Where's Svlad? - Needles in Haystacks

With the Saigon Safe House established, yet wonderfully obscure, Mongo set out on his quest. Before leaving the United States, he had reviewed everywhere Biff had been during his time in Vietnam.

Considering that most of the ground fighting took place in the south you would expect a trip to Hanoi not to be in the cards. Not so. Biff had been inserted into Hai Phong and had also done some snooping up by the Vietnamese/China border.

Mongo, posing as a tourist, decided to hit the northern locations first, then travel back down the country, visiting the other sites maintaining his cover. Not that he was doing anything illegal. It's just that announcing to the local government that you're looking for a kidnapped spook isn't going to get you anything but questions.

Disclaimer: In case the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ever stumbles upon this, Mongo traveled as a tourist, did business as a tourist, and never told anyone in country what he was there for. So nothing is the fault of the hard-working friendly locals.

You have to like a guy who doesn't
allow Boof-Heads in his joint.

In Hanoi, an Australian merchant was found who happened to take tourists to exactly where Mongo needed to go. He signed up for a week's worth of travel and left the driving to the Aussies.

 

The first destination was Hai Phong, which is so exotic it looks like it's right out of a James Bond movie. Biff and Richard Head had been here doing reconnaissance in the mid 60's.

 

The question on everyone's mind was how will we know when we're looking in the right place? Since Richard Head had left is calling card, we decided that he wanted to be found, We just needed to get close, and something dramatic was going to happen.

Once aboard the dragon boat, Mongo headed into the bay between the island sized boulders.

There wasn't much out there.
He explored a cave listed by
UNESCO as a world treasure.
Lot's of stalactites and
stalagmites, but no
kidnapped spooks.

Not everyone has a picture
of the lower G.I. on their
shirt, but Mongo's shirt was
nothing compared to the guy
from Holland with a
Fuck Authority t-shirt.

 

The night was spent aboard the boat just
outside a commercial oyster bed. The
local mosquitoes thought Mongo
was mighty tasty.

The next day brought Mongo to Cat Ba Island.

Main Street - Rush Hour

The locals fish, and grow fruits.

 

Banana Road - 2:30 PM

And let's not forget the rice.

 

This is where a Vietnamese Hamburger
comes from.

Mongo hiked across the island, inspecting the Water Buffalo.

 

Then he had dinner at a floating restaurant.

This was one where you fingered who was going to end up on your table.

 

Being a popcorn maniac,
Mongo spared the Horseshoe Crab's life.

Hmmm, how about some French Fries?
The ladies of the kitchen cleaned
them taters nice.

 

Back on the Dragon Boat, Mongo
and the photographer had a short
meeting and decided to head back
to Hanoi.

Mongo had not expected to hit the
jackpot the first time out; but
still, it was disappointing.

 

Next Time: Part 5 The European Operation