caught this ethereal duo at The Crepe Place, and had dinner with N&J. Then, I went to The Vessel to watch Charlie and Empire Grade – slammin’ show, quite literally!

Here’s Bruno, Dan’s doggie, enjoying some doggie entertainmentat his place in Santa Monica..

A walk along Steve & Christina’s street in Oceanside…

Next, Steve Whalen’s 60th birthday party at the annual Neil Young tribute concert with Andy, Renee, and Hard Rain…

Just a random moment in Uncle Jimmy’s Village Green apartment before going to El Cholo for a 97th birthday dinner…

ooo

One last ride on my home turf before flying off again. When I come back, the grass will be brown…

Hey friend, thanks for checkin’ it out!

Time is so precious…

Back from Australia, I’ve been spending a lot of time at Pie Ranch. As usual, this is a very random post, but just pix. I may try to post some video clips (been taking in a lot of music!) before I head off to Asia for my next adventure (Vietnam & China)…

Perhaps in an attempt to proliferate information about Pie Ranch, I’ve included a lot of their signage (zoom in and read). This batch also has some of the buildings – inside & out – as well as Nancy & Jered’s lovely home (and a new building project)…!

One evening, I first took in a cool harp, voice, and electronic duo at The Crepe Place, and had dinner with N&J. Then, I went to The Vessel to watch Charlie and Empire Grade – slammin’ show! (especially in the mosh pit)…

Some interesting art and a show at the San Gregorio Store, and some pix at Kind Peoples…

A first visit to Cotoni-Coast Dairies, this one just a walk…

A visit to my friends and former colleagues Dan & Deedee Geraci, who live on Highway 1 near Bean Hollow with fun cats & dogs, including some of Dan’s excellent art (bathroom counters, etc.). This batch also includes my next visit to Cotoni-Coast Dairies with my mountain bike…

Charlie appeared twice in the UCSC production of The Magic Flute in the role of as well as the ensemble…

Random!: Nancy went to a poetry workshop in Scotland led by Padraig O Tuama, and I dropped her off at zero dark thirty. Here’s a shot of my Chinese visa buddy, David Mei. Wild turkeys and a citizen science post, Jered’s cabin project, bike hiking above Pie Ranch (including the neighbor’s mansion), exploring around the coast just above Santa Cruz, and yes, my dash board lights are a concern…!

Then, for a number of reasons, I took a lil’ road trip down south. First up, some oil derricks on the 46, the fire damage in the Palisades, then good ol’ Santa Monica: the Georgian, the carousel at the pier, the park, the Promenade, Ocean Ave., and my buddy Dan’s house…

One night there, then two nights with Steve, Christina, & Freya in Oceanside. This batch starts with a family photo from 1934 featured in a Youtube video about Uncle Jimmy, then some surfers from the O-side pier, the view from, and their house, the Top Gun house, and another beautiful sunset…

Next, I drove up to Torrance to catch the annual Neil Young tribute show at Andy’s house (of Andy, Renee, and Hard Rain), which this year was also a 60th birthday party for my buddy Steve Whalen. A pic with Mike Morgan (a colleague from Bravo Medical Magnet) and Steve, and a few from the show…

My last event before driving back up north was to celebrate Uncle Jimmy’s 97th birthday party on the Ides of March! After waking up at a hotel in Torrance, I met Steve and the family, including Elayna, at Jim’s place in the Village Green, after which we went for dinner at the original El Cholo’s (a chili relleno disappointment, but a great time with the family!). This batch ends with a visit to the Purissima Cemetery, and some art – a couple patches I bought for the kids, etc…

Wow, you must not have anything else to do? But now, go do it until my next post…?!