Vietnam Diaries: Day 5 – Take a Step Back in History

Jan 16, 2017 | Travel Diaries, Vietnam

Day five in Vietnam was about taking a step back into history. Even if it did happen by accident. The old feet got a good workout as we strolled through Ho Chi Minh City and discovered wonderful new areas of Saigon, old buildings and took a step into a tragic history that is the Vietnam War.

A portrait of a pretty Vietnamese women.

Best bit of the day

· Vietnam War Remnant Museum:

A War museum not for the light hearted but one that needs to be visited. Tanks, artillery guns and fighter planes that were used in the war are on showcase at the entrance before going upstairs to read about the history.

Thick skin is required for this exhibit, the photos are not only heartbreaking but horrific to view with pictures of missing limbs, dead soldiers and traumatic photos of young kids running and fearing for their lives.

Tanks at the Museum.

There are many different Exhibits in the Museum but one that does reach the heartstrings is an exhibit dedicated to the photographers during the war that risked their life or even got killed taking the dramatic photo. Selfless acts so the world could see the tragedy involving in Vietnam.

Another gut wrenching room, there were many, was that dedicated to Agent Orange. In the early part of the 1960’s Herbicides were sprayed onto food crops by US and South Vietnamese Air Forces, their aims was to destroy crops to deny the enemy soldiers any cover. The spraying had a disastrous effect on the health of the locals, with newborns coming into the world handicapped and without.

As disturbing as the images may be. The War Remnant Museum is a great history lesson on the Vietnam War. It is also great to see how far this country has come, considering the war was only 50-years ago.

A photo known to all the world.

Foods of the Day

– At a local Vietnamese restaurant I had a change of meal. A very nice grilled pork, with egg roll served with cold noodle and salad. It was a nice change away from pho (soup), which is served up at most.

Grilled pork, egg roll and noodles.

· Savoure’s for dessert. I had the delicious strawberry mousse cake with an ice vanilla mocha, both were incredibly tasty and it went down well, even if it does end up at the hips. A real treat if ever in the Tan Dinh area of district 1.

Yummy dessert.

Day 5 Highlights

· Notre Dame Cathedral and Post office: In the District 1 area of Ho Chi Minh City, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Post Office, both with a French architect flavour to it, two incredible buildings within a stone throw of each other.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The old Post Office

The area is not only for its Grand structures of two buildings, built in the late 1800’s, It also has a carnival atmosphere with market places, souvenir shops, book stores and food stalls set up, providing that tourist feel. Even pretty Vietnamese women are out and about, dressed nicely in their traditional dress, making a stunning photo amongst the backdrop of the Cathedral.

The Post Office is still used today but not for its original purpose. tour agency’s are set up in the old booths for anyone looking at booking a tour in the city, to The Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi tunnels.

Inside the Post Office.

· Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens: it may not be Sydney’s Taronga Zoo but for an entrance fee of only $3AUD there shouldn’t be any complaining. It’s a nice walk away from the craziness of city streets and it has all the big animals, giraffes, lions, tigers, giraffes and a whole lot more. From what I saw the animals were treated as normal as I have seen in any other zoo, which is sad a lifeless. Understandably being enclosed in a cage.

AN Enclosed tiger at Saigon Zoo.

For the kids it is more than just the wildlife. There are plenty of rides (they cost extra) and a small water park to keep entertained and cool on a hot Saigon day. The fun attraction of the day was the Vietnamese sausage tree at the entrance. Given away for free, adults and kids gathered around the tree, pushing and shoving (all fair play) to grab their complimentary sausages. I had a try, it tasted disgusting, but that was my own opinion. I think I was alone.

The Sausage tree.

Heading Ho Chi Minh City, check TripAdvisor for hotels.

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Vietnam Diaries: Day 4 – Mekong Four Islands Tour

Jan 14, 2017 | Travel Diaries, Vietnam

The Mighty Mekong River and the Four Islands was the agenda on day 4, taking our first day tour since arriving in Ho Chi Minh City. At only $20AUD per person, it was certainly worth the trip to further explore this fascinating country.

Family fun on the Mekong

A little different this travel diaries format as I go in-depth about the tour. Enjoy.

The boats line up on the Mekong Island cruise.

Tour highlights

· The Guide: the guide almost made the trip. Solid English, good sense of humour and very informative about the Mekong River and the 4-islands. He spoke with a lot of passion about any topic, which is always a good thing since they just about repeat themselves day in, day out.

The guide was simply a hoot.

· Cruising the Mekong River: Cruising the Mighty Mekong which begins in the Himalayas and travels through Southeast Asia is a great experience. The River itself is dirty and is full of crocodiles (don’t fall in) and tour and commercial boats all over the place in the part of the Mekong I visited, I expected a little more isolation in this part of the country but that was certainly not the case. It won’t be the most scenic part of the river you’ll ever see but it’s difference is what makes it unique.

Cruising the Mekong River.

· Coconut Candy: Checking how the locals make their coconut candy without the luxuries of a factory was a real life learning experience of what their world is like. From shredding the coconut into powder, the mixing and the packaging, it is a detailed process with many workers mainly females involved. Watching the ladies work with speed as each candy was wrapped was quite an art.

A local busy at working wrapping candy.

· Unicorn Island: Unicorn Island is where most activities took place. From making and trying their honey tea, pictures with a python and a horse and carriage ride (which was a sad experience). Local villagers also took the group on a canoe ride through the shrubs of a canal, which was hard enjoy with the villagers spending more time begging for a tip. The scenery was very nice however.

A Python wrapped around the neck.

Food of the Tour

· Lunch: It was a basic lunch that was served to the group, marinated pork with rice and vegetables. You could purchase extra food and drinks with your own cash. After lunch, we had a good hour to wander Tortoise Island, where resting crocodiles could be seen caged n large numbers, a few market places were open with local souvenirs on sale, and the best part was the hammocks, which got a good workout with a few on the group getting a bit of a shut eye.

Resting in the hammock after lunch.

Crocodiles want to eat too. (Keep away from me)

· Fruit tour and a Vietnamese concert: A bit of fruit with some tea was the last on the list and surprisingly we were treated to a marvellous performance by the locals of Vietnamese music. With a few basic instruments, their soothing voice and traditional dress was a beautiful way to end the day.

A little performance with fruit.

A mixture of local Mekong fruit.

Tour Lowlights

· The bus ride: Forced at the back of the bus for the 2-hour journey made for a hair-raising experience, lots of bumps, lot of sore backs. The bus driver seemed in a real hurry overtaking over vehicles at will and avoiding head-on collisions on numerous occasions. Fair to say I feared for my life and hear it is quite a normal experience.

Extra pictures from the tour

Happy Buddha loves to make an appearance in Southeast Asia.

The little fella is not afraid.

Check out hotels in Ho Chi Minh City on TripAdvisor.

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Vietnam Diaries: Day 3 – Just Add Water in Ho Chi Minh City

Jan 13, 2017 | Travel Diaries, Vietnam

Just add water and that is all it takes to make a great family outing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. That and thirty-two-degree heat in steamy condition. It made the decision easy when looking for a good family trip within the city when we decided to head to Dam Sen Water Park.

Crowded with hundreds of school kids, mainly in their uniforms and not bothering with any swimwear. The Water Park was another eye opener at how different Vietnam or especially the big city does their amusement Parks. But more on that later, let’s get into the highlights.

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Vietnam Diaries: Day 3 – Just Add Water in Ho Chi Minh City.

Highlights of Vietnam Diaries: Day 3 – Just Add Water in Ho Chi Minh City

Best bit of the day

The best bit did not belong to the Water Park, no way. The honour went to district 7. Modern, flash, clean and away from the hustle and bustle of district 1. District 7 was an instant hit.

Getting there at evening time, it was a nice change to be in a real glanderous part of the city. Stylish restaurants lined up along the canal, with a stunning walkway that lead to the Romantic and lit up Starlight Bridge.

The Popular District 7 at night.

The Crescent Mall was as good as Mall I have seen in travels in Asia, very posh and certainly a little more expensive when you are comparing it to the rest of the city. The Mall had a range of clothing and furniture shops, as well as complete food court and a movie Cinema.

Make sure that when you are in Ho Chi Minh City that you add District 7 to the list. Especially if love the that laid-back lifestyle.

More of District 7 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Best foods of the day

This is easy, WA Bar in District 7. A buffet style dinner that consisted of local Vietnamese Cuisine, pasta, seafood, a range of salads and even a chef cooking up some Japanese teppanyaki.

Add some cold beer fresh from the tap and a great variety of music blasting through the speakers, WA Grill and Bar was a delight with the city lights in the back drop.

WA bar in District 7

Chefs at work.

Highlights of day 3

Dam Sen Water Park: Now some reviews may be a little negative about Dam Sen, especially about the slides being too dangerous. Personally, I didn’t have an issue with the slides and no problem letting my kids go down. I had been on scarier rides at other Water Parks.
Dam Sen has a massive wave pool that was very popular, and even with the school kids running about, the waiting line for any water slide was never more than 5-minutes. The park also has many restaurants and ice-cream shops available at a very good price.

Flying fox at Dam Sem Water Park.

Wave Pool.
Peak hour driving: We left our apartment for District 7 at the wrong time, during peak hour traffic. A thirty-minute trip end up going for 70- minutes. Still cheap thanks to Uber. I had no regrets, in fact the drive was fascinating, the city kept changing and even modernised the further we went along. It gave us a real chance to know what we needed to add to the list of places to visit during our remainder of time in Ho Chi Minh City.
A little side note, the city truly looms brilliant at night, it is lit superbly and it looks quite spectacular in its range of colour and decorations.

Staying in Ho Chi Minh City, check out hotels on TripAdvisor.
- Check out day 4 of Vietnam Diaries – Mekong 4 Islands.
- Check out day 2 of Vietnam Diaries -Discovering Saigon

Saigon nearing dark.

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Vietnam Diaries: Day 2 – Discovering Saigon is Quite Exciting

Jan 12, 2017 | Travel Diaries, Vietnam

First full day in crazy Ho Chi Minh City. To get the bearings of this incredible city was the order of things for day two and to also learn a few valuable lessons while discovering Saigon in Vietnam.

I will start off with a valuable tip. To get around in this city, Uber or now should I say Grab, should be your main point of transportation. It’s easy to order and the payment is automatically put through via credit card, so in turn they can’t cheap you and vice versa. Best part is, a twenty-minute trip only cost about three bucks. A taxi is over double that price.

Now that I have saved you a heap of cash in [easyazon_link identifier=”1544903774″ locale=”US” tag=”fdt0c-20″]Ho Chi Minh City[/easyazon_link], let’s move on to today’s events.

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A laugh a minute in Vietnam.

Highlights of Vietnam Diaries: Day 2 – Discovering Saigon

Best bit of the day of the day

Discovering Saigon was the pick of the day. Why not, it was the first full day in this chaotic city and there were lots to learn and discover. For instance, where is the best places to eat? Best places to shop and day tours to discover? The list goes on, and no matter how much time you spend in this city, you are never going to get the full grasp of Saigon.

Discovering Saigon will lead you to temples like this beauty.

City comes to colour at night.

Best foods of the day

Grill Riverside – Beautiful marinated beef in Korean style sauce grilling on a charcoal stove, with fried chicken and side dishes, simply delicious. Eating only metres away from roaring motorbikes with the Nhieu Loc- Thi canal just beyond the busy road was breathtaking. Saigon is truly spectacular at night.

Grilled Riverside is delicious by the canal.

Highlights of the day while discovering Saigon

Ben Thanh Market – WOW!!! One of the best markets I have ever seen. Over three-thousand stalls of clothing, merchandise, food court with mainly rice noodle soup, butchers and fruit and veg section.
The markets are cramped with everyone walking in all directions. Pesky stores owners did everything to grab your attention and sell you mostly useless items but at times you will find a real steal. When purchasing any products, make sure you bargain down at least 50%. The locals will always try to drive the prices up on a clueless tourist.
Ben Thanh Markets is a full on but needed shopping experience.
Lots of seafood at Ben Thanh.
Nhieu Loc- Thi canal – Walking the banks of the canal was easily the safest walk I had done in Vietnam so far. Starting the walk before sunset, it was a sight to see as the traffic flowed and the night lights began to take effect. The Cau Kieu bridge looked superb in its changing colours.
Nhieu Loc- Thi canal

Another thing to note is that in Ho Chi Minh City, there is a lot of Buddhist temples that come appearing from all over the place and at times you least suspect it. We entered a beautiful temple not far from the Airbnb accommodation in Tan Dinh area, that overlooked the canal and it cost nothing at all. That is the joys of discovering Saigon.

Check out GPSmyCity for further details on discovering Saigon!

Buddhist temples are popular in Vietnam.

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Vietnam Diaries: Day One – New Adventures in Vietnam

Jan 11, 2017 | Travel Diaries, Vietnam

New adventures, new destinations. This time Fair Dinkum traveller is in Vietnam for the first time, which promises to be a crazy journey with the supporting cast in tow. The supporting cast is my wonderful family, and no doubt the youngster will steal the show.

Our New Adventures in Vietnam begin. The trip started in Western Australia, a two-in-the-morning wake-up and a traffic-free 90-minute drive to Perth international airport, which created the adventure. As usual, getting through Perth customs was a breeze before boarding the AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur.

After a short stay in KL, we were off again—the second and last leg of the journey to Ho Chi Minh City. AirAsia delivered again, as usual, with an earlier-than-expected arrival time. Getting through the airport was surprisingly quick since you must deal with visas. Get your VISA sorted before you leave for your trip to Vietnam; it will save you loads of hassles.

Stepping through customs was an exhilarating experience – it marked the beginning of a wild adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the most electric cities I have ever encountered!

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AirAsia kicks off its new adventures in Vietnam.

Highlights of Vietnam Diaries: Day One – New Adventures in Vietnam

Day One of my Vietnam journey was full of exciting adventures! I entered a vibrant country and explored the bustling streets, discovering new sights, sounds, smells and flavours.

The best bit of the day in Ho Chi Minh City

I have visited countless cities worldwide as a seasoned traveller, but none left an impression like Ho Chi Minh City. After a long day of travel, my anticipation grew as I landed in the bustling metropolis. The energy in the air was palpable, and I soon realized I was in for a treat.

The heart of Ho Chi Minh City beats strong, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the chaos. As I traversed the buzzing streets, I observed the locals going about their daily lives with incredible hustle and bustle. It’s safe to say that arriving in this thriving city was quickly the best bit of my day.

Let the chaos begin as we make our way to the accommodation from the Airport.

Best foods of the day

We started our Asian adventure in Vietnam to tantalize our taste buds with some of the most delectable dishes! From aromatic Pho and heavenly Banh Mi sandwiches to juicy spring rolls that burst with flavour – a genuinely delicious start for us all.

Crispy Chicken and Rice

If you’re looking for a delicious meal at an affordable price, look no further than the KL airport food court. While you might be searching for Vietnamese cuisine, don’t overlook the Crispy Chicken – at only $6AUD, it’s a steal for its flavour and crispiness. And the options don’t stop there – the food court boasts a variety of other delectable dishes, from hearty soups to tantalizing Indian and Malaysian fare. But if you’re more in the mood for something familiar, you can always visit the iconic golden arches of McDonald’s. With so much on offer, you won’t regret stopping by this bustling culinary haven during your travels.

First Pho Experience

When exploring the Southern part of Vietnam, one cannot pass up the opportunity to indulge in the country’s most famous dish – Pho. Served up piping hot with delectable prawns, succulent pork, or tender chicken, this soup is a feast for the senses. The steaming bowl of brotit’silled with fragrant herbs and spices is paired perfectly with soft, silky noodles that satisfy you utterly. And at just two dollars, it’s an affordable way to dive headfirst into Vietnamese cuisine. So why not take the advice of a seasoned traveller and make Pho your go-to meal on your first night in this beautiful country?

Lots of soup in Vietnam and plenty to go around.

Day one As Our New Adventures in Vietnam Kick off!

Our journey through Vietnam began in bustling Saigon, the exciting first stop of our new adventure! Although in this edition, we start with the fantastic Kuala Lumpur Airport in Malaysia, not Vietnam.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

As a frequent visitor to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I can confidently assert that it offers some of the best facilities a traveller could request. One of my highlights is the food court, which features various cuisines at very reasonable prices.

Another great feature is the Sama-Sama Hotel, which is conveniently located within the airport and offers comfortable accommodation for those with a few hours to spare between flights. And let’s not forget the unique duty-free shop, where you can find some of the finest Scotclet’sskey. In short, if you ever pass through Kuala Lumpur Airport, you can rest assured that you won’t be disappointed.

Lots of Scotch at Duty-Free KL.

Surviving the Chaos of Saigon

As an awon’toned traveller, I’ve seen some chaotic and crowded cities, but nothing like Saigon—the strives constantly flurry bikes, with seemingly little regard for pedestrians. I watched locals navigate the frenzy, zigzagging through the mess with ease. Taking a deep breath and reminding myself to trust the traffic flow, I crossed a bustling strip in District One.

I felt my heart racing and adrenaline pumping as I stepped on the road, but surprisingly, I made it across unscathed. The experience was nothing short of exhilarating and left me feeling a sense of accomplishment, having survived the chaos of Saigon.

Check out day two of Vietnam Diaries – Discovering Saigon.

The streets of Saigon get quite chaotic throughout the day and night.

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South Korean Diaries: Day 7-9 – Insadong, Baseball and Myeongdong

Apr 18, 2016 | South Korea, Travel Diaries

Another edition of South Korean Diaries; This time, we have culture, sport and shopping, including Insadong, baseball and Myeongdong.

Our journey in Seoul was a whirlwind of activity – no matter the hour, we could always explore something new. From bustling night markets to traditional dishes, this vibrant city made us feel like we were on a real adventure!

As I look back on days 7-9 of our South Korean Diaries, I can’t help but smile at the memories we made. These three days were packed with unforgettable experiences in Seoul, but what stood out were our visits to Insadong, Baseball and Myeongdong. We got a taste of Korean culture as we wandered the charming streets of Insadong, admiring traditional art and sampling the local cuisine.

It was refreshing to combine that with an exciting day of watching a baseball game, rooting for the home team and joining in on the cheers. And to top it off, we indulged in a shopping spree at Myeongdong. With its endless options of beauty and skincare products, it became every beauty lover’s paradise. These days I honestly have something for everyone, leaving us with memories that will last a lifetime.

South Korean Diaries: Day 7-9 – Insadong, Baseball and Myeongdong

Days 7-9 of my South Korean adventure were full of fun and excitement! It was nonstop action in Seoul, from exploring the culture in Insadong to cheering on an exciting baseball game down to shopping up a storm in Myeongdong. This whirlwind tour will surely be remembered for years to come!

Day 7 – Visiting Insadong

Insadong is the perfect melding of old and new! Set in South Korea, it’s a meeting place where traditional culture blends seamlessly with modern lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to get lost in history or explore cutting-edge trends – there’s something for everyone at this cultural compound.

Despite being a multi-religious nation, South Korea honours Buddhism as their spiritual foundation with proud devotion. Our journey from the Apartment in Gyeongbokgung was full of endless discoveries. After a twenty-minute trek, we arrived at an impressive site celebrating Buddhist culture and tradition. Glowing golden lanterns hung from every wall for an upcoming festival, while statues of Buddha sat inside the hall where many followers sought guidance and peace through prayer.

The lanterns in a temple in the cultural hub of Insadong.

Insadong is a unique blend of past and present, where one can admire the traditional displays while still being able to find modern restaurants and shops. Even though it’s meant for pedestrians only, don’t be surprised if you have to dodge an occasional van or two! From souvenir stores to hanbok shops (traditional Korean dress), cafes, tea spots – anything your heart desires- no shortage of things here will give you both refreshed with new experiences.

As we watched the beginning of a colourful parade featuring Korean music and traditional attire, it seemed like something too good to miss! We decided to explore the area during their procession along the street. To our surprise, though, when we returned after grabbing some lunch, they were back where they started with an hour-and-a-half-long performance full of singing and dancing that even got us up on our feet in a joyous celebration! It was quite a sight watching these talented performers go nonstop for so long; no doubt everyone who experienced this fantastic show walked away feeling entertained.

Insadong will capture your attention, especially of your camera, as you become click-happy with the beautiful sites.

As the day wore on, the clouds grew darker and the air cooler. And then, just like that, the rain came pouring down. We quickly retreated to the warmth and comfort of our little apartment. For a while, we just sat there listening to the steady drumming of the rain on the roof; each lost in our thoughts. But then, hunger began to gnaw at us, and I decided to take the kids out for dinner.

We headed to Lotteria, a Korean fast-food chain like McDonald’s or Burger King but with a few fun twists. Despite the downpour outside, we were all smiles as we chowed down on our burgers and fries, savouring the warmth and coziness of our little fast food oasis. And it was worth it. The rain may have dampened our clothes but it couldn’t dampen our spirits.

Do you want to find a hotel in Insadong? Find great rates at Booking.com!

The culture is alive in Insadong.

Day 8 – Baseball at Jamsil Stadium

On that glorious Sunday, the scorching sun shone over Jamsil Baseball Stadium, located right outside Olympic Park in Seoul. We slowly rose out of bed and got to the stadium just before it began at two o’clock.

The moment we stepped off subway line 2, a wave of energy washed over us as people around erupted with chanting fans, delicious eats from food stalls and vibrant merchandise – all swirling together for an intense battle between Doosan Bears against Samsung Lions!

Supporting the Samsung Lions inside Jamsil Stadium.

As I arrived at the stadium, I was immediately drawn to a dazzling sea of royal blue and white worn by fans supporting The Lions. Captivated by the striking colours, I could no longer resist buying one of their jerseys – instantly becoming devoted to this team that day!

Once inside Jamsil Stadium, it is undeniable how grandiose its scale truly is: from towering walls surrounding home plate, which cast an impressive shadow onto outfield seats below them up towards reaching clouds above. A spectacle for any sports enthusiast like myself who revels in such a dynamic atmosphere with a larger-than-life viewing screen right before me!

Outside Jamsil Stadium and enjoying the atmosphere of the ball game.

Ignoring the entertainment in the stands was hard, but that’s not to say the game was dull. The electricity in the stadium was palpable as both the home supporters and the opposing team battled it out through cheers and screams. The sounds of the crowd announcer and the dazzling cheerleaders only added to the already buzzing atmosphere.

On the contrary, it kept us in our seats until the end, with Doosan Bears ultimately taking home the win. As the game ended, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the excitement and adrenaline rush that sports always bring.

It was the perfect ending to a day filled with my favourite pastime. As I headed out into the night for a late dinner at Pho Roi, I couldn’t help but already look forward to the next game.

Take me out to the ball game.

Day 9 – Enjoying the Vibrantcy of Myeondong

Finally, a day to take it easy. Today, we decided to hop on a train and head to Myeongdong. This bustling spot is the ultimate shopping destination, with all the big names in clothing, sporting goods, skincare, shoes, and more.

And let’s not forget about the array of food options that fill the air with mouth-watering scents. As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, this place felt like heaven on earth. It’s hard to put into words the energy that fills the streets of Myeongdong but trust me when I say it’s a sight to behold. Today may not have been much, but it was exactly what we needed.

The wife is Looking good in Myeongdong.

Today was a dreamy day of putting our feet up and relaxing after a long week of the hustle and bustle. Feeling content, we ventured out to Myeongdong, a vibrant and lively Seoul neighbourhood filled with captivating sights and sounds. We took the opportunity to indulge in some delicious Korean takeout and savoured each bite with pure delight.

The day was spent leisurely, enjoying the ambience and exploring the bustling streets after a few busy days of Insadong, Baseball and Myeongdong. As the sun set, we returned to our peaceful abode, readying ourselves for the hectic day ahead. Tomorrow will be all go, go, go, but today was the perfect recharging day we needed at the DMZ Korea.

Check out other editions of South Korean Diaries:

Days 4 – 6 Family Bonding in Seoul!

Days 1 – 3 Seoul Delight!