My room has a roof deck!

Made it to the Art Hotel in Hanoi without incident after about 19 hours of flight time, 25 including layovers. Today is Wednesday; meetup with the bike group Saturday.

Below are a couple travel rants written enroute… I already remember the sounds and smells of Hanoi from my prior trip here, in 2009 I think. It isnt hot at 7am; but a pleasant overcast 75• The city awaits!

Travel rants…

My tenth trip to Asia. I’ve now flown China Airlines, Korean Air, Air France, and Delta. By any measure, Delta is the least desirable. In contrast, the Asia-based airlines have kind and pleasant attendants and many of them! Unfortunately, Delta is often the cheapest ticket bringing their low budget cranky service style common in the US to the international arena. I’ll suggest Delta test market their motto; “More surly, less service!” Am I becoming a travel snob, starting out this blog with an unnecessary rant?

Who knew it was possible for the three older Korean women in front of me to yap endlessly and loudly for at least 10 of the 11.5 hours without stopping!! Air travel is not inherently pleasant…but a necessary requirement when seeking to walk through distant doors.

Seoul/Incheon airport is huge and very nice. The quantity of shops is overwhelming, and lots of that kind of high-end stuff that it seems I would never buy. There I found my friend Paul from Nashville before we boarded the flight to Hanoi.

You know you’re in Asia when…