I was not supposed to bring my suitcase as it was supposed to be a backpacking trip. No maid to carry my luggage, and no maid to do laundry! I was supposed to do everything by myself, for a good 12 days!! And...warning...no 5-star hotel!!
Walked around District 1, Bui Vien, looking for a motel. We ended in a place similar to this place - had to strain my neck trying to see where my room is!!!! Then, felt very tired, hot, hungry!! We managed to find a place to eat, drink and with map in hand, we started to plan what to do and see for the next few days. That, for me, was VERY interesting and challenging!!
The traffic was an eye-opener. Motorcycles all weaving together, with cars too, at the junctions. I just don't know how they do it, but actually, they manage to do it quite 'gracefully'. After some practice, I managed to cross the road, with hundreds of motorcycles passing by.
The next day, we took a local tour - Sinh Café Travel, to Cao Dai Temple and Cu Chi Tunnel. Cao Daism is interesting and unique, as it sort of incorporate 5 religions. We managed to sit in...actually, stand in... one of their noon-time prayer sessions. The tunnels at Cu Chi are actually a network of connecting underground tunnels, used during the Vietnam War. We had an opportunity to go underground to see what it was like for the soldiers back then! It was quite scary, indeed. In the night, we had dinner at Pancharan, a Spanish Restaurant. We ordered Mojito, Sangria, Goat cheese salad, Grilled Lamb, Poached Salmon. It was to celebrate JHann's Birthday. The ambience at the rooftop and the music were good. We had a lovely time!
Decided to take a ferry ride along the Mekong River, and onwards to Can Tho. Did not know what to expect, as all three of us have not been or have not read much about Vietnam. The next day, we hired a local boatman to bring us to the Floating Market, about 6km from Can Tho. It is quite different from the Floating market in Thailand. Here, it is mainly boats carrying farm produce to traders in smaller boats. The boatman could not speak English, so we had to 'talk' to him using a Vietnamese phrase book. He was helpful and tried his best.
We stopped by a local orchard and here, I had the BEST iced coffee!! Not in a grand coffee place, but
in a little stall, I think it is in a house....and sitting on a tiny stool.
Next day, as JHann was buying a Sim card for his phone, we met a lovely family. They run a little shop, and again... it is actually their house. They were dressed in their pyjamas the whole day. I guess that is a trend. They were so friendly and helpful.
Enjoyed Can Tho...the beer, the coffee, the hair wash, the grilled pork!! Yummy!
Fancy a beer named after the town - Can Tho
Took this mini 'bus' back to HCMC, a three-hour ride. All 12 people cramped into this!! It was hot and stuffy!! We survived the journey, though.
Next day, we took a train to Phan Thiet, about 200 km away. Then a taxi ride to Mui Ne, a beach resort town. Very interesting ride, travelling with the locals. Then, took a motorcycle ride to look for a hotel by the beach. It was fun, 3 of us, riding pillion on 3 motorcycles!
We decided to stay at this motel, Bien Dua, a small and peaceful place, run by an old French couple. All three of us enjoyed the body massages, on our deck chairs by the sea. Bliss!! Even had our food and drinks served while we had our massages.
Booked a buggy to take us to White Sand Dunes, and the town. Whiffs of fish sauce the whole way to town. We had to wake up very early as we wanted to watch the sun rise. The wonderful part was, as we arrived the lovely Saharan sand dunes, we realized that we were about the first people there. The sand dunes were untouched!! Awesome!! Took my breath away!!
JYenn had a good 'toboganning' down the slopes. Many young boys and girls were there very early at dawn, selling peanuts, postcards, sand, sweets and their services.....massage!! There was also a Lotus Lake. It was a hot day, so I spent my time relaxing on a hammock at a nearby coffee shack.
AWESOME SIGHT!!!!
Then to the harbour. Took a ride on this basket. Imagine, all three of us in a basket!! Had the opportunity to 'visit' a fishing boat. Notice the big lamps...they use them when they go deep sea fishing!! How interesting!!
Back in HCM, we tried to do all that we had set out to do: The Museum, Reunification Palace, shopping at Ben Thanh Market, Water Pupper Show, Beef noodle at Pho 2000, dinner at Le Jardin, a French/Vietnamese Restaurant,
Grilled pork and draft beer - dining on tiny stools, by the roadside!!
A MEMORABLE HOLIDAY!!!
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