Reflections:

 

Wendy is very pleased she did the tour, however, will not be rushing back to do any more cycling in that part of the world, anytime soon.  Whilst the guides were mainly very good, the quality of the bikes had deteriorated somewhat since Greg first started touring with this company in 2012.  The company is so good and popular they ran out of their own bikes during this busy peak period and ended up having to hire bikes from other companies.  The hire bikes are obviously not as good as the company’s own.  Although Greg enjoyed the trip, (as long as he is on a bike he is happy) he was surprised how the pollution and rubbish had become worse in four years since the last time he did the tour, or maybe he had just forgotten how bad it was. Overall, a fantastic trip with some very interesting people, who we hope to see again one day.

Day 27: Mon 12 Dec - Brisbane to Hervey Bay to Home

We landed in Brisbane a little earlier than expected which was good as the terminal was quite quiet. We were on the other side quickly and then had to wait for our luggage. Finally got that and made our way through Customs which was quick and painless. Found the domestic check-in counter, checked the bags and were on the T-Bus for the short transfer to the domestic terminal in no time at all. When we re-checked the bags we asked if we would make the 8:10 flight, to which the answer was, "Yes, but no!" We would have made the connection with no worries, but we had booked a special deal airfare and therefore would not be able to change without penalty. Always the case isn't it - book the early flight and experience delays, so you book the later flight and get in early!! 

After clearing domestic security, we decided to try and get Mark into the QC and were successful - they didn't even check his boarding pass. We just had to wait another three hours which was very difficult, especially for the sleep deprived Wendy and Greg. We eventually got about 30 minutes of shuteye but didn't feel any better for it. Thankfully the flight to Hervey Bay was not delayed and we were soon on board and heading for home. Wendy's head fell off her shoulders many times during the flight, but Greg managed to stay awake. Even though we landed 10 minutes early, Gunther was there to meet us. Sue was also there to meet Mark.

We were home by 12:30pm which made for a 22 hour journey from the time we left the hotel to the time we arrived home. After opening up the house and unpacking we had a small bite to eat and then crashed for about an hour. It was then time to pick and prune the raspberries; which took a good hour and half; the cows next door had a good feed.

Day 26: Sun 11 Dec - HCM City to Singapore to Brisbane

24 degC, 95% humidity

The Rex is adjacent to a demolition and re-construction site for the Saigon Metro and very early this morning (3:30am), they started doing something really noisy, like dragging some kind of metal along the street. The noise stopped about 20 minutes later and ee both managed to get back to sleep but it was a restless sleep. We were up and at breakfast by 7am. Today we could afford to have a rather leisurely breakfast and made the most of it. The boys went for a wander after packing the bags and getting almost ready to check out.

We checked out at 11:45am and were soon in a maxi-taxi on the way to the airport. It only took about 20 minutes and it was way too early for us to check in, so we found a set of seats and made ourselves comfortable. We found a coffee shop and had a very good cup of coffee. An hour and a half after arriving at the airport we checked in. We were at the "Trainee" desk and she wanted to charge Wendy for 1.5kg excess baggage; total weight was 17.5kg. When we explained that we were QC members she consulted with her trainer and all was sorted. She had also only booked us through to Singapore instead of Brisbane, so that was sorted as well. However, for some reason we only got boarding passes to Singapore, so will have to find the Transfer Desk when we get to Singers. We then waited for Bob to check in and then went airside together. We said goodbye to Bob at Gate 17, as we thought we could get into the QC. However, QANTAS in their wisdom only allow entry for flights of certain numbers and ours was not included. We won't say any more about the dodgy dealings of QANTAS, just that we were not very happy!

We boarded about half an hour late, and took off an hour late. We were concerned about how late we would be as we had to find the transfer desk to get our boarding passes. And, Mark had to clear customs and immigration, pick up his bag, re-check it, clear customs and immigration again and make it back in time for the flight. We managed to make up 30 minutes during the flight, found the desk after a fairly long walk and got our boarding passes to Brisbane and Hervey Bay. We hoped Mark was having the same success. We had 30 minutes in the QC and then made our way to our gate. Mark was already there so we passed through security and boarded. Neither of us are certain as to why we booked the seats we did as they were only three back from the bulkhead where the baby cots are. And guess what ....... there was a very annoying kid in the front with his mum; dad was sitting behind. The kid wanted dad, and when he was with dad, wanted mum. We were both ready to throw the kid out of the window, or shove him in the overhead locker. Every time we were just about to fall asleep, he would scream his head off. During the eight hour flight we probably got three hours of very interrupted sleep.

Day 25: Sat 10 Dec - HCM City

25 degC, 94% humidity

Walk: 15km (map says 18, but must have lost signal inside the Market building); total: 108km

After a relatively early breakfast we left the hotel about 07:40am for the "bird park" where bird enthusiasts bring their birds to learn to sing.  It is thought that birds learn from others in the wild so people bring their captured/caged birds to the park to learn from other captured/caged birds. Those cages that are covered contain young birds that are still shy but want to learn.

It was then a trek to the Handicapped Handicraft workshop factory that Bob, Mark and Bill had visited yesterday on their way back from the tunnels. Bob had purchased a set of three plaques and one was a bit damaged and he wanted to exchange it. The place took a bit of finding, and, after a lot of to'ing and fro'ing and asking for directions we finally found the place and they really do produce works of art. A lot of time and energy goes into producing a single piece, however, we could not justify buying any as they would not fit into our "space". It was a good walk though.

We had a late mornos at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf across from the Notre Dame and Post Office before heading back to the hotel to drop off stuff, get more money and have a pit stop. Next stop was the undercover markets for souvenirs and gifts. That task accomplished, Bob, Greg and Wendy set off in search of ice-cream. We went into a place we had seen a number of times and we now know why we avoided it for so long. We thought it would be one of those places with the ice-creams in a fridge display; it was not. We were given menus and all of the products were overpriced so Wendy declined. We should have walked out straight away because the boys choices were not very good. Oh well, live and learn.

It was then time for a wash and a nana nap. Wendy did some travel admin and cleaning of the shoes and soon it was time for pre-dinner drinks. Over drinks we decided to go to the Secret Garden and check it out and if it was no good, continue until we found something good. Four flights of stairs later we finally arrived and were told that yes we could have a table but needed to be out by 8pm. Given it was 6:30pm, we said yes. Mark, Greg and Wendy made their decisions quite quickly, and Bob (Mr Indecision) took a little longer and then chose something he did not particularly enjoy. The rest of us enjoyed our meals. After dinner, the boys went for a dessert treat while Wendy went to Circle K for water and another beer (her dessert). When she returned to the room, she heard the Water Puppet show and stood on the corridor overlooking the stage and watched for a good 30 minutes. Although it was all in presumably Vietnamese, she got the gist of most of the acts/scenes.

And so ends our last night on tour and in Saigon/HCM City. It has been a fantastic 24 days with a varied and great bunch of people. We don't depart until 3:45pm so have lots of time to prepare tomorrow.

Bird Park where young birds learn to sing

Scultpure Park

One of the entrances to Saigon Zoo

Street Markets

Saigon River

A neat little church

The Last Supper done in mother of pearl

The detail is incredible

Secret Garden restaurant

Night traffic in Saigon, never lets up

Water puppet show - water buffalo tending the rice paddies

 

Day 24: Fri 09 Dec - HCM City

25 degC, 86% humidity

Walk: 10km; total: 93km

We had a BIG sleep-in today - only got out of bed at 7am!! A leisurely breakfast followed and then we consulted the map for other places to see (the other boys had gone on a guided tour of the Cu Chi tunnels). Wendy needed to visit a pharmacy so we located the nearest on the map and then decided on the Jade Emperor Pagoda which was approx 3km away. Pharmacy was easy to find and Wendy was able to get what she wanted and we were off to the Pagoda. Along the way we came across the American Consulate but were unable to compare the building to the iconic picture of the end of the Vietnam War due to the very high walls and very low buildings. Apparently they bulldozed that building and rebuilt. We did notice though, that all the buildings that we could see in the compound had sloping roofs!  The Pagoda was quite understated but had plenty of character. There was some sort of film scene being filmed and we had to duck in to take photos in between the takes. We didn't recognize any of the actors. We took a slow wander back to the hotel and on the way found a Bohemian Crystal shop that just happened to sell glass elephants. For those who don't know, Wendy collects glass elephants, so she bought one. We hope it survives the journey home (it did).

On the way to get water to take back to the hotel we came across a market inside a building and bought a few souvenirs. We found the Circle K and bought water, four beers for tonight, and some lunch. Back to the hotel to eat lunch and relax. We both had a little snooze and then Wendy did some work on the blog whilst Greg went for another wander. 

Pre-dinner drinks were taken in our suite, again, whilst we exchanged photos with Bill who is leaving us tomorrow. It has been fun having him around to break up the predominantly Australian group. Dinner was Pho at a small restaurant just down the road. It cost us just under AUD14 for two bowls of Pho, two beers, and some spring rolls. 

During pre-dinner drinks, the sky opened up and it rained like there was no tomorrow. Thankfully, by the time we were ready for dinner, it had slowed down a bit; there was however a large amount of water on the streets and we all walked into the restaurant dripping like taps. It didn't take us long to dry out and the food was delicious and very filling. After dinner we said good bye to Bill and then Greg and Bob went for a wander, whilst Mark and Wendy went back to their rooms. Wendy then realized they needed water, so ventured out on her own. Mission accomplished she retired to the room, and Greg returned not long after.

Another late'ish night.

Uncle Ho in Ho Chi Minh City

A very fat nd happy Buddha

Rex Hotel at night

Saigon Opera House

A very large model of a sailing ship

Turtles at the Pagoda

The Jade Emperor

Newest addition to the glass elephant family at Hippo Farm

Day 23: Thu 08 Dec - HCM City

26 degC, 97% humidity 

Walk: 23km; total: 83km

After breakfast we met in the lobby at 8:30am and first-up visited the place where the monk, Thich Quang Duc set himself on fire and burned himself to death (self-immolation) at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963.  He was protesting the persecution of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese government.

Next stop was Notre Dame and the Central Post Office which is still a functional PO.  Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City, and was established by French colonists. The cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880 and has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet).  The CPO was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th Century.  It has a gothic architectural style and was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel.

We had coffee at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Cafe, opposite the Notre Dame before heading for the Independence/Reunification Palace which, when we got there, was closed until 1pm. So, we decided to try the War Remnants Museum which was also closed so went back to hotel for a rest. Neither of us felt like having lunch as we both had rather large breakfasts and a muffin at mornos. After a rest we began our walking again. 

First up was the Palace where we spent a good two hours wandering through - there are a few floors and a large number of rooms. This was where the North Vietnamese Army tank famously (or infamously) mowed down the locked gates to enter at the end of the Vietnam war in Nov 75. We believe the original gates still stand today with a few weld spots where they were straightened out.

The Museum was next and it was a pretty gruesome and somewhat propaganda’ish account.  Someone in our group summed it up pretty well - "same stuff, different people, different place" referring to the atrocities we saw in Cambodia recently, and the rest of the turmoil in the current world.  The museum comprises a series of themed rooms in several buildings, with period military equipment placed within a walled yard. The military equipment includes a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter, an F-5A fighter, a BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" bomber, M48 Patton tank, an A-1 Skyraider attack bomber, and an A-37 Dragonfly attack bomber. There are a number of pieces of unexploded ordnance stored in the corner of the yard, with their charges and/or fuses removed.  Internal exhibits include graphic photography, accompanied by short text in English, Vietnamese and Japanese, covering the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical defoliant sprays, the use of napalm and phosphorus bombs, and war atrocities such as the My Lai massacre.  There were some very interesting quotes as well, with this one standing out, “Yet we were wrong, terribly wrong.  We owe it to future generations to explain why.” from Robert S. McNamara, former US Defense Secretary.  One has to wonder whether any lessons have indeed been learned – Iraq, Afghanistan, etc??

We then walked back to the hotel the long way around, via the river, because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Mixed with the afternoon peak-hour traffic it made for some very interesting road crossings indeed and got quite smoggy. After stopping at the 7-11 type shop on the way back to the hotel for cheaper beers, we only got back just before 6pm. A very long day indeed. Maps say we walked about 28km all up but it made a few errors when we entered buildings and could not access satellites. 

After a couple of beers each in our lounge area, it was off to dinner - Barbeque Garden where you cook your own food on a gas fired BBQ in the middle of the table. Wasn't too bad but every time we turned the heat up, the staff would come and turn it down so much they turned it off. They eventually left us to our own devices and we got our skewers cooked in a timely fashion. Greg decided he needed an ice cream so we went via the 7-11 shop on our way home. 

Moped parking lot

Self-immolating monk memorial

Picture of the real thing

Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon

Noodle junction

Hanging gardens

Saigon Post Office

Sugary treats

Front gates of the Independence Palace

Independence Palace

The infamous tank busting through the gates at the end of the Vietnam War

A replica of the tank above

Cabinet Room

Conference Hall

View from inside the Palace

CH-47 Chinook (aka 'Chook')

F-5A Fighter, looks mean

Traffic chaos in Saigon

Sunset in a smoggy Saigon

Cooking our own kebabs

Dinner venue

A pseccy building complete with helicopter deck

Morning walk

Afternoon walk