20 days tour Vietnam or Thailand in May 2010

[andré]

I am 65 french and very energetic. I am looking for a female travel companion who would love to share with me a tour in Vietnam or Thailand in March 2010. Tour program to be decided together with the compagnion. I am a good traveller. I used to travel a lot in China for my job. I am very interested in asian cultures and I like to discover the everyday life of local populations. I am not a backpacker though I can walk for hours. I stay usely in decent hotels (witout beeing 5 stars hotels) ... all offers are most welcome.
André


Trip now in May 2010!

[markiegal]

Hi, Have you found someone to travel with yet? Just found this web site. I'm a 54 yr old woman who loves adventure but not looking for drama. Lived in Japan for 2 months in high school & my minor in college was Asian studies. Have traveled a fair amount & would love to explore that part of the world but not alone. I'm in pretty good shape and love to walk, ride bikes, explore, and enjoy the real culture of a country.
Let me know if you are still looking for a travel mate.
TKS

[andré]

Hi tks for yr answer. Yes I am still looking for someone to travel with me but I have postponed my trip. I would like to start by the end of april or beginning of may 2010. I answer to your message while in vacation for 10 days in Bahamas with my children (2 adults boy and girl). Actually I am a french citizen living in Morocco (Rabat).
"what else" ? I am very frequently in Paris where my daughter lives. I visit quite often London which is very close now to Paris with TGV and where I have few friends.
Where do you leave in England ? How do you imagine this trip in Vietnam ?
I have been travelling a lot to China in the past but never been to vietnam. I have in mind to visit few spots like Saigon, Da nang, and other cities (I dont have the map with me) I wish to use the railway as much as possible. Before organizing in detail the itinary of the trip we have got to know each other. I am 65 in good shape. Divorced with 2 children 32 and 34. I am graduated in economics from french university. I am still in activity runing my own business but being my boss I can afford to travel as much as I want.
May I know a little bit more about you ?
Will you please foregive my bad english.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon
truly yours
Andre
Andre

[markiegal]

I am living in California USA. Your English is not bad!!!! Very good. It's late here so I will send you another post in the morning. Enjoy!
Markiegal

[markiegal]

Hello Andre...from Markiegal,
A little about me. 54 yrs old. 2 children 29 & 19 who are on their own in school etc. Was married to their father for 23 yrs but have been divorced for nearly 8 years. I have a pleasant relationship with their father which is good for all of us. I have always lived in the US... California, Utah, & Colorado... I have traveled some of the US, Italy, France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Carribean, Yucatan. I come from a family of restless travelers. My parents, who are now in their 80's, have been all over the world and still travel.
I recently retired from the financial industry and am living with my parents because it works well for all of us. I have an independent income ... not large but sufficient enough to travel & meet my needs.
My interest in travel is to see as much of the culture, the history, & the things which are meaningful to its people as possible. I am adventurous in eating local foods, staying in local hotels hostels or homes, walking to out of the way places, etc.
If you are interested let me know. I have a friend who toured VietNam & can get some insight from her, and my nephew spent a month in Thailand last year so can get info from him too.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Markiegal

[andré]

Dear friend from California,
Just read yr message on my way from the beach to my room ... srry not to answer you immediatly but I am exausted ... I have been swimming and roaring quite a lot .... would you mind if I answer you tomorrow morning ... where in California do you leave ???
rds
Andre

[markiegal]

I've been in Fresno CA for about 8 months. It is in the San Joaquin Valley. Much farming and livestock. I am originally from the North Valley of CA in a college town named Chico where agriculture is primary...rice, nuts, hunting, etc. One of the richest areas for migrating geese and water fowl.

[andré]

Dear friend,
I don t have any map with me so I cannot locate the town where you live. I could go on Google earth but the computer in the club where I stay is so slow that I prefer to wair until I am near a better machine.
Is Markiegal your real name or a name only for the site ? I never heared this name before.
I know now quite a lot about you ... though I am in good shape we have a big difference of age ... 11 yrs... aren't you afraid to travel with "an old man" ?
By talking more and more with friends I realise that Thailand would be more interesting than Vietnam. Apparently people would be more hospitable and means of communication more efficient. I have been to Bankok and Pukhet before but never to the north part or east part of Thailand. My son traveled a lot in Asia and confirm these informations.
A little bit more about the place where I leave. I leave in Morocco which is a nice country to visit. I go often in the south to stay for week ends with friends in the fabulous city of Marrakesh. The north of the country is also interesting with the city of Tangiers. In the east of the city there is a very long sandy beach (24 kms - 16 miles) completely empty of houses or any form of live. The center of the country is occupied with the mountains "Atlas" with cities like Meknes and fes. Fes is a very old city ... the ancient part of the city is still like is was in the past ...
It could be a good destination for you if we are still friends after the trip to Asia... You probably be aware of the fact that the real personality of anyone is revealed when traveling .
I am the type of person who easily become the leader of the group and like to decide on behalf of everyone ... I am always right .... What do you think ??? will you accept such a character with you ???
What about you are you the same type of person ??? if this is the case it will be fun ....
I will have an opportunity to fly to Montreal (Canada) by the end of february ... It could be easier to talk to you over the phone. What about SKYPE ... Do you use this site to communicate with friends ???
OK it is time to join my son and daughter for lunch ... I wish you a pleasant day
Rds
Andre

[markiegal]

Hello Andre,
I posted a reply earlier but I think something happened with my computer & you may not have gotten it. So....My name is not Markiegal....It is Mary Frances....I go by the name of Fran.
It appears we may be compatible travel companions....Always a bit weird to be around someone you don't even know! As far as the age thing....some times I feel 65....Other times I feel 30....It is a mind set. Usually I feel about 40!!!! Sometimes 18!!!!LOL.
Anyway...I have been looking into other travel opportunities. "Habitat For Humanity" "Global Village" has several "Build" projects coming up that I am intersted in. (2 week commitments) ...One is in Brazil, others are in Poland, Manchuria, Thailand, etc.
For me, the airfair is the biggest expense... so if I buy a ticket & get to one of these places to volunteer, then I'm free to travel for another 2 or more weeks & would love to meet you & travel together. Not ruling out a trip with you to Thailand or VN if the volunteer thing doesn't work out ..Thailand would be very interesting.
Please let me know how your plans are coming along. Hope you enjoyed your time with your children!
Markiegal (Fran)

[andré]

Dear Mary Frances, (very french name)

No I did not get your first message. It would be easyer to communicate through the Email box I gave you.
I went to see where Fresno is in California. It is in fact not far from San Francisco, Monterrey, Big sur, places I visited may be 25 years ago. I drove with my family with an RV from San Diego to San Francisco. All these places were amazing.
I went to see the site you told me “Habitat for humanity” I understand that this organisation builds houses for poor people. You volonteer for a period of 2 weeks. Do you have any experience in building houses? I dont understand how you can help ?
Very interesting ...
If you have any skills in building houses you can volonteer in my own house because I have a lot of renovations to do ...
I promise to treat you desently and gently ... plenty of very good food ... very comfortable accomodation ... free access to bath room ... free access to the TV room, tel. and internet ... free access to fitness room ... free visit of the city and neighbourhood (sorry for the orthograph I dont have my french english dictionary) ...free access to local Hammam ... free training of local handycraft like traditional potery, leather work, etc .. etc ... As long as you are a good worker you will not regret our arrangement
... But if you are not what you pretend ... then we have all these “medieval tortures” to remind you your promises ...
What do you think of my offer ???
In any case tell me more about your own arrangements with “Habitat for humanity” I might be interested ... BUT I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BUILDING HOUSES ... How could I help you ?
... I am always in good mood ... I am a good singer (“blue moon”... with the voice almost like Elvis Presley) ... I know how to prepare good meals (french, italian, moroccan, spanish cuisine) ... I know how to measure, so I can control your work ... whether the wall is the right size or not ... I can encourage you while you are working. You see I could be the right man at the right place ...
What do you think of my offer ???
I am working on a programm for Thailand in case you refuse my 2 offers.
ain’t that wised ?
Rds
Andre