WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM

Dave took off on his own this morning, on foot, in search of the War Remnants Museum. Armed with the city map, weaving in and out of traffic, he found it and stepped back in time.




















He said some of it was pretty gruesome so it may have been a good thing me and the kids stayed home.

Based on the Lunar Cycle Vietnam has a different calendar from us which means their New Years Eve begins on 3 February which is called Tet. In preparation for this the city is being decorated like we would for Christmas, only a lot more extravagent. Unfortunately, we'll just miss out as we'll be goneski from Vietnam by then.

Reason we stayed home this morning? Jason had to pack as late this afternoon I took him to the airport and said good-bye. He's now on a flight to Kuala Lumpur and will arrive in Sydney tomorrow morning. He had a great time but was ready to go home.

War Remnants photos here.

CU CHI TUNNELS

Today was an adventurous day at the Cu Chi Tunnels. It's absolutely amazing how small these men were to fit inside the bunkers and tunnels. Movie here.















A once in a lifetime opportunity saw Jason and Sofie firing an AK47. Movies here and here.

And then Jason, myself and Dave a M60 (machine gun). I thought it was AWESOME! Movies here, here (you'll laugh at me) and here.

Jayden was too little to have a go at shooting so just got his photo taken.

Anytime is a good time for rice wine ;)

And then exploring the tunnels. It's hard to imagine a life down there.

A quick bite to eat of boiled tapioca and some green tea.

Cu Chi Tunnel photos here.

After our tour of the tunnels we stopped in at a rubber plantation. Our tour guide told us when he asks what rubber (latex) is used for his usual response is condoms (haha). Rubber plantation photos here.

After some lunch Jason, Sofie and Jayden wanted some downtime on the computers so Dave and I walked to see Ben Thanh Markets.

I love shopping but luckily had Dave with me, once again, to remind me we have to get things home otherwise I'd go crazy :).

Jason thinks it's so cool how many cartons of beer these guys can get on their bikes.

Market photos here.

DAM SEN WATER PARK HCMC

Today we had some fun in a little bit of sun. Even without the sun fully out, at least, the weather is much warmer.

Dam Sen Water Park Ho Chi Minh City was today's destination.















Rope Swinging Overcome Waterfall (whatever that is?)















The Love Storm

Boomerang

and Wave Pool

Movies here, here, here and here.

Photos here.

DINGO DELI VIETNAM

As I mentioned in the previous post we were off to lunch today for a special treat for Jayden and the rest of them.

Dingo Deli Vietnam is just up the road from Orchid Garden on Cua Dai Road serving delicious food including the Aussie favourite, the meat pie.

According to Jayden this the best meal we've eaten on holidays. I think he forgets Italy and cheese pizzas.















It was meat pies and hot chips all round.

Sauce for some.

And all eaten different ways.

As for me, I'll stick with me veges.

As well as a fabulous cafe the family are home schooling their children and other expat children on the second floor of the building and living on the top floor. Jayden was very excited to have some other kids to play with.

Even making me take him back there this afternoon after the kids had finished school for the day. They've got an awesome playground set up.

SLOW COUPLE OF DAYS

With the weather still shitty it's been a slow couple of days. We found a ridgy didge dvd shop and bought the kids 10 movies for $7 so they've been pretty much cooped up watching movies. Meanwhile Dave, Jason and I have been massaged and done a couple of bike rides into town in between showers.

Orchid Garden got a special visit yesterday from the spirit of an old ancestor. This is the story behind these snakes which are supposed to bring luck.















We've ditched Mr Long (Red Dragon Restaurant) lately and dined at Son Restaurant last night which is over the river. Their motto, "slow food for slow life."

On the way home we stopped in at a new gourmet fine foods cafe (Dingo Deli) and found the owners were ex-Aussies and came here on their way to Thailand, loved the place so much decided to stay. The easiest way to do this was to open a restaurant and eight months later they're now living their dream. Jayden was very excited when he spotted an Aussie icon so we're off there for lunch a bit later on. I'm sure there'll be photos to follow.

Dave and Jason rode into town to check out the full moon festival where the street was only lit by lanterns. In search of the drum beating they got to see a martial arts display.

It's parcel post time again today before getting out of here a day earlier than planned tomorrow, in search of warmer weather once again. Ho Chi Minh is forecast for at least 30 degrees. It bloody better be ;)

Few more photos here.

COUNTRYSIDE BICYCLE TOUR

I spoke too soon. The weather sucks. It rained yesterday and today :(

Although not ideal we didn't let the weather stop us and today went on Heaven & Earth's Countryside Bicycle Tour. Jason stayed home with a bit of a belly bug :(

We were taken through the city and the markets and then off the beaten path and away from the usual tourist itineraries, allowing us to discover up close, the rural, picturesque, "real" Vietnam.

We discovered the art of wooden boat building,




















crossed charming floating bridges,

and learnt the secret of the traditional hand-woven sleeping mats. Grandma here was 85 years old and has been doing this since she was 10. Not long ago she went to the relatives for a two week holiday and said she wanted to go home and work, that she was bored.

After a another traditional Vietnamese lunch we began our return voyage to Hoi An by boat.

More photos here.

HELLO SUNSHINE

Finally.......at long last.......the moment I've been waiting for. I present to you........the sun (dada).

Shelley very happy. We worked out we haven't seen the sun since Rome.




















Rewind to yesterday though and Mr Swarve in his suit which is a perfect fit. I hate my jeans and my jacket is only ok but that's my fault cause I'm a fussy b**ch when it comes to clothes ;) Our shoes are awesome too.

Dave getting his $5 haircut.

Back to today and after waking to a beautiful morning, a walk to and home from the beach, some more shopping and beach going, this afternoon we embarked on an Eco Tour Fisherman Tour.

We were able to get up and close and personal with some locals who were very friendly and hospitable.

On the way to the fishing village we stopped in at a local kindergarten where the children performed for us. See it here. Sooooo cute!

We were provided with an authentic social and cultural insight into the local Vietnamese way of life including partaking in some hands-on activities such as basket boating (see movie here), (entertainment basket boating video here)

and learning traditional fishing techniques.

Unfortunately we didn't get a good catch for dinner tonight.

But had great fun trying.

At the end of our tour we enjoyed a lovely Vietnamese meal on board before setting off for home.

It is a wonderful thing that Jack Tran has done for not only himself and his family but also for his village and the local people.

A snapshot of today's photos here.

With the flood situation in Brisbane we weren't sure of the availability of rental properties when we get home in March. An offer was made and we're very happy to say that we're now the happy renters of Rob and Amanda's house in Paddington (where our furniture was taken to the other day).