Wondering how to change my blog title

Wondering how to change the blog title so it becomes a general travel blog. Not used this for months.....

Snippets

Thought I would show you some of the things which caught my eye, and little experiences we had during the past almost 4 weeks

Loved this selection of hats hanging in a porch

Who thought Hanoi is in the Tropics!?.....on one of the chilly days before Christmas

This chap took his dog to do what it had to do, then popped it back into the box on the back of his bike. The dog is even wearing a coat!

By the way there is no sign of a poo bag here......

They don't believe in scaffolding for a paint job here.

Oh, and by the way, this is where we are staying!......sign at the entrance to our apartments.


Anyone need a feather duster?

The sign as we went to the beach, wonderful!!!

Leaving the Con Dao Islands, a beautiful place. We would certainly go there again if the opportunity arose.

Flying out over the 2km beach we had walked the day before


Orlo playing the piano at the Hotel Majestic

A girl on a motorbike illustrating the large aprons they wrap around to protect their clothing

Amanda and Michael in the canoe on Tay Ho

A white Roller in the Old Quarter, wonder who owns that!

...and finally flowers ready for sale for the Lunar  New Year (TeT) in a few weeks time.

That's it for this trip, hope you have enjoyed an insight into our Vietnam Experience.

Saigon......more!

The plan for Thursday was to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels,  the famous area where the Viet Cong fought.....the French and the Americans.

In the morning the others went to the War Remnants Museum in the city while I rested in bed. Amanda had booked a car and driver which her work use, so around 12.30 we packed all our luggage in and set off the 40+kilometres to the site stopping to buy Bahn Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) from a street stall on the way.

These stalls are all over the place, they use soft baguette rolls, spread them with pate then fill with the meat they specialise in, in this case it was chicken luncheon meat and roast pork and some greens. Soy and or chilli sauce is sprinkled over before they pack them. The neighbouring stall apparently had crispy duck, but I didn't  know that until later. It was a substantial sandwich and I am not sure that any of us finished the whole thing!

We arrived at the Ben Duoc site of the tunnels which is the most extensive  and after watching  a film (1968) about the fighting a local guide took us around. He showed us the hidden tunnel entrances and how they lived and fought using the tunnels. The network is extensive, 250km on three levels, with air holes, meeting rooms, kitchens etc. Orlo had a great time going in them, when allowed.

The entrance was so narrow that they had to go in and out with arms straight up. The Vietnamese soldiers were much smaller than us Westerners or indeed the Vietnamese today, they didn't have access to the level of nutrition we have; in fact they lived on the cassava (tapioca) root which was steamed, we were given some to try along with ground peanuts, at the end of the tour .

Amanda and Orlo emerging from a longer tunnel excursion.

Outdoor washing area

The Americans killed the jungle vegetation with chemicals so all the trees we see now have grown since the end of the war, but the vegetation is very dense.

We were at Ben Duoc until around 5.0pm then drove back, through the busy traffic, to the Ibis Saigon Airport for the night. Amanda, Orlo and Michael went on an excursion to eat at 'Chicken Street' which was a short taxi drive away. Apparently they enjoyed barbecued chicken the Vietnamese way, Andrew and I retired to the roof top bar for G&T and very indifferent pizza.

Traffic built up at every road junction then thinned out again until the next one!






The view was city as far as the eye could see! People living cheek by jowl in lots of high rise and virtually no outdoor/park space. I would  hate to live there!

The next day, Friday 3rd, we flew back to Hanoi having had a comfortable night at the Ibis, the decor was a complete contrast to the majestic!

So now we are back at 'home' unpacked, all the washing and ironing done, they are preparing to return to work and school and we are preparing to pack up again and return home on Tuesday.

 

New Year in Saigon and more!

Sunday January 5th 2020

Unfortunately I succumbed to a cold which was doing the rounds in Con Dao, hence the long time since I last posted. I am on the mend now.

We arrived in Saigon on New Years Eve and booked into the Hotel Majestic which has been there since 1925. Our two night stay there was our Christmas treat from Amanda and Andrew, and it was very much appreciated.  The first impressions of Saigon were the wider streets and the speed of the traffic, more four wheeled vehicles but still lots and lots of motorbikes and scooters.  Our rooms weren't ready so we went across the road to the Runam Bistro for some lunch, once back at the hotel we found we had been upgraded to two adjoining suites, very nice! 

Flying into Saigon, first sight of the Mekong Delta

The plan for the evening was to visit various street food vendors but this was rather thwarted by the fact that a city train system is being built through the centre and it effectively cut us off from where Amanda wanted to take us. In addition part of the centre had been closed to traffic for the celebrations which meant, of course, that all the other surrounding streets were extremely busy, I found it very difficult negotiating the very uneven surfaces and the traffic, but eventually we found a market stall which suited our needs. It's the first time I have eaten a New Years Eve Dinner on the roadside, but the food was good, the atmosphere was great and it was fun!

The City Hall

Lotus fountain with the city hall in the background 

One wonders where they were all going.....and where they would park!

Once back at the hotel Amanda Orlo and I played Rummikub to keep ourselves going until midnight. Michael went to bed shortly after 10 as usual, he hasn't seen a New Year in for years. The hotel is located on the river front and the doormen had already informed us that we would be able to see the fireworks from right outside the hotel. After a glass of something sparkling (Amanda and I, Andrew declined, Orlo had orange juice) we were outside on the stroke of midnight. The fireworks were spectacular and went on for 15minutes precisely. By this time the road had been closed and a large crowd had formed, but it was very well behaved and non threatening. Lots of young people and families enjoying the show.

A new decade has arrived!

The next day Michael went exploring, I wasn't up to much so went with Amanda and Orlo to the Saigon Mall so that Orlo could spend some of his Christmas money which was burning a hole in his pocket. He wanted some video games and eventually found them at a small shop up the street, I had retired to Starbucks by that time! The mission was accomplished and we went back to the hotel where I spent the afternoon in bed!

A, A and O went to visit some friends later in the afternoon then we all met up at The Deck, a very nice restaurant on the river. We had an excellent meal there M and I having  the crispy duck pancakes. In general we have not been eating big meals, we usually choose from the appetiser menu, the portions are quite enough. We have had good breakfasts though and the choice at the Majestic was amazing, as was the view.

All smartened up for New Years Day!

The view at breakfast at the Majestic .

The plan for Thursday 2nd January to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, which will be the subject of the next instalment .......

Con Dao islands (3)

Having made plans the night before on Monday Amanda got up early to go to the market and the shops to buy supplies for our picnic and breakfast, as.o to buy fruit juice from one of the street sellers. Andrew went for take away coffees and we made a diy breakfast in the hotel courtyard. This was "flashpacker" accommodation and we had use of the kitchen. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs , baguette etc we set off to hike to Dam Tre lagoon. This entailed an electric taxi to the trailhead then the walk began at 10.0am. We walked 2km across the Sandy bay passing the other end of the runway to a spot in the corner where the trail was marked. This took us almost 50mins and we then stopped for half an hour for drinks and snacks. Then the tough-for-me section of the walk began. We climbed up 500ft on a paved path through the jungle, the start was steep with lots of steps and it was very hot and humid. 

The start of the jungle hike

I was sweating to put it mildly and Amanda realised that I was probably getting dehydrated, I had been saving my water, but she assured me that she thought there would be drinks at the rangers station at the other end. This section, through the jungle was 3km, the longest 3km I have ever walked! Once up the steepest part it went up and down along the headland, we think, we couldn't see through the trees! .....and eventually started to go down hill. It took about an hour and a quarter to reach our destination and, yes, the ranger station had drinks! I bought a coco cola to replenish my electrolytes etc and we made out way down the stony beach.  They call Dam Tre a lagoon, but in fact it is a long inlet and only becomes a lagoon at low tide as we saw from the plane as we left the island. The tide had turned when we got there and was coming in quite strongly. I had to use my walking poles to get to the waters edge, it was very slippery but I had a quick swim. Amanda and Orlo snorkelled several times drifting with the tide, Andrew also had a go, the first time snorkelling for him. They saw lots of coral, some parrot fish and giant clams. I has not taken my snorkel mask, I could have borrowed from them but the waves were a bit strong for me. We had another great crackers and cream cheese and fruit picnic along with left over pizza which had been boxed for us the night before. Then I laid out my towel Costa del sol style on the concrete path and had a snooze!

This place was really isolated apart from the ranger station and we only saw one other person all day.

Snorkellers in the water 

We set off back after two and half hours and fortunately I found  the walk back much easier and did it to the beach in an hour. The tide was coming in, and we had noted that the high tide mark was well above the the area where the runway wall is built. We had a quick dip, in the sea then began to walk the 2km back along the beach, M and I went ahead and had to wade a bit with the sea coming up to our calves. Orlo absolutely loves the sea and had been reluctant to stop swimming and come along so they were a bit behind us, by the time they came to that area the water was up to their knees and Orlo swam part of it, Andrew got drenched by waves colliding with the sea wall! Exciting times!

Andrew had been a bit anxious about our access and if we had  we  later and had to wait until the tide turned it would have been dark!

We walked on almost to the end of the beach where there is a very smart  resort, the Poulo Condor Boutique Resort and Spa.  They have a beach bar and made five slightly bedraggled hikers very welcome. We sent Michael in first to set the tone for the rest of the party in his check shirt, calf length shorts and Panama hat! We were able to change in the rest room, in fact Orlo had a shower, and then had a very civilised drink as the sun went down. The hotel called a taxi for us and ferried us through the lush grounds in their golf cart. The resort consists of villas and suites, it was almost 7.0pm when we got back to the hotel so we had a quick change and headed to the Bar 200 bistro where Amanda and I indulged in a well earned gin fizz. We ate simple food like toasted sandwiches, pizza and burger then walked back for another early night. 

The staff at the resort were amazed we had walked back  through the tide and the lady at our hotel decided we were all very strong to do the trek!!! It was the heat and humidity that made it tough.

We left the island this morning and have gone from the ridiculous to the sublime; we are staying at the Hotel Majestic in Saigon and have been upgraded to adjoining suites!!

Apparently the local streets will be closed to traffic at 7.0pm and there will be fireworks on the river in front of the hotel at midnight. 

Andrew got this great shot of Orlo when we were at Dam Tre

Flying out over yesterday's trekking beach

First views of Saigon and the Mekong Delta

That's all for now, time to get ready to see Saigon on New Years Eve

Happy New Year Everyone, hope 2020 is a good one!

Con Dao Islands (2)

On the first evening we ate at the Villa Maison , a restaurant with rooms in a beautiful old French Colonial house. They were fully booked but set up a table for us in the bar reception area. This was an early experience of how welcoming and accommodating the people are here. The following morning we located the Cafe Infinity, where again the staff were lovely, we had breakfast there three out of the four mornings and two evening  meals. They serve a mix of Vietnamese and Western food, so everyone was able to satisfy their palates (including Michael!).  On the first evening I blew the budget and had the seafood platter, huge prawns, a lot of squid and a large piece of fish with various salad items and potato wedges. The others helped me out a bit, as it was a very large portion for 1.

After enquiring about the organised tours which are available we decided to do our own thing for a fraction of the price. We were able to make our own picnics and hire the electric car taxis which easily accommodated the five of us. So, the next day, which was Sunday, we made our way to Dam Trau beach which turned out to be a large sandy bay. We walked to the furthest corner (of course!) and set up our 'camp'. Amanda, Orlo and I were soon snorkelling amongst the coral. Much of the coral appears to be dead but there were some golden honeycomb areas and we saw a few fish, small bright cobalt blue ones, larger striped ones and Orlo saw an orange flat fish in the coral. There were lots of flowers on the sea bed too. All of these sights were a new experience for me, fantastic! We swam and ate, and swam again, until the tide started coming up the beach, then we packed up and walked back to the beach cafe area for a drink and sat in their deck chairs while Orlo, Andrew and Amanda went to explore the other end of the each. All in all, a very relaxing day.

Of course there had to be some dam building too!

As we walked back along the beach there were hundreds of tiny crabs running to their burrows, they almost appeared to be flying.

This beach was at the end of the runway where the planes come in, three or four came into land while we were there, they are small planes and are fun to watch.

Later we made plans for the next day, which turned out to be quite an adventure......

To be continued!