Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City / Vietnam

Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

I actually typed all of this out the other day plus made some alterations to the previous blog and I'm not sure what happened, so sorry if this comes up again from somewhere!!

We travelled to Hoi An by coach and enjoyed the countryside as we came over the Hai Van Pass and along the coast. When we stopped at the top of the Pass, we were told about the damage Agent Orange caused to the vegetation and the people of course. Three generations later and this poison is still causing deformaties within the families. Nearby, where we were standing, there was a live mine, left as a reminder to everyone how they are still everywhere and still causing casualities. This pass is the dividing line for the North and South. Most of the houses along the coast had sandbags on their iron roof as there are at least 7 tornados per year in this mid region of Vietnam. Hoi An is renowned for tailoring, so of course Ian and I had to try it out!!!! I think we were ripped off but guess that is also part of travelling!! However, we both have 4 new garments and much cheaper than NZ! One of our highlights was biking out to the communal gardens. Many families are involved in growing a variety of vegetables, very healthy looking too. Every family member works to help out, so I don't think there is any retirement pension at 65!!! We are enjoying the variety of transport and activities provided for us. After our dinner, we hit a night club with the younger members of our group and it was a real fun night. Our leader took us for a tour of the city in the morning and in the evening we discovered a really tasty restuarant for dinner. This took a little longer than expected, so we were forced to hire a ride on a scooter back to the hotel and I kept saying to my driver, slow ...........very slow! Yes I know he said so obviously he has had passengers like me before!! It was quite a laugh at the airport as 6 of us were upgraded to business class, so we were really given the message from the remaining members of our group!!! All good fun.

Vietnam

Thursday was a free day for us before our initial Intrepid meeting and dinner together. To make the most of the day, we paid for an excursion out into the country. We visited a ceramic village first, but because of Tet, the ceramic village had stopped producing although there was still plenty for sale. Apparently the potters work on the pavement outside their shop. In Vietnam, especially in the town and cities, the pavement is an extension of their house. All the family live together (sometimes up to 4 generations) in a 10 x 10 living room and the same size bedroom upstairs, so they need the pavement to cook and eat. I've even seen them clean their teeth there too. As we travelled along the road, there were women selling their limes; a basket beside them together with their scales. No one else around for miles. Once again, many mandarin trees available - essential to have one in your house for Tet. The more mandarins, the more luck you will have in the N.Y. In another village we visited one of the two remaining families who still produce paintings by the old method: stamping the picture on, portion x portions and using 5 colours altogether. (A little like our printing pictures we teach at school!)
In the small villages, their markets don't appear to adhere to the same health regulations like NZ!! I've been forced to become a vegetarian, after observing the slabs of meat and chicken on planks of wood, ready for sale. I must admit they did make an effort to relocate the flies with a dirty old cloth!! Most of these markets were really dusty and dirty but we were always greeted by happy and friendly people. Near by there were brick producing areas and numerous "drying" sheds around, obviously working by the smoke being emitted from the chimneys. They didn't stop for Tet!
In the evening we met the other 9 people who will be travelling with us. There are only 2 older couples and the rest young. Your guess for our category! All interesting people who have travelled heaps!
Friday Tet eve (N.Y. Eve)
We all travelled by bus out to Halong Bay (about 4 hours) and boarded our boat about midday, in time for a delicious lunch. I have to tell you what else we saw being transported on a scooter on the way - a live cow doubled up and tied onto the back and on another, 3 sides of pork across the area where the driver's feet go. Not a happy site I must say. Halong Bay has 3000 limestone islands in the bay. Even though it was misty, we could still see the islands and enjoy the tranquility of the bay. On one of the islands there were 3 HUGE caves with many stalactites and stalagmites. After dinner there were fire crackers and music to see the NY in. I didn't think about having 2 NY's in '07 but at least I could start again with the resolutions!! On our return to the jetty, there were many boats moored already, but we literally barged our boat in, pushing the other boats aside. We didn't observe one raised voice or see any fingers given!!!On our return to Hanoi (must be the quietest day on the road in Vietnam!) we explored more of the city and purchased food for our 14 hour train journey to Hue.
We shared a sleeper cabin with the other "more mature" couple!! Sleeping wasn't too much of a problem - may have had something to do with the vodka and beer!! We arrived in Hue at 8.30am, had breakfast and a refreshing shower! After our lunch we walked around the Imperial Citadel but everyone was starting to fade fast through the heat and tiredness. Our second day in Hue was spent travelling up the Perfume River on a dragon boat to the Monk Monastry and Emporer's tomb and gardens. All the cafes and restuarants we have been to have been supurb and served delicious food. So far, really great.