Scott David Plumlee's Blog

I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who helped make the recent book release a success. Thank you to the 200 people that were curious enough to download the free eBook from Amazon.

As well, my humblest gratitude for the 17 book reviews on Amazon; including two reviews on the UK site, one review in German, and four posts on Goodreads. Your the best: Gail, Teri, Verla, Ara, Janet, Rosalind, Eila, Aby, Hayli, Carys, Dee, Debra, Jonni, Jace, and Manja.

I also want to send special recognition to: Dr. Gail Devoid, Laura Haley Conner, Shirley Plumlee, Cheryl Cohen, Teri Halstead, Lauren Anderson, Carys Jones, Verla Kellar and Jace Martin for proofreading the text to make this book the best it can be. I am humbled by your kindness and owe you all a debt of gratitude!

The 5-day free promotion has now concluded, but you can still add your review to Amazon or Goodreads.

Here is the link to write a review on Amazon

Alternatively, you can write a review on Goodreads

Thank you all for your time and consideration. I hope you enjoyed this travel story around historical Hue, and will join me for my next adventure as I ride a motorcycle across Vietnam, going Full Throttle to Danang.

Many thanks, Scott David Plumlee

Inspire your desire to travel by taking a sightseeing tour around historically-rich Hue in Vietnam.

The fifth Vietnam Backpacker book is now live on Amazon, packed with historical sights, and for the remaining 24-hours you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. Come join me to visit the excessively ornamental interior of Emperor Khai Dinh's mausoleum, from mosaic walls to painted ceilings. I hope you enjoy this 15-minute quick read travel story, if so, please be so kind as to leave an informative and honest review - thank you.

Currently, 163 copies have been downloaded from Amazon and it has received 15 amazing reviews (see below).

Here is the link to download the free book fromAmazon

Alternatively or additionally, you can write a review onGoodreads

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

Reader1953 wrote: "Vietnam Backpacker Photo Journey #5 is a beautifully photographed travel journal that gives you an inside, personal view of traveling as a Westerner in Vietnam's Forbidden City, Hue. This book is the fifth in a series of short, lavishly photographed travel journals about backpacking through Vietnam, with each book covering a specific locality. Great inspiration and information for anyone going to Vietnam and southeast Asia. You may also be interested in Scott's series of Backpacker Guides to New Zealand."

Hayli Nicole wrote:"I really love the way David describes his surroundings. Having been to Vietnam, reading his passages always triggers the rewarding memories I have of such a beautiful country. I wasn't able to spend time in Hue, but this travel installation really brings the city to life. I genuinely look forward to future releases as he continues his way through Vietnam."

Jace Martin wrote: "Beautiful photos graphically illustrate this brief journey through another place and time. Another enjoyable read to pique your interest in a place most May not have the opportunity to visit."

Many thanks, Scott David Plumlee

FREE eBook download - a cautionary tale of history repeating itself, because absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The fifth Vietnam Backpacker book is now live on Amazon, and for the next two days you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. I hope you enjoy this 15-minute quick read travel narrative, if so, please be so kind as to leave an informative and honest review - thank you.

Currently, 127 copies have been downloaded from Amazon and it has received 14 amazing reviews (see below).

Here is the link to download the free book fromAmazon

Alternatively or additionally, you can write a review onGoodreads

In this fifth volume, I will be touring the ancient capitol city of Hue. On the second day, after a heart-breaking visit to Thein Mu Pagoda, I took a wild motorcycle taxi ride to visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Despite having more than one hundred wives, he was unable to father a male successor, and spent his life designing a massive tomb and surrounding palaces. Ironically, despite the grandeur of the Tu Duc’s mausoleum, it is rumored that he was actually buried somewhere else in Hue. To protect the covert location, the 200 laborers who buried the king were all beheaded after they returned from the secret route. Tu Duc was undoubtedly a narcissistic tyrant, but he did have good taste in music; as I was privileged to witness a spellbinding performance of traditional folk music from his lakeside pavilion.

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

Carys Jones wrote: "As with all of Scott David Plumlee's Backpacker books, Journey # 5 is filled with stunning photos, rich history, and a personal and personable account of the most amazing adventure. David has a true gift for sweeping you along on his travels - you can almost hear him talking to you along the way. Set aside some time, make yourself comfortable, and let him take you through the fascinating Forbidden City Of Hue. You'll enjoy every minute."

Janet Kent wrote: "This is not only a beautiful book full of stunning photos but also gives an insight to a way of life that is unknown to the average Westerner . I feel that I am on a journey myself , a feeling that not many books achieve."

Aby Ebarle wrote: "Well, this book trigger curiosity and made me want to see and experience those historical places in Vietnam. Great ideas David, keep it up and more e-books please."

FREE eBook download - inspire your inner globetrotter by taking a historically-rich adventure that ponders the philosophical question: could I ever summon the courage to pour kerosene over my head and light the match?

The fifth Vietnam Backpacker book is now live on Amazon, and for the next three days you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. I hope you enjoy this 15-minute quick read, as I really poured my heart and soul into the travel narrative, if so, please be so kind as to leave an informative and honest review - thank you.

Currently, 61 copies have been downloaded from Amazon and it has received 8 amazing reviews (see below).

Here is the link to download the free book fromAmazon

Alternatively or additionally, you can write a review onGoodreads

In this fifth volume, I will be touring the ancient capitol city of Hue. On the second day, I walked along the Perfume River to find the iconic seven-tiered Source of Happiness Tower. Absolutely enthralled by its beauty, as each of the seven levels of this redbrick tower is an eight-sided octagon that decrease in size as they rise. However, my joy soon turned to sadness as I learned about the Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc, who set himself on fire to protest religious discrimination by the Vietnamese government. With a heart-wrenching melancholy, I had to ponder this question: could I ever summon the courage to pour kerosene over my head and light the match? I had to honestly answer that I have doubts my ego would allow it.

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

Ara Gregorian wrote:"Scott's series of ongoing travel pictographs and unique perspective keep on satisfying my senses of historic, social, cultural and culinary curiosities. Guaranteed to revive your wanderlust and provide a sane road map to your future travels!"

Rosalind Phillips wrote:"A very easy read that draws you in and enables you to join the author on this photo journey. It has made me - even more than before - want to see for myself the places that he describes in this book. I would recommend this as a menu for someone wanting to try a new food for thought!"

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

FREE eBook download - inspire your wanderlust by visiting the legendary Forbidden Purple City.The fifth Vietnam Backpacker book is now live on Amazon, and for the next four days you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. I hope you enjoy this 15-minute quick read travel narrative, if so, please be so kind as to leave an informative and honest review - thank you.

Since yesterday's release, 31 people have downloaded this free eBook from Amazon and two kind souls have posted a review. This eBook is now ranked #1 in the "Travel Far East Asia" and "Southeast Asia History" categories on Amazon.

Here is the URL link to the book on Amazon

Alternatively or additionally, you can write a review on Goodreads

In this fifth volume, I will be touring the ancient capitol city of Hue. I had the good fortune to meet two local college students, Joe and Yui, who were keen to guide me around the iconic Imperial City. We fed the Koi carp, saw the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and passed through the sanctuary of the Mandarins, before discovering what little remained of the Forbidden Purple City. During its glory days, it was an exclusive 25-acre “Playboy Mansion” for the emperor and his royal harem, but sadly it was destroyed by bombs during the American war. With the aid of Google Translator, we slowly shared our thoughts to gain a deeper cultural understanding and they added a personal perspective into the modern Vietnamese culture with their unexpected political opinions.

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

Many thanks, Scott David Plumlee

Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, because absolute power corrupts absolutely! FREE eBook download - inspire your bravery and vigilance by taking a historically-rich adventure.

The fifth Vietnam Backpacker book is now live on Amazon, and for a limited 5-day promotion you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. I hope you enjoy this 15-minute quick read travel narrative, if so, please be so kind as to leave an informative and honest review - thank you. My goal is to receive 25 book reviews by the end of the week - so every review counts! Amazon rewards books with lots of reviews by promoting those books on the site and beyond.

Here is the URL link to the book on Amazon

Alternatively or additionally, you can write a review on Goodreads

In this fifth volume, I will be touring the ancient capitol city of Hue. When I arrived, I had the good fortune to meet two local college students, Joe and Yui, who were keen to practice their English. They happily agreed to meet me for breakfast and guide me around the royal palaces. The iconic Imperial City was founded in the 17th century by the feudal Nguyen Dynasty emperors, it served as the national capital from 1802 to 1945. Deep within these walls was the Forbidden Purple City where only the emperor, his concubines, and their servants could access; the punishment for trespassing was death. Luckily for us, it is now a UNESCO Site, so we can safely go inside.

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

Many thanks, Scott David Plumlee

Yahoo! I have finalized and uploaded the fifth Vietnam Backpacker eBook to Amazon. I will post a URL link when it is live where you can download the full 50-page digital eBook for free. In the meantime, to whet your eager anticipation, you can download a free 17-page PDF preview from my website

In this fifth volume, I will be touring the ancient capitol city of Hue to discover opulent royal palaces, iconic Buddhist pagodas, and elaborate imperial mausoleums. This travel story is not as action-packed or humorous as the previous books, but it will delight the history buff with lots of 17th century dates and emperor names. Adding a personal perspective into the modern Vietnamese culture, it reveals the political opinions of two college students that I befriended, as well as my own reflections on their tyrannical history.

Are you are planning a trip to Vietnam or just daydreaming of the adventure? This travel narrative will give you an insight into what real backpacking is all about: overnight bus rides, making new friends, eating local food, appreciating new cultures, philosophical insights, and being comfortably lost. This adventurous story will inspire your wanderlust to explore SE Asia as a Vietnam Backpacker!

DOWNLOAD Your Copy Today! You are just one click away from a historically-rich adventure!

I would like to extend a special editorial thanks to: Dr. Gail Devoid, Laura Haley Conner, Shirley Plumlee, Cheryl Cohen, Teri Halstead, Lauren Anderson, Carys Jones, and Verla Kellar.