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Aunty Chris and Uncle Vernon (Mom's friend) was supposed to join us as well. They paid already but couldn't make it the last minute because Aunty Chris was too ill to travel, she had fever for a week.
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It was a highly anticipated trip for myself, as I have never stepped foot into Saigon before. Something new I thought. However the trip did not went as well as I thought it would be.
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We had the same kind of food everyday, the weather is terrible, the traffic is worse than what you get in Bangkok and the worst thing is that we didn't really rest well.
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But despit all that, the plus point is prolly that I really get some quality bonding time with Mommy. I really wish I didn't have to grow up.
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On the plane to Saigon.
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My lovely Mommy. Replica?
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My xiao biao mei!
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San-jie!
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Day 1
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Once we touched down we were being sent to our hotel (it sucks) and met in the lobby almost immediately for our city tour. The 1st stop we went was the Notre-dame (Saigon's, the one in Paris was much more spectacular) and the post office which was just beside it.
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The post office
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The beautiful wall painting
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The telephone booth. I'm standing in front of booth no. 5!
The telephone booth. I'm standing in front of booth no. 5!
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The post office interior.
The post office interior.
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The Notre-dame of the East
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We went into the Cathedral for a look, but didn't take any piccies. (FYI: I dislike taking pictures at holy places, be it Churches, Cathedrals or Temples. 'Cause I find that its disrespectful)
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Afterwhich we went the the Cityhall (outside) which was a stone throw away. Mommy said the backdrop is gorgeous, like some place in France
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Afterwhich we went the the Cityhall (outside) which was a stone throw away. Mommy said the backdrop is gorgeous, like some place in France
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The pretty bonsai. Mommy says she wonder how long will it take for the one at my place to grow in to this size. i must admit the plant prunning in Saigon is fantastic. They have pretty and groomed plants all over.
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3 colours of rainbow
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it marks the end of Sightseeing, we had dinner and went back for our rest.
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Day 2
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We were greeted by tonnes and tonnes of motorbikes the moment we drove onto the road. And the piccie below is only take on a street. Not even the main road. Can you imagine?
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We went to Củ Chi Underground Tunnel the first thing in the morning.
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The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968.
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The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The role of the tunnel systems should not be underestimated in its importance to the Viet Cong in resisting American operations and protracting the war, eventually persuading the weary Americans into withdrawal.
The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The role of the tunnel systems should not be underestimated in its importance to the Viet Cong in resisting American operations and protracting the war, eventually persuading the weary Americans into withdrawal.
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There are 3 layers of tunnels, 1st layer is 3m below the ground, 2nd is 6m below and 3rd is 8-10m below. If I did not remember wrongly the whole structral took 20 over years to complete.
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The people lived underground thruout the war, they cooked, slept, have sex (I added in myself) and practically lived like rats (not my words). I really cant imagine that. Oh they even have underground hospital.
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By the way the tunnel is really tiny, constructed that way so the bigger sized Westerners cannot go through. I have to squat thru if I wanna go thru the tunnel because of my height.
By the way the tunnel is really tiny, constructed that way so the bigger sized Westerners cannot go through. I have to squat thru if I wanna go thru the tunnel because of my height.
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Củ Chi is a piece of fertile land and has many different fruits growing on it.
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Cempedak.................... Cashew Nuts
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Some booby traps in the tunnel
Some booby traps in the tunnel
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One of the opening to the tunnel. See how BIG is it, almost the same as my feet!
One of the opening to the tunnel. See how BIG is it, almost the same as my feet!
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Wow
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Mommy and Ah yi. The stairways leading to the entrence of the tunnel
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The tunnel. super small la.
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After leaving the place that once some many bleed in, we had lunch. haha.
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The sisters with a local at the lunch place. The scenery is really pretty.
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The pretty flowers from the lunch-place, apparently this place is a popular place for newly weds to take picture in. But the sun is burning us so we didn't really take any piccies.
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I like this flower so much that I took a piccie with it despite the scorching sun! Pretty hor?
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Afterwhich we headed to Vung Tau (a beach-side town, very resort feel)
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I like this flower so much that I took a piccie with it despite the scorching sun! Pretty hor?
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Afterwhich we headed to Vung Tau (a beach-side town, very resort feel)
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Scenery along the way...
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After 2 hrs of ride, we finally reach our destination!
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The nice piccie I took of the sisters, they took a pic of me too. But its with them.
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Mommy dearest and me
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Ta-dah. nice view right.
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Mommy dearest and me
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Ta-dah. nice view right.
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We had dinner and we took trishaw touring the city.
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Their trishaw is a wee-bit different, the passenger sits in front, mommy says if got accident we die 1st. haha lucky what she said didn't come true.
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Had coffee at Highland coffee cafe.
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We only wanted to try, so 5 of us shared one.
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Day 3
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Another rare group piccie. Taken on the way up to Jesus mountain.
Another rare group piccie. Taken on the way up to Jesus mountain.
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South China Sea.
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Jia you, jia you!!!
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Very nice pic, beside mommy's super messy hair
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We practically cam-whored on our way up the 800++ flight of steps
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Finally within viewing distance!
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Ta-dah!
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I was being refused from going up the statue. Because my top is sleeveless. Luckily ah shan brought her shawl and she lent it to me after she came down..
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All for this view.
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Can tell super windy right?
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Vung Tau city's view
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After Jesus mountain, visited 2 temple (whale temple and Ma zu temple). Had lunch and took another 2 hr back to Saigon. Visited some touristy-shops (didn't boher to take piccies) and retire for the day.
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Day 4
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Day 4
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We visited Mekong river on the 4th day, the only highlight.
We visited Mekong river on the 4th day, the only highlight.
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Mommy and Ah yi in the village where we are suppose to take a sampan touring Mekong river.
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The kampong
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The kampong
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Mekong river, seriously I wun want to drink from this river, yucks.
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Had lunch at some place near the river. The ball is super cute, made from glutinous rice.
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Seriously this is the last of my trip. Because on Day 5 we left our hotel at 6.30am to head for the airport. Can't wait to be home is the feeling I had been having since day 2. Mommy and I kept thanking our ancestor for making the right choice in migrating to Singapore instead of Vietnam!
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Been there, done that! Absolutely will not go back unless for work!
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Been there, done that! Absolutely will not go back unless for work!
