Along the Vietnam road

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Today, traveled around HCMC (HoChi Min City) and saw how different things have become here since communism has taken over. A once architecturally beautiful palace has been modified to become a concrete block as the Reunification palace where the former president lived before he was executed. It was interesting to see the slant the information written on displays at the war museum definitely anti the west. I find I get angry about the things that happen in was and ended up outside talking to people (much rather meet the here and now), although you meet an assortment. One thing that struck me was the American helicopter out the front, my immediate reaction was to take a photo and call it the original from Miss Saigon. Talking about the here and now, I met some great people on the trip, two German girls Jess and Viola who were great fun, at the reunification palace, I took a photo of them waving to the masses, and kidded them that of course I was ‘the queen of Australia’ and knew just how to do this! We had some fun dialogues after this. Also on the bus, two young Hungarian guys with wicked senses of humor, and one of them had the last name of Eros and with a name like that; he of course tried to pick up one of the girls. There was a lovely American couple who were residing in Hong Kong and one obnoxious Russian Australian. He complained about everything and wanted to know why, why, what, why and if he could he would want to know why rain falls etc, everything. While I applaud anyone who is interested in things around them, He let it be known that he wanted to get value for his MONEY (all of $9 for the whole tour including lunch) He wanted to know why all the admissions were not included in the price! He was the archetypal terrible tourist. We went to the Giac Lam Pagoda (the oldest in Vietnam) and there in Chinatown was privy to a funeral of a fairly young man, it was interesting that there was a feeling of festivity. There was a band playing fairly upbeat music and they were throwing money and flowers around for him to take with him to the next life. We also visited the largest Chinese pagoda the Emperor Jade Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon’s historic Post Office. It was extremely hot, and was trying hard to rain. The German girls and I went off afterward to have a drink, only to find out our hotels were next-door to each other. The four of us went off to dinner at the BBQ garden and had a great deal of fun.

On the last day in Saigon, it rained heavily and we were out walking and found a place called Sojo which started homeless people selling cookies on the street somewhat like the Jamie Oliver setup. It has helped a great number of people and now has quite a few café’s around the south of Vietnam. Sue and I did a bit of pampering with pedicures etc. We had found a little café just near the hotel and went to have our last meal (which for me ended up being the most memorable vegetarian meal I have had in quite a while. Sue had to pick up some things from the tailor and decided she had run out of time, so caught a cyclo, (man driving a seat on his pushbike) and he tried to rip her off, and Sue said she would get out NOW, right in the middle of the busy intersection. He relented and all was well in the end. It would have been a sight to see.

Bye to Saigon, hello Nha Trang. We decided to try train travel, even though some of you have tried valiantly to warn me off. The deluxe train of course was off the rails being refurbished, so I was lucky enough to get the VIP single ($60) and Sue had to share with (pregnant) Mum, Dad, Grandma and baby! (She got her own back by snoring loudly) Me, I had the deluxe room, a bed with the softness of concrete, a beautiful red rose, a cupboard with a fridge, a TV with Idol Vietnam style blaring away. I decided that after seeing Sue’s predicament, I was indeed blessed. Sue and I played cards in my room, and then she went down to her room. I was relaxing with my feet up on the bed, when my roommate made himself known; a mouse ran out from behind the fridge, across the floor, saw me and ran back behind the fridge with me letting out quite a yell. The porter almost pulled the room apart trying to find him, but to no avail. Between me having frogs jumping on me in Pt Douglas last year, and a mouse in the bedroom, I wonder should I be buying a wand and a pumpkin?

After a fitful sleep (one eye open for the mouse), we arrived at Nha Trang at 6.20 am and were picked up to arrive at our accommodation, a luxurious resort with stunning views, room, beds, facilities and people. Included in our $80 for 2, is our room, breakfast, 4 course dinner and transfers to and from our train and plane. Finally had some swimming time and made the most of it

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Photos

Miss Saigon
For those who have not seen the original show, one of these comes down from the ceiling in the most heartmoving scene of the evacuation of Saigon

Funeral procession
Led by monks, not a sombre occasion

Bin Tey Market
Markets and Motorcycles!

Reunification Palace
Sort of a concrete bunker

The royal wave
From the balcony, what else can one do!

Notre Dame Cathederal
Not quite as grand as the original

Last dinner in Saigon
Dinner with the girls

Comments

[Jess]

Waving young ladys
hi christine, the waving young ladys are back in germany! and its f... cold and it's even snowing!!! that's really crazy! thanx for the nice time in saigon. i'm really curious about your upcoming blogs! best wishes!!! jess