So here we go!
Somehow I didn't remember being here before but this scene was so familiar... Then I realised haha I did a transit at HCMC during my OCIP trip to Hue few years back lol
After some miscomm, got onto 7-seater grab, wrong destination but all's well, we managed to find Ms Neo! And this is the outside of her apartment haha. Washed up and off we go!
Vegetarian lunch was so good; not that I have had many vegetarian meals in restaurants but this is legit one of the best I've ever had!
Nice setting as well (and this is a nice photo haha)
War museum nearby was next
Some exhibits gives the chill
And this, one of the most famous photos of the Vietnam War. Narrative is understandably biased - as it always is, bcos history is written by the victor, always - and this perspective feels a little uneasy since we're used to hearing the West/Democracy winning but this is not the case. Even more awkward considering the fact that we are from an Asian ally country that is highly westernized. In any case, the diabolical use of Agent Orange is not something new to us, but staring the photos in the eyes and reading the highly vilified narrative really sends shiver down the spine
And what's Vietnam without coffee!
Packed up and off we go for dinner in two uber; Seafood was fresh and delicious!
Roadside dinner: do as the locals do
Bahn Mi (but too full, nice definitely, but diff from the Hue kind I had with the weird veg which we all hated lol)
Walked down towards the backpacker district, checked in for our sleeper bus and chilled; found this night market where we whiled the short hour away before heading back for our "bed" for the night
Bus was more comfortable than expected but "por por, wehhh, tzh tzh tzh" (bus horn, baby crying, and bus going over speed check stripes) happened along the way meant sleep was intermittent haha
Reached a deserted Mui Ne, nothing of a party town I was promised. Checked in to our large room (budget but pretty luxurious), rested (cos we reached early) but was almost late for our activity in the morningafter the other room missed their alarm
Start of Mui Ne tour in this cool jeep!
Early morning shag face, and we're obviously underprepared for the cool wind chills haha
White sand dune was massive (and weird ATV economics so we didn't get the one to drive on our own haha)
Off we go!
Go VJC
那些年我们一起去的沙丘
Warm up for the group shot later
Hello, sexy and cute 7!
Red sand dune was less impressive (but for the jump shot, worth it) and the locals selling tasty local food were friendly too!
Touhuay with ginger thingy was abit too sweet but still love it
And this local soon kuey thingy was really tasty (with shrimps and mung bean flavours) but was a tat too oily for my liking; Chilli padi was shiok tho!
Fishing village is meh but the catch was interesting, many never before seen. The round bowl shaped boats were rather captivating too... You know, captivating? Haha
Delicacies~
Walking on water would have been more exciting
Fairy spring was refreshing until we had to climb up the red (hot) sand knoll for a worthwhile view
Not too shabby but not worth the exhaustion
Limestone lookalike structures turned out to be sandstone but not sure where the red came about; and why did the stream have such a steady flow?! Haha. Also, black petrol residue-like soil is titanium, apparently
Geographers and Chemists in is is triggered
Then finally back to hostel for breakfast and a short rest . Few of us then rode out for a lighthouse that we never reached but saw from afar after almost 2 hours of riding lol. So near yet so far. On the way back, Ceri pillioned zac! We then had to raced against depleting petrol until it went almost empty and the impending rain that never came (as with any other Mui Ne day, according to the guide, where dark clouds are not rare but rain is). Back to pick up the rest and took two trips to fetch everyone to the dinner place.
Dinner was awesome as usual, especially this rice wrapper thingy with our steam fish
Settled our logistic (confirmed bus, booked Cu Chi, collected passport before hostel counter's closing and returned our bike). Chilled and played cards until time to leave this day-only party-town. Sleeper bus back was surprisingly pleasant (no more horns and crying babies) though 5 of us squeezed into the last row. Reached HCMC earlier than expected so washed up at Therese's then dropped our bags at our final night's hostel (boutique!) then off for breakfast.
This is not our hotel, this is Stark Tower. Kidding, it's Avenger's HQ. Haha
Failed attempt to find Muslim food so macs it was; still, grilled pork rice (and a generous selection of sauces available haha)
Next up: Cu Chi tunnel!
Mr Binh - war veteran with mixed heritage was our guide. Not sure how true his stories were but shall just take it as a third person narrative haha. He kept harping about how there were no HCMC back then, only Saigon; everything is Saigon. He's "half-American" you see.
That's him, explaining about the 250km Cu Chi tunnel: longest tunnel in the world that took 17 years to built. Dogs smell the tunnel's smoke vent, so to fool them, smelly 'tiger trap' simulating tunnel toilet like the one pictured was used. North Vietnamese also wore shoes opposite and walk home to "fuck with my mind". Lol
Classic
We even got a go at the (enlarged) underground network
Met Therese for lunch at Di Mai restaurant, rather up market but still casual enough. Therese overslept and came late but we still made time for shopping at Saigon square!
Checked in while the two guys packed up then chilled at Therese's favourite alley bar (where she's a "shareholder") before we bade the two guys goodbye (don't know where all the photos went tho)
HCMC night scape
Changed to another rooftop bar
Came back to our hostel's own Zuma Bar and played pool
And that's all for the night!
Woke up naturally, packed up and checked out
Breakfast at a nice Muslim restaurant Restaurant Melayu. Shopping at Ben Tahn and Taka Plaza then lunch with Therese at Ben Tahn (Bahn Beo Hue) after which she went back to work
Was very local and I liked it! Mung bean is featured again.
More shopping at Ben Tahn and back to Saigon Square. Got cheated (we guess) by a taxi driver to the nearest supermarket but didn't manage to get anything. Walked to the Notre Dame and Post office to get postcards before heading to Vienmart to continue hunting for coffee, which I eventually bought.
Notre Dame
And the inside of the post office, featuring Mr Ho Chi Minh himself
Split ways to speed up the shower while zac and sham continued more shopping. Bathed and off for final meal of the trip with our "local" guide
Spot her with the pink helmet on her GrabBike
Nice little rooftop restaurant with nice food!
And off we go, back to reality~
