Arrival day 0:
Well the flight was amazingly comfortable. I had very modest requirements seeing that the tickets were so cheap but was very surprised that it was all so comfortable!! Lots of food, I had to refuse the last meal, and thanks to my headphones it was all very comfortable.
True there was a baby somewhere that spent the whole trip (and I mean the whole trip) yelling and spluttering but thankfully we were not sitting too close to it as I would have wrung its neck if it had been any closer.
When we arrived at the brand new airport (opened only 2 weeks ago) we waited for ages for our bags to arrive on the brand new but empty conveyor belt. I think that behind the scenes there was one little man running backward and forward from the plane to the conveyor belt with 2 bags tied to either end on a bamboo stick.
We finally decided on one taxi driver who seemed a bit more kosher than the rest until he led us to the back blocks to his taxi and then asked to us to wait until he talked to a friend. Anyway the trip to the hotel was interesting to us as we marvelled at the way the whole of Saigon was out on the road on motor bikes or scooters. Miraculously there were no accidents. The traffic flows and crosses effortlessly without the help of traffic lights. Young families are out all all times, Dad driving, weaving, darting and ducking into opening in the traffic, mum unconcerned in the back, playing with the baby, doing up its shoes etc.
The hotel is a sumptuous remenant of the French Colonial period reminiscent of the Negresco . Bathroom is like a palace. TV has all sorts of channels including the usual CNNNNN with real time descriptions of what's happening in Wall Street in a dramatic tone which is more suitable for war reports, terrorist attacks or tsuamis (Hannibal ante portas!!). This morning while waiting for Maureen I watched a report of wildlife carers in Australia!!
Brekkie was on the rooftop overlooking the Saigon river. Maureen and I watched the ferries move people across the river and marvelled at the busy-ness of it all. The ferries took no time to load and get across the river and off-load their load of scooters, cars and people. The air pollution is unbelievable but noone seems to notice except us. Maureen and I gorged ourselves on all types of exotic fruit (yes I couldn't help bolting!!) and bircher musli.
Yes, it all looks just as good as Steph described and tonight it will be the water puppets. Weather is warm and dry and someone above the inversion layer there must be sun that's shining.
8 comments:
Sounds like your really doing things in style and that everything in "comfortable"
Yep.What about the poor people behind the all this????
Its all right for the well heeled.
Take me for example.
Working myself to the bone to make all this possible.
PS Im the bloke at home in Austie working day and night.
Here i am washing,cleaning,making beds,getting breakfast for the five kids,getting them all off to school,going to work,picking the kids up ,dinner etc,etc.
Paying for the little lady to go off on a great grand holiday ( she has not worked for years)
What a guy.no golf or ten pin bowling while she is away.
I get to go the local park.Yep and with the kids.
What do all the others think.?
Geoff, if the little lady hasn't worked in years, she was doing all the washing, cleaning, making beds etc that you are doing now. Without getting paid!
Anyway, now she's broadening her mind. Doesn't that make her more interesting?
What a trip. I you sure it actually you that is doing this or are at the local mall (gin and tonic to hand) copying it out of a travel book. For someone who left school at twelve you are doing all right.
I have has trouble with those two little look a likes. Eduarda and Philetus just will not clean up there rooms. Its Ok though I don’t have to worry about cooking for Philetus She just looks under her bed and fins some week old food.
Little Stepanka is growing up. She has just begun to speak. You miss her first word or should I say words. I have it on tape however the tape ran out, as it was only a one-hour one. Never mind I am sure she will still be speaking when you get home such a sweet little child that she is!!!!!
As for the big one.Kunigonde.He loves that football. He said to say hi but was on his way out to the gym. Its today his boxing class. No gloves I believe. What a guy that Kunigonde is. All that that gym work and weight lifting. We are so blessed. O the little darlings took themselves off to church yesterday. Wasn’t the lovely? In your car and not a driving licence amoungst them. Have not arrived home yet.
PS Don’t forget to ware clean underwear every day.
Note to Geoff.
Hey you no good man, you sleep when little Philetus go out and buy cat. I hit you with handbag when I get back.
Now cat under Philetus's bed along with food. Plenty soon whole cat family there with stupid dog that thinks cat is another dog.
I think I stay here and spend rest of life running internet cafe.
Sorry this little old Vietnames lady stuff is rubbing off on me. Or maybe I'm turning Red Indian.
Little Philetus will have trouble with the cat. Remember those four-legged white things that hang around your legs for food. Maximilanus and Misaki.They will have the cat for breakfast. End of cat and the dogs are happy. Might stop them barking.
Went over to Robyert and Jidril for diner. Had beautiful lamb chops………..the little lam was from a very big paddock and got lots of food before I eat it. Taken direct from its lovely big white mother.
Little Eduarda would like to know where corn flakes come from?
The little dears are taking up a collection and earning as much money as they can. They want me to send it over to you such lovely dear children. They want you to stay away longer. It’s great here at home without you. they say
Wish they would wear cloths around the house. I think Stepanka a bit old to be parading around without cloths on. Don’t you? It’s the neighbours I am concerned about. I thing one of them fell of a ladder the other day while trying to get a better look. He should spend more time at church. I will get the hose ready for next time
Hay listen up my little lady. I have just had a look at our credit card. That is sure some holiday you are having. I have tug out your sleeping bag. I will send it over and you can pick it up at Western Union Office. There must be a park or two and some trees over there. Surely you can sleep out under them. The boys did it in the war. The locals even seeped under the ground. You will be raped up in a nice cosy down sleeping bag.
Thanks I knew you would not mind. After it would be only for 28 more days /nights
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