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Published: December 13th 2011
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Hotel Equatorial
Lobby Christmas decorations We arrived at about 4 in the afternoon as our plane was delayed by 45 Israelies who’s connecting flight was delayed. Terry had to get his visa when he arrived so that took a bit of time but wasn’t too bad. I had mine already in my passport so I was sorted. The airport on arrival is very stark there is nothing to buy like modern airports today where they are capitalizing on incoming as well as exiting visitors. Oh well they will soon catch up. We got a taxi to our hotel for 10 US$ and it was a long way through hectic traffic and I mean hectic. I would NEVER drive here the traffic comes from all directions. I remember Hanoi being bad and Ho Chi Minh being more laid back but that has all changed now. Its crazy here too. Our hotel turned out to be 5 star and I mean 5 star as in grading not only good but excellent! We were offered the upgrade for an extra few dollars a night to get the Club class on the top floor. That means it includes breakfast, all drinks, snacks and cocktail hour (that’s about 3 hours) for
no extra charge. It was a no brainer. It also included 1 piece of washing per person and my jeans got a wash yipeeee they could have walked to the cleaners on their own. The room is fantastic spacious great views big bathroom, telly, computer cable and wifi included too. We feel like the bees knees!!!
So after a great nights sleep Terry was up and out as usual for his morning walk and I got on the computer and stuff. We came for breakfast and it was delicious yes I had Pho Bo such a clean tasting soup and he had a much more western breakfast which is better for him at the moment. Then it was out and about for me to get my mobile up and running which after much looking around many unanswered questions found a supplier and got myself started and got a chip for Terry’s phone too. Now to phone the family.
We did a big walk around this afternoon and found a few car shops that looked like nothing on the outside and not much on the inside either - back street pocky little shops but the
Vietnamese spring rolls
dont they look delicious cars in them were enough to make my eyes stand on stalks! In one shop there were 2 brand new Rolls Royces and 2 brand new Maybachs and a Lambourgini – I mean who is going to buy these cars and to top it all the shop next door had a few of the same for sale too. Some very rich Vietnamese around these days and good luck to them too.
We carried on through back streets past sweat shops of every kind which seemed to be in the front rooms of their houses. One was an injection mould for bottle tops, the other making of shoes, a hairdresser a watch repair man, even motor bike repairs in fact everything you can think of. And the smells change with every footstep too from incense to meat on the bbq (very delicious aroma) to glue from the shoes. It’s a true overloading of the senses. Everyone is friendly we get waived at all the time. You really get to peak into peoples homes and lives like nowhere else I know. Sometimes you want to take picutures but you feel too invasive.
Crossing
Dog on his bike
A real cutie waiting for his owner to finish dinner the road is another story. There are about a gazillion bikes, bicycles, cars, mopeds freedom riders for handicapped people (manual ones that you push and pull to propel forward)and other modes of transport going past in most (all?!)directions by that I mean right, left and crosswise. When I was on my own I just got as close to a local as possible and crossed with them. With Terry I just hang onto his arm, look in all directions humanly possible at the same time and go. It’s a real experience like being on a rollercoaster except that you are on the level but the scare factor is the same if not greater!!!
So now we are all showered up and sitting in the Club lounge relaxing over our happy hour g&t’s (which we topped up with our own gin to make them a bit livelier) and there is a shoot going on here with the Head Chef and a TV presenter from Thailand. The Chef has cooked some awesome looking food for the show and we are eating our canapés of smoked salmon, chocolate muffins with salami and bree and other weird and wonderful delights that are
Injection moulding
This factory was in the front downstairs of their house put out every night for us to indulge in. Thank you Equatorial Hotel you are just aswesome!!!
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Vernon
non-member comment
Fine Experience
Dear Lee Feels like a city of amiable ambience: modern accomodations and service for relaxing at day's end, authentic culture from the folk and in the street as you get about. Wonderful holiday; thanks for letting me enjoy it with you. Vernon