Patong Beach took the No. 4 spot and Koh Pi Pi Islands landed the No. 7 place in a recent Travel Channel survey of the World’s Sexiest Beaches!

The “sexiness” of the beach destinations was evaluated based on a combination of how sexy the local population is thought to be, the sexiness of the tourists crowd and the overall sexy nature of the nightlife or party scene. Most of the beaches were top quality in terms of standard beach criteria as well: sun, sand, water, etc.

We have not yet been to either of these beaches but Koh Phi Phi has been on our list for some time now.

Floating Market, Can Tho

This is my third visit to Vietnam, I have seen many of the wonderful sights all along the country but have never visited the Mekong Delta before. I have always wanted to go and see the southwest of Vietnam where the Mekong river ends its long journey from China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

This past weekend I went to visit my friend Thi Bay in Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. After a 5hr bus ride from HCMC through rice fields, villages and towns, I was finally at the campus where Thi Bay lives. Six months ago, Thi Bay left NY for a teaching position at Can Tho University and a chance to reconnect with her Vietnamese roots (her grandfather was Vietnamese, a fact she has to repeat 5 times a day on average). In a short time, Thi Bay has become somewhat of a local star in a city that has very few foreigners. From students walking by to the Xe Om drivers outside the gate, everybody knows her and wants to have a little chat.
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photo credit: rooymans2000

I couldn’t make up my mind whether I wanted to spend a weekend in Singapore or Hong Kong. I posted a question on my Facebook profile and almost everyone said I should go to Hong Kong. One friend, however, brought up the very good point of the weather being much nicer in Singapore (you don’t need to say “cold” twice to an Israeli girl to scare her off) and when you lump that with how much cheaper it would be – a decision was made – I am going to Singapore!

I feel that another good reason to go to Singapore is to learn for myself what this place is all about. If I hear one more person (who has never traveled there) tell me: “oh, Singapore, yes, you know you can’t spit on the sidewalk there and a few years ago some guy went to jail for chewing gum”, I will scream. How can that be the only thing we know about a country?? Here’s a slightly more interesting fact, the symbol of Singapore is the “Merlion”, half-fish and half-lion beast.

The food is said to be spectacular and I am very much looking forward to it.

Anyway, I booked my ticket and am going next weekend!

Can I fit Cuggits in the bag?!

12 hours to go and I’m all set. Somehow, clothes, shoes, computer and 8 books all fit into my backpack+1 small bag. I’ve been checking the weather report in Vietnam making sure it’s still super hot and sunny, just the way I like it. Can’t say I will miss the weather in NY but I will, most certainly, miss pretty much everything else.

All psyched and ready for my new adventure in Asia!

This time next Saturday, I will be almost in Tokyo (cross your fingers I get bumped up to biz class again!). I can’t believe there is less than a week to go. I have a running list of approximately 978 errands to run this week while still working and spending quality time with loved ones. Easy.

Tonight, while sitting in one of my favorite NY cafes, I was reading from a great book we got last year called “Vietnam Today: A Guide to a Nation at a Crossroads”. The book explores the cultural differences between Vietnam and the West while trying to offer guidance to expats living or working in Vietnam. It is a very useful and highly interesting book on an anthropological level, however, I think I feel even more confused after reading chapter 5 (“Core Cultural Dimensions”). A smile, according to the book, can mean “Agreement”, “Mild Disagreement”, “Embarrassment”, Disbelief”, “Appreciation” and “Apology”.

WHAT??? So I smile … when exactly?

I think that as a matter of policy, I am just going to be smiling the whole time and leave it to the others to guess whether I am appreciative or just super happy to be in Asia this winter.

The Nov/Dec 2008 edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine features Perugia, Italy as the world’s sexiest small city. Following Perugia’s lead, however, were the cities of Copenhagen, Prague and Ho Chi Minh City!

Ho Chi Minh City is Sexy

Note: The restaurant in the photo is of Temple Club a very good (upscale) restaurant set in a beautifully decorated building in HCMC. We’ve enjoyed several fine dinners there last year and the year before.