Travel – Page 22 – w w w . x e .s . c x

The 3 great mysteries in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

To me, there are 3 great mysteries in Ho Chi Minh City, 1 of them remains unsolved todate.
1. Why do motorcyclists in Ho Chi Minh City do not wear helmets while driving?

Ninja!

According to my tour guide to Cu Chi Tunnels, the answer is simply that they do not like to do so. The Vietnamese government only encourages motorcyclist to wear helmets. However, I was told that it is the law to wear a helmet while travelling long distance on the highway. Further, my tour guide complained that whenever she wears a helmet, her friends would ask her whether she’s travelling somewhere far.

2. Why are bottom of the tree trunks in Ho Chi Minh City painted white?

Initially I thought it was for decoration but after seeing many trees being painted sloppily, I sort of doubt it. But according to my tour guide, the paint serves to stop ants from crawling up the tree. The accuracy of her statement has yet to be proven.

This is the biggest mystery of all.

3. Why are chairs by the roadside stalls arranged to face the road rather than facing each other?

This is a very common sight in Ho Chi Minh City. But yet, this mystery remains unsolved.

Back from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!

Before my departure to Vietnam, my impression towards Ho Chi Minh City wasn’t good at all. I had to wait at Tan Son Nhat Airport for 6 hours for Jane to arrive from Tokyo. During that 6 hours wait, I did not dare to venture out from the airport as I was afraid that I might get robbed. But after 5 days, Ho Chi Minh City wasn’t that bad after all. In fact, it’s fabulous. It’s a city of its own kind.

As a first time visitor, I was amazed with the traffic there. All motorcyclists do not wear helmet. And there are about 4 million motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City itself! I wonder how many brains are spilled on the roads everyday. Crossing the road is one tough task. It’s like launching a spacecraft into deep space, you don’t know what is coming and where did it came from.

Chaos!

The buildings are unique. Its ala French style and also Jenga blocks style. Those ala French styled building has at least 3 storeys.

As for the people, they are definitely one friendly bunch. Their service was excellent. It puts Thailand’s motto as the “Land of Smile” to shame.

Prior to my departure, I asked around whether I should change more USD or Dong. Some told me that I should only bring USD and forget about Dong. Some told me to change into Dong immediately. Also, I was told that the best rates are offered in the airport. After 5 days in Ho Chi Minh City, I can safely say that both currencies are accepted and most traders quote their prices in Dong and USD upon request.

Before I end this entry, I must record my utmost sincere appreciation towards Jeff and June for bringing Jane and I around and also occasionally paying for our expenses. Many, many thanks! Also, not forgetting Tomo who came to see us before we left.

I guess that’s all for today. Excuse me while I take a quick nap to resume my race in the rat race tomorrow morning!

Greetings from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!

One of the most prominent things here are the motorcycles. They are everywhere! This country doesnt seem to have a law compelling all motorcyclist to wear helmets. 90% of the motorcyclist here does not wear helmets, only caps or hats during day time. Further, the driving condition here is horrible. People here honk indiscriminately, even over small matters.

I’m staying in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, where all the tourist traps are. Many things here are in USD or prices equivalent to USD. As such, the prices here are almost the same with Malaysia.

However, the food is good. I tried their famous pho (rice noodles) with beef. The soup is clear but it has loads of vegetables in it. Further, the beef is medium rare. Damn good I tell you.

Another thing that I’ve just tried is their white coffee. It comes with 2 layers, 1st being a filter and 2nd the cup. The filter contains coffee powder soaked with hot water. To drink, leave the hot water to drip into the cup for few minutes.

Despite all the developments in this city, poverty exists. I had kids forcing me to buy things from them. No doesnt seem to be a clear answer to them. But I found out that the best way to make them go away is to walk into a shop.

More updates soon!

Kodaiji – Kyoto, Japan

It’s been a while since I blogged about my Japan trip. I still have loads of post pending. Also, I’m not even done with my Krabi trip posts! Btw, Analog Girl report coming up soon!

So anyway, here’s one interesting place in Kyoto that one should visit 😀

Kodaiji Temple, formally known as the Kodaijusho-zenji Temple, is located in the Higashiyama mountains of Kyoto.

It was constructed in 1605 in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi by the great political leader’s wife, Kita-no-Mandokoro. Besides fine temple halls, Kodaiji features a small bamboo grove and a landscape garden with tea houses, designed by leading, contemporary masters.

After our trip to Arashiyama, we went back to Kyoto City to check out Kodaiji.

Initially I didn’t want to enter Kodaiji as it was already dark and hence tough to take pictures. Further, it costs me about 800 Yen to enter the temple (but includes entrance to 2 museums).

Going through Kodaiji is like going through a path. The tour was already set for us, we had to follow the routes and follow everyone else. Our first route was walking through a small wooden house. We were given plastic bags to store our shoes before entering the house. Nothing interesting although they had some sort of laser show on the gardens.

But the best parts came after that, night view at Kodaiji was excellent. The entire place was lit up!

Some of the buildings were located on the slopes of the mountain. We could enjoy the sights of lighted ancient Japanese shrines from afar.

Further, Jane and I were impressed with the mirror pond. It was as if someone put a mirror on the floor! But taking picture was a pain in the ass. Loads of people were admiring the scenery as well hence we had to fight for a place. We managed to book a spot with a nice pillar supporting our camera.

We walked up the hill and passed a bamboo forest. There we could see Kyoto 😀

Shops 😀

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2006

I’ll be off to Vietnam in 2 weeks time. I got a fairly good deal, 50% discount on my air fare.

I’m not very familiar wih the tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, but I’ll definitely give Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum a go.

Any other suggestions?

Further, I must pay Cu Chi Tunnels a visit. It’s a huge network of underground tunnels that were used to combat the French and the Americans.

I heard that the locals there uses USD to trade. Is that true?

What is this?

Guess 😀

Continue reading What is this?

Limau-limau café @ Jonker’s Walk

For those who are tired of shopping from shopping at Jonker’s Walk, you should visit Limau-limau Café.

It’s a nice café which serves blended fruits and other miscellaneous drinks. Lovely deco too. 😀
I had an ice blended mango smoothies. On the menu, it was stated that no sugar or water will be added in their drinks. Ok sounds healthy.

My mango smoothies was thick and yellow. My first impression was that the drink looks like concentrated mango juice.

I immediately took a sip of it and thereafter my eyes opened wide.
I then mumbled, “mahai.. no taste oneeeeeeeeeee ..”.
It didn’t taste as good as it looks.
Sharon and Cris on the other hand had a better experience. Sharon had a strawberry flavoured ice cream and Cris had a mango flavoured ice cream. It was absolutely yummy I tell you.

Jonker’s Walk, Melaka @ Melaka

Last week, before DJ Anatta’s set @ Pure Club, we went to Jonker’s Walk for dinner.

At night, Jonker’s Walk is filled with stalls selling food, clothes and many other rubbish. We had to brave through a sea of people to get to the other end.

We were greeted by the sight of a crowd surrounding an uncle. The uncle was performing some sort of martial arts and also promoting his herb. Apparently he’s some sort of Malaysia Book of Records holder. Record holder for breaking the most coconuts with his bare hands …I’m serious!

He had this Caucasian to hold a coconut which he intends to break with his bare hands.

Uncle: Now you hold the coconut. Like this..
Dude: OKOK.
Uncle: you then throw the coconut to me! (uncle walks away)
Dude: ok..
Uncle: Don’t throw it to my face, you hold it like that.. ok?
Dude: ok..
Suddenly,
Uncle: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is my product, very good for sores etc etc
Dude: (Hold coconut while listening and ready to throw)
Uncle: (goes back to the white dude) ok don’t throw it to my face!
Dude: okay..
Then..

Uncle: Ladies and Gentlemen, with my product you can blablablaa!!
The uncle kept on talking and talking and promoting his product until we got bored and left. The poor Caucasian was left standing there with a coconut with his hand. Bet he hates Malaysia now.

Fortune Teller.

Chicken Rice Balls! w00t!

You can sing karaoke in the open here.

You can even perform on stage!

Arashiyama, Kyoto – Japan

It’s been a while since I blogged about my Japan trip..so..

Arashiyama is famous for its fabulous view of Mt. Arashiyama and River Oi. It’s very popular among tourist. As a result, rows of souvenirs shops were built along River Oi.