Last day in Ho chi Minh city. After breakfast, we get a cab to go to the old post office to get some souvenir. A short ride later, and we are there. As we enter the building, two young Vietnamese girls approach us and ask us if we could be interviewed for a research project they are doing at their university. Their topic is food. Their English is ok, and we manage to understand most of their questions, which weren't to many. One girl is doing the interviewing, and one is recording the interview. Of which we did agree to at the start.
After that was done, we enter the building and look around the souvenir shops and goods, make our purchases and walk back to the motel. A 10 min walk.
We pack our bags, and check out of the motel. Because my original suitcase was surplus to my needs now, hence the unexpandable handle, we have to leave it behind. As luck would have it, the porter man was near our room and helped us with our luggage. We mention to him that we are leaving the old case there, and he asked if we could write a note saying that he could have it, to which Bob obliges. We take our last car ride to the airport, among all the scooters and cars.
It has been an interesting time here in Vietnam. I have enjoyed my time here, even though there have been some challenging moments, it has been good. We go through into the airport, find our airline, check in, pass through customs, which is much less stressful than entering, and wait for boarding for our 3pm flught. Bob wants to get rid of the last of the Dong he has, but everything in the airport is in USD. He manages to get something, so it's all spent.
The flight to Singapore is a 2 hrs flight which is good, then we have a 4 hr wait in Singapore. We find something to eat, then wait to find out what gate we are boarding at. We walk, then use the free internet to kill time.
Onboard, the flight leaves at 22.20 and almost 8 hrs later we are back in Queensland.
It has been a wonderful time away.
Sunday, 21 October 2018
Thursday, 18 October 2018
18th October
Our last full day in Ho Chi Ming city. After breakfast, we meet up with our tour guide, Daisy, who is going to take us around the city, looking at the old and the new.
Our first stop is the Military Remnants museum. Daisy is full of information as I guess most Vietnamese people would be. The museum is a reminder of all the wrong done to this country during the time of war.
But this country is one that has been pushed and pulled by many countries in all directions over its time. These people have suffered so much from outside countries. I feel a sadness for these people as they have endured so much, and don't seem to have benefited that much from any one. Bob and Daisy go onto a couple of other displays relevant to the war, and I wait for them. I go and peruse the gift shop here, and find lots of souvenirs, but just look. Although this is the first place where you can actually look with out getting hassled.
We move on to the area where there are some French building, from pre war, and view, the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is under repair so we are not able to go inside, as was the Chinese markets we were going to go to also. Just across from the Cathedral, is the stately old Post Office. It is a magnificent building, and operating as a post office, as well as a tourist destination, and souvenir selling. There was an old Gent seated, in the middle of the post office, and people were talking with him as he used to work in the post office, back in the war, and before I suspect. He learnt to speak English from when the Americans where there. He was 88 Years old.
Then we moved on to a restaurant for lunch. This is a training restaurant, KOTO, know one teach one. The idea is the teach and continue teaching. Food was very good. We also take in a Chinese Temple, lots of Pidgeons there, and a tank with catfish and other fish swimming in it. All these different types of religions becomes confusing as there are 5 different faiths here. I didn't go inside the Temple, but Bod and Daisy do.
After lunch, the driver says he would like to drive us around the newer part of Ho Chi Ming city. There are lots of High end shops here, obviously for the very Rich. we also see a few more French architecture buildings. All in all a good day. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and had studied in America after winning a scholarship.
In the evening Bob and I get a taxi and go to one of the Shopping Malls with very high end shops, like Rolex, and Mont Blanc, and numerous fashion houses, and cosmetics.
We find the Food court, and head back to the room via Taxi
Our first stop is the Military Remnants museum. Daisy is full of information as I guess most Vietnamese people would be. The museum is a reminder of all the wrong done to this country during the time of war.
But this country is one that has been pushed and pulled by many countries in all directions over its time. These people have suffered so much from outside countries. I feel a sadness for these people as they have endured so much, and don't seem to have benefited that much from any one. Bob and Daisy go onto a couple of other displays relevant to the war, and I wait for them. I go and peruse the gift shop here, and find lots of souvenirs, but just look. Although this is the first place where you can actually look with out getting hassled.
We move on to the area where there are some French building, from pre war, and view, the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is under repair so we are not able to go inside, as was the Chinese markets we were going to go to also. Just across from the Cathedral, is the stately old Post Office. It is a magnificent building, and operating as a post office, as well as a tourist destination, and souvenir selling. There was an old Gent seated, in the middle of the post office, and people were talking with him as he used to work in the post office, back in the war, and before I suspect. He learnt to speak English from when the Americans where there. He was 88 Years old.
Then we moved on to a restaurant for lunch. This is a training restaurant, KOTO, know one teach one. The idea is the teach and continue teaching. Food was very good. We also take in a Chinese Temple, lots of Pidgeons there, and a tank with catfish and other fish swimming in it. All these different types of religions becomes confusing as there are 5 different faiths here. I didn't go inside the Temple, but Bod and Daisy do.
After lunch, the driver says he would like to drive us around the newer part of Ho Chi Ming city. There are lots of High end shops here, obviously for the very Rich. we also see a few more French architecture buildings. All in all a good day. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and had studied in America after winning a scholarship.
In the evening Bob and I get a taxi and go to one of the Shopping Malls with very high end shops, like Rolex, and Mont Blanc, and numerous fashion houses, and cosmetics.
We find the Food court, and head back to the room via Taxi
18th - Ho Chi Minh City tour is the main activity today. We have booked a full day tour but will see how we go. Our tour guide, Daisy, and driver Mr. T arrive promptly at 9:00 and Daisy lays out the plan for the day. The standard plan as we find out includes visits to 2 of the cities major markets including Beh That which we have haunted for days. \
Daisy tells us to fully understand Vietnam one needs to know the history so first stop is the American War Museum. The Vietnamese call the war we know as the Vietnam War as the American War as they have lived with conflict for a long time.
To say the museum was conflicting would be a vast understatement. Graphic photos of the atrocities inflicted on the people brought home to some just the truth. Massacres and weapons of mass destruction, 1960's style, were there for all to see. 3 floors of photos, 1000's of them, adorn every wall. No escape here for those involved. The underlying politics were also there to see. JFK who opposed going to war was assassinated the same month as the Vietnamese General who also opposed going to war. They were replaced by "hawks" who readily entered the fray including "all the way with LBJ - President Lyndon Johnson, JFK's vice-president.
Daisy, who can easily be describes as an activist, was educated in Vietnam, USA and Manilla. She comes from a strongly Communist family but she is vey much a nationalist who agrees with the unification but wants the promised free elections which are now 40 years over due.
She also outlined the French involvement in Vietnam which began in the 1800's when France was invited in by the then King. French influence in Vietnam is everywhere in the infrastructure and architecture. Magnificent buildings are all throughout Ho Chi Minh City, Still Saigon to most. We visited the Saigon Post Office during the day and the grandeur of this structure needs to be seen. Saigon became the centre of Asia during this period.
When in 1940 Germany conquered France they, Germany, assumed control over all French territories around the world - see Casablanca. Because Vietnam was so far from Germany they asked their ally, Japan, to take over and they did. Japan were very cruel to the people and their culture. At the end of WW2 Vietnam self ruled until the early 1950's when France took over again with the aid of the USA. USA wanted to diminish the growing influence of USSR. The next 10 years were horrific for the Vietnamese people with France, a.k.a. USA, tortured, punished and killed 800,000 locals who were seen against French rule - ether nationalists or communists. The pressure from the north for unification started the American War in 1964 with the USA supported by France, England, Australia, New Zealand and others taking on North Vietnam backed by the USSR and an emerging China. The rest as they say is history. In 1974 USA and its allies signed a peace accord with N the north and its allies, guaranteeing free elections and freedom. America packed up and were never heard from again. The communists took over the unified Vietnam and have not been challenged. The country has never recovered, economically or socially.
We finished our tour a little early having see the Chinese Temple where President Obama met with officials in the first Presidential visit here since the war.
Last night we visited Diamond Plaza which is one of a handful of very high end shopping centres that have popped up in the last few years to service the well-to-do who driver their Rolls, Range Rovers and Mercs in amongst the hoards of bikes. Interesting mix.
Daisy tells us to fully understand Vietnam one needs to know the history so first stop is the American War Museum. The Vietnamese call the war we know as the Vietnam War as the American War as they have lived with conflict for a long time.
To say the museum was conflicting would be a vast understatement. Graphic photos of the atrocities inflicted on the people brought home to some just the truth. Massacres and weapons of mass destruction, 1960's style, were there for all to see. 3 floors of photos, 1000's of them, adorn every wall. No escape here for those involved. The underlying politics were also there to see. JFK who opposed going to war was assassinated the same month as the Vietnamese General who also opposed going to war. They were replaced by "hawks" who readily entered the fray including "all the way with LBJ - President Lyndon Johnson, JFK's vice-president.
Daisy, who can easily be describes as an activist, was educated in Vietnam, USA and Manilla. She comes from a strongly Communist family but she is vey much a nationalist who agrees with the unification but wants the promised free elections which are now 40 years over due.
She also outlined the French involvement in Vietnam which began in the 1800's when France was invited in by the then King. French influence in Vietnam is everywhere in the infrastructure and architecture. Magnificent buildings are all throughout Ho Chi Minh City, Still Saigon to most. We visited the Saigon Post Office during the day and the grandeur of this structure needs to be seen. Saigon became the centre of Asia during this period.
When in 1940 Germany conquered France they, Germany, assumed control over all French territories around the world - see Casablanca. Because Vietnam was so far from Germany they asked their ally, Japan, to take over and they did. Japan were very cruel to the people and their culture. At the end of WW2 Vietnam self ruled until the early 1950's when France took over again with the aid of the USA. USA wanted to diminish the growing influence of USSR. The next 10 years were horrific for the Vietnamese people with France, a.k.a. USA, tortured, punished and killed 800,000 locals who were seen against French rule - ether nationalists or communists. The pressure from the north for unification started the American War in 1964 with the USA supported by France, England, Australia, New Zealand and others taking on North Vietnam backed by the USSR and an emerging China. The rest as they say is history. In 1974 USA and its allies signed a peace accord with N the north and its allies, guaranteeing free elections and freedom. America packed up and were never heard from again. The communists took over the unified Vietnam and have not been challenged. The country has never recovered, economically or socially.
We finished our tour a little early having see the Chinese Temple where President Obama met with officials in the first Presidential visit here since the war.
Last night we visited Diamond Plaza which is one of a handful of very high end shopping centres that have popped up in the last few years to service the well-to-do who driver their Rolls, Range Rovers and Mercs in amongst the hoards of bikes. Interesting mix.
Wednesday, 17 October 2018
17th - Tay Ninh is a fabulous real Vietnamese city, relatively untouched by the west and tourism. A great choice by us to off-set the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and the tourism of Vung Tau.
On the way back to Ho Chi Minh we visited the Cao Dai Great Temple (Thanh That Cao Dai), the Cao Dai Holy See, founded in 1926, is 4km east of Tay Ninh, in the village of Long Hoa. As well as the Great Temple, the complex houses administrative offices, residences for officials and adepts, and a hospital of traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine that attracts people from all over the south for its treatments.
This is a most impressive facility centred on the temple and has a vast array of followers, teachers, monks and is visited by millions per year. They even have a their own resident families of monkeys. The visit had a strong emotional impact on Roberta.
The car ride to Ho Chi Minh City was uneventful but again provided a display of the variety of landscapes, industry, transport and diversity of this land.
We arrived mid afternoon and after checking in headed of to reconnoitrer the market. We were on a mission to purchase a new suitcase for Roberta whose existing case had a malfunctioning retractable handle. We first stepped into a shirt stand and for the next 30-40 minutes we jousted with the lady sales folk which was great fun. The sales folk had amazing skills of selling, negotiation, flattering, outright sexual innuendo, and make exit almost impossible. Both Roberta and I purchased shirts and managed to escape with our wallets and dignity almost intact. Shirts are great, dirt cheap and overall good buys. We headed back to the hotel to re-group. We planned to attend that evenings night market which we learned started at 7:00pm.
We had some early dinner, Pho, and then down to the market. There was considerable activity in the side streets but no market - it was 6:30. We took up position at a local café and waited.
At 6:45 the most amazing, orchestrated event took please when hundreds of people with hundreds of pop-up gazebos flooded in like a tsunami, followed by bikes towing large metal boxes full of goods.
In the next 10 minutes the market sprung up from the ground to fully equipped and lit stands offering everything from food, trinkets, clothes, shoes, hats, and of course bags and suitcases. Roberta wanted a full sized case plus a carry-on case. She found what she wanted and then the dace again began. "How much"? - "3million 2 hundred thousand" "Too much" "2million, 5 hundred thousand" "Too much" "2 million" "No" "How much then"? We offered 1 million 5 hundred thousand. After the usual theatrics we did the deal - 1 million 5 hundred thousand dong - A$90.00.
We dragged the case and ourselves back to the hotel. Tomorrow we have a city tour for our last day.
On the way back to Ho Chi Minh we visited the Cao Dai Great Temple (Thanh That Cao Dai), the Cao Dai Holy See, founded in 1926, is 4km east of Tay Ninh, in the village of Long Hoa. As well as the Great Temple, the complex houses administrative offices, residences for officials and adepts, and a hospital of traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine that attracts people from all over the south for its treatments.
This is a most impressive facility centred on the temple and has a vast array of followers, teachers, monks and is visited by millions per year. They even have a their own resident families of monkeys. The visit had a strong emotional impact on Roberta.
The car ride to Ho Chi Minh City was uneventful but again provided a display of the variety of landscapes, industry, transport and diversity of this land.
We arrived mid afternoon and after checking in headed of to reconnoitrer the market. We were on a mission to purchase a new suitcase for Roberta whose existing case had a malfunctioning retractable handle. We first stepped into a shirt stand and for the next 30-40 minutes we jousted with the lady sales folk which was great fun. The sales folk had amazing skills of selling, negotiation, flattering, outright sexual innuendo, and make exit almost impossible. Both Roberta and I purchased shirts and managed to escape with our wallets and dignity almost intact. Shirts are great, dirt cheap and overall good buys. We headed back to the hotel to re-group. We planned to attend that evenings night market which we learned started at 7:00pm.
We had some early dinner, Pho, and then down to the market. There was considerable activity in the side streets but no market - it was 6:30. We took up position at a local café and waited.
At 6:45 the most amazing, orchestrated event took please when hundreds of people with hundreds of pop-up gazebos flooded in like a tsunami, followed by bikes towing large metal boxes full of goods.
In the next 10 minutes the market sprung up from the ground to fully equipped and lit stands offering everything from food, trinkets, clothes, shoes, hats, and of course bags and suitcases. Roberta wanted a full sized case plus a carry-on case. She found what she wanted and then the dace again began. "How much"? - "3million 2 hundred thousand" "Too much" "2million, 5 hundred thousand" "Too much" "2 million" "No" "How much then"? We offered 1 million 5 hundred thousand. After the usual theatrics we did the deal - 1 million 5 hundred thousand dong - A$90.00.
We dragged the case and ourselves back to the hotel. Tomorrow we have a city tour for our last day.
17th October
We leave Tay Ninh this morning after a great breakfast. The breakfast room was the busiest it's been since we got here. After breakfast we went for our last walk along the streets of Tay Ninh, back to the motel to check out and wait for our car to arrive to take us back to Ho Chi Ming city. On the way back we plan to stop and see the Cao Dai Holy See Temple.
We check this with Dat, our driver, and we are on our way. This was the last thing we wanted to see before we left the area. We had planned to go there yesterday, but mother nature intervened. Maybe it was for good reason. When we arrived, the whole place is just absolutely wonderful. And to add to the magic, we saw some monkeys run across the road. Dat, the driver stayed with the car, although he said he had not been here before. We walk around in awe of it all. I am totally amazed. The building is bright, and yet so reverent. There are people milling around, but not that many, but as always lots of scooters. There are separate entrances for men and women, so Bob goes to his side, and I just walk about looking. I fear doing something that might offend the monks and the women of the temple. I take a couple of pics, and Bob calls me over to go inside.
So I go to the ladies entrance, and am to fearful I may do something wrong. I don't want to disrespect anyone. I take my shoes off, as is the custom, and I am ushered in by one of the ladies, still uncertain. There was a group of younger women going in at the same time. I reunite with Bob, and I begin to struggle with where I am, and how over powering it is. Looking around at the intricate carvings and brightly coloured figures is beyond me. A monk encourages us to walk all the way around. I want to drink in this whole event. I dare not take photos, as I feel it would be intruding on the sacredness of the temple. So I absorb what I can. I feel a flood of tears welling up inside, as I think of mum. Tears spill out, and I do try to control myself. It was a very emotional moment. The blind faith that these people have in something that can or can't be disproved, and to build such elaborate temples is over powering. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined experiencing this. I have so much to be thankful for, and to give thanks about. It takes me sometime to recover emotionally from the experience. Bob tells me afterwards, that there was a funeral about to take place. Imagine waiting to start while visitors look around. Very humbling.
We continue on our way to Ho Chi Ming city. Watching the landscape change back to cramped and busy again. It is very different watching the scenery changing. The shops vary, with bike repairers and trye places, and all manner of things, the out there in the mix, is a bridal dress shop, or a beauty place, and as always food vendors. There are lots of empty buildings, and some appear to be abandoned.
And some 2 hrs later we arrive back at the GK Central hotel. Check in, regather ourselves and brave the markets. Our aim is to get another suitcase for me, as the handle on the one I have won't extend out. We look about, and hunt one down, now the haggling begins. We don't get the price we want, so we go away. Further into the murkyiness of the markets. Bob and i get snaged at a stall selling shirts, and as always, they say, " we have your size Sir, " to which we reply and say no, I don't think you would. So Bob sets about to prove them wrong. But they are correct, and he is sized up. Then one lady starts on me, and I say, no, you wouldn't have anything for my size. Hmmmm, how wrong I was. So I walk away with 5 tops. But at a good price. We then high tail it back to the room as the heat is stifling. An hour or so later, we head back to the markets. Bob is on a mission. The night markets start at 7 we are told.
Now this is something to behold, on the streets, there are scooters pulling all manner of stall equipment, but nothing is being put together, so, we decide to sit and watch what is about to happen unfold.
Well, seeing is believing. At about 15 mins to 7, organised chaos erupts and everyone is busy assembling gazebos, putting goods up for display, plugging in electricity, and ready to sell in 15 mins. AMAZING. We duck and weave our way though the night market, and eventually decide on a suitcase. So we have seen it, haggled for it, and now fleeing from the markets. A wonderful day, starting from a slow paced day, to a frenzied evening. And all along the way, lots to be happy about.
We check this with Dat, our driver, and we are on our way. This was the last thing we wanted to see before we left the area. We had planned to go there yesterday, but mother nature intervened. Maybe it was for good reason. When we arrived, the whole place is just absolutely wonderful. And to add to the magic, we saw some monkeys run across the road. Dat, the driver stayed with the car, although he said he had not been here before. We walk around in awe of it all. I am totally amazed. The building is bright, and yet so reverent. There are people milling around, but not that many, but as always lots of scooters. There are separate entrances for men and women, so Bob goes to his side, and I just walk about looking. I fear doing something that might offend the monks and the women of the temple. I take a couple of pics, and Bob calls me over to go inside.
We continue on our way to Ho Chi Ming city. Watching the landscape change back to cramped and busy again. It is very different watching the scenery changing. The shops vary, with bike repairers and trye places, and all manner of things, the out there in the mix, is a bridal dress shop, or a beauty place, and as always food vendors. There are lots of empty buildings, and some appear to be abandoned.
And some 2 hrs later we arrive back at the GK Central hotel. Check in, regather ourselves and brave the markets. Our aim is to get another suitcase for me, as the handle on the one I have won't extend out. We look about, and hunt one down, now the haggling begins. We don't get the price we want, so we go away. Further into the murkyiness of the markets. Bob and i get snaged at a stall selling shirts, and as always, they say, " we have your size Sir, " to which we reply and say no, I don't think you would. So Bob sets about to prove them wrong. But they are correct, and he is sized up. Then one lady starts on me, and I say, no, you wouldn't have anything for my size. Hmmmm, how wrong I was. So I walk away with 5 tops. But at a good price. We then high tail it back to the room as the heat is stifling. An hour or so later, we head back to the markets. Bob is on a mission. The night markets start at 7 we are told.
Now this is something to behold, on the streets, there are scooters pulling all manner of stall equipment, but nothing is being put together, so, we decide to sit and watch what is about to happen unfold.
Well, seeing is believing. At about 15 mins to 7, organised chaos erupts and everyone is busy assembling gazebos, putting goods up for display, plugging in electricity, and ready to sell in 15 mins. AMAZING. We duck and weave our way though the night market, and eventually decide on a suitcase. So we have seen it, haggled for it, and now fleeing from the markets. A wonderful day, starting from a slow paced day, to a frenzied evening. And all along the way, lots to be happy about.
Tuesday, 16 October 2018
16th - Last day in Tay Ninh. We are both still on Queensland time so 5:30 wake ups (8:30 Qld time) are sleep-ins so a lazy start and then off to breakfast. The chef has now realised he has western guests so he made the effort to put together some bacon and sausage for us which was appreciated.
We rallied ourselves and arranged a taxi to take us to the Black Virgin Mountain which is a 1000m high mountain jutting up from a very flat surrounding Vietnam. The mountain is a sacred Buddhist temple which cannot be seen from below. The ground facility is obviously set up to handle great numbers of visitors but we were early so all good. Once you pay the entry and purchase a bus ticket, all of A$1.50, an open bus took us on a 5 minute ride to the real entry and the start of the climb to the temple which is at the 800m mark. We had the choice of an extreme trek up the mountain or take the Austrian built cable cars. After some discussion, not, we took the cable car which was an amazing ride withe amazing views. There is evidence of a light rail system and another chair lift, both now unused. At the top the temple and associated buildings jump our from the surroundings. How this stone, brick and timber facility was built here all those years ago is a testimony of very strong faith by the builders. We still had to climb about 100 steps to get to the site but worth the effort. Many people were there paying homage and all being respectful. A monk sat quietly in a corner of one of the buildings. His ling tan coloured robes and shaved head were quite distinctive. A junior monk came out and rang a bell which was 4.0 M high and would weigh many tonnes. Again one wonders how they got this up the mountain. Superb and amazing place but now we had those stairs to descend, down the cable car and back to the hotel for re-grouping.
A trip to Cafe Le Petit for lunch and an encounter with a young chap who spoke good English he learnt himself from his smart phone. We has cheese sandwiches with icing sugar coating followed by some yummy deserts. The young man then picked up his guitar and started to play. A guy going far in life.
We decided to walk back but then the heavens broke and a tropical downpour stranded us under shop awnings. A downpour of biblical proportions ensued for around an hour and a half. The streets were awash and then partly flooded. Didn't stop the bikes who just put plastic sheets over them selves and pressed on, hardly slowing. Eventually we managed to hail a cab and dragged our wet bodies back to the hotel to dry.
In the evening, being brave, we took a cab to a chosen restaurant. La Dem was listed on Tripadvisor as the No1 restaurant in Tay Ninh. A small compact eatery with inside and outside dining. Again a young lad who spoke some English served us our pizza and pasta along with a couple of Tiger beers on ice! We checked later and found there were no 4-5 star restaurants in Tay Ninh just a few modern eateries and lots of local eating halls.
The food was great and at the end of the meal the proprietor came out for a chat. He was a Frenchman with a great accent. He had been in Tay Ninh for 8 years having traveled widely. He knew Melbourne describing it as across between Paris and London. He tried to emigrate to Australia but was told he was too old - 38 I think!! He said he was one of only 11 Caucasians in Tay Ninh, mostly French, Australian and English. He likes the place but fears it is changing. He said he would not go back to France as it had changed too much over the last 10 years it was no longer the France he grew up in.
We wished him and his Vietnamese wife all the best, grabbed a cab and headed off to bed.
We rallied ourselves and arranged a taxi to take us to the Black Virgin Mountain which is a 1000m high mountain jutting up from a very flat surrounding Vietnam. The mountain is a sacred Buddhist temple which cannot be seen from below. The ground facility is obviously set up to handle great numbers of visitors but we were early so all good. Once you pay the entry and purchase a bus ticket, all of A$1.50, an open bus took us on a 5 minute ride to the real entry and the start of the climb to the temple which is at the 800m mark. We had the choice of an extreme trek up the mountain or take the Austrian built cable cars. After some discussion, not, we took the cable car which was an amazing ride withe amazing views. There is evidence of a light rail system and another chair lift, both now unused. At the top the temple and associated buildings jump our from the surroundings. How this stone, brick and timber facility was built here all those years ago is a testimony of very strong faith by the builders. We still had to climb about 100 steps to get to the site but worth the effort. Many people were there paying homage and all being respectful. A monk sat quietly in a corner of one of the buildings. His ling tan coloured robes and shaved head were quite distinctive. A junior monk came out and rang a bell which was 4.0 M high and would weigh many tonnes. Again one wonders how they got this up the mountain. Superb and amazing place but now we had those stairs to descend, down the cable car and back to the hotel for re-grouping.
A trip to Cafe Le Petit for lunch and an encounter with a young chap who spoke good English he learnt himself from his smart phone. We has cheese sandwiches with icing sugar coating followed by some yummy deserts. The young man then picked up his guitar and started to play. A guy going far in life.
We decided to walk back but then the heavens broke and a tropical downpour stranded us under shop awnings. A downpour of biblical proportions ensued for around an hour and a half. The streets were awash and then partly flooded. Didn't stop the bikes who just put plastic sheets over them selves and pressed on, hardly slowing. Eventually we managed to hail a cab and dragged our wet bodies back to the hotel to dry.
In the evening, being brave, we took a cab to a chosen restaurant. La Dem was listed on Tripadvisor as the No1 restaurant in Tay Ninh. A small compact eatery with inside and outside dining. Again a young lad who spoke some English served us our pizza and pasta along with a couple of Tiger beers on ice! We checked later and found there were no 4-5 star restaurants in Tay Ninh just a few modern eateries and lots of local eating halls.
The food was great and at the end of the meal the proprietor came out for a chat. He was a Frenchman with a great accent. He had been in Tay Ninh for 8 years having traveled widely. He knew Melbourne describing it as across between Paris and London. He tried to emigrate to Australia but was told he was too old - 38 I think!! He said he was one of only 11 Caucasians in Tay Ninh, mostly French, Australian and English. He likes the place but fears it is changing. He said he would not go back to France as it had changed too much over the last 10 years it was no longer the France he grew up in.
We wished him and his Vietnamese wife all the best, grabbed a cab and headed off to bed.
16th October
Good morning,
Today we intended to do some exploring a bit further abroad. So after we had breakfast, which was getting better, and we were a bit later getting to the buffet, we had fresh bacon and some stir fried vegetables with noodles cooked up fresh for us. We booked a taxi to take us to Ba Den ( the black mountain) to check it out. Our taxi arrived with no English, but we are getting good at this, I now have where we want to go, on my phone so we can show where it is we wish to go to. And it works well.
Arriving at our destination 15 mins later, we were a little unsure, as there seemed to be not a lot of activity, but we get out of the car and make for the gate. Found the ticket box, and purchased tickets to get to the place were the chair lift is. We get on board a electric buggy and 5 mins later are at the next point. We purchase tickets for the chair lift, and head to them. I double check that Bob is good with this, as I know he has a fear of heights. He assures me he is cool. Once inside our little capsule, it get real. Holy smokes. Looking up is daunting. But can't back out now. Doors are shut tight. As we progress, it becomes so quiet and almost calming. Watching to capsule get higher and higher, and with each post where the cable wheels attach, there is a bit of a shudder. But it's ok. We get to the other end, step out and the view is just amazing.
Today we intended to do some exploring a bit further abroad. So after we had breakfast, which was getting better, and we were a bit later getting to the buffet, we had fresh bacon and some stir fried vegetables with noodles cooked up fresh for us. We booked a taxi to take us to Ba Den ( the black mountain) to check it out. Our taxi arrived with no English, but we are getting good at this, I now have where we want to go, on my phone so we can show where it is we wish to go to. And it works well.
Arriving at our destination 15 mins later, we were a little unsure, as there seemed to be not a lot of activity, but we get out of the car and make for the gate. Found the ticket box, and purchased tickets to get to the place were the chair lift is. We get on board a electric buggy and 5 mins later are at the next point. We purchase tickets for the chair lift, and head to them. I double check that Bob is good with this, as I know he has a fear of heights. He assures me he is cool. Once inside our little capsule, it get real. Holy smokes. Looking up is daunting. But can't back out now. Doors are shut tight. As we progress, it becomes so quiet and almost calming. Watching to capsule get higher and higher, and with each post where the cable wheels attach, there is a bit of a shudder. But it's ok. We get to the other end, step out and the view is just amazing.
After looking at how the cable cars work we advance to the temple. Up a couple of flights of steps, it is a sight to behold. Beautiful buildings a big bell and such amazing wood carving.
Monks were here, and the bell was longed at 10 when we were there. This was a great experience. We head back down and going down is tense, but once I relax, it's all good.
We go back to the room via a taxi and hide from the heat.
Bob decides we need to go to a pastry place I found online, so off we go. Taxis are very good here. Once again I have our place of destination on phone. Le Petit cafe. A wonderful little place in the middle of chaos. The guy that welcomed us, spoke good English. He taught himself.
We decide to walk back to the room, to walk of what we had consumed, cheese sandwich and sweets. Get get outside and start walking for about two mins and a torrential downpour starts. We hop from one awning to another, till it gets to heavy. The street becomes awash with water, and we stand and watch the cars and scooters pass. All though the scooter numbers are not as many as previous. We wait, and wait, and wait. Must have been around an hour and a half. Bob waves at a couple of taxis passing by, but they have passengers. He waves at another one going in the opposite direction and he acknowledges us, but keeps going. So after a while we move on, as the rain has steadied. Almost stopped. Then we hear a car horn blowing, and it was the taxi. So two wet people get into the car. Back to the Victory hotel. And to dry off and warm up. Because we were caught for so long in the rain storm, it stopped our other plans of going to the Cao Dai temple. So we will check it out tomorrow on our way back to Ho Chi Minh city.
We went out to tea, to a little Resturant, and found another local that could speak English. He learnt via his smart phone. The owner of the place is a French man. And we ended up having a talk with him while the taxi arrived.
Tay Ninh has been a lovely town and a wonderful experience. I have loved the challenge of the language barriers, being the white people that the locals look at, and enjoying the food that is offered. People are friendly, and only to happy to try and help.
Monday, 15 October 2018
15th October
Good morning Tay ninh.
Bob and I head down to the breakfast restaurant, and were a little unsure as to what we would find, as we understood there was no restaurant for evenings. I was surprised to see a very nice Resturant, with what appeared to be business men having breakfast. The selection of breakfast, was limited to local foods. Pho, a Vietnamese soup with noodles and some chicken slices or beef. I didn't have any, but had some fruit, some toast, with a fried egg. Which gets cooked as required. I looked around the room, and spotted these glorious lights. They are so pretty.
Bob and I head down to the breakfast restaurant, and were a little unsure as to what we would find, as we understood there was no restaurant for evenings. I was surprised to see a very nice Resturant, with what appeared to be business men having breakfast. The selection of breakfast, was limited to local foods. Pho, a Vietnamese soup with noodles and some chicken slices or beef. I didn't have any, but had some fruit, some toast, with a fried egg. Which gets cooked as required. I looked around the room, and spotted these glorious lights. They are so pretty.
After breakfast, we went for a walk around the area. Our main target was to find a cord, that would work the laptop on the local electrical sockets. So we walked and looked in numerous little shops, asked with our limited knowledge of words. Every one was so helpful and tried to help as much as they could. We went into one place, and almost everyone in the shop came over to see if they could help. After some time, and we got directions to a little shop 500 meters away, and guess what. The lady had exactly what we needed. And not one knowledge of English. We still get lots of looks from the local folk.
We come back to our air cond haven to recover from the heat outside.
We again venture outside to find some lunch, and decided to eat at a place with no English. We had chicken pho, and I really enjoyed what I had.
We made our way to the shopping centre when we found 4 cake shops, beautiful iced and decorated. They weren't open earlier. Amongst our walk, i noticed a shop called Face Shop, so i am guessing it is for make up. Or putting a new face over the old one.
Again, crossing the roads is one of timing and no hesitation. He who hesitates, get run over. But I must admit, it is getting easier. With a bit more language knowledge, I could get accustomed to the life here. It is busy, but not maddingly busy. It is really weird to have people look at us though.
What I cannot work out though, is everybody rides scooters, motorbikes or bikes, but they are all so thin. We figure that is part of the reason, we get looks to, is that we are walking. No one seems to walk.
We get what we need from the supermarket, and head back to the motel, to end the day.
15th - Forget Saigon (HCMC) or Vung Tau when Roberta says she could live in Tay Ninh I think we have a winner. Out for hotel breakfast this morning and it is very obvious this is no tourist town. The hotel breakfast had no western offerings only traditional Vietnamese fare with the best western offering being fried eggs on toast, We dove into the Vietnamese food and fruits. It was great, filling and tasty.
We had planned to go to the Holy Cee Temple but our batteries were low so we had a chill morning and some naps. Tomorrow we will try again. After lunch a walk around the block looking for a computer cord. Language or lack there of is great fun with hand gestures, facial expressions and drawings helping. Google translate is also great but not all Vietnamese is in there. But people are kind, understanding, curious and helpful so one survives and thrives. Back to the hotel to cool down, blessed air-conditioning and a rest.
Back out again for a late lunch, Pho Ga (Chicken broth with noodles), and then on to the shopping centre again. We are finding with our rest stops during the day we are living on 2 meals a day and some snacks.
As some may say I like being the centre of attention and the Tay Ninh shopping centre is my universe. Roberta gets some attention but I am sure it is me they are all looking at, with due admiration and longing. I was in the supermarket and a little boy stood, transfixed, staring at this huge, tall, white guy. As soon as I looked at him he ran behind his mother. The mother and her friends found it all so amusing. I gave them the royal wave and continued on my way.
On the street the same reaction from bike riders and those in the shops we pass by. Everyone says hello to the strange looking couple walking along the street. And walking in itself is strange. No one walks. It is on and off the bike for everyone except "mad dogs and Englishmen who go out in the mid-day sun".
Back in for the evening. My legs and back are sore from walking and negotiating the traffic, which by the way we are getting very good at.
We had planned to go to the Holy Cee Temple but our batteries were low so we had a chill morning and some naps. Tomorrow we will try again. After lunch a walk around the block looking for a computer cord. Language or lack there of is great fun with hand gestures, facial expressions and drawings helping. Google translate is also great but not all Vietnamese is in there. But people are kind, understanding, curious and helpful so one survives and thrives. Back to the hotel to cool down, blessed air-conditioning and a rest.
Back out again for a late lunch, Pho Ga (Chicken broth with noodles), and then on to the shopping centre again. We are finding with our rest stops during the day we are living on 2 meals a day and some snacks.
As some may say I like being the centre of attention and the Tay Ninh shopping centre is my universe. Roberta gets some attention but I am sure it is me they are all looking at, with due admiration and longing. I was in the supermarket and a little boy stood, transfixed, staring at this huge, tall, white guy. As soon as I looked at him he ran behind his mother. The mother and her friends found it all so amusing. I gave them the royal wave and continued on my way.
On the street the same reaction from bike riders and those in the shops we pass by. Everyone says hello to the strange looking couple walking along the street. And walking in itself is strange. No one walks. It is on and off the bike for everyone except "mad dogs and Englishmen who go out in the mid-day sun".
Back in for the evening. My legs and back are sore from walking and negotiating the traffic, which by the way we are getting very good at.
Sunday, 14 October 2018
14th - Good bye (Tam Biet) to Vung Tau. The place certainly livened up late Saturday and into the night. The hotel folk said Saturday afternoon and Sunday are the busy times of the week with April and May the really busy school holiday times. My suggestion is not between May and November. This is the humid, hot and usually wet time - not so much rain this year.
Booked out of hotel, paid our dues, quick taxi ride to the ferry terminal and back onto the fast ferry. I expected it to be relatively empty being Sunday morning but it was packed. Interestingly we had the same young hostess on this trip as we had on the trip down on Thursday. A great mix of passengers from locals, kids, more sophisticated men and women, and us. Uneventful trip back but blown away by the river traffic again - large cargo ships, powered barges, all sorts of other cargo boats, fishing boats large and small amazing array of vessels.
As we were heading to Tay Ninh today we had arranged for a car to pick us up from the ferry and take us there. The car was arranged by the hotel and just like on Thursday they sent the car to the old ferry terminal so it ended up being an hour late in picking us up with a driver who was not so impressed.
The trip to Tay Ninh took just over 2 hours dodging bikes, cars, trucks and busses. Roberta is not getting accustomed to the traffic with seemingly disaster at every turn of the wheel. The landscape changed from shops and eateries in Ho Chi Minh City to small and large factories to rice paddies and water buffalo. All the time are bikes, bike shops, bike mechanics, bike tyre shops and just more bikes.
Tay Ninh did not disappoint. While it is a largish centre it is what we were looking for. Ho Chi Minh City is a crazy jumble of the new and the old, cosmopolitan and traditional; Vung Tau is a "typical" seaside holiday place not un-like a Hervey Bay, with its Ned Kelly's Bar and Matilda's catering for the Australian visitors or ex-pats.
Tay Ninh is a modern small city undergoing renovation and expansion. Not a tourist place at all. After we checked into our hotel we too a walk up and down the street and ended up in a shopping centre. Well this place was spot the European white folk. There were 2 we saw - Roberta and me. Not another have we seen since we came to town. In the shopping centre we were greeted with startled looks and welcoming smiles. Little children stared and at times hid. This is Vietnam. Not the country or the bush but real Vietnamese city folk. We look forward to getting around tomorrow but it appears English speaking may be very limited so should be fun.
Booked out of hotel, paid our dues, quick taxi ride to the ferry terminal and back onto the fast ferry. I expected it to be relatively empty being Sunday morning but it was packed. Interestingly we had the same young hostess on this trip as we had on the trip down on Thursday. A great mix of passengers from locals, kids, more sophisticated men and women, and us. Uneventful trip back but blown away by the river traffic again - large cargo ships, powered barges, all sorts of other cargo boats, fishing boats large and small amazing array of vessels.
As we were heading to Tay Ninh today we had arranged for a car to pick us up from the ferry and take us there. The car was arranged by the hotel and just like on Thursday they sent the car to the old ferry terminal so it ended up being an hour late in picking us up with a driver who was not so impressed.
The trip to Tay Ninh took just over 2 hours dodging bikes, cars, trucks and busses. Roberta is not getting accustomed to the traffic with seemingly disaster at every turn of the wheel. The landscape changed from shops and eateries in Ho Chi Minh City to small and large factories to rice paddies and water buffalo. All the time are bikes, bike shops, bike mechanics, bike tyre shops and just more bikes.
Tay Ninh did not disappoint. While it is a largish centre it is what we were looking for. Ho Chi Minh City is a crazy jumble of the new and the old, cosmopolitan and traditional; Vung Tau is a "typical" seaside holiday place not un-like a Hervey Bay, with its Ned Kelly's Bar and Matilda's catering for the Australian visitors or ex-pats.
Tay Ninh is a modern small city undergoing renovation and expansion. Not a tourist place at all. After we checked into our hotel we too a walk up and down the street and ended up in a shopping centre. Well this place was spot the European white folk. There were 2 we saw - Roberta and me. Not another have we seen since we came to town. In the shopping centre we were greeted with startled looks and welcoming smiles. Little children stared and at times hid. This is Vietnam. Not the country or the bush but real Vietnamese city folk. We look forward to getting around tomorrow but it appears English speaking may be very limited so should be fun.
14th october
Last day in Vung Tau. Went and had breakfast. The place was very busy, compared to other mornings. Checked out at 9.30, and then got taxi to the ferry terminal. No dramas with taxis this morning. On board the ferry, and all was good. Once again, the ferry was quite full. The 2 hr trip was good.
Arrived in Ho chi Minh at 12, and waited for our prepaid car to arrive. And waited, and waited. Bob goes inside the terminal and asks for some help with a phone number for the GK Central to see where the car is. In the mean time, taxis come and go. Contact is made with the hotel, and I hear that the guy on the other end say to come back to the motel. The issue seems to get lost in conversation, so Bob asks the lass behind the counter to talk, as she speaks English and she understands us. Eventually, we are told, the car is on the way. Thank goodness. I am outside by now, as it is warm inside, and at least there is a breeze outside. So we wait some more. And guess what, the car went to the old terminal, where we were left 3 days ago. So a call is made again, and " the car is on it's way "
I am not concerned this time, as I know it will get sorted eventually.
After some time, the car arrives, and we are heading out of Ho Chi Minh towards Tay ninh. This is a 2 and a half hr trip. Challenging me again with cars and scooters and distance between the two. Eventually we get out of the major traffic area, and into the outskirts of the city. It is crazy to see, so many run down areas, but little stalls and food vendors every where.
As we continue, the landscape changes, there are more wetter areas and fewer scooters. Eventually, the speed increases, and it feels like we are making progress. I saw about 6 water buffalo on our trip.
We arrive in Tay ninh, And it seems fairly quiet, although it is Sunday. We check in, and are in need of food and beverages. Coffee shop across the road, BONUS. We venture over, and ask for food and coffee, but they don't do food, and the menu has no English on it as the waitress points out. But we manage to get coffee, and mine was real good.
We go for a walk to find something to eat, and find nothing in the direction we are going, so we turn around and go the other way, and head to a Lottera place.
Bingo, this is a bit of a shopping centre, and a cinema. And it is air cond, and it has food. Win, win.
We explore the centre, and notice we are getting lots of looks. I think we are the only English speaking white people in the centre, so that's why we are getting stared at. We find a burger place similar to Hungry Jacks and get food.
We then go into the supermarket and get some water and a few other things.
Crossing the road is a little less crazy that in Ho chi Minh, but it was busier then when we had to cross it earlier.
The room is nice, and the view is good. Tomorrow we will explore more,
Arrived in Ho chi Minh at 12, and waited for our prepaid car to arrive. And waited, and waited. Bob goes inside the terminal and asks for some help with a phone number for the GK Central to see where the car is. In the mean time, taxis come and go. Contact is made with the hotel, and I hear that the guy on the other end say to come back to the motel. The issue seems to get lost in conversation, so Bob asks the lass behind the counter to talk, as she speaks English and she understands us. Eventually, we are told, the car is on the way. Thank goodness. I am outside by now, as it is warm inside, and at least there is a breeze outside. So we wait some more. And guess what, the car went to the old terminal, where we were left 3 days ago. So a call is made again, and " the car is on it's way "
I am not concerned this time, as I know it will get sorted eventually.
After some time, the car arrives, and we are heading out of Ho Chi Minh towards Tay ninh. This is a 2 and a half hr trip. Challenging me again with cars and scooters and distance between the two. Eventually we get out of the major traffic area, and into the outskirts of the city. It is crazy to see, so many run down areas, but little stalls and food vendors every where.
As we continue, the landscape changes, there are more wetter areas and fewer scooters. Eventually, the speed increases, and it feels like we are making progress. I saw about 6 water buffalo on our trip.
We arrive in Tay ninh, And it seems fairly quiet, although it is Sunday. We check in, and are in need of food and beverages. Coffee shop across the road, BONUS. We venture over, and ask for food and coffee, but they don't do food, and the menu has no English on it as the waitress points out. But we manage to get coffee, and mine was real good.
We go for a walk to find something to eat, and find nothing in the direction we are going, so we turn around and go the other way, and head to a Lottera place.
Bingo, this is a bit of a shopping centre, and a cinema. And it is air cond, and it has food. Win, win.
We explore the centre, and notice we are getting lots of looks. I think we are the only English speaking white people in the centre, so that's why we are getting stared at. We find a burger place similar to Hungry Jacks and get food.
We then go into the supermarket and get some water and a few other things.
Crossing the road is a little less crazy that in Ho chi Minh, but it was busier then when we had to cross it earlier.
The room is nice, and the view is good. Tomorrow we will explore more,
Saturday, 13 October 2018
13th - Saturday I was expecting a major influx of tourists and visitors to Vung Tau today but the day was actually quieter than week days. We decided today was to be our explore day. Visiting all the major attractions.
Started by getting a cab to the Jesus Statue which as well as the stature is a major Christian pilgrimage site in Asia. The cab dropped us at the entrance. At the top of a very high peak was the statue looking down on us and between us and the statue was an amazing number of steps accessing different landings followed by more steps to the next landing. We went up the first and then the second set. Then common sense set in. It was 32 deg with 90+% humidity. We may have made it to the top but an emergency helicopter evac would have followed, so after a short rest we headed back down. Best decision of the holidays.
A short cab ride to the Saigon Silicone Hotel we were on the deck sipping a cold drink and having an ice cream, enjoying the sea breeze. We took in the view including the local fishermen working their nets. To our amazement the fishermen rowed their boats with their feet. Yep feet on the oars with great precision. Why the feet?? Well a lone fisherman deploying and retrieving the net needs his arms and hands. Controlling the boat with the feet on the oars makes perfect sense - after one has seen it in action. A first for me.
A walk back to the hotel proved the end of the big discovery day - just to bloody hot. We were drained completely so the air cond in the room was cranked up and we had a relaxing afternoon.
Not sure if I have detailed the cost of things here. Just amazingly cheap. Our restaurant meal that evening consisted of 2 entrees, 2 main meals, 2 deserts plus 1 whisky and coke and 2 beers - total A$45.00. I was dressed properly for a good restaurant including my crocks and socks.
The weather is certainly hindering our getting around but we are captivated by the people, customs, language, politeness, and service.
Tomorrow we leave Vung Tau and head off to the next adventure.
Started by getting a cab to the Jesus Statue which as well as the stature is a major Christian pilgrimage site in Asia. The cab dropped us at the entrance. At the top of a very high peak was the statue looking down on us and between us and the statue was an amazing number of steps accessing different landings followed by more steps to the next landing. We went up the first and then the second set. Then common sense set in. It was 32 deg with 90+% humidity. We may have made it to the top but an emergency helicopter evac would have followed, so after a short rest we headed back down. Best decision of the holidays.
A short cab ride to the Saigon Silicone Hotel we were on the deck sipping a cold drink and having an ice cream, enjoying the sea breeze. We took in the view including the local fishermen working their nets. To our amazement the fishermen rowed their boats with their feet. Yep feet on the oars with great precision. Why the feet?? Well a lone fisherman deploying and retrieving the net needs his arms and hands. Controlling the boat with the feet on the oars makes perfect sense - after one has seen it in action. A first for me.
A walk back to the hotel proved the end of the big discovery day - just to bloody hot. We were drained completely so the air cond in the room was cranked up and we had a relaxing afternoon.
Not sure if I have detailed the cost of things here. Just amazingly cheap. Our restaurant meal that evening consisted of 2 entrees, 2 main meals, 2 deserts plus 1 whisky and coke and 2 beers - total A$45.00. I was dressed properly for a good restaurant including my crocks and socks.
The weather is certainly hindering our getting around but we are captivated by the people, customs, language, politeness, and service.
Tomorrow we leave Vung Tau and head off to the next adventure.
13th october
Day 3 of Vung Tau,
Off to a good start. Breakfast. More of the same of yesterday, and on our way back to the room from breakfast I saw my first ever real live Squirrel. So cute. He/she was in the tree that is in the middle of the motels.
We went out a bit later to try and find somewhere to convert some aud to Dong but were unsuccessful. There were a couple of banks open, but one did not exchange money, and the other required a passport. And since we didn't have them with us, the teller suggested a loan shark down the road. Errmmm, I don't think so. So we went back to the motel, and exchanged money there. They charge a fee for doing so, but it seemed the easiest option, and besides, it was hot and humid outside.
Went back to our room to recuperate from the heat, thankful for air cond.
Then we decided to go and take in the huge Jesus statue that is here. Yep, simple. Go to reception and as for them to call a taxi, we wait inside, and hey presto taxi comes. We are about to get in, and another one turns up. Now, we are unsure as to if this was for us, or some other people who show up. Then the security guy comes over and tells the first taxi to move forward, and thats when the door man of the motel comes out and tells whose taxi is whose. So we climb in, and off we go, just as another taxi arrives. Riding in the taxi with the driver who doesn't speak English is like having your mouth taped. You want to strike up conversation, but that makes things more difficult if you do. We show the guy the pic of where we want to go and all is sweet.
We arrive at the destination and exit the taxi and look. Oh my god, this is going to be like an epic heart attack if we try to walk up there. This thing is perched on top of the hill, which we knew, BUT what we weren't aware of, is that you can't drive close to it.
As you know Bob and I are not the fittest of people, but I think, even some fit people would balk at this. I am a Christian, but, not that devout. So we took a pic of some of the mosaic work and then fled, via another taxi, to Silicon Siagon for a cool drink. When we entered the bar and were seated, we were given a glass of something, to which i enquired what it was from the guy when he first arrived with it. I was told it was free, hmmm but what is it. Tbe waitress came over and said it was iced tea. There was no breeze while we were at the statue, which incidentally, we did climb some of the stairs. But on the deck of the coffee bar a nice breeze blew. We watched the men in their fishing boats and were amazed to see one guy actually rowing with his feet. At first we thought this most odd, but after watching, it all made sense. He rows with his feet, so he can either throw the fishing net in, or pull the net out. It basically frees up his hands. All this while I enjoyed my blue lagoon. Bob had 2 scoops of ice cream, and guess what, it came out in a baskin robin dish.
We walked back to the motel room from here, which was a bearable stroll, even though it was still very humid.
We decided to eat in the restaurant in the motel tonight, as the heat is so stifling.
Off to a good start. Breakfast. More of the same of yesterday, and on our way back to the room from breakfast I saw my first ever real live Squirrel. So cute. He/she was in the tree that is in the middle of the motels.
We went out a bit later to try and find somewhere to convert some aud to Dong but were unsuccessful. There were a couple of banks open, but one did not exchange money, and the other required a passport. And since we didn't have them with us, the teller suggested a loan shark down the road. Errmmm, I don't think so. So we went back to the motel, and exchanged money there. They charge a fee for doing so, but it seemed the easiest option, and besides, it was hot and humid outside.
Went back to our room to recuperate from the heat, thankful for air cond.
Then we decided to go and take in the huge Jesus statue that is here. Yep, simple. Go to reception and as for them to call a taxi, we wait inside, and hey presto taxi comes. We are about to get in, and another one turns up. Now, we are unsure as to if this was for us, or some other people who show up. Then the security guy comes over and tells the first taxi to move forward, and thats when the door man of the motel comes out and tells whose taxi is whose. So we climb in, and off we go, just as another taxi arrives. Riding in the taxi with the driver who doesn't speak English is like having your mouth taped. You want to strike up conversation, but that makes things more difficult if you do. We show the guy the pic of where we want to go and all is sweet.
We arrive at the destination and exit the taxi and look. Oh my god, this is going to be like an epic heart attack if we try to walk up there. This thing is perched on top of the hill, which we knew, BUT what we weren't aware of, is that you can't drive close to it.
As you know Bob and I are not the fittest of people, but I think, even some fit people would balk at this. I am a Christian, but, not that devout. So we took a pic of some of the mosaic work and then fled, via another taxi, to Silicon Siagon for a cool drink. When we entered the bar and were seated, we were given a glass of something, to which i enquired what it was from the guy when he first arrived with it. I was told it was free, hmmm but what is it. Tbe waitress came over and said it was iced tea. There was no breeze while we were at the statue, which incidentally, we did climb some of the stairs. But on the deck of the coffee bar a nice breeze blew. We watched the men in their fishing boats and were amazed to see one guy actually rowing with his feet. At first we thought this most odd, but after watching, it all made sense. He rows with his feet, so he can either throw the fishing net in, or pull the net out. It basically frees up his hands. All this while I enjoyed my blue lagoon. Bob had 2 scoops of ice cream, and guess what, it came out in a baskin robin dish.
We decided to eat in the restaurant in the motel tonight, as the heat is so stifling.
Friday, 12 October 2018
12th - Bright and early at the Grand Hotel Vung Tau. Woke to news and photos of the storm damage at my place and others in Maryborough. Roberta's daughter, Angie, and her husband Clinton and kids, went over this morning to survey the damage. The driveway was blocked with fallen trees and branches. The outside of the house was a scene from a movie and inside some water ingress but mostly all good. Thank goodness for Shannon's Insurance. I will put in an online claim today to start the process. Nothing we can do from here so we will deal with things when we return.
Back to Vung Tau: The Grand Hotel is joined like a Siamese twin to the Paradise Hotel, sharing pool, gym, and some restaurants including the breakfast buffet. We attacked the buffet this morning and left it scarred but intact. The hotel is an amazing tribute to the grand hotels of the past. One can imaging this place in its day with grand ball rooms, huge restaurants, superb rooms, hallways 3:00m wide, intricate carpet and ceilings, chandeliers, and superb furnishings. Although it is somewhat tired this is still a Grand Hotel.
A chill day today. A morning walk around the block and along the waterfront. Superb park with stone sculptures dotted throughout runs along the beach wall for some 300m with superbly manicured lawn and shrubbery. The local fishing boats are aground on the mud flats as the tide is out, with fishermen tending the nets and boat maintenance. A lot of the boats are painted a mid-blue colour which appears to be traditional. A few early morning swimmers were enjoying the water.
In the main street which runs behind the hotel the activity is more frenzied. Did I mention the bikes? We found a beautifully presented park with a huge, 5:00m, bronze statue of a warrior dressed in "Genghis Khan" type body armour. Not sure who he was as the signs were all Vietnamese but must be important.Chilled in the afternoon until the dinner bell rang. We took off walking along the waterfront heading for our restaurant. After 10 minutes walk we realised we were heading in the wrong direction so did a U turn and continued our walk. The weather by now was mild and a nice breeze which assisted our journey. We passed many sights of local eateries, more western restaurants, KFC, people out and about, bikes, cars, taxis and action.
Our destination, Davids Italian Restaurant was finally reached. Yes I know- eating Italian in Vietnam is a bit hmmmm!! but the food was great, Calisone and Penne Carbonara.
The end of another great, interesting, challenging day.
12th October
The start of another day.
The news of the devastating storm that hit Maryborough yesterday afternoon became a reality when Angie and Clinton and kids went out to survey the damage at Old Mill Road. Pics taken by Angie showing limbs down every where, trees stripped bare, gardens non existent, but appears no windows were broken, but water blew in via closed doors and windows. Angie and her family were not able to drive up to the house, as to much debris on the road. All be fencing was destroyed. Frigde and trailer moved by the force of the winds.
The day has been consumed by trying to get details of insurance policies, getting phone credit to make international calls, organising and asking family to check on homes and animals. And some of this before breakfast.
The motel breakfast buffet was great. Lots of variety, with different fruits, pineapple, dragonfruit, watermelon. Hot foods, like rice dishes, hard boiled eggs, bacon, little pork sausages and a cook that would make an omlette for you on the spot with whst ever you wanted, and an array of foods I can't explain. I had sushi for the first time. Ummm not overly fussed on it.
Came back to room, and chilled, well tried to. So much brain activity going on re things back home. Not much we can do from here, and all we can do has been started. Can't get to carried away by trying to organise someone to start cleaning, as the assessors will need to see.
I was able to have a facetime call with phillip and the kids, which was wonderful. Explaining to them how long it took to get to Vietnam and the the 2hr ferry trip was great. The look on their faces of amazement when i said it was a 10 and a half hr flight.
We went for a walk around the area, found a park with a statue in it.
The news of the devastating storm that hit Maryborough yesterday afternoon became a reality when Angie and Clinton and kids went out to survey the damage at Old Mill Road. Pics taken by Angie showing limbs down every where, trees stripped bare, gardens non existent, but appears no windows were broken, but water blew in via closed doors and windows. Angie and her family were not able to drive up to the house, as to much debris on the road. All be fencing was destroyed. Frigde and trailer moved by the force of the winds.
The day has been consumed by trying to get details of insurance policies, getting phone credit to make international calls, organising and asking family to check on homes and animals. And some of this before breakfast.
The motel breakfast buffet was great. Lots of variety, with different fruits, pineapple, dragonfruit, watermelon. Hot foods, like rice dishes, hard boiled eggs, bacon, little pork sausages and a cook that would make an omlette for you on the spot with whst ever you wanted, and an array of foods I can't explain. I had sushi for the first time. Ummm not overly fussed on it.
Came back to room, and chilled, well tried to. So much brain activity going on re things back home. Not much we can do from here, and all we can do has been started. Can't get to carried away by trying to organise someone to start cleaning, as the assessors will need to see.
I was able to have a facetime call with phillip and the kids, which was wonderful. Explaining to them how long it took to get to Vietnam and the the 2hr ferry trip was great. The look on their faces of amazement when i said it was a 10 and a half hr flight.
We went for a walk around the area, found a park with a statue in it.
And a ship from hedges
Came back to room to enjoy the air conditioning and try to rest.
Basically a day of chilling.
Went for a stroll for tea. We decided to go to place called David's Italian Resturant, which had been recommended to us by reception. A 15 min walk was all it was to take, but muggings here headed us of in the wrong direction. Yes I know, women and maps.
I had been told there were squirrels here, but alas, I have not seen one yet. But I did see a rat, not quite the same.
While we were venturing in the right direction, a little girl and her mum were walking opposite us, and when the child saw Bob, she hugged her mummys leg tighter. We must look odd to the kids, as we are often much taller then their parents, and our eyes and skin are not the same as theirs,
So when we eventually got to the restaurant, it was well worth the walk. We passed a couple of what I think were temples, big ornate buildings. Our walk took us along the beach front, and lots of people swimming. Bob noticed that a good few of them were swimming with life jackets on, so it seems that swimming is not a very popular thing. Although, when you look at what is in the water, one can only imagine what it must do to the skin.
While at tea, I decided to use one of my two words I have learned, xin cam on, (thank you). Whenever we try to use our limited vocabulary, the biggest smile comes on the faces. They are patient, and always try to get us to say it correctly. The waitress said another word to me, and got me to resay it.
The cost of the wonderful meal was 580000dong which is roughly 35aud. This was for 2 Tiger 680 ml stubbies, garlic bread, jumbo pizza and a pasta dish.
I struggle with converting the dong back to aud. I see the big numbers with all those zeros and freak.
The walk was pleasant as a nice breeze was blowing after a hot humid day. It brought out many families to enjoy the night air.
Thursday, 11 October 2018
11th - Heading to Vung Tau. Great breakfast at the GK Central this morning with all usual delights plus some local treats. Headed of to the market again early this morning - maybe a mistake for Roberta.
Walked in the front door right into the meat and fish section. Everyone busy getting their delights ready for the market. The fresh meat was being prepared including all the offal which was interesting - to me, not so Roberta. There were things one should not see that early in the morning. The woman who was shaving some cut with a disposable razor was also interesting. The fresh fish area was great with live sea-food of all sorts. One large fish had escaped its dish and was flopping around on the walkway. The attending lady slowly got up and grabbed it and put it back in - all good. We then ran the usual gauntlet of sales folk until we found what we needed and then ran away.
Back at the hotel we arranged to book out but first a Vietnamese coffee and chocolate at the nearby Coffee and Chocolate shop.
Back to the hotel and arranged a cab to take us to the ferry terminal for our trip down to Vung Tau. The driver was given the address of the terminal and indicated he knew where to go. We were told the cost would be 250 so off we went. Almost an hour of hellish drive along rough streets and abandoned buildings spread among new construction ensued. We were watching the clock as the ferry departed at 12:00 noon. We finally arrived with 10 minutes to spare at a spot out of some horror movie. The driver indicated to just walk down there where all the other people were going. It did not look right to me but..... We walked and ran into an official person who told us using hand gestures and "vinglish" this was not the spot but to go over there - where??
We approached some locals and managed to determine there was no ferry. Got on the phone to the ferry company, gave the phone to one of the locals, lady, who spoke to the ferry lady and worked out where we should be - back near where we started at the hotel. So quick negotiation and we had one of the locals drive us back to where we needed to be - at a new ferry terminal in the city. Cost us another 250. Vietnamese people are just people as are we - friendly and helpful and reasonably trustworthy.
We had of course missed the ferry so we purchased, no refund, new tickets on the 2:00pm trip and waited. Boarded and sat in aircraft type seats in a near new vessel. Lots of others joined us and away we go. The hostess came around and distributed a bottle of water for each passenger.
The trip down the mighty Mekong was interesting shared with large container ships, barges carrying sand or gravel, fishing and cargo boats of all shapes and sizes. New housing construction, high rises, pop up everywhere along the river with amazing bridges spanning the waterway, plus a new one still under construction. These bridges are by need very long span and very high to accommodate the river width and the ships that pass underneath.
Otherwise the trip was smooth and uneventful down to the marina at Vung Tau then a short cab ride ti the Grand Hotel which surely is grand.
Walked in the front door right into the meat and fish section. Everyone busy getting their delights ready for the market. The fresh meat was being prepared including all the offal which was interesting - to me, not so Roberta. There were things one should not see that early in the morning. The woman who was shaving some cut with a disposable razor was also interesting. The fresh fish area was great with live sea-food of all sorts. One large fish had escaped its dish and was flopping around on the walkway. The attending lady slowly got up and grabbed it and put it back in - all good. We then ran the usual gauntlet of sales folk until we found what we needed and then ran away.
Back at the hotel we arranged to book out but first a Vietnamese coffee and chocolate at the nearby Coffee and Chocolate shop.
Back to the hotel and arranged a cab to take us to the ferry terminal for our trip down to Vung Tau. The driver was given the address of the terminal and indicated he knew where to go. We were told the cost would be 250 so off we went. Almost an hour of hellish drive along rough streets and abandoned buildings spread among new construction ensued. We were watching the clock as the ferry departed at 12:00 noon. We finally arrived with 10 minutes to spare at a spot out of some horror movie. The driver indicated to just walk down there where all the other people were going. It did not look right to me but..... We walked and ran into an official person who told us using hand gestures and "vinglish" this was not the spot but to go over there - where??
We approached some locals and managed to determine there was no ferry. Got on the phone to the ferry company, gave the phone to one of the locals, lady, who spoke to the ferry lady and worked out where we should be - back near where we started at the hotel. So quick negotiation and we had one of the locals drive us back to where we needed to be - at a new ferry terminal in the city. Cost us another 250. Vietnamese people are just people as are we - friendly and helpful and reasonably trustworthy.
We had of course missed the ferry so we purchased, no refund, new tickets on the 2:00pm trip and waited. Boarded and sat in aircraft type seats in a near new vessel. Lots of others joined us and away we go. The hostess came around and distributed a bottle of water for each passenger.
The trip down the mighty Mekong was interesting shared with large container ships, barges carrying sand or gravel, fishing and cargo boats of all shapes and sizes. New housing construction, high rises, pop up everywhere along the river with amazing bridges spanning the waterway, plus a new one still under construction. These bridges are by need very long span and very high to accommodate the river width and the ships that pass underneath.
Otherwise the trip was smooth and uneventful down to the marina at Vung Tau then a short cab ride ti the Grand Hotel which surely is grand.
11th October.
Morning.
Traffic starts early. Beeping scooters sound the days start.
Bob and I are recharged. Watching the street below come to life once again. People setting up street stalls, woman on bike selling some sort of food with the help of a recorded ad on a loud speaker.
We go to the motel restaurant to have some sustenance. A wide variety of foods, I tasted pomelo, which is a family of the grapefruit. One of the staff tell us that all the fruit is grown by the owner of tbe restaurant.
After breakfast, we once again set out for the Ben Thanh markets. Ok, this time we were early, and for me this was not a good thing. We entered by the meat hall. There were slabs of meat of which I was not sure of what they were. There were fish out on the concrete, well one. And the smell!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. I thought I had a strong stomach, but it was sorely tested. An assault of fish smells, some sort of intestines, and (Bob told me there were brains aswell) and meat and no refrigeration all combined, was almost too much. Food hygiene is well out the window here. Next we pass where food is cooking, slightly better, but not by much. We brave our way through the stalls, and find what we were looking for, a power adaptor for our devices, that works with their power sockets here. Haggling the price is expected , and we found that if I started to well away, they would reduce the price, and so the dance goes on.
After we decided to go to the chocolate and coffee shop next door to the motel, we are told they are having problems with power, and can only serve cold drinks like juices, or hot coffee, of which we settle for. The chocolates are handmade locally, and were nice.
Today we check out and plan to go on to Vung Tau . Sounds simple, get taxi to take us to Greenline ferry terminal. Upon which ferry takes us to Vung Tau . Ha,
Taxi picks us up, and given the address to go to. Well some time later, like an hour we are dropped off at somewhere that does not look like a ferry terminal. As you can imagine, I am struggling to keep myself together. Here we are, in god knows where, with suitcases in tow looking so out of place, and we were. No English, and we know 2 words of Vietnamese, xin chow, ( hello) and xin gahn an ( thank you). Fat lot of help that will be. But, my man to the rescue, wonders to some people across the road, and with limited english a phone call to the ferry company and the phone going to someone to explain where we need to be, we get driven back to almost where we came from. Hallelujah
The ferry to Vung Tau is a 2 hr journey along the Mekong river.
However, while we are on the Ferry, a ferocious storm is hitting Maryborough.
We get on land again, and a short taxi ride later we are at the Grand Hotel Vung Tau. This old motel would have once been THE place to be. Our room is lovely, with lots of room.
This seems to be a little less crazy than Ho Chi Minh. We will explore tomorrow.
I make a facetime call to Angie to see how she got through the storm. Fearing she was goingvthrough it all by herself. But Clinton was home. So that was good although they had no power, they had no damage. I was able to see them all, it did my heart good.
The beauty of technology and all of it's advancement.
Meanwhile, food is needed. We wander down the street and pass a place called Ned Kelly's. We go on further, but don't find anything suitable, so I suggest going back to Ned Kelly's.
Erm, I notice this place only seems to have men drinking here, and lots of young women serving drinks. But we are in need of a beer and something to eat. So I figure that it's not just drinking that's the draw card.
Oh well so ends the day. At least the beer was cold.
One adventure after another. All in all its been good.
Traffic starts early. Beeping scooters sound the days start.
Bob and I are recharged. Watching the street below come to life once again. People setting up street stalls, woman on bike selling some sort of food with the help of a recorded ad on a loud speaker.
We go to the motel restaurant to have some sustenance. A wide variety of foods, I tasted pomelo, which is a family of the grapefruit. One of the staff tell us that all the fruit is grown by the owner of tbe restaurant.
After breakfast, we once again set out for the Ben Thanh markets. Ok, this time we were early, and for me this was not a good thing. We entered by the meat hall. There were slabs of meat of which I was not sure of what they were. There were fish out on the concrete, well one. And the smell!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. I thought I had a strong stomach, but it was sorely tested. An assault of fish smells, some sort of intestines, and (Bob told me there were brains aswell) and meat and no refrigeration all combined, was almost too much. Food hygiene is well out the window here. Next we pass where food is cooking, slightly better, but not by much. We brave our way through the stalls, and find what we were looking for, a power adaptor for our devices, that works with their power sockets here. Haggling the price is expected , and we found that if I started to well away, they would reduce the price, and so the dance goes on.
After we decided to go to the chocolate and coffee shop next door to the motel, we are told they are having problems with power, and can only serve cold drinks like juices, or hot coffee, of which we settle for. The chocolates are handmade locally, and were nice.
Today we check out and plan to go on to Vung Tau . Sounds simple, get taxi to take us to Greenline ferry terminal. Upon which ferry takes us to Vung Tau . Ha,
Taxi picks us up, and given the address to go to. Well some time later, like an hour we are dropped off at somewhere that does not look like a ferry terminal. As you can imagine, I am struggling to keep myself together. Here we are, in god knows where, with suitcases in tow looking so out of place, and we were. No English, and we know 2 words of Vietnamese, xin chow, ( hello) and xin gahn an ( thank you). Fat lot of help that will be. But, my man to the rescue, wonders to some people across the road, and with limited english a phone call to the ferry company and the phone going to someone to explain where we need to be, we get driven back to almost where we came from. Hallelujah
The ferry to Vung Tau is a 2 hr journey along the Mekong river.
However, while we are on the Ferry, a ferocious storm is hitting Maryborough.
We get on land again, and a short taxi ride later we are at the Grand Hotel Vung Tau. This old motel would have once been THE place to be. Our room is lovely, with lots of room.
This seems to be a little less crazy than Ho Chi Minh. We will explore tomorrow.
I make a facetime call to Angie to see how she got through the storm. Fearing she was goingvthrough it all by herself. But Clinton was home. So that was good although they had no power, they had no damage. I was able to see them all, it did my heart good.
The beauty of technology and all of it's advancement.
Meanwhile, food is needed. We wander down the street and pass a place called Ned Kelly's. We go on further, but don't find anything suitable, so I suggest going back to Ned Kelly's.
Erm, I notice this place only seems to have men drinking here, and lots of young women serving drinks. But we are in need of a beer and something to eat. So I figure that it's not just drinking that's the draw card.
Oh well so ends the day. At least the beer was cold.
One adventure after another. All in all its been good.
10th october
4 am start. Car was waiting for us to take us to the airport. Once again our driver was nice and chatty. We learned that he was a banker, and then was in insurance for 3 years, and now he is a car driver. When we got through check in and without our bags, we looked around the airport. This place is beyond believing. No matter how far you looked, all you could see was the terminal. Our driver told us that Singapore is building a 5th terminal. It was just amazing.
Inside the terminal we were in there was amazing orchid displays and gardens.
Inside the terminal we were in there was amazing orchid displays and gardens.
We walked around filling in time until our boarding time at 7 am. I tasted Singapore's national cake, Pandan cake or Chiffon cake. A couple of the ingredients are coconut milk and Pandan leaf. It was very nice.
This time we were in economy, and every one was bused to the plane. Apparently this happens a bit as there are not enough gates for direct boarding. Being on the bus, was standing room only for some, and there were a few trips made with passengers.
Arrival in Vietnam was 2 hrs, exciting times to begin.
When we got inside the terminal, we were confronted with wondering if we needed to fill out the forms that every one else seemed to be completing. Up to the counter we go, thinking we had all the paperwork we needed. How wrong we were. Apparently, we needed a letter of approval that we thought we had. So with much tooing and froing from men in green uniforms, (military) and airport staff, we finally got an emergency visa, after a substantial fee was paid. I will let you draw your own conclusions on that. Options were, 1 we get flown back to Singapore and get a visa issued there, or stay and pay. So we waited, and I had a meltdown, but survived. It is very daunting to be in a country were there is basic understanding and spoken English. But alas we progressed. After we got through another scanning of luggage we got to see outside. People, buses, taxis, and scooters. A taxi was booked, and we waited, and then escorted to the appropriate place by a young lady until the taxi arrived.
Oh my, how very different Ho Chi Min was to Singapore. One was organised, clean and almost relaxed, and here was the dead opposite. Crazy, insane scary, and that was only in the taxi ride to the motel. Bob's hand and legs may never be the same. All car drivers know the precise length and width of their cars. Scooters and cars missing each other by millimeters. But amazingly, no one got agro, hit or mamed.
It was 12.30 by the time we got to check into our motel, the GK Central. What a relief. And the room was good. Air con worked, the view was ordinary, but not a brick wall. Down below, the street was a hub of scooters, cars, and constant beeping. So after some chill time we decided to take a walk.
This is not for the faint hearted. It is like, who dares, wins. One does not hesitate, one holds breath and goes. These folks riding the scooters on the roads are scary to watch. They text while riding, they weave in and out and around. Men and women, all sizes and shapes. And then the loads they have onboard. Nothing like the road rules in Australia. In fact there are no rules. Even when the lights change red, some scooters will go on foot path and cross. But at least there are traffic lights. The footpaths are basically for parking of scooters. Pedestrians have to maneuver around them.
Our concierge told us that there were no police.
So our next adventure was to find food. We were starving. We found a place and had some lunch. Back to the room to soak up some more air cond.
We went back out in the afternoon and explored the area a little more. Found somewhere to convert our Aussie dollar to Dong. Then onto the markets.
Wow, wow and wow. Big is an understatement, so many things from bling to materials, food, clothes, decorative things, suitcases, bags, fruit. So so much.
As you walk past each stall, they try to get you to look, ask you what your looking for. Even if you look sideways at them, they pounce. An amazing experience.
When we were having out evening meal, we sat and watched the traffic glide by, if that is the right way to describe it, and Bob noticed whole families in the scooters. Dad, child, mum, child. Finally we went back to room to retire. It had been a roller coaster of a day. Emotionally and mentally. What will tomorrow bring.
10th - Assault in HCMC. Not that sort of assault!! In fact HCMC is reportedly very safe place to get around. Yes, you are likely to loose valuables, phones, watches and jewellery but personally quite safe.
The assault I mean is the outright assault to all you senses. Sound, sight, smell, space and touch senses are attacked in a most exciting and amazing way. The endless honking from the traffic, the lingering smell of Asian food in the air everywhere, the sights most well bought up Australian boys should not see,: rubbish, raw food in the open, people sleeping wherever, people, bikes, signs, lights and did I mention traffic. Everywhere are businesses, stalls and people trying to part you from your hard earned. "We have what you are looking for", "We have your size", "What colour do you want", "Look at this", "can I help you madam" / sir", "What are you looking for".
In the Ben Thanh Market just down the road from our GK Central hotel it all comes together in culmination of thousands of stalls, thousands or sellers and endless negotiations on price. We are learning the method. Offer less than half what is put to you when try not to waver. Some thing starts at 350 and up at 200 or less. Depends on how much you keep your nerve. If you do not move and they are not making headway the old "switch" will be used to get you interested in another similar item and the dance starts all over again. Fun but tiring. They only have the now to get your business as 2 stalls up is the same product as is around the corner so just looking is no good to them.
We changed some Aussie dollars at a street side booth with 6 people inside handling millions of dollars in every currency possible. People lined 3-4 deep to get money changed. These guys offered the best rates.
We ate at some local eateries, nothing too special, and generally just looked at the passing parade of people and sights.
The GK Central Hotel is very comfortable, excellent service and attention and well located in the centre of all the action. We slept well. I woke at around 3:00am and the outside street was relatively quiet, only a few bikes and cabbies standing around waiting for it all to start again later in the morning.
The assault I mean is the outright assault to all you senses. Sound, sight, smell, space and touch senses are attacked in a most exciting and amazing way. The endless honking from the traffic, the lingering smell of Asian food in the air everywhere, the sights most well bought up Australian boys should not see,: rubbish, raw food in the open, people sleeping wherever, people, bikes, signs, lights and did I mention traffic. Everywhere are businesses, stalls and people trying to part you from your hard earned. "We have what you are looking for", "We have your size", "What colour do you want", "Look at this", "can I help you madam" / sir", "What are you looking for".
In the Ben Thanh Market just down the road from our GK Central hotel it all comes together in culmination of thousands of stalls, thousands or sellers and endless negotiations on price. We are learning the method. Offer less than half what is put to you when try not to waver. Some thing starts at 350 and up at 200 or less. Depends on how much you keep your nerve. If you do not move and they are not making headway the old "switch" will be used to get you interested in another similar item and the dance starts all over again. Fun but tiring. They only have the now to get your business as 2 stalls up is the same product as is around the corner so just looking is no good to them.
We changed some Aussie dollars at a street side booth with 6 people inside handling millions of dollars in every currency possible. People lined 3-4 deep to get money changed. These guys offered the best rates.
We ate at some local eateries, nothing too special, and generally just looked at the passing parade of people and sights.
The GK Central Hotel is very comfortable, excellent service and attention and well located in the centre of all the action. We slept well. I woke at around 3:00am and the outside street was relatively quiet, only a few bikes and cabbies standing around waiting for it all to start again later in the morning.
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
10th - OMG HCMC. What can one say about the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. With 7.4million motor bikes and scooters, and 20,000 taxis (I checked both) the traffic is chaotic. 2 lane roads accommodate 8 lanes of traffic. Right turns from the left lane or left turns from the right lane is OK. U turns from anywhere is fine. In Australia we have a 1.5m clearance from a bike, here it is mandatory for a minimum of 10mm clearance. Not everyone obeys. 4 or 5 bikes across a lane with a truck or bus is approved. If you have to go up a one-way street against the traffic no worries. Everyone allows for whatever the other rider or driver is doing. Signal and then just do it. Bikes can accommodate the number of people who can sit on the seat. 3 year old in front of dad the rider, behind dad a 1 year old in front of mum the pillion passenger. All good. Do you want to transport 10 cartons of beer - no worries on a bike.
Everywhere bikes are parked on the footpath in an amazingly orderly fashion. Nose in slightly angled. Most businesses, eateries, offices have a "valet" service with someone on the footpath parking your bike properly for a small fee. Not sure how much but can only be a few Dong. Also the footpath is an alternate thoroughfare with bikes using it to get where they want to go. Red lights are seemingly optional for bikes which will proceed if there is a break in the cross traffic. Pedestrian crossings are also optional and only for the brave or stupid - never expect any one to stop. They will drive to your left or right. Just watch the front wheel for a clue to which way they are going to go around you.
In spite of the chaos it is organised chaos. Everyone is accommodated without any angst. No road rage just a quick toot or two on the horn letting another car or bike know where you are and what you are doing. Hesitation is not the go. If you indicate a turn you go. If you indicate and then hesitate other drivers get confused and don't like. Did not see one accident or bingle. Individuals walk across multi lane roads without a care. Amazing system without laws but a structure that works.
Everywhere bikes are parked on the footpath in an amazingly orderly fashion. Nose in slightly angled. Most businesses, eateries, offices have a "valet" service with someone on the footpath parking your bike properly for a small fee. Not sure how much but can only be a few Dong. Also the footpath is an alternate thoroughfare with bikes using it to get where they want to go. Red lights are seemingly optional for bikes which will proceed if there is a break in the cross traffic. Pedestrian crossings are also optional and only for the brave or stupid - never expect any one to stop. They will drive to your left or right. Just watch the front wheel for a clue to which way they are going to go around you.
In spite of the chaos it is organised chaos. Everyone is accommodated without any angst. No road rage just a quick toot or two on the horn letting another car or bike know where you are and what you are doing. Hesitation is not the go. If you indicate a turn you go. If you indicate and then hesitate other drivers get confused and don't like. Did not see one accident or bingle. Individuals walk across multi lane roads without a care. Amazing system without laws but a structure that works.
10th - A very early 4:00am call for
a car to take us to the Changi Airport for our 7:10 flight to Hi Chi Minh City
Vietnam. No business class this time. Just as well as the flight was all
economy. 2.5 hours later we were landing just as Roberta struck up a
conversation with the passenger on her right who was a native born Vietnamese
who spends half his time in Western Australia and the other half in Vietnam. He
gave us a good run down on things and what to do and see. Nice guy.
On
landing the fun began. The Vietnamese immigration system is interesting and
confusing. We applied for a visa in July and read the visa would be issued on
arrival. At the immigration point we were asked for the approval letter –
Approval Letter??. Yep you need an approval letter, “which would have been sent
to you” – before they can issue a visa. At one point we were faced with a
flight back to Singapore, whose immigration people should not have allowed us
to board the plane without the letter. All we had was copies of the application
which included passport type photos. After much time, changing officials to the
next highest rank we were offered the opportunity for an Emergency Visa. This
would cost US$160 per person – “Is that OK?”. Alternative – go back. So we said
OK. We were then introduced to a guy whose “company” would develop and submit
the emergency visa application – this would take around another hour. We were
no in our 3rd hour in immigration. At the end of the hour, during we
witnessed quite a number of “company” guys working with other passengers from a
number of flights, we were called. Everything at Immigration was quoted in US$
and paid in cash! I told our guy I did not have cash. No worries I could get it
from the ATM, OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL!. I was escorted part of the way by an
official and proceeded outside the terminal to get the VD8,000,000 for the
charge. No issues getting outside to get to the ATM. All officials along the
way, 300m or so, just smiled and pointed. Walked back in and up to immigration
paid our guy the VD8,000,000 who promptly gave us our passports and visas and
said have a good day. We went through the official check point and then
proceeded to collected our bags which were sitting all by themselves out in the
open baggage area. Sidebar – while I was waiting next to our bags Roberta a distraught
woman, all tears etc was near me, looking around in a daze. I asked if
everything was OK. She was from NZ and had not completed the immigration
process properly and was now being issued an Emergency Visa and was being
charged US$200 to complete. She was looking for the ATM. I said it was outside –
she was horrified! “How do I get out there” I said just walk through, she had 2
carry-on cases. I pointed to the ATM which we could see and she proceeded in
that direction. The official on the scanned stopped her, nodded and pointed to the
ATM. He had seen this all before. So she walked outside with her bags without
being scanned. Interesting.
We
paid in advance for a taxi and headed to our hotel. This was just the start of
an amazing day.
Tuesday, 9 October 2018
9th -Tuesday started reasonably early as we needed to be at Coolangatta
Airport at 7:00 to catch our 9:05 Scoot flight to Singapore. We managed to
score an upgrade to business class, Scootbiz. Scoot set up their planes with a
business class section, in our case 18 seats. If they dont sell them they offer
them via auction as an upgrade to economy passengers. We bid the lowest
possible and were lucky to secure 2 seats. The difference ended up being
slightly less than 50% of a normal business class seat. The priority baggage,
priority loading and unloading, priority check in along with much more room and
meals was well worth the difference over the 8.5 hour flight.
The flight was uneventful but
more than long enough. Once in Singapore and through customs and immigration we
hopped a cab to town. Cabs are cheap in Singapore, not much else is, and the
journey set us back $20.00. The Robertson Quay Hotel is older but serviceable
and met our needs. We had a flight early next morning so not much time to do
much so we decided on a quick meal and then a nice river cruise. The meal at a
locals eatery was highlighted when I ordered a bottle of Tiger beer. I was
expecting a stubbie but ended up with a 650ml “tallie”. I had to finish it as
it was a hot day and did not want to waste it. The river cruise was great
pointing out most of Singapore's signature sites.
9th Oct
7 am start to the airport, which was just across the road, but because of luggage we got shuffle to get there.
Wait of about an hour or so before boarding, my first international flight. Dealing with passports, customs, and showing of passports at every exit, which took up some time, and experienced a roller coaster of emotions, happy, nervous, excited.
Once on the plane all good. I was finally starting a new adventure. I enjoyed our upgrade to business class, no waiting in line to get on, that was very cool. Singapore I am on my way
As Bob said 8.5 hrs in the air, hmmm, food was good, and attendants were good. A little conversation with the lady sitting next to me was good. Played some games and watched a movie on my phone via the scoot net, until my phone went flat, then what.....
We arrived at Changi airport after we had to circle for 15 mins due to traffic congestion.
The taxi system getting from the airport is superb. They have numbered waiting lanes, and you are told which number to wait at, and just as you get there, taxi is arriving. Our driver was a chatty fellow and full of interesting information.
Robertson Quay motel was nice, with a good view from the room. Went for a walk, had tea at a local eating place where I had chicken and cashew and some fried rice and a Guinness stubbie. A stubbie over here is the equal of a tallie back home. We ventured on a river cruise and saw some wonderful buildings and rich in history. The design of buildings here is amazing. The lotus flower building springs to mind, which is the Science and Art muesum. We missed the light show they have as we had a very early start in the morning.
Back to the room where I faded fast.
Wait of about an hour or so before boarding, my first international flight. Dealing with passports, customs, and showing of passports at every exit, which took up some time, and experienced a roller coaster of emotions, happy, nervous, excited.
Once on the plane all good. I was finally starting a new adventure. I enjoyed our upgrade to business class, no waiting in line to get on, that was very cool. Singapore I am on my way
As Bob said 8.5 hrs in the air, hmmm, food was good, and attendants were good. A little conversation with the lady sitting next to me was good. Played some games and watched a movie on my phone via the scoot net, until my phone went flat, then what.....
We arrived at Changi airport after we had to circle for 15 mins due to traffic congestion.
The taxi system getting from the airport is superb. They have numbered waiting lanes, and you are told which number to wait at, and just as you get there, taxi is arriving. Our driver was a chatty fellow and full of interesting information.
Robertson Quay motel was nice, with a good view from the room. Went for a walk, had tea at a local eating place where I had chicken and cashew and some fried rice and a Guinness stubbie. A stubbie over here is the equal of a tallie back home. We ventured on a river cruise and saw some wonderful buildings and rich in history. The design of buildings here is amazing. The lotus flower building springs to mind, which is the Science and Art muesum. We missed the light show they have as we had a very early start in the morning.
Back to the room where I faded fast.
Monday, 8 October 2018
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
Well here we are just a week away from wheels up for our adventure to Vietnam. Received a text from Scoot Airlines this morning advising we have 7 days before our flights.
For Bob and Roberta (us) this is the first of many adventures to come. First international flight for Roberta and some new passport stamps for us both.
Tuesday we are off to Singapore for an overnight then on to Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. Thursday catching the ferry to Vung Tau on the south-east coast for a few days. Then back on the ferry to HCMC and then on to Tey Ninh for a few days. Back to HCMC for another few days then back through Singapore to Brisbane.
We will catch you up along the way.
For Bob and Roberta (us) this is the first of many adventures to come. First international flight for Roberta and some new passport stamps for us both.
Tuesday we are off to Singapore for an overnight then on to Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. Thursday catching the ferry to Vung Tau on the south-east coast for a few days. Then back on the ferry to HCMC and then on to Tey Ninh for a few days. Back to HCMC for another few days then back through Singapore to Brisbane.
We will catch you up along the way.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)