Ellen & Dot's Vietnam Adventure

Goodbye Ha noi!

eboliek — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:50:00 GMT

Today begins the long journey homeward. Hanoi to Taipei to San Francisco to Atlanta to Ft Myers! Whew! Well, had a few interesting days in Ha noi. Ha noi a city with a population of about 7 million people. The year 2010 being the 1000th year anniversary of this city. There were many celebrations in honor of the 1000th year and also a very long wall that ran along one of the highways here was covered in variety of mosaic tile designs that were respresentative of Ha noi. I'll just give a summary of some of the designs I saw; rows of lotus, emperors, old style chinese architecture, lots of birds, contemporary buildings. It really is quite beautiful. One of the most important sites here is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Yes, he is on display for 9 months out of the year, and for the other three he is sent off to China for a little sprucing up! Unfortunately, when I went to the mausoleum without paying close attention to my guide book, closed on Monday's. However, on the grounds is also the presidential palace, and Ho's very simple but beautiful 2 room stilt house he chose to live in. After, it was off to the Maison Central. This is the Hoa La (sp) prison, which was built by the French in the 1800's to detain and torture Vietnamese dissidents in that time period. At that time it was the largest prison complex in Indochina. Later, during the Vietnam/American war it was used to detain American POW's. This is where John McCain was imprisoned when his plane was shot down in 1967 (I'll check the exact year). His flight suit is on display along with many photos of other POW's that were dentained there many for about 7 years. Alot of the photos showed how wonderful life in the prison was for the American POW's, I wondered how much of that was propaganda. After had lunch at Pho 24, this is a fast food pho place. Pho, pronounced FA, is a traditional noodle soup with some chicken or beef, green onions, you and some lime juice and chili's and it tastes darn good. Actually, this is a breakfast meal for the Vietnamese people. When tummys were full, went to Temple of Literature, the oldest Confucious temple here. Many students studied here under Confucious. Of course, it has had some restoration done, but the grounds are beautiful, and there are many stele imprinted with the students that graduated and their area of study. Each stele sits upon a tortoise. Then it was off to the supermarket to buy some Vietnamese coffee beans and a few other treats. Right now just waiting for my airport taxi, and off to fly the friendly skys!

Saigon to Hanoi and everything inbetween!

eboliek — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 01:15:00 GMT

So, now I'm in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam! Busier, crazier, and more scooters than Saigon! Can that be possible? In case your wondering, here are somethings you can carry on your scooter: dozens and dozens of eggs, dogs in a cage, chickens or ducks tied on strings, about four people, large plates of glass, many bunches flowers, oh could go on but you get my drift. So, I'll tell you a bit about the inbetween. Hoi An was a lovely small city. Once an old merchant town, where Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese merchants came to trade. There are small lanes, lots of shops, and many very old homes. Some of the homes are about 300 years, and still inhabited by the 8th generation family members. You can visit and feel as if you were in Hoi An during the merchant days. It's quite nice. Also, did a great day trip to My Son. This is a world heritage site that was once inhabited by the Cham people at about the 4th century. Although most of the temples are in ruins, some bombed by US B52's, it is quite a beautiful area. Set in the wooded green valley surrounded by mountains, you could understand why the Cham tribe decided to build a temple site in this location. Along the way we made a quick stop and China Beach in Danang, famous not only for the TV show, but where the American GI's took their of R & R. The deserted military base is still there, too. In order to arrive a these locations, had the pleasure of two overnight trains. Headed off to Halong Bay and it is beautiful. The Bay is full of tall mountainous outcroppings, and caves. I spend the night on a junk. Yes, it's a boat. It was very relaxing at sea, and ate lots of seafood, shrimps, crab, squid, tilapia, and clams. It was a great ending to the holiday! Well, tommorrow I may go visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. I still haven't had my feet and fish massage. Maybe in Hanoi?

Saigon, Scooters, and ....

eboliek — Tue, 9 Nov 2010 00:44:00 GMT

We had an early morning wake up call and it was off to the Chu Chi tunnels (gucci). First, I'd like to give you and idea of what the city of Saigon is like. Oh, there are scooters, motorbikes, and more scooters. Well, approximately 8 million people live in the city and another 2 million commute to and work in the city. Yes, and they are all driving scooters and motorbikes. There is a technique to crossing the street in Saigon, 1. dont run, 2. don't stop suddenly, 3. go slowly, 4. keep moving! If you think the solution is staying on the sidewalk.... oh, they drive their scooters on the side walk too, so watch out!

Well, driving out of the city on the way to the tunnels, we passed some lovely parks. Around the perimeter of the park all types of exercise equipment was being used by local people. Some young people were even dancing under a pavillion. Anyway, about 2 hours later we arrived at the Chu Chi tunnels. Chu Chi is the name of the village were these tunnels were dug. The Vietnamese people began digging these tunnels in the 1950's during the French & Vietnamese War. The tunnels were a hiding place for Vietnamese people without identification. The tunnels were used again in 1960's during the American war. Approximatley 200 kilometers in length, these tunnels were dug with handtools at night at a rate of about 1-2 meters a day by the local village people. The main compositon of the earth in this area is clay, which provided the strength necessary to prevent collapse of the tunnels. The Vietnamese not only hid in the tunnels but they cooked, had medical facilities, and storage areas. The Americans had a base around this whole area and used many techniques to try to flush the Vietnamese out, they couldnt, so then they just began overall indiscriminate bombing using B52's of the whole area. It's really tragic... Well, now after watching a brief video about the American war and the effects on the area you can climb down into the tunnels and crawl through. Of course, I had to do it.. Dark, damp, claustraphobic, silent.... I can't imagine spending extended periods of time down in these tunnels, but I guess you do what you need to in order to survive. Actually, I escaped at the first opportunity! After, you can walk over to the shooting range and shoot off a around on a AK 47 or M16. I didn't.

Next, we traveled back to Saigon. I decided to head to the War Remnant Museum. As, I was walking up the steps to the entrance a women was walking out in tears. I knew this was going to be tough. The museum had three floors of imagery that is deeply disturbing, sad, and tragic. Images of the devestating effects the war had on people of Vietnam and their environment. This was a very difficult place. Outside, on the grounds of the museum are massive American tanks, Chinook helicopters, military planes, and a variety of war ordances. I hooked up with some of the other people in my group and headed off to the Presidential palace.

Vietnam: First day impressions!

eboliek — Thu, 4 Nov 2010 01:54:00 GMT

Hi everyone! We made it to Vietnam safe and sound, I think! The last time I visite SE Asia was about 5 years ago. Honestly, I don't remember it taking as long as it did this time! The segment from San Fransico to Taipai became a bit surreal. Let me summarize that all 331 people on the flight were in line at the same time to check in at Eva air at 10pm! The flight didn't leave until 1:30 am, California time. Anyway by the time we got on the plane it was about 4am our time. Things began to get a little fuzzy, since I had been traveling this 4pm. I could have passed out in the airport, missed the plane, and would probaly still be sleeping there. But, we eventually boarded and after dinner (?), an ambian helped me get a little sleep. FYI, Eva air is wonderful airline, if you get the opportunity check it out!

So, we arrived in Saigon, the visa, immigration, and transport went as planned. We met our fellow travelers number which about 15. Most are from the UK, along with a couple of Canandians, a Welshman, and a couple of Americans (us)! All in all seems like a good group. Staying at a pretty nice hotel in Saigon and yes, there is HBO on the TV! Today we did a little introductory city tour. We took a walk around the city and took in some sites. There is a lovely catholic church built by the French during their occupation which they named Notre Dame. However, don't think this church has any similarity to the other Notre Dame. Across the street, is the Saigon Post Office shich is amazing, I've never seen any like it. It was built in the 1800's. Large domed ceilings, huge old wall paintings of Vietnam, and a gigantic painting of Ho Chi Minh hanging at the end of the hall. One interesting architectural feature, there are some beautiful dark wood old style telephone booths running along both sides of the hall which are now hiding ATM's inside. Of course, the opportunity to purchase souvenirs is available if you feel the need. Nearby, and you can see this from the post office, is the rooftop of the building where American troops were airlifted out of Saigon at the end of the war. Although, it was thought the they were airlifted from the American Embassy, its not true. In front and towards the side of the post office are two large sculptures, I think one is an American soldier and I'm not sure what the other represents, I will follow up on that! Of course, we walked by, but not through the large local market. Another spot that will have to be investigated more thoroughly, perhaps tommorrow. A beautiful Hindu temple was also located along our walk. Followers of the Hindu religion represent only a small percentage of the population here. The facade of the temple roof was painted bright colors,and sculpted in a multitide of forms including; elephants and Hindu dieties. The Hindu temple is 200 years old and even from across the street you could smell the incense burning in the temple. Champa? Later,as a group, we had a nice dinner together. Just to give you and idea of the cost of cuisine in Vietnam: 1 vegetable fried rice, 1 water, 1 local Saigon beer, sauteed noodles with veggies and tofu = 170,000 VNdong. All this for $8.50 US dollars! And more importantly, it was extremely tasty, or maybe that was because I hadnt eaten in 12 hours! Well, tommorrow going to visit some sites related to the Vietnam War and then perhaps a foot & fish massage. N0, that is not a typo!