We opted for breakfast upstairs in the rooftop restaurant for something different and it was a good call. We were pretty much the only ones there! Nate demonstrated his love of the personally cooked eggs for us...
I just re read this and thought Id add one more thing about the view from the pooldeck. Its not always pretty. For example after returning from breakfast we were treated to the view of a naked elderly asian man drying himself after having a dip in the pool. No pic to share as the camera wasnt ready and that naked butt wasnt really something we wanted to remember in great detail.
Todays trip was based around Ho Chi Minh City, visiting a number of historical landmarks. First up was the Reunification Palace.
It held quite a significance for the South Vietnamese and was actively used during the war - the tank that crashed through the front gates at one stage proudly sits on the front lawn.
It has been rebuilt a few times, the last being mid 1960's, which is pretty obvious as the place certainly has a 60's feel about it. Still very grand and adheres to a lot of tradition as far as the use of colours (red and gold for the president, blue for lesser important people like the VP). The room where the big conference was held at the end of the Vietnam war is in original condition and still gets used on rare occasion. Its very grand and has a great big gold statue of "Uncle Ho" on the stage.
The last president to use the building actively was there during the Vietnam war and there's a lot of remnants from that - underground war rooms, a residence including private cinema and bar / games room, a roman catholic prayer room, a bomb shelter and many underground tunnels, oh yes and theres still a helicopter parked on the 4th floor in case he needed a speedy exit.
Next up was a look around District 1 which is the central part of Saigon. Lots of very french inspired architecture there, including a Cathedral and Post office. We also saw some hotels that originated pre 1870's and were often used as meeting places during the war ie the Rex Hotel. The Caravelle Hotel housed all the reporters that were there covering the Vietnam war as it happened.
Next was the almost mandatory stop at a local handicraft factory. This one made those beautiful laquered items - bowls, plates, pictures etc. It was kind of interesting though as the skill it takes to make those things is amazing. Lots of inlaid mother of pearl and even egg shells. Lunch was at a little restaurant where once again we were treated to a sampling of Vietnamese delights. We've fallen in love with their soups - really going to miss them.
Early afternoon saw us stop at a beautiful old Pagoda where the worshipers release fish and turtles to pray for longevity and happiness. Kinda nice unless you're one of the tiny fish being released, as I think they end up as food for the ever growing turtles and the giant fish in the pond lurking in the shadows.
The Pagoda was quite similar to others we've seen, so Ive included below a shot that Tony took which captures the incense filled atmosphere inside these ancient houses of worship.
Second to last stop was the War Remnants Museum. A fascinating place filled with memorabilia from the Vietnam War including bombs, weapons, helicopters, beach landing boats, and examples of conditions inside the POW camps managed by Uncle Sam. There was certainly a very anti American feel about the place, particularly in the photography on all the walls. I am determined to read up and learn more about what went on here as some of it is pretty disturbing to see.
Last stop for the day before we collapsed back at the hotel due to dehydration and heat exhaustion, was the Ben Thanh Markets.
This place was crazy crazy - a huge mass of market stalls mostly selling clothes and souvenirs. We all bought the mandatory souvenir Tshirts for ultra low prices of course. Although we are well seasoned marketeers, this one seemed a little different. The sales ladies were ultra pushy and not afraid to try to separate you from the others, much like a lion tries to separate their prey from a herd before they go in for the kill - much more vulnerable that way. Dad even thought one of the girls was trying to feel him up - quite clearly he was hallucinating due to dehydration...haha. On the way back to the hotel we couldn't resist teasing the parents who we thought had overpaid for their things. Later I learned that our tour guide Duan told them not to worry about it because they probably got the better quality goods. What a nice thing to say to try to reassure them!
