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The Far Far East
  • Tom Hixson
  • Kevin Sarmento
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  • Tom Hixson
  • Kevin Sarmento

The Far Far East

Travels to the TCC Conference in Hanoi, then on to Shanghai and Dunhuang in the Taklamakan Desert Read more
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  • The Far Far East
    Wall of flowers at night, the Bund
    Chinese restaurant in Peace HotelA bit long in the tooth to be a fairytale princess?Sedan chair for wealthy brideElectric Buick? Perhaps not in Detroit.Food everywhere in Shanghai

    Day 3 Shanghai

    Yesterday in China ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    On Saturday we did the history tour of the Peace Hotel which was fascinating, followed by a mile walk along one of Shanghai's overwhelming pedestrian shopping areas. Then we toured the Shanghai history museum which was outstanding and well organized.... and free!

    We have to get up at 230 am Sunday to catch our long flight to Dunhuang so it's going to be an early night.

    More once we get to China's Far West.    Read more

  • The Far Far East
    4View atop Shanghai Tower
    Shanghai panoramaPeople lined up to buy goldFirst home of Chinese Communist Party 1949Lunch ...yum!!Yu Gardens1Chinatown in China1View from the Bund walkWedding preparations next to our hotelBanks along the BundBund at nightShanghai Tower on left, "The Bottle Opener" on right. Some guy climbed the middle bldg w/o equipment

    Shanghai Rocks!

    May 8 in China ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Our first trip ever to Shanghai, and what a cool place it turns out to be. Unlike most mega cities around the world, this one works, and maybe other developed countries should take note. 25 million people in the city and it doesn't seem particularly crowded. Why? We learned most people take the sleek modern subways which cover the entire urban areas. And yes, there are cars but we aren't seeing gridlock, and city traffic moves efficiently. We learned that car buyers can purchase a gas powered car but they have to pay about $14,000 US for a license plate which is blue. On the other hand, if you buy an EV the license is free (green plates). So we're seeing mostly green licenses even on luxury autos like Porsche, Audi, etc.

    The whole city is spotlessly clean and modern and everything works! The government plants elaborate flower gardens and parks and then scrupulously maintains the vibrant landscaping throughout the year.

    Highlights today included an ascent up the Shanghai Tower, an architectural marvel. And speaking of architecture, we are staying at the Fairmont Peace Hotel (formerly the Cathay) which was built in 1929, an Art Deco masterpiece and the first hotel in the world to have air conditioning. We also visited the old French Concession, home from 1849 to 1945 of a considerable French population. Old stone buildings have since been transformed into luxury apartments, shops, and restaurants. The magnificent Yu Gardens in the middle of the restored Chinatown-in-China were extraordinary as was the Jade Buddha Temple. And finally, we ended our tour walking along the river while soaking up the lively scene of the vast promenade known as the Bund.
    Tonight, we head to a Michelin one star dim sum restaurant. Locals LOVE good food, and it is abundant everywhere.    Read more

  • The Far Far East
    The sun sets in Hanoi
    Ready to Vespa!First stop: rooftop drinksKevin is having fun!Next restaurant once fed Obama and Bourdain2Hang on!

    Why We Travel

    May 5 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Jamie Clarke kicked off today's presentations by recounting his first attempts to climb Everest followed by Dr. Riza Rasco who abandoned a stultifying career as a research scientist to start poverty eradication programs in rural Africa. Three TCC members then joined a panel to share sublime as well as harrowing experiences from their trips. Once again I was prompted to ask myself "Why do we travel?" And the answer is complicated and nuanced and people travel for many reasons, but I should really begin by asking "Why do I travel"?

    Above the kitchen table of my childhood home hung an enormous world map which I happily used to tune out dysfunctional family chatter and bickering by imagining visits to exotic locations like Valparaiso, Tashkent, Antananarivo, and Ulaanbaatar. And back in those days I was led to believe that education would be achieved through years of study at the university. While that experience remained valuable for providing a stepping stone to my various careers, I later realized my real education didn't begin until I started traveling in earnest. Those exotic words printed on a map weren't valid until I actually visited the places---places which have since become cherished elements of my mental furniture. And I wouldn't exchange those experiences for a barrel of gold.

    Last night the TCC organized a progressive dinner held at multiple venues in Hanoi; to make this happen safely, each member was assigned a Vespa and a driver. Dat, my driver, was a university student; I literally placed my life in his driving skills as we carreened through the phantasamagoria of nighttime Hanoi. At the end of the night, Dat asked "Mr. Tom, how many countries have you visited?" I mumbled something like "many many countries." A broad grin spread across his face as he replied "I will also visit many many countries!" The gleam in his eyes told me that he got it, that one day soon he'd be on the road to continue his own education---just like the rest of us.

    Check out the Obama Bourdain clip at
    https://youtu.be/gY_UGdraX7I?si=mA0bR_2ikN4v6Pab    Read more

  • The Far Far East
    Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
    Ho Chi Minh's residencePresidential PalaceA Short Pagoda1Kindergarten Graduation today!Confucian academy from 1031Confucian templeDiorama at "Hanoi Hilton"John McCain on visit to Hanoi 2017Vietnamese photos of the capture of POW McCainPedaling through Hanoi

    Old Quarter, Hanoi

    May 4 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    The TCC kicked off its Hanoi conference last night for 160 attendees featuring a festive dinner with various presentations. But the best part of these meetings is having conversations with adventurous travelers from around the world and sharing experiences. We learn so much from one another, and always come away with new ideas for the next trips.
    Monday involved a full day tour through Hanoi's Old Quarter which included a visit to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. One can ordinarily file by his preserved remains much like visiting Lenin in Moscow or Mao in Beijing, but it's closed on Monday (we've seen him in the past and can settle for those disturbing memories). We also visited Ho Chi Minh's residence in Hanoi, the presidential palace, and an 11th century Confucian academy as well as the prison where John McCain was held as a POW, all before noon. After lunch, we each had a pedicab driver take us on a harrowing ride through the old part of town. It's been more than a decade since I was here last, but the city has grown and prospered without losing its unique charm.
    Tonight we will have dinner with friends Ken and Charlie from Washington state. The menu looks extensive and intriguing---but I think I'll skip the Intestine Platter.    Read more

  • The Far Far East
    Flight route from Istanbul to Hanoi
    Candlelit dinner, first course!Lotus flower bouquet at Metropole Hotel with petals artfully folded (yes,real flowers)1Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

    Off to Hanoi!

    May 2 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    It's been a busy week leading up to our flight to Hanoi. Our friends Bryan and Wendy visited the first part of the week, Bryan having just finished the Haute Route (a challenging ski/mountaineering expedition in the high Swiss Alps). It was great fun showing them around Lisbon, and now we're off on our own less grueling adventure.

    But leaving Lisbon's airport was not without challenges: chaos, crowds, and long lines can create considersble anxiety if not hysteria. We were queued up in immigration behind about 100 departing passengers when a gaggle of clueless Europeans blatantly pushed ahead of everyone stating their flight was leaving soon. Turns out they were no earlier than the rest of us which precipitated a mob outcry of hurled insults and general mayhem. Finally a security guard forced some of the guilty line jumpers to the back of the queue, much to the general crowd's enthusiastic applause.

    Turkish Air to Istanbul was nothing special but the long haul from Istanbul to Hanoi was incredible and we were able to actually sleep a bit and enjoy wonderful Turkish cuisine before arriving in Hanoi. We checked into the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi which is a soft landing for sure. We've been here before and it just gets better with the years. So after a good night's rest we head to the Melia Hotel: the TCC (Travelers' Century Club) conference starts tonight and we look forward to seeing old friends and learning about new destinations on our horizon. Please stay tuned!    Read more

    Trip start
    May 1, 2026
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