PKNews - Top Stories

July 4th in Saigon, Seventeen Saloon Style

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:59:46 +0800

Yep, a little slice of Americana in Saigon. There we were celebrating July 4th at Seventeen Saloon in Saigon. The fashion show was great - and the regular Philippino band blared nonstop American-style rock music.

This club is a lot of fun. It's like a time wrap...suddenly you're not in Vietnam anymore, as much as you are anywhere that's hip and open...and free.Young people are pretty much ...

July 4th Party in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:15:23 +0800

There I am...my latest self portrait...and it was a classic July 4th in Saigon. Well, it was actually July 3rd, 2008. Drinks were good, the food not bad...pretty good all in all. About 1,000 showed up at the White Palace in Saigon (aka HCMC).

Rioting after elections in Mongolia

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:04:28 +0800

My mongolian friend sent me these photos of the recent rioting in Ulaanbaatar following the elections. Obviously, most Mongolians do not condone the recent actions of hooligans and drunken youth who sacked the MRPR party headquarters in Ulaanbaatar.

But I am also sensing a great amount of frustration from Mongolians towards the MRPR party. Here's what one Mongolian said:

"Only concern is that f*cking old communist mentality from MPRP is still in Mongolia. ...

Take off from Phenom Phen!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:12:19 +0800

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PK in Cambodia...again!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:53:51 +0800

]]> It was a quick visit to Phenom Phen, but I realized how much I really liked Cambodia too. Heck, of course I liked it the first time, but it was really classic again, and it's definitely on my short list now. All of Southeast Asia is cool, and Cambodia has a quality that is both accessible yet not totally overrun by hordes of tourists.

I hope to visit Angkor Wat (and other Angkor temples) in September when my mother comes to visit. To miss Angkor Wat would be inexc...

A visual paradise

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:24:22 +0800

]]> This was my second trip to Camboda, and it was my birthday.

There was a huge rain shower shortly after night fall on the first night, and you can see the storm brewing in the following picture. The streets flooded out, but the rain did not last too long.

The first and third pictures were actually taken on the second night, on Saturday, as the sun went down. The outline of the classic Cambodian architecture in the waning light created a great visu...

Cambodia is both modern and classic

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:19:07 +0800

Cambodia's capital city, Phenom Phen, is unassuming yet majestic. It's a very beautiful place with its unique architecture, culture, and people. The heat and humidity dissipate significantly at night, and it's fun just to walk around and enjoy the sights.

Many people walk along the river front, and there are many great restaurants, bars, and night clubs to choose from. You can find both Western to Asian food, and the quality is quite good. Curries, shrimp and fish dish...

Back to Saigon!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:47:30 +0800

Yep, it was a fascinating trip to Hanoi. But it's nice to be back in Saigon. :)

A glimpse of a long history

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:37:47 +0800

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Yes, this is Vietnam...

Quaint and classic Hanoi

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:28:51 +0800

]]>pancakes ! Well, it was a French restaurant.

The Conical Hats of Hanoi

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:18:56 +0800

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Once upon a time...

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:52:20 +0800

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You should do as Ho Chi Minh taught
Long live the communist party
President Ho Chi Minh lives in our heart forever.

...

The Real Deal in Hanoi

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:03:19 +0800

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The nice part of this story is that Vietnam is an emerging and rapidly growing place. There are some truly modern areas in Hanoi that look revolutionary...at least in terms of free trade and entrepreneurship.

Classic Hanoi

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:50:36 +0800

Hanoi's French Flare

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:01:11 +0800

]]>old town area has numerous shops and quaint city architecture. There are many lakes, a few old pagodas, and stately boulevards that cross circular roundabouts. The total effect is that Hanoi has a French charm to it, and it can be a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the sights.

Hanoi also has rapidly modernizing areas, where you see nothing but new buildings, high rises, and large construction projects. Obviously, Hanoi is...

Tropical Mui Ne

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:52:21 +0800

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Local Market in Mui Ne

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:47:06 +0800

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Lots of Rain lately in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:35:33 +0800

Actually, as I write this, today is a nice and sunny day in Saigon. The last few days, however, have marked a very definite start to the beginning of rainy season in Vietnam. Even so, the rain comes and goes...as long as you have an umbrella and take a taxi to work, it's not too bad!

Traffic in Bankok

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:26:18 +0800

Yes, the traffic in Bangkok can get real bad. But if you think this is bad, just visit Vietnam. This seems very orderly by contrast. But, all things are relative, and I hear the traffic in Saigon is much better than in Hanoi.

Trendy Bangkok

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:05:28 +0800

Bangkok is still one of my favorite places to visit. The quality of life is great, shopping is a dream, the hospitality and friendliness of the people are fantastic, the food is wonderful...need I continue? Almost sounds like paradise, but no place is perfect.

Bangkok remains a cool place in my book.

Classic Night of Fireworks in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:37:12 +0800

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Tet and Lunar New Year in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:13:55 +0800

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The fireworks by the river were quite impressive. Traffic was at a complete standstill for about five blocks from the nice hotels to the river - many motorbike riders had to wait more than two hours before traffic was allowed to move again. Since two or three persons often ride on one bike, this was clearly a large crunch of people trapped...

Tet Traffic At Night

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:39:36 +0800

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Tet Party at Saigon Consulate

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:25:02 +0800

Consulate Tet Party

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:03:31 +0800

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The skits and presentations were entertaining and humorous, and the food and beer were in abundance. The official Tet holiday will begin in earnest next week Wednesday, which is February the 6th.

Sunrise in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:51:21 +0800

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Unfortunately, the air conditioner in my apartment tends to run a little hot, and this is why I tend to keep the blinds down. This is a running complaint that many locals and expats have here in Vietnam - air conditioning systems are often substandard and under supported. As it gets hotter in the next couple of months, I expect to have a few more fo...

Bangkok is a grand town

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:24:08 +0800

]]>Bangkok Post that Seven Eleven was considering opening 30 new stores in Southern Vietnam. Such is the pace of change in Vietnam today. In time, such change could transform Saigon - and it could easily become another huge Southern Dragon of Asia...and it pretty much is, of course. But when you visit Bangkok, you realize how much bigger and more diverse a city can be. B...

Tet is Coming soon!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:20:01 +0800

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I look forward to Lunar New Year in Saigon. I am sure ...

Public Hygiene Issues in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:37:35 +0800

]]>sidewalk markets and little restaurants and open air cafes: a dead rat !

Yup, this morning, when I went over to Saigon Optical to get my eye glasses fixed, I saw this dead rat. Any big city is going to have these sanitation issues. Needless to say, when you walk around Saigon,...

Trendy Saigon Keeps on Growning...

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:32:49 +0800

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Naturally, many other pictures would be less flattering. Even so, Saigon is largely a sharp looking town compared to many other places in Asia, and it's quite obvious that times are improving here.

Of course, things are more humble as you head out of...

Streetside Market

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:45:45 +0800

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From time to time, I have seen merchants prepare vegetables on th...

Trendy Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:40:10 +0800

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Hopefully, in time, the city will get a more consistent upgrade of sidewalks and supporting infrastructure. Good zoning and city management could help here. Not unlike Thailand's Bangkok, the wires from electrical and telephone utilities often hang - perhaps more dange...

Yahoo Maps via Flash

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:37:30 +0800

Using the Flash code available at Yahoo Developer, I can display any map using a relative or specific address for the location. In this example, I queried the location for Hawaii Kai, where I grew up as a kid. From fifth grade all the way through high school and into college, I lived in Hawaii Kai. Those were the good years before I had to struggle as a middle class college kid who could barely make ends meet.

But from those years, I le...

WebCam Flash Fun!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:08:21 +0800

Okay, if you want to see a very cool effect, then click Allow and let Flash create a geometry pattern of live videos of yourself on a 3-D cube-like surface. This code is compliments of Flash 8 Video (Published by FriendsOfEd). Note: If you only see three blue squares and no Allow/Deny dialog box, you probably don't have a webcam attached.

Don't worry, I'm not snooping on the otherside of this connection...

Video Play

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:00:02 +0800

Here's the laptop effect I was promising. Flash can deliver some very cool yet simple effects, as you can see.

The two new books on Flash video I have suggest all sorts of ideas - from ad banners to video walls. In fact, there's even an example of how to make that talking humanoid. You've probably already seen a Flash web site, where you can type in the words, and the human character on the screen speaks ...

Molokai Flash Gallery

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:57:08 +0800

Here's a great example of embedding a Flash program into your blog. I got this source code from flashsourcecode.com. It's an open source program, and I had to do a few minor tweaks to integrate the code into my website. As you can see, the effect is quite good.

Obviously, I should start leveraging more open source Flash stuff.

Next up, I will be working on a couple more video blog ideas....

Flash Anywhere!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:22:19 +0800

This may seem like a simple example, but it is also a powerful way to deliver Flash content. In this example, I parse in the Flash program name from a MySQL database. This allows me to play any Flash program while keeping content controlled by my database and PHP code. I will soon have many Flash programs dropped into any given blog entry that I wish.

Up to now, I only had one main Flash video player, which would accept the name of Flash videos drawn from a database and play th...

Dim Sum in Saigon and Asian Food

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:45:11 +0800

The Dim Sum at this Chinese restaurant in Saigon was very good...and I liked the sweet-and-sour pork as always, though there was a small bone in each piece of pork.

Hawaii still has the best Chinese food to me. That's because I know what I'm getting, and the ingredients and quality are the best, even in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

When ordering Chinese food in Mongolia, for example, I had a variable experience. Even in Beijing, quality can be somewhat spot...

Christmas Lights in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:46:32 +0800

Yes, Christmas time is very big here! Everywhere you go, it's all decorated up for Christmas. It is very common to see big Christmas trees in hotel lobbies and businesses here, and Christmas lights are draped all over the place - and especially along the streets of downtown Saigon.

There's lots of Christmas decorations in the store windows, and white sheets are carefully placed along the sides of buildings to similuated snow. Windows are painted with white mist and snow everywher...

Christmas in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:38:10 +0800

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Christmas Party at U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:50:50 +0800

The Christmas party at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City this year was a big hit. It was a lot of fun, and Santa even brought a lot of presents for the kids.

The party was supposed to be on the grass, but a sudden rain shower forced everyone scrambling for the covered area.

Since the rainy season ended last month, this was very unusual weather, but I guess it was as close as you come to snow in Saigon!

People were runny around moving lots of tables, c...

A Cool Place in Saigon to Beat the Heat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:15:10 +0800

I said I'd share some more stuff from my Dam Sen Park excursion, so here's a cool video of the Ice Palace. It's pretty cold in there - and it definitely reminded me of Mongolia! Obviously, this must be the place to hang out when it's hot in Vietnam, but right now the weather is very comfortable this time of year.

Flash and Video Effects

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:48:42 +0800

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My two new books in Flash video techniques are excellent. Based on my initial quick scans of the books, it should be very easy to drop a video on top of a laptop screen, for example, which can create some simple but cool effects.

When you add programs like After Effects 7 and Premiere Pro 2 to the mix, you can create some truly stunning effects. For example, you can record a person walking around and talking with a blue screen as a backdrop. Then, ...

Saigon Architecture and City Views

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:35:02 +0800

]]> There's still a fair amount of traditional architecture around the city - the road to the airport has a couple of classics under restoration.

While the road here looks nice and broad, most of the roads leading to the airport seem to be under construction and are somewhat dusty.

I guess it will look nicer when all the construction and renovations are done.

Roller Coaster Ride in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 17:48:17 +0800

Dam Sen Park in Saigon is a great way to spend a slow afternoon...and the roller coaster ride was terrific! When I have some more time, I will be sure to share some more pictures on my visit to this nice amusement park, which is about an hour away from District 1 of Saigon.

Nightlife in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:25:35 +0800

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Most places close early in Saigon, and likewise in Vietnam. Vietnam is not known as a late n...

Great Japanese Food in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:50:29 +0800

]]>The Sushi Bar is one such example. It's centrally located in district 1 of Saigon, and it's a trendy and nice restaurant with great service and a classic menu for sushi and Japanese favorites like tempura, sashimi, fish, miso soup, and the like.

I recommend the unagi sushi - my favorite! - which is freshwater eel. There is a special version of i...

Modern Saigon City

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:37:58 +0800

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If all you've seen of Vietnam is the war-themed movies, then you simply don't have an up-to-date techno-colored image of modern-day Saigon.

Classic Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:25:57 +0800

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Vietnam today has a certain dualism of old and new, modern and traditional, and poor and wealthy.

Pictures like this seem so classic, so quaint - so Vietnamese - but this is really a very bustling and active side of town. All dimensions of society are here, including a growning class of entrepreneurs.

By the way, I really love this picture - that's because I...

Cappuccino Vietnam!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:04:12 +0800

]]>Vietnamese coffee is strained through the old-fashioned metallic filter, which is placed on top of the cup. The pin-holes of the filter allow the hot water to steep through the coarse coffee grinds. Often served with sweetened condensed milk, Vietnamese coffee is basically a robust French roast style.

I probably haven't had as much good coffee and cappuccino than in Viet...

The Cambodian People

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:22:22 +0800

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I'll definitely have to consider another visit to Phenom Phen, though Anchor Watt somehow bekons...

Royal Rewind

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:31:38 +0800

The royal trappings of Phenom Phen provide a great tourist draw for Cambodia. Of course, that doesn't mean the ends justify the means. It is always funny to see some people romantize and justify the last vestiges of colonial monarchy. With omnipresent pop culture and Internet openness, world governments are realizing the need to embrace change and become more progressive and open.

The majority of Constitutions today provide for a democratic form of government. The goo...

Cambodia's Reflection

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:15:55 +0800

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Grand Phenom Phen

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:06:24 +0800

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Capital City of Cambodia by Day

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:49:48 +0800

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Same, Same but Different!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:17:56 +0800

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As I ate a bowl of curry, I asked the waitress whether it was Cambodian curry or Thai? She immediately proclaimed that it was Cambodian, of course! It was zesty and rich, spicy and warm; velvety in texture, with a full buttery coconut undertone, and loaded with shrimp and vegetables. ...

Majestic Phenom Phen by Night

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:30:28 +0800

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The terrain is mostly level as you snake along the waterways through Cambodia. The only thing that slowed things down was the long wait at the border to process the passports of the bus passengers as a group, the ferry crossing (which was very fast), and the last leg of the trip along a v...

Crossing a River by Ferry

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:15:36 +0800

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The excitement of traveling to Phenom Phen by bus was rapidly building. It would only take five minutes to cross the river by ferry, though we had to wait for the ferry for about 15 minutes.

After reaching the other side of the river, it would take another couple o...

Moving Waters of Cambodia - Long Version!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:54:22 +0800

What a country! Cambodia is a beautiful place. Here is a longer video to show you the incredible scenary of Cambodia. Imagine all the scenes that I have...or have not yet captured? I guess you'll just have to visit Cambodia yourself to experience it!

Moving landscape of Cambodia

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:41:46 +0800

Cambodia is another world! This video is far too short, but you will clearly see the rugged and beautiful countryside!

The Plentiful Waters of Cambodia

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:13:31 +0800

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From Saigon to Phenom Phen by bus!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:28:41 +0800

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A one-way ticket from Saigon to Phenom Phen...

Classical Cultural Signs in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:15:10 +0800

]]>the Manor, and it's very large - 30 stories tall with three restaurants in the lobby. It's probably one of the largest apartment building in modern Ho Chi Minh City today, and construction is now underway to build a second phase to the existing apartment complex. When it's done, it will be truly huge - and it already is!

Everyday pictures from Ho Chi Minh City

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:02:53 +0800

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A bustling side street

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:40:00 +0800

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Vietnam around the corner

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:23:21 +0800

]]> Vietnam is a definitely very much in and of Asia. And yet, it is so rich with its own traditions and culture - and I have only been here for about two months to experience it. Lots more to experience and share here, and supposedly, I will be going up to Hanoi for consultations soon, so of course I look forward to seeing and sharing what Hanoi is like. I think I'll just want to walk around more and "get lost" and see what I can find along the way. :)

The more modest Saigon around the corner

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:45:13 +0800

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In just a 10-minute walk from my place in Saigon, I could be somewhere else very far away, as it would seem. In fact, in just a minute or two from my apartment, I could be in a totally lost in another landscape. Vietnam does have a dualism of sorts. One...

Hawaiian-style Teriyaki with Vietnamese Accents!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:49:53 +0800

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Normally, I'm fairly cautious about buying meat from fresh produce markets in Asia, but I guess I took a chance this time. The meat processing area looked much better than in Mongolia, generally speaking. But even in Mongolia, the "German Butcher" is...

Inside a famous Market Place of Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:25:32 +0800

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Mongolia also has the Black Market, which is similar and different in many ways. Mongolia's Black Market evolved from that country's Soviet and Communist era, and the "market" sprouted up to provide a way for people to survive when the centrally planned economy failed to grow and support the people. Mongolia's Black Market is both indoors and out...

View of A Market

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:49:49 +0800

]]> According to the Lonely Planet book on Vietnam, Ben Thanh Market was built of reinforced concrete in 1914, and the French knew the market as Les Halles Centrales. Today Ben Thanh Market is the largest indoor market in Saigon, and you can find almost any consumer goods except for electronic goods at this popular venue.

Tale of a Fish

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:37:50 +0800

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It's definately a place for buyers and sellers. Life, and even death, are here too....

It's fun and interesting to watch things happen here. It's the real world at Ben Thanh Market in Saigon.

Fish Out of Water

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:32:53 +0800

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As you can see by the video, this fish is still very much alive. As I watched this fish for a couple of minutes, it seemed that the fish was conscious of my presence, and the fish was trying to cope with its dire circumstances as best it could.

Such is life....

Small Fishponds

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:21:22 +0800

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Lots of Fresh Fish in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:09:19 +0800

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Da Lat Country

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:41:17 +0800

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According to Wikipedia.org, The name derives from the language of the local ethnic group Lạt and its original meaning is "Stream of the Lạt".

Click the image to see the horses move around.

Heirloom of Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:34:43 +0800

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Royal Conference Room in Palace

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:17:09 +0800

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Rapid Scene in DaLat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:07:57 +0800

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Cultural Teasures of the Past

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:53:32 +0800

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Cosmopolitan Da Lat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:36:32 +0800

]]>Wikipedia.org notes that Da Lat is a popular tourist destination with many beautiful lakes, streams, and flowers.

Eating with one of the a Local Families in DaLat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:04:24 +0800

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Sharing the native music of DaLat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:57:07 +0800

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It was too dark to film this clip, so I just filmed the floor! That's why I made the video small, like a button. In future versions of my video hacking, I'll handle this scenario differently, like labeling a button and changing it's color through an XML file.

Unfortunately, I don't have any software to break out the audio from ...

Home Sweet Home

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:45:20 +0800

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The Rolling hills of Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:29:45 +0800

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I'll have to find out what's growning here...maybe coffee. The countryside ranges from tropical to agricultural to a tangle of shrubs and dirt. Lots of rain lately, but after November, things will get very dry for a long time....

Poor Man's Internet Video

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:49:37 +0800

]]>dividing and conquering, you can optimize and organize a video production for the Internet - or at least in theory. Even if it cannot really solve the bandwidth problem of the Internet today, the idea...

Once upon a time...

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 01:05:28 +0800

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Surpising views of the river

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:53:37 +0800

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The Allegory of DaLat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:45:23 +0800

I have yet another piece of enchanting music from the native people to come, but this piece is probably more classic in the sense of reflecting their traditional culture.

Vietnam small businesses

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:42:48 +0800

The view from the Palace

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:39:20 +0800

A Rainy and Cloudy Day

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:28:09 +0800

Like I said, it was too cloudy! We couldn't see any view at the top of the mountain. Normally you have a great view of the city of DaLat. But it was too cloudy on this day.

Driving up the Mountain

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:25:15 +0800

We went driving up a moutain to see the view, but it was too cloudy!

Tea Making

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:22:24 +0800

Romancing the traditonal ways

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:16:26 +0800

Seems so Vietnam here. Another view of DaLat.

Dalat is a nice town

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:14:04 +0800

The Coffee Business

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:06:57 +0800

A Romance of a Myth

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:04:01 +0800

Royalty is a romance with humanity as if it were divine. The human connection is fraught with weaknesses. It may seem like a fairytale, but reality it is far more complex and ugly. Royalty is not always evil, but it's far harder to control its excesses. By definition of how power is defined in such regimes, justice is more difficult to produce and maintain.

Likewise the purges to rid the world of royalty were grotesque in the extreme. King Bao-Dai's saw the handwriting on th...

We danced and drank their wine!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:28:58 +0800

It was really quite an experience to visit this "tribal" group of people in Dalat. Normally they wear blue jeans and t-shirts - just like you and me - but there are really only about 2000 of them, and they have a special culture and language all their own.

I did buy a really nice looking woven native-pattern shirt that they made by hand. It's really cool looking. :-)

They danced many dances for us, and we danced with them too, and we tried their rice ...

Going to where the Native people live

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:19:23 +0800

I am told that the Government of Vietnam recognizes 54 different ethnic groups within the country. We visited one of the smaller ethnic groups during our visit to DaLat. This group has only 2000 members today, but they have their own unique language and culture, plus they speak Vietnamese as well.

Enchanting Dalat

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:52:49 +0800

Vietnam can be an enchanting place with a rich tapestry of cultures, arts, peoples, and traditions....

I have lots more to share...but I have to go to work for now!

A picture of Royalty

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:49:16 +0800

A picture of a picture. An actress plays the role of queen. One of the last queens of Vietnam, apparently the second wife to the King, since the king had several. Times have certainly changed.

Last King of Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:46:52 +0800

We visited the palace of the last King of Vietnam. Lots of interesting history in Vietnam.

Culture and the Arts of Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:43:44 +0800

Who is that guy with the shades? It's PK!

Rural Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:24:33 +0800

Vietnam is a place of contrasts, between haves and have nots. This is, of course, true of all places.

I don't want to suggest, however, that everything looks like this. In the larger towns and cities, you have both affluent people and the improvished, side by side. In the countryside though, you do tend to see more hardship and humble times, but there are some great towns and curbside developments along many miles of the roadway as you travel to the countryside, from Saigon t...

Tea Leaves

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:21:51 +0800

Tea and Coffee Business in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:13:15 +0800

Coffee and tea business in Vietnam are big business. Here is a Vietnamese lady harvesting the tea plants. We toured a coffee and tea factory that was just a few miles away from this field.

Vietnam by Road

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:50:26 +0800

You can see the slight imperfections and reflections of water droplets on the window - it was a rainy day. But the view of the rugged and tropical landscape was beautiful.

A conical pair

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:41:10 +0800

The Delat trip was great! What follows is a smargasborg of pictures and videos of my travels from Saigon to Dalat and back.

Vietnam in Transition

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:11:20 +0800

On the way home, I caught this nice video...

Narrow streets of Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:12:07 +0800

The Modern look in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:08:26 +0800

I have to say, this is a very nice looking, slick, and modern building. Parts of Saigon are very nice looking indeed.

Another view of a shop in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:02:10 +0800

I guess we can call this "Vietnamese town". There are *many* shops in Saigon; and many have a similar look to this one. However, the degree of variations is extreme, even on the same street. Actually, the city itself is a very modern place, all in all.

A major street in Ho Chi Minh City

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:59:42 +0800

Small shops in Ho Chi Minh City

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:55:51 +0800

Many shops have a more humble appearance.

Catholic church in central Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:50:37 +0800

You always see the classic Vietnamese weddings here with the bride taking a photo shoot in the park next to the church. Seems like they want the "traditional" wedding experience...

What Saigon city really looks like...

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:48:04 +0800

Night life in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:44:49 +0800

The Conical Hats of Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:02:46 +0800

It's a sunny place!

Final classic bridge view

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:56:42 +0800

You can see the towers under construction on the right side. This is where you see the nearby lightening strike in an earlier submitted video blog entry.

Narrow streets here and there

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:55:15 +0800

Another bridge shot

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:53:21 +0800

More Crazy Traffic from Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:49:59 +0800

Old and new...Saigon in Transition

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:48:22 +0800

A New Bridge in Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:42:14 +0800

Saigon Downtown from a distance

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:40:03 +0800

Shipyard View of Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 20:34:26 +0800

Rather than give you a thousand words, I want to show you a few pictures of Saigon. So, if you haven't seen Saigon, here's a few quite pictures. The panoramic views I took during my first week, and the pictures around town I took earlier today....

Traffic in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:38:55 +0800

Traffic is truly crazy in Saigon! This video show all the mopeds and vehicles moving in different directions, but it's actually pretty tame - many times it's much worse than this video. In fact, shortly after I filmed this clip, the road became much heavier with morning traffic.

Heavy Lighting and Thunder last night

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:09:13 +0800

No, it's not a war scene. This is peaceful Saigon with lots of weather as of late. ;)

Rainy season in Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:32:54 +0800

The weather can be intense and sudden in Vietnam. Lots of lighting, thunder, and rain lately. It is rainy season here in 'Nam.

My first bowl of local Pho!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:30:33 +0800

Yup, it was pretty good. I think the pho I had in Hawaii was even better, but I know that in the land of pho, I'll be sure to have tons of fantastic pho to come. :)

A New View of Saigon

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:10:46 +0800

Here's a view of Saigon city from my new apartment. Technically, Saigon is Ho Chi Minh City, but many locals still call it Saigon. Actually, Saigon now refers to District 1, but again, you'll see Saigon used everywhere and on everything.

It's a surprisingly modern and upbeat kind of place. In many ways, it's not unlike Bangkok, Bali, Manila, or other places in Southeast Asia. I have lots more to share about Vietnam, but I need to catch up with a few things first.......

Back to DC (on the Metro)

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:32:17 +0800

The Metro is awesome. The Metro is, of course, the subway system in DC. It's very stylish, and certainly one of the best city-wide transportation systems in the USA. It's always exciting and convenient to ride around DC on the Metro.

I'm not sure that the Metro idea would work everywhere - cost and massive infrastructures being two significant issues to deal with - but if you had to do a subway system the right way, then DC's Metro makes a classic model for the way t...

Flex is the next big thing

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:16:17 +0800

Okay, here's my next big thing: Flex! Yeah, Flex. :-) It's kinda related to Flash. So far, I like it a lot. Flex seems very promising. It's a new language by Adobe, which helps developers rapidly build Rich Internet Applications, or RIAs, for the web.

You ask what are RIAs? Well, you know how web applications are today, right? They are not so great sometimes. Sluggish, unresponsive web-based applications lack the dynamic feel and features of PC-based applications. Oft...

Aloha Mongolia!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 21 May 2007 05:36:09 +0800

Well, it's been a good two years in Mongolia for me. The winters were hard for this Hawaiian haole boy, but somehow I survived. Mongolia was a tad more free and open than Saudi Arabia, which was my previous posting in the Foreign Service. Still, I had some classic times in Saudi Arabia too, to say the least. For now, though, we won't talk about the Dom Perignon. ;-)

Back in my Saudi days, there was a sense of urgency...like the country was going to explode during...

Global Warming - is it too late?

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 06:44:38 +0800

Humans are largely to blame for global warming and its effects are unstoppable for centuries to come according to a draft report issued by leading international climate scientists. The draft report was issued on February 2nd by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC), which is composed of experts on weather and climate change. It provided some of the strongest language to date on the effects of global warming. The report noted that 12 of the past 13 years were the warmest on...

Splendors of Bangkok

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:22:07 +0800

For Thailand, this year is the 60th anniversary of when King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended to the throne. He is the longest serving monarch in the world. The King is revered and extremely popular among Thais today. When I visited Thailand in December 2007, yellow T-Shirts were the order of the day...everyone wore them as a symbol of their pride to the King's jubilee. Former President George H.W. Bush dropped by the palace for a dinner, and there were many ceremonies and royal events to wrap up...

Mui Ne Surfer Town, Vietnam

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:22:56 +0800

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Time moves slower here - it's just a sleepy surfer town really, and the local market was definitely a classic.

Check out my Hawaiian

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 10:29:32 +0800

As always, I enjoyed my stay in Hawaii. Having traveled around the world in the last couple of years, I can say that Hawaii is a special place. The city of Honolulu is a classy town - well balanced and managed, and well manicured - very modern and chic. And as modern as it is, Honolulu still has a small town feel to it. The skyline is starting to blossom with modern-looking buildings springing up, but Hawaii has not lost its charm and appeal. This is due in part to construction and zoning ...

Bali is a great place to get away!

Patrick@westernkennedy.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:39:26 +0800

If you are tired of the beaten path, then you might want to try Bali. Well, granted that many Europeans and Australian aready know of Bali's charms, but tourism is way down since the horrific Bali Bombings. Bali is both a modern tourist mecca and a tropical and rural paradise.

If you think, however, that the bombings should scare you away, think again. What place in the world today has not suffered from terrorism? London, New York, Madrid, Oklahoma...almost anywhere. In point of ...