Around and about in Saigon

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And I cant say we have done much except walk around a lot. We have done the whole area around our hotel glimpsing into other peoples lives and so grateful for the one I have been blessed with. For the past two days we have been into town and done a few circuits past all the sights and been inside a few like the church of Notre Dame and the post office which is such a lovely building far too grand for a post office – it reminds me of our old gracious old post office in Darling Street but only grander. We walked along the river bank and took our lives into the hands of the gods trying to cross the big wide streets.



Did I tell you that no one does Christmas like the Asians? Everything is bedecked in Poinsettias of red and white/pale green flowers and by everything I mean wherever you look they must grow millions and millions of them. They are all very cleverly in pots but that is usually hidden. The windows and frontages of the buildings have become fantasy lands with fake snow, gazillions of lights at night and everyone comes dressed up to have their pictures taken in front of these wonderful Christmas extravaganzas.Children in red and white "father christmast" outfits, teenagers in their finery adults looking so smart. It’s fun to watch parents and friends all jostling for the best place to take their memories.



We moved hotels yesterday and are now right in the middle of town at the Northern Hotel and close to all the landmark places. We got a suite for $110 that is lovely and large with a Jacuzzi in the bathroom! This hotel was recommended to us by Eric from Chung Woo who works with my family so thanks Eric xxx.



I messed up terribly the other night and it was all Terry’s fault of course – we had a few drinks relaxing in the Club lounge at the Equatorial Hotel which has become like our own home – very comfortable with our two waiters Jacky and Hin looking after us making sure our glasses were never empty and then I made some airline bookings as well as a Hotel booking in Hoi An. Terry got his ticket I did not get mine and I booked the hotel a day earlier than our flight so now its recovery mode. We have to find a Vietnam airline office today and I will hopefully get on the same plane as Terry! Oh dear what can a girl do – especially one that hardly ever has a drink anymore.



Ok so two days later, two Vietnam Airline offices (as it was the week end and the one we went to yesterday was closed today but hey it's Sunday and they were working - the only other place i know like that is The Backpack!!) and many kilomtres under my feet we have got it all sorted. As we were not far from the Zoo and Vietnam History Museum we went there for most of the day. The Zoo was beautiful in many respects and of course very sad too. I dont know why I take myself to these places as other than the Singapore Zoo there are not many in this part of the world that are happy places. The people were having fun. There were many families there, a fun park and circus acts going on that was cool, lots of young couples and the gardens were incredible. The main route is lined with african Mahogany trees that were unbelievable and luckily still there. I can see many a cabinet maker with their eyes on these precious gems. There were also many Bonsai trees in their pots. They have their own story going on with figurines under the spreading branches on a cliff

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Photos

Dinner Barge on the river
Brightly lit and heavily embellished barges on the river.

Christmas photos
Everyone wants their pictures taken with the Christmas lights

Cat nap
A bike makes a good impromptu bed!

Acrobat at the Zoo
She was on a rope, up three rungs of a ladder, balancing a type of sword looking thing in her mouth!

Mahogany Tree
to get the scale of this tree I asked Terry to stand next to it! and there were loads of them in this beautiful park

Wrap and Roll
Lunch - vermicelli rice noodles, different lettuces, bbq meat and a sweet dipping sauce with pickles in it and rice wrappers. You roll your own and enjoy!

Comments

[Cookingwithmavis]

The 'tipple'....
Hi Lee..didnt know you like the 'tipple'....mmmmm! - oh! going to ' Braai school' next week in preparation of B'dp. Lots love, Cookingwithmavis.blogspot.com

[tembiwoo]

OMG who is going to teach you if i am here???
Had my own bbq on the table at the restaurant i went to last night - did not have my camera - pics on my phone will have to show you when i get home. very delicious

[Roy]

mmmm...
looks like you're having a great time - as usual! Interesting to hear about the Asian work ethic .. and if you see any rhino horn merchants in Vietnam ..... well, you know what to do.

[tembiwoo]

there was a rhino in the zoo
can you believe it but it was not an asian one it was one of ours! could hardly believe it myself.