little miss sunshine

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Just came back from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. I must say it is an excellent break/trip! Firstly, it's our first Big Family Trip since 13 years ago to Australia. Secondly, great eye-opener to the history of Vietnam (wars,wars and more wars). Thirdly, shopping! My brother has an excellent account of the trip in his blog so I won't say so much... Hehe...

Vietnam here we come!

Our fellow travellers...

The Loh Family

The Choo Family

The Goh Family

And US!

Vietnam, despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, doesn't look at one on the surface. The roads are clean, minimal street beggars, people are dressed modernly.

We had 3 day tours on 3 different days - Mekong Delta, city tour and Cuchi Tunnel.

Mekong Delta - The vast delta of the Mekong River is formed by alluvium deposited by the multiple arms and tributaries of the river. The river descends from its source high in the Tibetan plateau and follows a 4.500km course through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea.

It's a boat ride day

My Da Yi

Coconut with Powzhen

The people of the delta lead a carefree life. They are simple, don't go to school, can't read and write, spend whatever they earn in the day which may be just US$5-10...

City tour...

Reunification Palace - it was this building that the communist tanks crashed through the gate in 30/4/1975 in a dramatic scene captured by photojournalists and shown around the world.

My bro, Xuemin and me

Notre Dame Cathedral

Central Post Office

War museum - with a vast collection of war photographs

Vietnam's Chinatown - Cho Lon

Cuchi Tunnel - my favourite day trip out of the 3. Was really fascinated by the extensive network of underground tunnels used by the Vietnamese during the war. Amazed what people could come out with during times of desperation.

The model of the underground tunnel - 3 storeys high. You can see the ventilation source, and also the well for water. They had clinics and even performed surgeries inside.

The entrance

The ventilation hole

Crawled through a short segment of the tunnel - it's rather cool and well-ventilated inside!

B52 bomb crater

Had a go with AK57 with real bullets! Definitely a rare opportunity for a girl like me! I was so scared I don't even know where I'm aiming!

The Pro

It was an eye-opener definitely because I'm not exposed much to warfare and this is something new! Tanks, bombs, guns, traps... Was really amazed with the network of underground tunnels.

Of course, not forgetting food experiences!

Pho - how can we not try Pho in Vietnam? Tried the one in Pho 24 and 2000. Both tasted the same to me, though Bill Clinton visited Pho 2000. Enjoyed it!