..last day of markets

April 12, 2007

This morning, Doc dropped us off as we elected for a head start on our 1/2 day here in HCMC.

First stop was the centrally located Ben Thanh Market, which had everything commonly eaten, used & worn by the Saigonese: veggies, meats, spices, sweets, tobacco, clothing, household stuff, hardware etc...if you want your fake North Face stuff, this was probably the best place for it!..however, there's a 'foreigners price' and the 'locals price'...if you speak DacBiet, you'll probably get the best deal in town...damnn eh?

After, we quickly walked through the super cramped 4 floors of An Dong Market in nearby Cholon. For lunch we treated ourselves to some viet-style KFC (I think it was chicken), then made another stop at Saigon Square where it was mainly 'window shopping' for us! (you get the idea)

We arrived back at Docs house by 3pm where we refreshened, then packed and got organized for our journey home. Phoung, Doc's driver was ready to go and off to the airport we went!.....After this long and slow cruise in traffic (mainly hundreds of motor bikers on the roads), I can understand why Doc got rid of his Mercedes in exchange for a Driver + SUV....

We smooshed down yet another bowl of PHO-gac at the airport before we made it through the gates.....hay, $10 duty free Smirnoff was a steal!

We arrived back in Bangkok where we were efficienly greeted & shuttled to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel...we were very impressed with this newly opened hotel and its modern furnishings, decor and ever so friendly/kind staff!...thanx again Ms. IATA!

Cu Chi Tunnels & HCMC city tour

April 11, 2007

We arrived at Sinh Cafe for our last full day of sightseeing; the famous Cu Chi Tunnels followed by a 1/2 day tour of the sights around HCMC.

Cu Chi, located about 70km north of Saigon was a village that over a period of 25 years, developed these 'underground' tunnels for daily living, but later also for resistance against the US military during the Vietnam War. Built only by shovels and straw pans, the network of passages extends over 200kms (Southern Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border) and runs as deep as 10m below the surface. Strategically placed exit doors, chimneys, vents and traps were effectively camoflauged, enabling the Viet Cong to mount surprise attacks on its enemies.

Although renovated for tourists, the visable tunnels here in Ben Dinh were originally quite low and narrow, likely a reflection of the smaller builds of the Vietnamese soldiers. After our 30 metre 'crawl' in the dark and humid 'cave', you could really appreciate the skill and patience needed during its construction......

Along the way we both got are hands wet on a Russion AK-47...if you wanted to be Rambo for 3 seconds, you could try one of the many M16s and other machine guns available...(i was hoping to try a rocket launcher!).....anyways, for about $8 US, we shared a couple of shells and fired, under the supervision of the 'non-instructional' officer on hand. Despite using these shitty headphone style muffs that felt like 'ear warmers', I had to endure a few hours of mild tinnitis (ringing in the ears)...woe...intense!...I think aC and will will stick to shooting games on PS3!

After woofing down some viet-style rice on the tour bus, we began our 1/2 day city tour of HCMC. The hightlight was probably the 45 minutes spent at the War Remnants Museum aka 'propaganda museum' as some locals will call it. There were several 'themes' exhibited including 'historical truths', "requiem" aka photos taken by 134 war reporters all killed during the Vietnam War, models of the imprisonment system aka 'tiger cages' and guillotines and hundreds of other photos and war artifacts....As you leave this this place, you really feel the brutality of war and realize that many of the victims here were the civilians. From the horrific photos and models of mangled children to the deformities created by 'Agent Orange', there was definitely lots of stuff here to see and absorb!

Afterwards we made quick stops at the Reunification Hall (Southern Vietnam Presidential Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral & the ever so exciting General Post Office!.

Shortly after, we headed back to the Maple Healthcare Dental Clinic where Doc hooked aC up with some super-duper teeth whitening program....best part was how quickly aC's models & trays were prepared and made (very convenient when you OWN the equipment vs. having stuff sent out to the labs)..Thanx Doc for making aC's teeth bright and white again!

For dinner, Doc took us to the Pho-est of Phos here in HCMC; PHO Pasteur!......we didn't have the flank, tripe, tendon or dog, but it didn't matter.....we went with his recomendation: 'pho-gac'.

...and to finish off the day, Doc took us to this Viet-style massage/spa centre.....ooops, only gentle foot and head rub for aC, but Doc & I took the 90 minute package....nothing like hot rocks being rolled on your neck and shoulders!!..ahhh......

Day 3 - Cai Rang Floating Markets

In the Vietnam, the buzz on the streets, the putter of bikes and the honking starts bright & early each morning...uhmm...like 5:30am early.....the floating markets here in Can Tho are no different!

After a quick breakfast, we headed down the Can Tho River towards the Cai Rang Floating Markets, the largest of its kind along the Mekong Delta. Each morning between 5 and 8 am, hundres of boats flood the area with all those goods for sale! If you want to buy, you just 'row' up on a small boat... Just like in Cai Be we saw tonnes of diffent fruits & veggies waiting to be dumped off.

After a 45 min boat ride through this dirty and windy canal, we stopped off at this tropical fruit orchard where we saw more 'jack fruits', 'mangostines' and pineapples...just to name a few....aC had to have her coconut juice...too bad it wasn't ice cold :(

Along the way we also stopped at this Rice Milling Factory where we got a quick overview on how those tiny white things that we all seem to eat so much are grown and prepared for sale...

For lunch 'Thi' ordered us some local Viet-style cuisine at Hoa Chau; some kinda fish in hot bowl + tangy sauce, some red fish in soup along with some veggies....This wasn't your Pho Hoa Dac Biet Gan Sach or Thit Ngua (aka Horse Meat)....but we thought 'lets just give it a try'.....and to our surprise, it was very tasty and quite filling.

After lunch we made our way back to HCMC with stops in Long Xuyen and Chau Thanh (Tien Giang). The timing was just right as aC's 'excess' consumption of coconut water didn't appear to have mixed well with her tummy....all that was reported was, "woe, I was really loud in there, probably the loudest of them all"....thank god for the Mekong Rest Stop station!

We finally arrived back in HCMC at about 6:15pm where we went for some quick Pho, before killing some more time upstairs at the internet lounge (that i'm currently on right now)...still can't believe its only about $1/hour here!

...another day & a half and we are home bound!......

Day 2 - Long Xuyen & Can Tho

April 9th, 2007

After some vietnamese 'sub' + jam for breakfast, we headed straight for the river where we hopped on 'row-boats' for a tour of more floating villages. Our 'driver' was quite energetic, probably in her teens, and effortlessly moved us about on her small craft. Along the way, we saw some more fish farms and huts on stilts. We made a quick stop at the 'Cham Minority Village' where aC picked up a 'conical-hat' (if you speak Viet, they give you better price of course...thanx Jhi)

We then re-boarded the bus for a quick tour of some sites along the way; Temple of Lady Xu followed by this 'nasty' Crocodile farm! (for about $5/kg, you can pick up your own gator and use the meat or skin for whatever you like!) ...i like the viet pronunciation: 'auk-a-dile'

We finally arrived in Can To, our stay for the nite where we checked into the 'KS' Hoa Phuong . For the remainder of the night, aC and I walked down to the water where we strolled the main 'tourist area'...more street food, cell phone shops, and restaurants...and of course that huge silver stature of Mr. Ho Chi Minh...

While at dinner at Tham Bo, this friendly dude across from us was quite talkative and made small talk in very quick fashion !?!. It was weird cuz one minute he was speaking fluent french on his cell phone, the next minute he was ordering food in full on Viet style slurr, and now he was talking to us in english (and Cantonese, after finding out our native tongue)....he later mentioned he was orignally from Saigon, but has been living chez Paris for the past few years....

On our way back, we couldn't resist the temptation of taking the 'cyclo-taxi' for just under a $1...The 6 minute ride was well worth it as it knocked off about 20 minutes, but more importantly got us across the main intersection where all those damn moto-bikes were!...whewww...

Mekong Delta Tour - Cai Be Floating Market

For breakfast we had these'flakiest of all' croissants just before we boarded our bus, heading southwest towards the Mekong Delta.

In a nutshell, the Mekong Delta aka 'the river of Nine Dragons' is one of the world's great rivers and its delta one of the worlds largest. It flows about 4500 km though China between Myanmar and Laos, through Laos along the Thailand border and through Cambodia and Vietnam on its way to the South China Sea. The name 'Song Cuu Long' aka River of Nine Dragons' is derived from the numersous branches along its path. Life and culture literally exists along the river; 65% of Vietnam's rice is produced here, fish farms are in abundance, and over 18 million people 'live' somewhere on or along this water piece.

Today's first stop was the Cai Be Floating Market where local large boats 'hang' samples of their goods from tall bamboo poles. We saw things like: firewood, yams, watermelons and many other local 'fruits and products'. Afterwards, we watched how viet style 'peanut brittle' and rice crispies were manufactured.

From here, we passed by Vinh Long then hopped on this10 minute ferry to Long Xuyen, the capital of An Giang province. After another 2 1/2 hours of honking (normal practice for road safety here) and bumpy single lane roads, we finally arrived to Chau Doc....really, just a smally town, but near the Cambodian border where many people stop off en-route.

We checked into our 'hotel', the Hang Chau 2, and found everything we needed!: a noisy ratty air-conditioner and a '1.5 piece' bathroom (i.e just a shower head on the wall directly in front of the toilet seat)....I guess this seems to be the typical style here in Vietnam, as Doc had the same kinda thing in his guest bathroom.

We followd our guide 'Jhi' to his local favourite 'Bay Bong' for some Pho Beef & rice. Yummy....lets hope it sits in the tummy.....

Tomorrows wake up call: 6am!!!!!!!

zzzzzzzzz

good morning Vietnam!

April 7th, 2007

Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) we were greeted by Andrew's driver Phoang. Call it limo service, without the tinted windows and Dom in the rear!

Andrew aka 'Doc' is my brother Mike's friend back from their UBC days...Doc has been in HCMC for 7 years now, and runs a state of the art dental clinic.

Its been probably almost 9-10 years since i've seen Doc, and I can only recall all the good memories; Two come most to mind; Firstly, I can remember the days when Mike and Doc would come home late after excess' partying, and for some reason, I'D end up sleeping on the couch because Dr. Tsang was done and somehow ended up on my twin matress?!?!...Secondly, years back a bunch of friends including my brothers went up to whistler for some kick ass skiing. Before the night had ended, Mike had puked on aC's sleeping bag, while Doc was hurtin' on the couch. The next AFTERNOON, at about 1pm, we finally ran into the 2 rascals as for some reason, they decided to attempt one 'run' down 'whiskey jack'.......well enough said

...Dr. Tsang looks just like old, and aC and I are so grateful that we can base ourselves at his place in HCMC.

In the late afternoon, we strolled through 'Saigon Square', one of HCMC's largest shopping/market places. Although no where near the size and intensity of the Silk Street Market in Beijing, this place had its fair share of face North Face, Nike, Puma, LV, Prada etc.......

We then headed to Sinh Cafe, one of the many popular Cafes + Tour Excursion companies located in the backpack district of HCMC....and done...we have the next few days planned!

another lay-over in Bangkok

Upon arrival to Bangkok (for I think the 3rd time now?!?!), we made a quick stop at the Novatel Airport hotel where we store our 'much used and handy' refugee bag full of crap....

We arrived at the Grand Mercure Regency Park, but not before I had to make a few adjustments to our reservation. After the 'minor' process or rebooking across the street at the internet cafe, the 'lady' at conceige was then able to confirm my new and lower rate of 16.00 cnd. I guess 28 bucks ain't much, but WHY pay more when you really shouldn't nor dont have to! (thanx again mr. IATA)

After a 2 hour nap, we ventured back into the city one last time. First on the list was MBK Centre, followed by a stroll through Tokyu again (aC looking for her new Martyr set)

We ventured through the streets of Patpong again, winding through all the street ventors and food hawkers. After some lavish shopping, we ended at Body Tune, yes that famous Massage 'place'!...the 90 minute session was really marred by aC's shitty experience with her 'big mamma'...this big thing kinda 'over-did' it and gave aC just a little too much 'CPR', and as the night eroded, aC found herself in some respiratory distress. After some calming 'respiratory physio', she appeared stabilized!....wow, no more massages AFTER diving!!