For a change, a video of our adventure.
And this is the end of Adnice Adventures (for now)...
Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vietnam. Show all posts
Adnice went to Vietnam & visited Phu Quoc
Due to the break down of my lappie and internet, I will spare you the details on My Tho-Ben Tre & Can Tho. Swimming straight to the largest island in Vietnam - Phu Quoc. This was the place that we had the longest stay, best rest and the cheapest massage (SGD5 by the beach!!)
For a change, a video of our adventure.
And this is the end of Adnice Adventures (for now)...
For a change, a video of our adventure.
And this is the end of Adnice Adventures (for now)...
Adnice went to Vietnam & visited Sai Gon
Sai Gon: 09 – 11.04.09
Route: Seater bus from Nha Trang> Sai Gon (8 hours)
Good morning Sai Gon! Who actually wakes Sai Gon up? As the night passes by with clanging beer mugs served at bars, the hawkers wake up preparing for their day at 3am. Sai Gon has a good mix of both old and vibrant streets. A stroll down District 1 leaves you in awe of their departmental stores and brands they carry. The cafes sit a melting pot of people & culture watching the young working adults go by. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh (HCM) or fondly known as Sai Gon.
Route: Seater bus from Nha Trang> Sai Gon (8 hours)
Good morning Sai Gon! Who actually wakes Sai Gon up? As the night passes by with clanging beer mugs served at bars, the hawkers wake up preparing for their day at 3am. Sai Gon has a good mix of both old and vibrant streets. A stroll down District 1 leaves you in awe of their departmental stores and brands they carry. The cafes sit a melting pot of people & culture watching the young working adults go by. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh (HCM) or fondly known as Sai Gon.
I leave you to experience Sai Gon from a special guest narration - my boy, Adrian (top pic, 2nd row, right).
“BEEEEEEP!!" Blaring horns. Bright shining lights. Zooming bikes here, & there & everywhere. Mocha swirling dust is churned up like candyfloss & floats gently down to coat people, fruit, merchandise, food in a layer of powder. The clanging of pots & pans. The chatter of Vietnamese sounding like someone who has had 10 too many shots of snake wine. This is Cho Ben Thanh, this is how Sai Gon comes to life when the sun goes down. Beng-like shopkeepers hustling tourists into their little crammed filthy makeshift night shelters for food. We push through the six or so food stalls by the roadside & dodge the ever persistent Viet-bengs with our newfound favourite phrase, ‘Maybe later’. Finally after much comparison, we decide that they are all actually selling the same things at very similar prices, might as well all merge into a full sized restaurant. So we settle on the young teen beng’s shop since my baby has some kinda fancy for him. He shows us in & his grouchy looking mum yells something sounding vulgar to the back where 2-3 other younger Viet girls are scrambling about frying, chopping, rinsing everything possible. We get the menu & scan through it unable to make a case for buying seafood at rip off prices so we agree on Pho Bo & extra chicken rice for me! The bottomless pit! A big black hairy rat scampers amongst the food scraps & puddles of who-knows-what on the floor. Small groups of ang mos come strolling in for beer & coconuts. The friendly old gramma bbqs chicken parts for my chicken rice on a small charcoal stove shielded with a rusty zinc sheet placed on the ground. Im hoping that I dun get some kinda weird unpronounceable disease from this meal. We get our food & ask for Ngoc Mam (our daily dose of this magic juice is strictly adhered to, if not we don’t get our satisfaction), slurping & swallowing the steaming hot pho soup & noodles all together. That’s an out of body experience that will stay with you always. Lovely way to start, pass & end your day. Pho, pho & more pho!!!”Next stop: My Tho-Ben Tre-Cantho
Adnice went to Vietnam & visited Nha Trang
Nha Trang: 08 - 09.04.09
Route: Sleeper Bus from Hoi An> Nha Trang (12 hours)
Honestly, we never had thought to make it back to Singapore. It affected us so much that A wanted to warn and advise all travelers to AVOID SLEEPER BUSes. Our advice to all: NEVER TAKE SLEEPER BUS if you are travelling in Vietnam UNLESS you have seen the bus condition BEFORE booking your Open-Tour ticket. Even so, you can never be sure of the driver.
The bus we took was involved in a severe car accident en route to Nha Trang, we were 2 hours into our journey along the highway. At 10pm, it crashed into a white Daewoo and a lady was stuck in the vehicle for nearly 20 minutes before she was carried out. Prior to this, the driver nearly killed a motor biker until he successfully swerved away in time with all of us swaying around in the tiny bus fully loaded with 30 people. Somehow, all of us expected this to happen.
At the instant I heard the loud bang, I was hoping it was just a tyre puncture. Little did I climb out with a half crashed car in front of the headlights and an altar beside the scene. Yes, an altar at the very spot not further or nearer. Needless to say, I was trembling with fear, worry and sympathy. Unrest still lies inside me as I type and narrate this incident. Sobbing teens, keen helpers, calm officers, wondering speculators, and terrified passengers were spotted as the time passes by. Seconds by seconds, the congestion built up with a long stream of cars, buses and trucks waiting impatiently in their vehicles. As the intensity conjures, I hear the siren of the ambulance. Hope had arrived and prayers were heard. With 3 joss sticks placed in the altar, the traffic continues and the night past. Then, I spotted a casket in transit.
Although we were transferred to a seater bus and the driver was swapped, I gave prayers and said thanks to every truck, bus, car or motorbike we overtook while we continued our journey that night. Meanwhile, A & I were awake and worrying about the pregnant French lady, giggling at the dude seated in front who sat upright each time the driver horned, and also lest we get killed without knowing why.
Next 12 hours, we had the most marvelous and relaxing time (at least for me) trotting the town of Nha Trang. It is known for its pristine beaches therefore reminded me greatly of Gold Coast, Australia. Main attractions were the 4 Island tour and the Thap Ba Hot Spring, due to the lack of time, and thankfully right, we opted for the hot spring.
Pictures will speak for me..
Next stop: Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Route: Sleeper Bus from Hoi An> Nha Trang (12 hours)
Honestly, we never had thought to make it back to Singapore. It affected us so much that A wanted to warn and advise all travelers to AVOID SLEEPER BUSes. Our advice to all: NEVER TAKE SLEEPER BUS if you are travelling in Vietnam UNLESS you have seen the bus condition BEFORE booking your Open-Tour ticket. Even so, you can never be sure of the driver.
The bus we took was involved in a severe car accident en route to Nha Trang, we were 2 hours into our journey along the highway. At 10pm, it crashed into a white Daewoo and a lady was stuck in the vehicle for nearly 20 minutes before she was carried out. Prior to this, the driver nearly killed a motor biker until he successfully swerved away in time with all of us swaying around in the tiny bus fully loaded with 30 people. Somehow, all of us expected this to happen.
At the instant I heard the loud bang, I was hoping it was just a tyre puncture. Little did I climb out with a half crashed car in front of the headlights and an altar beside the scene. Yes, an altar at the very spot not further or nearer. Needless to say, I was trembling with fear, worry and sympathy. Unrest still lies inside me as I type and narrate this incident. Sobbing teens, keen helpers, calm officers, wondering speculators, and terrified passengers were spotted as the time passes by. Seconds by seconds, the congestion built up with a long stream of cars, buses and trucks waiting impatiently in their vehicles. As the intensity conjures, I hear the siren of the ambulance. Hope had arrived and prayers were heard. With 3 joss sticks placed in the altar, the traffic continues and the night past. Then, I spotted a casket in transit.
Although we were transferred to a seater bus and the driver was swapped, I gave prayers and said thanks to every truck, bus, car or motorbike we overtook while we continued our journey that night. Meanwhile, A & I were awake and worrying about the pregnant French lady, giggling at the dude seated in front who sat upright each time the driver horned, and also lest we get killed without knowing why.
Next 12 hours, we had the most marvelous and relaxing time (at least for me) trotting the town of Nha Trang. It is known for its pristine beaches therefore reminded me greatly of Gold Coast, Australia. Main attractions were the 4 Island tour and the Thap Ba Hot Spring, due to the lack of time, and thankfully right, we opted for the hot spring.
Pictures will speak for me..
Next stop: Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Adnice went to Vietnam
Good morning Vietnam!
Hoi An: 05 - 07.04.09
Route: Flight from Singapore>Sai Gon> Da Nang (Hoi An)
Hoi An: 05 - 07.04.09
Route: Flight from Singapore>Sai Gon> Da Nang (Hoi An)
My day started at 9am having my parents saying goodbye and hello to my 2 weeks long coveted trip!! A backpack and a ticket, off we went! We flew straight to Da Nang with a transit at Sai Gon as 2 weeks were insufficient to cover the whole of Vietnam! The traveling time alone took 30 hours (yes, I calculated) for this Southern Vietnam trip we planned.
Arriving at 5pm that Sunday evening, the bus service was not available to send us to Hoi An, therefore we struggled and hassled with the taxi driver who doesn’t understand English before we reached our hotel. It seems like we were playing Charade in the vehicle, actually we were doing that throughout the trip. This was the first time I experienced the typical driving style in Vietnam. TERROR!
With the influence of the French Colony, it is a left-hand drive country; therefore they overtake on the left. Either Vietnamese are highly efficient or highly impatience, they horn at the sight of any xe (motorbikes) who hinders their high traveling speed. If the xe refuses to budge, they will press their horn continuously till they ‘siam’ aside. The icing is they speed past the front vehicle on the left with HEAD ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC on the other to overtake too!! *cold sweat.
Hoi An is an old, small but beautiful town with an ancient touch to it. It is home to about 88,000 inhabitants. It does reminds me of Melaka, Malaysia whilst I was there. The streets laid hundreds of skilful tailors and fronts of delicious Hoi An specialties such as White Rose (dumplings), Cao Lao (Noodles with pork), Grilled Fish in Banana Leaf (the sauce was fabulous), Baguette stuffed with Chicken & Cheese (my daily brekie), etc. I dare say Hoi An has the nicest and widest variety for food throughout Vietnam.
Besides food and tailors, the weather was too perfect. We had constant breeze although the sun was shining high up in the sky. We hardly dropped a sweat. This town is suited for a motorbike ride around with lots to see, eat and make. I left with 5 pairs of shoes (1 sandals, 1 heels & 3 flats), and 3 dresses and 1 shirt tailored. A had 3 pairs of suave working shoes customised as well! With just 2 days ahead, we had to open our extra duffle bag to fit these purchases already. Haha.
Next stop: Nha Trang
Arriving at 5pm that Sunday evening, the bus service was not available to send us to Hoi An, therefore we struggled and hassled with the taxi driver who doesn’t understand English before we reached our hotel. It seems like we were playing Charade in the vehicle, actually we were doing that throughout the trip. This was the first time I experienced the typical driving style in Vietnam. TERROR!
With the influence of the French Colony, it is a left-hand drive country; therefore they overtake on the left. Either Vietnamese are highly efficient or highly impatience, they horn at the sight of any xe (motorbikes) who hinders their high traveling speed. If the xe refuses to budge, they will press their horn continuously till they ‘siam’ aside. The icing is they speed past the front vehicle on the left with HEAD ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC on the other to overtake too!! *cold sweat.
Hoi An is an old, small but beautiful town with an ancient touch to it. It is home to about 88,000 inhabitants. It does reminds me of Melaka, Malaysia whilst I was there. The streets laid hundreds of skilful tailors and fronts of delicious Hoi An specialties such as White Rose (dumplings), Cao Lao (Noodles with pork), Grilled Fish in Banana Leaf (the sauce was fabulous), Baguette stuffed with Chicken & Cheese (my daily brekie), etc. I dare say Hoi An has the nicest and widest variety for food throughout Vietnam.
Besides food and tailors, the weather was too perfect. We had constant breeze although the sun was shining high up in the sky. We hardly dropped a sweat. This town is suited for a motorbike ride around with lots to see, eat and make. I left with 5 pairs of shoes (1 sandals, 1 heels & 3 flats), and 3 dresses and 1 shirt tailored. A had 3 pairs of suave working shoes customised as well! With just 2 days ahead, we had to open our extra duffle bag to fit these purchases already. Haha.
Next stop: Nha Trang
Bundle of Joy - Flowering Tea
It is a small bundle of tea leaves bound together with cotton thread and then into a ball. I got a few of them in Sai Gon for $8 for 100g. I named them bundles of joy. As the name suggests, it unfurls and emulates into a flower after being steepen. The taste is not overwhelming nor bland, it is fragrant, sweet and aromatic. The taste doesnt get stronger with extended steeping too. Perfect.
The Jasmine Phoenix Dragonflower contains a sunny orange Lily blossom with a cluster of real white Jasmine flowers extending upwards. The Silver Needle tea is delicate with a full flavor but no bitterness, and a gentle Jasmine scent from the flower. Each Jasmine Phoenix Dragonflower can brew 3 pots of tea, or about 16-20 cups of tea.
p/s: Preparing my travel journal now. Will update soon!
The Jasmine Phoenix Dragonflower contains a sunny orange Lily blossom with a cluster of real white Jasmine flowers extending upwards. The Silver Needle tea is delicate with a full flavor but no bitterness, and a gentle Jasmine scent from the flower. Each Jasmine Phoenix Dragonflower can brew 3 pots of tea, or about 16-20 cups of tea.
p/s: Preparing my travel journal now. Will update soon!
Blessed Newly Weds
Congratulations to Terrence & Esther Lum ;)p/s: Vietnam here we come!! Updating blog whenever possible, else, cya 18th!
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