London to Saigon via Singapore

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So our bargain BA direct flight to Singapore, which we were quite excited about, despite it costing £100 more than our last year’s long haul, turned out to be a bit of a trial. Sam and I were on different bookings as a our return day dates are different, so we were on the phone to each other as soon as check in opened. The plane was a huge one with a big upstairs which also had economy seating, so we were hopeful of getting a row of 2 seats at the side without having to pay £60 extra for them. To our disappointment there were only about 5 seats free to change to on the entire plane, up and down, and as Sam was entering her API they were popping off the screen like balloons at a kids party. I ended up downstairs in my original seat, Sam upstairs. No probs, we thought, we can change them at the airport. Helpful lady there phoned through and told us to check at the gate, but no luck, so we sat separately, which was even more annoying as there was actually a seat free next to Sam. As she had a cold, I was actually comfortable enough in an aisle next to a healthy Dutch couple, didn’t sneeze once or throw up. I felt blessed!

Rubbish films on the plane, no footrest, felt too sick to eat breakfast, hey ho! Just love Changi T1, dancing raindrops, great displays and super helpful people.

Off at Singapore, Sam filled in many immigration cards before she finally got it right, scooting along the floor on her bum while she did so. Then off to get bags and upstairs to check in for Jetstar to Saigon.

The Jetstar flight was uneventful. I knew we no were did now need a visa for Vietnam and could get a free 15 day entry. As we were standing in the queue for immigration I saw a family in front of us rummaging through their bags and produce a piece of paper. Shitshitshit! Really hoping that the free visa was only for people with a return flight ticket! Sure enough, I was asked for mine - twice - and was getting really really hot until she stamped my passport and let me through, same for Sam. Note to self: check the rules better next time!

We negotiated our way past the line of touts for the pseudo taxis (hah!) and got a ma linh one, took a bit longer than it should but the price was 128,000vnd, about right. He did seem to take a few minor detours. We are stay at the Bali Boutique Hotel. I’d emailed twice asking for a room at the side,his didn’t seem to have registered and he waved a key for the front room. Believe me, unless you a pay to party on down until 4am you do NOT want to be at the front, anywhere on Bui Vien. Then offered us the first floor, we still looked unhappy so he gave us the 6th, a slight improvement, but here I am, earplugs in, and it is BEDLAM outside.

We had a quick shower and off to the Go2 Bar on the corner. There are a couple of huge new neon lot bars, both pumping out music. More women begging with babies than ever before, more like Phnom Penh now, which was quite sad. We sat next to a couple of Swedish women and chatted and had quite a lot of cocktails and a beer for £14 between us, in what is a slightly pricier place. This eliminated the need for dinner totally. We were in a FINE mood. And the best news we had all night was that it was an hour earlier than we thought, hadn’t realised that Vietnam time is not the same as Singapore time. Happy days! The plan for tomorrow is to walk over to the New World Hotel and pay 300,000vnd (about £10) to use their lovely pool for the day, get our nails done and maybe a spot of shopping in Ben Tanh Market. Great!

Yay, friends and family!xx

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Comments

[Karen]

Hello
Ooh that hotel sounds rather noisy. Another adventure for you. Enjoy and stay safe both xx