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.
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