Vote Charlie!

Through Charlie Gorichanaz’s Eyes

Another delightful but very short Japan excursion

Posted at age 36.

At the start of this trip almost month prior, it felt like there was so much time ahead. I couldn’t believe only a few days had passed and we had done so much. It was so refreshing to be traveling again, and getting to know Patton on a’ whole ‘nother level was great. Returning to Japan briefly on our way back from Vietnam was a somewhat hectic but actually very rewarding conclusion to our trip. The juxtaposition of the two countries made me better appreciate Japan’s development but also Vietnam’s freewheeling excitement.

Kabukiza Theatre in the Kobikicho district, where we saw the one small part of an all day program.

Kabukiza Theatre in the Kobikicho district, where we saw the one small part of an all day program.

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My first X-ray, in Hanoi

Posted at age 36.

We spent 2 nights in Hanoi and went on one day drip. Unfortunately I am running out of steam posting all these blogs from the trip, so this is going to be mostly photos!

Thanks to the kind folks at the Institute of Occupational Health and the Environment, I got to examine my foot bones and see if I had the injury I suspected. Apparently it's not a bone issue, though!

Thanks to the kind folks at the Institute of Occupational Health and the Environment, I got to examine my foot bones and see if I had the injury I suspected. Apparently it's not a bone issue, though!

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Biking, boating in Tam Coc, climbing Mua Cave

Posted at age 36.

During our few days in Hanoi, we went on a day tour to the Ninh Binh area about two hours north of the city. I continue to be amazed in the amount of stuff these companies can pack into a day for less than $50 all included. It was a pretty fun trip and included a very nice hour-long boat tour through some interesting caves.

Climbing the Mua Cave viewpoint near Tam Coc, Vietnam.

Climbing the Mua Cave viewpoint near Tam Coc, Vietnam.

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My first tattoo, in Saigon, and a drag party

Posted at age 36.

The time on this trip has been flying recently. We finished our last few days in Saigon by getting me a tattoo, getting some art for Patton’s friend, and going to a big gay party. It was a great time, and then I was sad to be leaving Saigon come Sunday morning!

Getting my first tattoos with Matthew at Hoàng Tattoo in Saigon, Vietnam. We decided to get dragons because we are both year of the dragon, and it was currently year of the dragon!

Getting my first tattoos with Matthew at Hoàng Tattoo in Saigon, Vietnam. We decided to get dragons because we are both year of the dragon, and it was currently year of the dragon!

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The Củ Chi tunnels and a messy Saigon run

Posted at age 36.

Tuesday was a chill day, in which I ran 16 miles and then Patton and I got dinner with David. Wednesday we did another tour, this time a half day one to the Cu Chi tunnels north of Ho Chi Minh City. We ended up with the same guide, Jack, somewhat by design. Then we got dinner with him and said goodbye!

After the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, Patton and I got dinner with Jack, our tour guide, at Pho 24 Pasteur St in Saigon.

After the Cu Chi Tunnels tour, Patton and I got dinner with Jack, our tour guide, at Pho 24 Pasteur St in Saigon.

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Touring the Mekong Delta, Vĩnh Tràng Temple, Saigon Skydeck

Posted at age 36.

Monday we went to the Mekong Delta with a tour group. We got to explore a bit the region called My Tho, including a well known Buddhist temple site called Vinh Trang. We took several boat rides, including one on a small boat called a sampan down a canal through some coconut trees. It was a pretty nice excursion!

Touring part of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, by a small boat called a sampan.

Touring part of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, by a small boat called a sampan.

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Saigon shopping and nightlife

Posted at age 36.

We planned to spend about a week in Saigon staying with Patton’s cousin David, who graciously let us use his guest room. In our first couple of days, we had dinner with more than a dozen of their relatives, went out to Bui Vien Walking Street and a nearby gay bar and then explored some shopping and downtown areas.

After Thi Bar, we went to get another beer down the street with our two new friends, Collin and Matthew.

After Thi Bar, we went to get another beer down the street with our two new friends, Collin and Matthew.

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Touring Phú Quốc, Vietnam, by motorbike!

Posted at age 36.

Having spent 10 days in Japan, Patton and I left Osaka and embarked on our Vietnam adventure. I last entered the country 10 years ago. I loved my time there and was excited to see more cities there, and to hear my friend Patton speak Vietnamese! Our first stop was in the southern island of Phú Quốc. We spent three nights there.

Exploring the river area Khu du lịch sinh thái (Suối Đá Bàn) in Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Exploring the river area Khu du lịch sinh thái (Suối Đá Bàn) in Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

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Running around Osaka, Kobe, leaving Japan

Posted at age 36.

On a similar note as last time, we’re again leaving with the sense of having seen so much but barely scratching the surface. We spent our last day in Osaka taking a day trip over to Kobe to try the famous beef. We also tried to check out another festival at a nearby shrine, but it ended up being misinformation! But that concludes this segment of our trip in Japan. Now Vietnam awaits!

We tried Kobe beef at Mouriya Honten, Kobe, Japan.

We tried Kobe beef at Mouriya Honten, Kobe, Japan.

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Touring Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Osaka gay bars

Posted at age 36.

There is so much more to do in Kyoto, but yesterday was our last day there, and we spent Monday checking out a few areas of Osaka. We started with Osaka Castle right across from our hotel. Then we went to two temples, Shitenno-ji and Isshin-ji, before going down to Shinsekai and back up to the Kita district, where we ended at some gay bars.

Osaka Castle as seen from our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Osaka Castle as seen from our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton.

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