I want to go back to Vietnam again. Such a lovely place. Well, I went to Vietnam with 30 students with Yati, Hock, Annur and Santha from 21-26 Nov 2008.
Few observations
a) The hotels are generally clean compared to Karimun. But I do not like the 2nd day hotel . Really budget. The door got a "quite see-through" glass. Of cos u cant c anything clearly but u can figure out the silloutue when people go near it.. And when you closed the door, it is as if the door is going to break.
b) Their food consists of a lot of raw vegetables. No wonder all of them are slim. You can't find any fat lady.. :) But we ate almost every meals prawns, squid, fish etc. I think most students are scared by it. But their soup taste weird. a bit sour? Not suited for my taste.
c) Their motorcycles are comparable to China's bicycles. You cant wait for the vehicles to stop for you. If u do, u will still be on yr side of the road for dunno how many months/years.
d) They sell really cheap clothes. You can bargain until very low.. Issac Teo is the best bargainer. The things there are super cheap. S$1 = $10,000 dong. I bought many "Real Fake shirts" and 2 Buddha statues.
I shall let the pictures to do the talking.
Group photo before we depart for Vietnam in Gate F39
This was the sight that greeted us.. There were far too many motorcycles in Vietnam, comparable to bicycles in China.. Surprising, you won't hear any loud "Prom Prom" sound there unlike in Singapore... :)
Mr. Hock and Me
Upon reaching, we went straight to the War musuem. This is a place whereby they showed many different types of ammunition used, gross pictures of victims being tortured or after-effect of the "Agent Orange gas" etc.
1st day - War Museum - Tiger Cage (whereby POWs are kept by Americans)
Day 3 we went to Cu Chi tunnels. During the Vietnam war, the Saigon people built a 3 levels of underground tunnels to prevent the Americans from bombardment and they can even live, eat and even a hospital in it. But the tunnels were narrow and suitable only for the Vietnamese people. I did not go into the tunnel as I was scared of enclosed and dark areas..
Valerie and Darrly took a photo inside the tunnel. For your info.. the tunnel you see is an enlarged version so that tourists can go in. To have a better view of the entrance, please see next picture.
Only my size can go into the tunnel.. (see how small is the entrance)
Well, there was a "Just married couple" taking photos at White Sand Dunes, initially there were teachers taking photos with the Vietnamese bride, but the last photo all sabo me... Look how "happy" am I? Is it the Prelude to the "actual wedding", haha... U know what I mean..
Look at the photos I took at the White Sand Dune, very nice environment..
Lunch at Lion City Restaurant. Said to be opened by a Singaporean and selling Halal food. That is the only place in HCM that Mdm Yati and Mdm Annur got to eat with ease.
Felicia (Miss Lin Gu Niang), Mr YanDao and Janice (Is she that tired?)
Sheng Howe and Me
Chingy and Me
Must say something abt her cos she mentioned me in her blog. Well, try to match make her to some students but failed. Haha.
2nd and 3rd day we went to Cai Be (Pronounced as kai bei) to help the children built a mini library corner. So we built 2 shelves and put all the library books (kindly donated by CHR but packed into boxes by Me, Felicia, Rebecca, Janice and Yean Lin). Initially part of the intineary was to bring the children out for excursion and dinner but in the end they reply back is a Saturday so no students.. Is only the 3rd day (whereby is a school day, Sunday) where we interact with the students..
This was the boat which can seat approx. 15 people. The boat journey took approx. 15mins then alight and walked abt 5mins to the church.
They sang the opening song for us upon arrival. Is a very catchy tune. Sounds like this "Hello, Hello, Hello! How do you do?" Hmmm the rest I forget.
Issac Liu and his group of friends played a group Scissors Papers Stone as part of CIP.
Some students packed the library books according to the size while most boys were graciously enough to volunteer to fix up the 2 shelves. So now you realise why they need a DNT teacher for this Vietnam trip. Do you see my importance? Haha, joking I provide very minimal assistance, only advice here/there. The rest are being settled by the students
We took a group photo with our end product. Our mouth were "sored" for smiling for so long after enduring approx.10-15 cameras of photos taking.
Teachers took with Sister Beatrice and Father Vincent (if I remember correctly)
Our resort (last 2nd day) - We took approx. 5-6hrs of bus journey from HCM to Mui Ne. We stayed at Sea Gull Resort. One funny incident was that Rebecca was wearing a Orange T-shirt with the word "Sea Gull" imprinted on it. How coincidence.. Was she a walking advertisment for the resort? Once we reached the resort, we were given a welcome drink (tasted like orange, aiyo forget the taste already la)
At reception counter.
Swimming pool. Is actually quite big. But problem is I dunno how to swim so didnt play inside..
This is at this place whereby Rebecca, Janice and Felicia has their 1st try in playing.
A professional billiard player in the making? (Hmmm, I can seriously consider)
Pondering over my future or emo?
Back to my childhood days
We went to the Fishing Village prior to the White sand dunes in Day 5. We were there to experience how the people make a living out of fishing.
Me and Mr Long (Long in Vietnamese means dragon). Hmm maybe my son must got the word "Long" inside?
Their fishing boat. Is actually a BIG bowl...
Last day, we went to visit the post office and the reunification palace whereby the North and South Vietnam decided to call a truce and stop the war..
well, that all for now.. Wed I going for my class chalet. will update my faithful readers again.
