DAY 26 & DAY 27 – From Hobart to Brisbane to LA to NYC
août 13, 2023
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We started the day easy-going and relaxed, enjoying a laid-back morning. Lunch was a scavenger hunt through the fridge, making the most of whatever we had left – which wasn’t much at all!
At 1:45 PM, our Uber arrived, and we headed to the airport. Despite a bit of traffic, it wasn’t too bad. From leaving our apartment to breezing through security and sitting comfortably in the ANA lounge, it took just an hour!
On the way to the gate, we made a quick stop at a convenience store for some last-minute toiletries. Unfortunately, no luck finding mosquito repellent – so that’s on the shopping list for Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).
Our business class seats were in the middle, ideal for chatting but, it’s still tough to have a proper conversation on a plane. I opted to unwind by watching movies. Jim did the same.
Our departure from Tokyo was delayed by 45 minutes due to a cargo issue. We’d pre-selected our meals a couple of days in advance, choosing the Japanese meal for the flight to HCMC and a Western breakfast for the return. The meal was good quality, though the tofu and some “weird” stuff weren’t quite to my taste, but I ate enough.
Overall, the flight was smooth and pleasant. The flight attendants were friendly and attentive, and I watched two movies—”Blink Twice” and “Trap”—which were passable. Despite the delay, we arrived on time at around 9:50 PM.
Stepping into Immigration felt like diving straight into one of those wacky scenes from “Zookeeper.” The long lines were daunting, and I figured it would take at least an hour—which, of course, it did. I made good use of the wait, though, by activating my eSIM with Saily and troubleshooting with their support agent. Just before reaching the immigration check, I managed to get it working – success!
The customs agent was clearly over the crowds and not friendly. A minor hiccup with my evisa letter: I gave it to him folded… he wanted me to give it to him opened!. Jim’s turn went smoothly, despite a scare a few days prior with his evisa, which required a last-minute rush from a specialized agency. Just before leaving, he received not only his emergency evisa but also another one from the government site.
Stepping outside into another zoo of people reminded me of bustling airports in India, Guatemala, and Nicaragua – plus, the warm and humid air greeted us too. Amazingly, our cab agent spotted us, and after a 15-minute wait, we were on our way to the hotel. The traffic was heavy even late at night, but we were treated to beautiful Christmas illuminations everywhere.
We finally arrived at Hotel Majestic Saigon at 11:30 PM – late by Tokyo time (1:30 AM) with the two-hour time difference. Built in 1925 by the French, this high-end hotel has it all: restaurants, spa, pool, and full concierge service. The staff made us feel very welcome. The Christmas decorations were stunning.
Our room was spacious and well-appointed, with a fancy bathroom featuring old-fashioned fixtures and marble-like floors and walls.
After a quick shower, we were fast asleep by 1:00 AM, ready for the discovery adventures that awaited us in this new country.
TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES FLOWN = 2,686 miles (4,322 km)
TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN = 5.2 miles (8.3 km) + 5.6 miles (9 km)
TOTAL NUMBER OF MILES WALKED = Not many!
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