Unfortunately…I’m not. Woke up at 5AM for pickup at 6. Checked in with Thai Air, and found out that I needed a visa to get into Vietnam. I specially asked United when I made the original reservation, and the person on the other end of the phone said that all I needed to do was sign a form after I arrived at Ho Chi Minh City( HCMC) airport.
It was now 6:30AM. My only option was to talk to someone at the Vietnam embassy in town, but the office opened at 8:30 and the plane was scheduled to leave at 9. There are only two daily flights, and the 6 PM flight was overbooked. As United created this mess, I thought I would get them involved. Alas, there was no one from United at the airport, and their office in town opened at 9AM. So I made a command decision to return to the Westin Grand and have them help me get that visa. Two phone numbers were provided for the Vietnam Embassy. It was now 8AM.
It took only 20 minutes to get to the airport, but more than an hour to return, because of the morning rush. I re-checked into the Westin, and almost got my same room, but they gave me another one instead. The Executive Club staff was marvelous. They tried calling those two numbers of the Vietnam embassy, but no one answered. So they called United Airlines, and learned several things. First, the Vietnam Embassy never answers their phone (can you believe this?). Yes, many have had this problem, and they all had to go to the Embassy for a visa. What about someone earlier telling me about not needing a visa before the flight? Oh, that was only if I caught a United flight into HCMC, and there was none from Bangkok.
So I was put into a cab for the Vietnam Embassy. I filled out a form and waited in line for a while. When I was served, I learned that I needed a photo. No problem, they said, just get one taken. They gave me an address, which they said was a short walk away. Well, with my travel attire (sport coat), I ended up walking more than half a mile in the hot (more than 90 degrees F) sun. The photo service asked what size I wanted? I didn’t know, but we settled on the smallest. The staff was quick and equipment really high tech. Six photos for a bit less than $5. I should have caught a cab, but I trudged back to the Embassy (which I might have earlier mentioned, was really, really, dingy…especially the visa area).
After standing in line again, and noting that the office closed for two hours from 11:30, and it was 11:30 when I eventually made it to the front. Have you counted how many stress points I have had today? Plus, I thought I would have breakfast at the Thai version of the Red Carpet Club…so I still had nothing to eat that morning.
Then came the unexpected. They asked for 3000 baht (almost $100)…which immediately concerned me, but it turned out I barely had that sum with me. Remember, I had just about checked out of the country. Then, I was told I could pick up the visa at 4PM the next day, which would have made me miss the flight, for the traffic to the airport at that time on a Friday afternoon was supposed to be horrendous. I must have looked totally distraught, for the lady then retorted, you can, then, come at 4PM today, which I did, and picked up my visa for Vietnam.
To celebrate a kind of victory, I asked the concierge what would the most memorable dining experience in Bangkok. She recommended the Vertigo Grill on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, and was able to gain a reservation for me. So this evening I caught a cab, and to my surprise, it pulled into where once was the Westin Hotel. When the new one was built (the one I’m in), Starwood must have sold the old one. I must have stayed here a half dozen times when it first opened. But this rooftop restaurant was only built seven years ago. I don’t remember the old Westin being so tall. This is the Vertigo Grill when it is not raining:
But, it was, so, the story of my day, all diners were relocated to the floor below, which itself was okay. The food was quite good, and not that expensive: wagyu steak, garlic spinach, mash potatoes, sauteed shiitake, fancy corn on the cob and a beer, for around $50, including all services charges and taxes.
I should be able to leave Thailand today. I had one of those non-refundable reservations at the Sheraton in Vietnam, but, thanks to the Westin in Bangkok, an arrangement was made for me to use the cost of night in Saigon I missed for dinner and other expenses.
If it’s Friday, I should be in Vietnam. We’ll see.
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The Dow Jones Industrials sunk further, 41 to 9707, while world markets, except for Sweden, also fell. The significance of this two day decline is that the volume was high. A few more are now speculating that this technical correction probably will mean 9000 before 10,000. Oil is almost crashing, now below $66/barrel, while gold dropped $13/toz to $995.
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Tropical Depression Nora in the East Pacific should become a remnant by tomorrow. However, Tropical Depression 17, now on the east side of the Philippines, will zoom over land tomorrow, and then head straight for me...if I ever make it to Saigon.

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