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Published: November 30th 2014
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The day started with a bonus of time change! We actually slept in until 9.30 Adelaide time but it was only 6 am here so that was a very good start. Paul was up early to take advantage of the gym and if you can believe it! I even turned up at the gym for a run! Yes, I know Damo!!!!
Breakfast was a winner, with Max practically crying with delight over the selections on offer. The French influence in Vietnam is certainly seen in lots of little ways, the pastries etc being one of them!
Harry worked out the waffle machine so it was fresh waffles for him amongst French toast, dough it's, pancakes and bacon!
I was very sensible for day 1 and the freshly squeezed watermelon juice was my pick.
We headed off early to explore on our own and find Ben Than markets. We didn't do too badly and were advised by the hotel to hang on to our bags and phones on the street.
The traffic is the first thing that amazes you, millions of Motor bikes with families piled on heading all over the place. There
did not seem to be traffic rules and seemed like a free for all.
To cross the street, you basically have to look ahead, keep moving and say a prayer.
The weather is clear today and hot and humid. Very much like bali or Phuket but without the smell.
It's amazing how different each country is in subtle ways. The smell, the weather, the light, the fog.
We found the market and had a great few hours bargaining there. I guess we always expect to get ripped off first thing, but at least it gives you a starting point to work back from. As we were there in the morning, the stall holders were offering a morning price, but not as forcefully as they do in bali, Phuket, Singapore etc. Basically they want to make a sale from their first customer of the day as its good luck. So they get a bit shirty with you if you barter but do not buy first up. I think for the morning shopping it's a good idea to only barter if you intend to buy and then keep haggling til you are happy.
I came away with
a couple of scarves, a back pack and a leather clutch bag. Boys were after souvenirs and Paul got some great shorts for $6 a pair and some shoes for about $12. bargain!!
One of the best parts of the market was the food ailes! Amazing! We got some great photos. All the food, meat and seafood was out in the open. It was all very neat and organised and looked very fresh. Paul was over the moon at the stall that had mounds and mounds of freshly cracked crab meat. All neatly sorted into leg flesh, body flesh and sized. He bought 100g of fresh crab meat and its was perfect. We all took a bit of a risk and tried it as it looked so cool and fresh,we are not sick yet so I am guessing all good! It cost 100,000 for 100g so about $5.50 Australian and it was quite a big bag of lovely fresh crab meat. Paul loved it!
Dad you would have freaked out at this market!!!! Amazing!!!!
Even all the offal, brains, intestines etc all neatly sorted.
The Veges were all peeled ano presented beautifully, the displays were amazing.
inside the market we stopped for a cold drink. We has fresh mango smoothies, a passion fruit smoothie and Vietnamese iced coffee. A lady in the next stall kept offering us her food to try so we ended up trying her cold rolls and spring rolls which cost us about 20c each. Very nice! I think we ended up paying about $10 Australian form about 8 drinks inc,using two beers! Not bad value!
After the market we were accosted by some friend,y cyclo drivers who basicalled bundled the kids into their cycles and drove off with Harry and Tom in one while paul and I were trying to work out how much we had to pay and where they were going to take us.
They assured us all was well and off we headed into the oncoming traffic on little Bike carts. It was a lovely Tour around the city, including another stop at the Hong Kong markets. It ended up badly with us being royally scammed! In the end they demanded that we pay $85 Australian dollars for two bikes! We did expect to get ripped off as I had read about it a lot on
trip adviser but as they were so nice, we didn't really worry too much about it. We figures $85 was pretty good for riding the five of us all over the place but when they asked for another $85, we basically told them to get stuffed and go call the police. we just walked away and left them in the end which was an eye opener for our first day! Kids couldn't believe it! I told them I hope they had bad luck now! (Rosie just think of me telling those kids off in the cab out front of the ramsgate! same same but different!)
Back to the hotel for a swim, a cocktail and now waiting to head off on our Saigon by Night tour with XO Tours. We are all going on a food tour on the back of vintage vespers so should be fun.
I shouted Harry a nice massage in the hotel as part of his birthday booty. Very spoilt! Great massage. Karen you will be pleased to hear I was not assaulted like in honkers.....
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Nina
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WISH I WAS THERE!!!!!
sounds like you are having an amazing trip...apart from being ripped off .....