Blogs from Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast, Vietnam, Asia

It seems to have been all about the eating for me since the last post. Not so much for Lyn who has been working like a trojan. It's all about convincing the students to come to Paraparaumu you know and there is a heap of competition - I think she's doing OK. As many of you know the food here is awesome and you can find great food at small prices if you're prepared to look around the alleys and back streets. The Secret Garden was one of those. We'd never have found it if it wasn't for a couple of other teachers on the trip who had been there. Nine of us ended up there and it was superb. Beer and Vietnamese food goes SO well together! Prior to that we had all been (including ... read more

Lyn was up and off to work by 8.00am. She had school visits to get to along with the rest of her group. There are about 36 Kiwis here on this education trip all doing the same thing; visiting schools, attending seminars and generally promoting New Zealand's education system. Lyn stands out by carrying a blow-up Kiwi with her and waving it around whenever she can when the occasion presents itself. I'm pretty sure the Vietnamese remember her. While she's out working I get to be a tourist and explore the city so it's not a bad life. This morning I walked to the Ben Thanh market, the big market that sells cut price stuff as long as you're prepared to haggle for it. I wasn't there to buy, just to wander through and experience the ... read more

My mate in Saigon, I don't even know his name! Hence, Mr Saigon Express. Met him at a nice Pho restaurant in Distict X...Takes me everywhere in his little kapcai (slang term for rusty small motorbike in Malaysia). Has a heart of gold. Really takes care of me. Makes sure no one takes advantage of me.Always give him a little something as he doesn't have much. The Pho place probably uses his services but pays him a pittance.In his spare time, he is a motorbike parking attendant. He directs the bikes ... read more

The simple things I am in Saigon, Vietnam. The name is over 300 years old. Its new name, Ho Ch Minh City, is fairly recent. Been here many times over the last year. Loved it so much I decided to move here. They didn’t renew my contract as a lecturer at the university in Malaysia. Whatever the reason, matters little now. This might indeed be a blessing. I came here to Vietnam out of a hunch. Needed a holiday. Had some cash. Oz is too expensive. Why not try somewhere new? Lived in Oz for 15 years . Nice. Can’t complain. Some of the best times of my life were had there. Ask Mick. Ask Warren..Heather, Jo-fin (God bless her soul), Tossbag and Sabita… The list is endless. I miss Australia. Back to Saigon. Someone told ... read more

Point final de notre petit voyage.... Nous laisserons ici Shanti Travel que nous ne pouvons que remercier vivement car tout fût parfait... Un seul petit couac... on oublie de venir nous chercher à l'aéroport à Saigon pour nous mener vers notre hôtel... mais ce n'est vraiment pas la panique car nous remarquons tout de suite qu'ici les choses ont bien changées... rien à voir avec notre première arrivée en décembre 1999 où PA devait se bagarrer avec un chauffeur de taxi pour qu'il veule seulement bien nous prendre tous... (nous étions 4...), accepte de prendre nos valises mais surtout veulent bien mettre le compteur... Plus rien ne ressembe à tout cela et nous ne reconnaissons absolument pas l'environnement... Après un petit contact avec Mathieu, notre agent Shanti (merci encore Shanti pour cette carte SIM qui nous ... read more