Following visit to Cu Chi Tunnels on morning of Tuesday 21st Dec we headed off to Nui Ba Den, a mountain which rises from the surrounding plain up to almost 1000 metros. Legend has it that a certain Ly Thi Thong,who, while her lover was fighting occupying forces, was ordered to marry the son of a local mandarin. Rather than comply she threw herself off the mountain. It took the efforts of both Craig and myself to prevent Gail from following her example although it has taken her 36 years to realize the injustice of being forced into a marriage with me!
The mountain was also the scene of fierce battles between the French, Americans and the Viet Minh.
Evening meal at the restaurant of a guy called Huy who had lived for some time in Brisbane, followed by a return visit to our friendly travel agent Duong who finalized more plans for the rest of the week.
The Obese Ferret.
Wednesday 22nd Dec.
Set off at 8.30 am on an Open Tour Bus for a 2 day tour of the Mekong Delta. Open Tour buses offer basic travel ( the cost of our tour including an overnight stay in Can Tho was $24 each ).
We had taken the decision to go with a larger party rather than with a personal guide as a) we wanted to enjoy some interaction with fellow travelers and b) there is always a risk that the guide will speak such poor English his/her commentary becomes meaningless.
First stop on the trip was My Tho on one of the many tributaries of the Mekong and from here we took a boat trip over to the Island of the Coconut Monk, otherwise known as Phoenix Island , where we amongst other things we watched coconut candy being made, had a decidedly large python draped our around our neck, drank snake wine, sampled lemon tea, honey and tropical fruit. Gail being a snakeophobic ( if such a word exists ) declined the python and the snake wine.
We all took up the offer of 5 packs of candy to get 1 free only to find later that they didn't suit Craig's sensitive stomach. The result- I ended up with about 3 kgs extra weight in my bag and enough candy to last us through 2011.
Continue on bus to Can Tho, the centre of the Mekong Delta, after good meal at restaurant river spend night at very basic hotel ( what did you expect for a $24 trip all-inclusive! )
The Obese Ferret.
Thursday 23rd December.
6.30 start and straight onto boat to an on-shore market. This followed by a truly fascinating visit to the Floating Market where the owners of boats peddled their wares of fruit and vegetables while gawping idiots such as ourselves made our way past their primitive vessels.
It was food for thought that these people lived on these boats, as evidenced by the washing hanging on the lines alongside the veggies etc.
Later visited an area to see noodles being made and walked through a tropical fruit area.
Lunch back near hotel and then long bumpy trip back to Saigon.
Evening snack at Allez Boo which apparently is one of the 'in' places to go ( and prices to match).
Late night 1 hour flight to Danang.
All in all a day which highlighted the incredible energy and industry of the Vietnamese people. Whilst many live in what we would regard as primitive conditions they appear to have a fierce determination to improve their lot in sharp contrast to other so-called third world countries that we have visited.
The Obese Ferret.
Friday 24th December.
An early morning stroll along the river, followed by a visit to a very interesting Champa Museum showed Danang to be a pleasant surprise and a town which was done a disservice by our Footprints Guide book.
Decide to book a taxi to take us from Danang to Hoi An calling in at the 30 mile China Beach ( a favorite of GI's during the war ) and two magnificent sports stadia which from a distance appear to be state-of-the-art.
China Beach is being developed at a rate of knots and with its golden sand and surf has the potential to become a real tourist magnet. Certainly, golfers Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie have caught onto this as they have given their names to golf estates with Norman in particular featured on posters galore.
Moreover the beach is surrounded by mountains to the north and south which only add to its development potential.
It could even become another Surfers' Paradise if they get everything wrong!
The approach to Hoi An gave us a real 'Gailism' which have become part of the Ireland family folklore. Asked by the taxi driver to confirm the name of our hotel in Hoi An, Gail on trying to find the name on a voucher ( held in the front seat by Craig ) said with her usual confidence that she could see the name it was' Book Ing', only to realise that she was reading ' booking confirmed'!. We have since realized that the hotel is part of a very large chain as there appear to be Book Ing offices everywhere! Even the taxi driver, with his limited knowledge of English laughed.
Location:Hue Airport
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