Vietnam 2010

For more details on the travel, check Jayne's blog at:
http://jaynestravels.blogspot.com/
She is better than I am at providing details.
Enjoy!

Vietnam 2010

Nov 30, Hanoi, Vietnam

Took a walk to Hoa Lo Prison or Hanoi Hilton, the place where American POWs were kept during the war.  What is left of it anyway.  Most has been torn down and replaced by a high rise.  This building was also the prison for political prisoners during the period when the French controlled the country.  That was in the mid 1800s.  Can't imagine staying there.  Interesting as it seems the POWs had lots to do!  Basketball, volleyball, nice looking dinners as well.....

Hired a cyclo (a rickshaw type bike) to take me to the Ho Chi Minh Museum.  I was really heading to the Mausoleum but oh well.  The museum is a very new building and contains many gifts that Ho Chi Minh received.  The displays are really well done, with many of them in a modern art type presentation.  If the sign did not say, I would have never figured some of them out.  Then a short walk to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.  This is where his body is on display, but was closed.  I am told that each year viewings are stopped to allow for inspection and restoration needed.  Apparently it was Russians that prepared his body.

Then to Ho Chi Minh house, the place where he lived and worked.  Interesting that it is on the Palace grounds but it is a small modest place.  Very well maintained.  Some of his cars were on display as well.  There was a beautiful house on stilts where he worked as well.  Only a few people around any of these places.

Rode back with my driver.  These guys really have to work hard, but I know that I am probably paying him very well.  Was about a 30 minute ride through the traffic, one way.  Amazing how these drivers make it through the traffic.  Seemed to be rush hour and at times the traffic was stopped in the middle of the intersection, but somehow it gets moving again. 

Vietnam is a great place to visit, but I am not going to miss the traffic or the horns.  Also exhausting always having to bargain for things.  Will be nice to get back where prices are marked!

Nov 29, Hanoi, Vietnam

Did not do much today!

Went to the Post office and mailed some stuff as my suitcase is getting too heavy.  Do not want to pay more at airport!  

Walked around the lake, Hoan Kiem Lake.  Very nice with lots of people just sitting or walking.  

Then walked the streets and got my hair cut.  Nothing special happened except they cut it much shorter than I wanted.  They did not figure out the clippers.  Oh well, it will grow back.

walking street, but can just sit and almost anything you need will go by.  Plastic good, tin goods, pineapple, fruit, vegetables, soup, baskets, milk, brooms, hats, t shirts.

Met the Belgian woman for dinner.  Her farewell dinner as she leaves for Malaysia the next day.  Was a nice dinner.

On way back to hotel I ran into a German guy we met in Hoi An.  Ended up talking to him and the people he was with for a while, so was late by the time I got back to hotel.

Nov 28, Halong Bay, Vietnam

Up long before coffee was made, so sat on the top deck.  Could not see the sun come up as it was very foggy.  Still looked very nice.

Breakfast was just ok.  

Off around 8.30 for a short cruise through more of the bay.  Went to Fighting Cock Island.  Never did figure out how it got its name!  Best part was there were a bunch of boats fighting for the closest view.  Pushing into the front, and then the horns started.  And I though we had got away from that for a while!

Cruised back to the city, lunch at a restaurant and on the bus.

Was a long trip back as one baby cried all the way.  That was not so bad, it was the parents singing and talking louder that the baby crying that was tough.  Dull roar for most of the trip.

Nov 27,  Halong Bay, Vietnam

4 hour bus ride, including stop at 'workshop'!  Huge one and very expensive.

Amazing the number of buses and boats they can cram into a small space.  And no one got lost!

Boarded the boat.  The Elizabeth, of the Cristina Cruise Lines.  Wow, absolutely great.  My room has the best shower I have seen in months!  2 shower heads, and after shower you do not have to walk in the water, the floor is raised up on slats.  All in very dark wood.  Seems to have been recently done!

Only about 16 of us but then there are 3, 8 to 10 month old babies.  They are Vietnamese babies that have been adopted 1 week ago by 3 Spanish families.  Very cute babies.  They are all from the same area, Barcelona, but the funny part is that another guy is from Barcelona as well.  An Irish woman and a couple of German doctors make up the rest.  A very nice group.

Lunch was excellent.  Seafood everywhere, and plenty of it.  Fresh fish, stuffed crab (my favourite), seafood soup.

Then off in the 'private' launch, I am treating this as my first cruise, to the Surprise cave!  Well that was interesting, but there was such a crowd of people, it was follow the leader and get out as fast as possible. 

Then to do a little bit of kayaking around the bay.  Nice.  But glad I did not spend too much time out there as the launch driver went between several kayakers on the way back to the boat!  Some were very close!

Arrived back at boat about 5, and this was the time for the swim.  The air had got cold and the sun was almost down so I passed but a couple of people did go in.  I opted for the hot shower.  Very nice!

Dinner was great as well.  More fresh fish and some pork, at Least I think so.  Very good.

There are ladies rowing boats all over the place between the boats selling goods.  Beer, pop, chips, and water, of course 'cheap'!  

The bay was quiet except for the sound of about 50 generators going on other boats and the single cylinder diesel engines on the fishing boats.  Not really that bad but not as quiet as I expected.

Went up to the top deck after dinner for a beer, and we were entertained by the karaoke (and bad at that) on a boat nearby!  Good thing it did not last that long.

Vietnam 2010

Nov 26, Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrived in Hanoi at 6.30 am.  Of course to a bunch of motorbike guys looking to give you a ride.  The stop was outside the old city as the buses can not go there.  No I know why!

But they company paid for taxis into city.  Nice but dropped off at hotel.  The street was very busy with people selling there goods.  Mostly fresh fish and fresh red meat!  A great smell in the morning, and especially with no coffee in me.

Wandered around and found a luxury hotel.  $23 a night!  Very nice.

Had a long hot shower as it is cool here, only about 20.  Then tried to have a nap but did not work.

Went walking and ended up at the Water puppet show.  Great performance for $2.  A show that goes back many years used to entertain the villagers during the floods.  Puppets are made of wood and on sticks controlled by people behind a curtain.  It really is done in the water.  Lots of music as well.  The 1 stringed guitar common in Asia, a 1 string flat instrument controlled by a flexible stick on the end.  Very different sounds.  I hope it is clear on the video clips I took.

Went to the Pagoda in the middle of the lake.  Interesting as dedicated to the very large (up to 250 kg) turtles that live in the lake.

Back to hotel via Ma Ming street. Went here as there are many 'tube' houses'.  Narrow shops/houses about 3 feet wide.  Very long halls that seem to lead to a building behind the street side shops.

NIce as this area as many small streets, but difficult to navigate as there are many many motorcycles, people with their carts full of goods, bicycles loaded with goods, and then the walkers.  Of course the cars, taxis and small buses then try to get through as well.

Lots of traffic here but at least there is not as many lanes of motorbikes to cross as there was in Ho Chi Minh City!

Early night tonight, feel exhausted even though I did seem to get a fair bit of sleep!

Nov 25, Hue, Vietnam

Did not do much.  Walked around a bit.  Went to look at Hotel Morin.  Very nice.

Then had lunch at French bakery.  Interesting as started by 2 French guys as a project to teach Vietnamese underprivileged kids how to bake.  Great bread!  Excellent coffee.

Spent the most of afternoon there, working on computer.  Very lazy but then had a 12 hour bus ride to look forward.

The bus was not that bad, much better than the last one.  Seat more cushioned which was nice.  

Left Hue about 6.30 pm, and stopped for dinner at 8.  Was told that was the last stop until Hanoi!  Good thing the toilet works on this bus!

Dinner was in the middle of nowhere.  But the people very friendly and lots of smiles!

Nov 24, Hue, Vietnam

A busy day on tour!  Another $6 tour including lunch.

Stopped at Old Citadel or the Purple Royal Palace.  As this was the former capital there is a large area walled with moat, and then there is also an interior wall.

Not much left as most has been destroyed, but what has been restored has a lot of Chinese influence.  Even the odd French influence.  The Chinese controlled for about 1000 years until the French took over in about 1845.

Garden House, which is where the former Emperor used to hide out.  Not much there but the yard was full of fruit trees.  Plum, jack fruit, dragon fruit, figs and more!

Thien Mu Pagoda

Ming Mang Tomb, the 2nd emperor built in mid 1800s.  He is remembered for improving the agricultural practices in the country.  The largest of the 3 with many lakes and buildings.  His tomb is a mound of dirt.  Apparently there is a room underneath containing all the things that he would need in the next life.  The sculptures are of guards, horses and elephants.  Similar to the Khai Dinh Tomb.

Khai Dinh Tomb, the 12th emperor.  It was this emperor that adopted the French policies and allowed the French to take over.

Tu Doc Tomb, the 4th emperor.  A large area as well, but there are many other tombs within the walls.

Incense Stick making Village, another stop for shopping!  But have to admit the coloured sticks looked very nice.

Vietnam 2010

Nov 23, Hoi An, Vietnam

Got woke up by a bunch of noisy people on the street at about 4 or 5 am!  Much too early!

The bus was to pick me up at 7.30 am but arrived at 9!  But got away and was the last one on the bus so that is good!

Drove for about 20 km along the coast north of Hoi An.  Beautiful beaches with no one around, but that are many new big hotel/resorts being built!

Arrived at about 1 pm , so not so bad. but was a sleeping bus, in the middle of the day?????  But many were continuing on to Hanoi!  But I did get some sleep.  The road was not too bad.

Arrived and got into hotel!  $10, for a nice room, private bath, a/c and there is a swimming pool!  Very nice.  It is close to the centre of the city and only about 30 minute walk to Citadel! 

Walked there with Belgian.  Was great as you walk across the bridge and the Palace is almost right there, but you must walk across another bridge over the moat!  2 walls protect the place.

Walked around the outside and found a very nice quiet restaurant in a huge garden.  After being in such quiet places the traffic here is crazy and very loud!  A warm up for Hanoi I guess!

Lots of local people just walking around, also many fisherman fishing in the moat.

Also got many 'hellos' from some of the local school kids.  But most only said hello.  None of the other questions.  

Stopped at a super market and found a bottle of local rum for less that $1!  Amazing.  I did not buy but Belgian woman did.  Tasted it, and not a strong rum taste and really does not taste too bad!

Walked back towards hotel through some of the area streets.  Many hotels, restaurants and shops.  Most fairly expensive.

Went to the Backpackers Hostel for dinner  Had something, I have no idea, but was big, doughy and fried!   But did have chicken inside!  There were marinated vegetables as well which were very good!  Surprisingly the Hostel is one of the more expensive restaurants I have eaten in.

Back to hotel for early night!

Nov 22, Hoi An, Vietnam

Off early for the tour to My Son, the holy place.  Not exactly sure when built!  Guide book say occupied between the 8th and the 12 th centuries, but guide said there were Champa, the original peoples, here in the 2nd century and that they built the first temple! 

It is very nice, although not as impressive as Angkor Wat.  Made of brick with a vegetable resin (as per guidebook) but guide said it was still a mystery as to what, if anything was used.  The bricks seem to fit perfectly together and look like no mortar of any kind was used!

Interesting to see so much carving done in the brick.

Met a couple from Montreal on tour.  Was very envious when they said they were on the way home from a 5 year work/travel adventure around the world!  Envious about the time away, not the going home, I am not ready for that yet!

There are many site spread out over a large area but we did not visit all of them.

Went out for dinner with a German guy.  Drank some wine!  $4 for a bottle at the restaurant, but found out later that it is $2 at store.

Was the Miss Earth festival, so the streets were lit up with candles (both for affect and the power was out).  Very nice.  There were many candles is lotus bud shaped boats.  The river looked great!

Nov 20, Hoi An, Vietnam

Well 14 1/2 hours later finally arrived at the hotel!  What a long night, but still did get some sleep!  Only the first of road was really rough, the last half I think I must have slept through!

Hotel very nice but expensive at $15, but does have a swimming pool, and that includes breakfast.

Had some coffee and breakfast and headed off to walk the town.  

Wow, the city is full of custom fit tailors!  Must be hundreds of them.  

But best part is that they are in some very nice looking old buildings.  Mostly of Chinese origin anywhere from 100 to 300 years old.  

The river is very nice as well, but same colour as Mekong.

Stopped for a drink along the river and the waitress showed me where the water was up to.  It was half way up the door to restaurant, and there are 2 or 3 steps to get to that level.  Guessing about 2 meters higher than where it river is now!  Walked across the small bridge and met a guy from Wales.  Must have spent an hour talking to him.  He is spending 8 months in South East Asia.  

Headed back to hotel and had a nap for an hour.  Then out for something to eat.

Lots of people out tonight.  Singing going on by river as well as people selling candles in paper boats to set out on river.   There are also fish, dragons and a turtle floating in the river all lit up.  Looks great.  Not sure what is going on.

Back to hotel and to bed early!

Nov 19, Nha Trang to Hoi An ( a night on the bus), Vietnam

Went for breakfast and then did the same as yesterday!  Boring!  Amazing how much rain!

The bus to Hoi An picked me up at 6.  Surprising it was the big bus.  A sleeping bus but different set up this time.  Single beds in 3 rows.  These are flat with seat backs that recline to about 30 degrees!  Not a lot of padding so did not take long for the bum to go numb!  The seats are made of vinyl, and with the seat reclined fully, each time the bus driver hit the brakes I slid down the seat.  Impossible to stay in one spot!  But then again did not want to as needed to change positions all the time.  Had to keep rolling to a different spot, but only so many different spots!

Spent about 1 hour driving around city picking up people and then headed out of town shortly after 7.  Not 30 minutes out, the driver slowed right down as there was a small rock slide on the highway.  Plenty of room to get around.  Also many waterfalls coming off the cliffs along the road!

The road was very rough.  I am guessing that it is where the road washed out a couple of weeks ago from all the rain.  The guy in hotel could not figure out why I would to to Hoi An as it had been reported as flooded!

Nov 18, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Going to miss the Care Bear blanket, but time to move on!  Always interesting the decorations used in some of these hotels.

Poured rain all day long.  Did nothing but watch movies in room!

Vietnam 2010

Nov 17, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Did nothing today!  Rain, if not poured most of day.  Rained so much that the road was covered in water!  Spent most of morning sitting at travel agent office talking.  Was going to book tour for tomorrow but he suggested not to as the weather is not going to change!

Met the Belgian woman at 1 pm at beach as we were going to stay there and maybe sail, but raining so went for lunch and then back to hotel.

Napped for most of afternoon and then out for dinner! 

After dinner walked to supermarket and actually got there and back without getting rained on.  But 30 minutes later was pouring.

Nha Trang is a very nice place, even in the rain.  But there are many huge hotels being built. 

The city is very typical of Asia with many little shops and restaurants on the streets.  With the sidewalks used as parking lots for motorbikes and the odd car!  The traffic is not as bad as Ho Chi Minh, and I am sure they have more traffic lights here than in Ho Chi Minh!

The food is similar, but much more expensive than Da Lat.  You have to look hard to find a meal for about 35,000 dong, but there are some. 

Had dinner with Belgian at a small place 2 blocks away where the food is excellent and not expensive, so we have been going back.  Breakfast and dinner!  Great coffees!  Big and hot!

Nov 16, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Very cloudy but no rain.  Went to the beach and rented a chair for 30,000 dong (1.50)  Nice as it is secured and the people are not allowed to come inside to sell you things.

The sun was very hot when it did come out.  The swimming was nice.  Big waves breaking right at the shore.  The first time I got hit, almost lost my bathing suit.  And after it was full of sand!  The water is not clear at all.  A lot of sand stirred up by waves and much silt from rivers.  Water felt great though.  The place is a restaurant with a swimming pool and micro brewery.  For the price you have access to the pool and showers, so very nice.  They make beers so did try one that said it had a hint of passionfruit!  Very good, and just a little bit fruity!

Went to meet friend from Belgium arriving from Dalat, but she was late as there were some bus problems.  Only 1 hour late.

Went out for dinner and then back to hotel.

Nov 15, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Another slow day.  Got up and headed out to find some coffee and breakfast.  The first place I stopped ended up having great coffee, but the eggs and bread were 'empty'!  

Walked along the beach for a bit.  Early in day so not many people around.  Several large cafes along the beach so asked for a banana and chocolate pancake, ended up with banana and honey!  I guess the chocolate was 'empty'!  Not sure as they did not say anything.  The staff did not seem to happy.

Beach is very nice with gold coloured sand.  The islands and fishing boats in the distance are great to sit and just look at!

Walked further along the beach and found many places where the water had washed away the sidewalk!  Amazing.  According to the travel agent I talked to, a few weeks ago the streets were flooded and the roads going north are not in great shape.  The train tracks have been washed away as well, so either long bus rides or plane!

Found some Hobies!  Getaway and Wave!  Going to give them a try in the next couple of days.

It is very hot and humid here, so just sweat a lot when walking.  

By the time I finished walking it was starting to get late so headed back to hotel for shower.  Never did get a swim in!  Tomorrow is another day.

Dinner with a couple of beers and I was ready for bed!

Vietnam 2010

Nov 14, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Hung around the hotel all morning talking to one of the guys that work there.  He is 20 and wants to travel but does not make a lot of money so one of his dreams is to marry a French girl, a rich one!

Caught the bus, thought it left at 1.30 but really left at 1!  What a wild ride!  The bus driver was very fast, even on the tight curves on wet roads!  The country side is beautiful.  Many pine trees, coffee plantations and mango trees!  Also some sugar cane fields.  We climbed quite high as ended up going through the clouds.  Still no sun shine.  The only stop was in the middle of nowhere and the highway seemed to disappear.  Really just covered in red mud!  Amazing we got through as many mud slides that were in the process of getting cleaned up.  But highway not closed, they just made a road over or around the slide so traffic could continue.

Not much else.  Found a pizza place and had a hamburger!  Less than $2 for 7 Up, burger and fries!  

Bought a small bottle of Dalat Red wine this morning.  Half bottle for $1.30.  Have to see what it is like!

Nov 13, Dalat, Vietnam

Off on a motorbike tour with Tommy, a member of the Dalat Easy Rider, blue coat guides.  Turned out to be excellent way to get around a part of the city for $20.

First went to a museum.  In a great old French building.  Showed several displays of the 3 tribes that lived in area.  Also some old donated things from 1930 to about 1960, include some war items.  There were 2 traditional homes on stilts.  Each had one big room with a fire, if not 2 located in the room.  Very interesting.  Thatched roof, bamboo slats for floors and wood paneled walls.

Then to the train station.  There is an old steam engine, but not sure if working.  Guide books says it is a 1930s Russian diesel engine that makes the short trip to Trai Mat, the next village.  Train ride was great!  1 old car on narrow tracks that makes its way by much of the agricultural area, many many greenhouses, and through a few fairly deep cuts.  In some places peoples doorsteps or restaurants are right next to the track.  Not much land area is wasted.  Visited a temple while in the village.  Big and very colourful.  Met 3 very nice ladies from the Philippines on the train.  Talked while on train and then ran into them a couple of times later in the day.  Dalat is not that big!

Next stop to the Cam Ly waterfalls.  Nice park setting, although the falls not really that large.  To save the walk you can catch a toboggan down and up!  I caught the up one!

Next to a temple where the gardens are amazing.  The city of Dalat is apparently known for vegetables but also for their orchids and bonsai trees.  They are everywhere!

The cable car station was just next to temple so caught a ride across.  Great views of the area and the lakes (water reservoir).  Each time Tommy the driver was waiting for me.

Went to the Crazy House.  Actually a guest house that a women designed herself.  It has many themed rooms - kangaroo, eagle, bear, deer.  Much is like a fantasy world.  Tough to describe as nothing is normal, which makes it interesting.  Get business though, she rents out the rooms and then charges visitors to tour though!  $1 per head!

Relaxed in afternoon, and actually had a nap!  Been a while since I have done that.  After dinner, met a Belgian woman and we spent a couple of hours talking about traveling!  The weather has been changing each 5 minutes.  Will pour rain and then the sun would shine.  Sun is hot when out but the air stays fairly cool.  Actually wore a sweater most of the day!  It is a nice change from the hot and humid weather in Ho Chi Minh.

Nov 12, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Caught the bus to Dalat.  A pretty good trip as again there was service on the bus.  Also English announcements so no need to stand around the bus door to make sure it does not leave without you!  Not a lot of leg room but at least I had the aisle seat.  Only 7 hours!

Slept most of the way but the drive up into the 'mountains' was beautiful.  There are miles of coffee plantations here.  Much larger than Laos.

Dalat is about 1,500 m above sealevel, so they wear winter jackets!  Also some very heavy rain storms!  A windy road but not as bad as before.

The city seems to be on a plateau.  Did not do much this afternoon, took a walk around and going to bed early.  Have arranged for a tour tomorrow with a guy on a motorbike.  He was sure that I would want to do a several day trip but not a chance.  For about $400 he will do a tour to Nha Trang, my next stop!  I am going to stick with the bus!

Vietnam 2010

Nov 11, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Up extra early this morning.  6 am but wanted to have some coffee!  Headed off to nice coffee shop down the street but was closed!  So went to street place next to it.

Great coffee for 3000 Dong! ($1 = 20,000 dong)  Got sugar the first time but not the second!  Quite good and the price is great!  Better than the 28,000 dong at place i was going.

Off on tour of Cu Cin tunnels.  Tunnels that started in the 1950s when French occupied but expanded very much during the Vietnam war.  Short video which was old video footage.  Came across as promotion to join and support the army and their fight against the imperialist Americans.

According to the film the Americans shot women, children, animals, pots and pans and trees!  Interesting.

The place is very well organized for many different tour groups.  And actually had a tour guide for the whole trip!  $4!

Next we were showed how the VC got in and out of tunnels!  The hole was very small and the tunnels are tiny!  Designed for people shorter than me!  But did end up getting a chance to go through some.  I kept hitting my head, good thing for the hat and my shoulders rubbed the whole way.  And I was crouched right down!

The villagers actually lived in the tunnels as well as they could not be seen above ground or would have been bombed.

Of course the tour included a workshop but this one was selling lacquered ware made by people with a disability.  Many beautiful things including inlayed egg shells and mother of pearl.

Next went to the War Remnants Museum.  They had many army tanks and guns on display outside but inside was mostly a photo display of the damage done by the bombing and the spraying of chemicals (Agent Orange the most).  Shocking is about all I can say and even more shocking is there is still an impact now!  Babies are being born with deformities!  Very difficult to look at so many.  Should not be as I am guessing that many are the ones that approach you to buy something from them.

Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering back to hotel.

Went out for dinner and tonight I had a hamburger and fries!  That is the first in a long time.  Very good!

Nov 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Slow lazy start to the day!  Had breakfast in room.  Only because I had to as the hotel does not have a restaurant.  Then off to wander around.  But first stopped to have some great coffee.

Spent a bit of time talking to the waitress, I am guessing she wanted to practice her english.  She gave me suggestions for what to see in the city.  Quite the list but will see.  Headed of to the main area and got a tour ticket for tomorrow.

Went to the Reunification Palace.  A nice building from the 1970s that has had a long history of being bombed and destroyed and rebuilt.  Also the guide said it had 3 presidents reside in the building.  Interesting as when North and South Vietnam joined they consider it the liberation of the South.  In 1975, where has the time gone!  The US 'imperialists' get much mention.

Then walked to the Ben Thanh market.  Huge, but just like all the other markets.  I had been told that it is also a very expensive market to shop.  No sooner had I got there that it started to pour rain, again as it did the same while I was in the Reunification Hall.

Spent the rest of the day walking.  Was dark so all the neon lights are on!  This city loves neon, so much so that a church is completely light up with neon as well.

Found a small restaurant and had some fried rice!  I think burgers for tomorrow!  But interesting to note that beer is 13,000 Vietnamese Dong, Coke is 14,000.  $1 Cdn = just short of 20,000 dong.  Yes beer is cheap!

 
Nov 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Got picked up at hotel at 8 am for bus to Ho Chi Minh.  Bus left at 8.30 am.  And it did not run out of gas.  

About 3 hours were at the border.  Exit Cambodia and enter Vietnam.  This bus was very good.  Water, snack and announcements and commentary in English and Cambodian.  Very nice.  No issues at border except maybe confusion.  The guy from bus took all of our passports for the exit.  Had them stamped and then sent us back so they could scan the passport and take our picture!  Not sure why!

At Vietnam border, again he took our passport and took into office.  Now there are about 4 other buses here and they start calling out names as they stamp the passports!  Confusing as well.  So got visa and they did not check face to passport!  Oh well.

2 hours later, in Ho Chi Minh.  

Caught a taxi to hotel, well almost.  The first one ran out of gas!  But he called his friend to pick me up.  Well the taxi ride cost me about 5 times more that it should have!  Stupid tourist!

I thought the traffic was bad in Phnom Penh.  Well this is worse.  I am now better at crossing the street, but I still wait for a little break.  Much larger than locals.  Trick is to walk slow and steady, do not stop or veer as the drivers with time their passing so they will not hit you, come very close but not hit!

here they will also drive on sidewalks if it will get them just 1 or 2 bikes ahead!  More things to watch out for while walking!  And they will even honk at you if you are in the way, on the sidewalk!  They also make the left hand turns from the right hand lane.  Yes they are going against the traffic along the sidewalk to make the turns!  I do not know how it works but seems to and there are very few traffic lights!

Tired so spent afternoon lazying and periodically going out for short walks around the block to see what is around.  Told this is the centre.  Many shops, stores, and fancy ones and many electronic stores.  But managed to find a bakery, or two!

The women seem to be wearing their pjs all the time!  Very fancy ones some of them!