Voyage of Discovery (eve of departure- 03-04-2017)

The planning has been done, the visas acquired, we are ready to go. Travel with Jerry and Mary Ann Hankins along with Jerry and Linda Hatfield as they begin a journey to the other side of the world. Destination China and Vietnam.
Visit the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall of China, dine on Peking Duck, take a river cruise on the Yantze River and after you leave China, continue your adventure to Southeast Asia. We will fly from Shanghai, China to Ho Chi Minh City. (I knew it as Saigon), visit My Tho, a provisional capital in the Mekong Delta. Ride the Mekong River in a sampan and tour the infamous tunnels of Cu Chi. This and more awaits you as you travel vicariously through this blog.

I had the opportunity to serve my country in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. I was stationed with the 121st Assault Helicopter Company in Soc Trang. Our area of operations was the Mekong Delta. I became very familiar with this area during the 1969-70 period of time. Linda did not know me when I was flying in Vietnam, but Vietnam was always a presence in our married life. It is a beautiful country and I only saw it from the air. I thought this trip would be a good opportunity for us to visit. We will celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary on this trip. When applying for my Visa, a question on the form was "have you ever been to Vietnam?, if so, for what purpose." I started to say "yes, it was a business trip". I did not do it, though.

Jerry Hankins had visited China while on a church mission trip. He was struck by the beauty of the country and wanted to take Mary Ann to see the country. They were married on the same date as Linda and I, but different years. This is an anniversary trip for them, also.