On December 28th, we entered our152nd country Vietnam. The permit from Hanoi for the temporary

vehicle import was ready at the border; simultaneously we were assigned a Vietnamese license plate. Our

first impression of the incredible masses of motorbikes and the never ending rice fields along the highways is

still prevailing. Ho Chi Minh City - the earlier Saigon - is a real inferno during rush hours: On six lanes

uncountable motorbikes are rolling through the city, accompanied by the unavoidable pollution; there is

nearly no space for cars and none at all for pedestrians left. It's estimated that there are about 4 millions

against a population of 7 millions.

 

We spent New Year in Mui Ne, a nice little beach resort between dunes and the sea, about 125 miles

North of HCMC (Saigon).

 

While the Thai people showed to be rather reserved towards car travelers, the Cambodians were more

curious. However the Vietnamese are similar to the Indians if it comes to curiosity and encircle our car

immediately wherever we stop. Unfortunately, any further going conversation is mostly hampered by

linguistic problems.

 

Liliana is "hopping" bravely with her plaster dressing and her crutch. Although it's easily possible to get

accustomed very quickly to the now unavoidable hotel accommodation, sightseeing has become a real

big problem.Unfortunately, since a few days the now normally dry season in Vietnam turned into a light

but never ending rainy period, what doesn't ease the situation.

 

Are you interested into the LandCruiser History, prepared by Toyota Motor Sales USA?

(after some loading-time please klick "IN LEGEND" and afterwards "HAIR TO MAGELLAN" 

- and you will see that we already belong to it too!)

ASIA:    

Malaysia   (Oct. - Nov. 2005)
Singapore   (September 2005)
Macao (September 2005)
Hong Kong (September 2005)
+ added from a earlier visit to the USA:	Las Vegas    (Millennium change)
+ added from our Arabian Peninsula round trip:	Pictures from Yemen (May-June 1996)
+ Flashbacks of our Worldrecordtour:	Pictures from "all the continents" (Oct. 84 - April 97)
+ Follow-ups about Toyota-Experiences:	Encounters resp. "Ups + Downs" with Toyota Companies since 1982