In Hanoi

[JimHow]

Greetings from Southeast Asia and Happy New Year, we’re having some great food and adventures, and even cut a first video from the lake where John McCain and others were shot down.

https://youtu.be/JvDi1KVC9vo

[DavidG]

Very nice, Jim.

A humble suggestion if you’re going to shoot more of these: a bluetooth microphone with a wind noise reducing fuzzy top that you can clip to your lapel: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wireless+blu ... for+iphone

[JimHow]

Yes thanks David, we have one, we left it at the hotel. We weren’t planning on doing a film on the McCain memorial but a restaurant we had lunch at was nearby so we decided to check it out. Lots of great Vietnamese food on the trip, which we have documented.

[dstgolf]

Brings back some good memories Jim. Don't remember that memorial by the lake when we're were there 10yrs ago. Did get to the Hanoi Hilton and saw some McCain artifacts...pilot suit, helmet etc. One thing I notice in the background is a distinct increase in cars relative to scooters and an overall decrease in traffic. I read Vietnam was introducing electric only scooters. Has that taken place. Enjoy any and look forward to further updates from your travels. Happy New Year.

[JimHow]

We were at the Hanoi Hilton yesterday, Danny, right after we had had lunch at the restaurant where Obama and Bourdain dined. The restaurant was packed but we were very lucky to sit right next to their historic table and stools. I was struck by the different experiences of the two American political opponents in Hanoi and am putting together a little video on it.

[Claudius2]

Jim
I’m at the Hilton Garden Inn Da Nang.
Spent NY in Hoi An which is my fav spot in Vietnam.

Da Nang looks a bit too much like the Queensland Gold Coast. The economy in central Vietnam is growing fast and the is migration from the towns and villages to here.

The people here are very friendly are weather has been pleasant.
Cheers
Mark

[AlexR]

Does make you wonder why the US doesn't see fit to normalize relations with Cuba.

AR

[JimHow]

We had a wonderful time here in Hanoi, Mark, now on to Bangkok.

....Only if it fits within the Trump Corollary, Alex....

[Claudius2]

We had a wonderful time here in Hanoi, Mark, now on to Bangkok.

....Only if it fits within the Trump Corollary, Alex....

Jim
Have a great trip.
Hope you can make it to Singapore some time.
Cheers
Mark

[JimHow]

You know, I’m going to be back in March to see Louis CK in Bangkok, perhaps I should stop in Singapore for a night.

[Claudius2]

Jim
Great - I have plenty of nice Bordeaux to open.
Cheers
Mark

[tim]

Jimmy, you really should start thinking about retirement...

[JimHow]

At Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Timmy, heading back to the land of Orange Man. What in the fuck is going on over there. I seriously don't want to go back to that grotesque place. The people here in Southeast Asia are so civilized and nice. The U.S. is a bad joke.

2026 is going to be the "Year of Five Murder Trials," beginning with an awful retrial of State of Maine v. Tyler Witham-Jordan in February for the death of three year old Makinzlee Handrahan on Christmas morning 2022. Our client is innocent and my task in this case is to blame the mother for the death, I was about to begin my cross of her back in December 2024 before the prosecutor screwed up big time and a mistrial was ordered.

Between trials I have multiple trips planned this year, including South Beach later this month. We are going to document everything on our upcoming website, JIMHOWANIEC.COM.

[stefan]

I see that in Hanoi or Bangkok you bought a case of fancy Champagne. What will you buy while flying back?

[JimHow]

Ha on sale in tax free NH. I do have my eyes on some 1980s left bankers.

[Claudius2]

I see that in Hanoi or Bangkok you bought a case of fancy Champagne. What will you buy while flying back?

Yeah I did the same in central Vietnam.
Given that it was Christmas and NY I took 6 bottles.

Cheers
Mark