So there comes a time when you feel a strong need to make a major change in your life. Some people get married. Others find a new career. For me, traveling has always been a joy in my life. I've been fortunate enough to travel across the world and learn from my experiences. One thing I have never done is live abroad. Well I'm about to change that. I gave my 2 week notice this week.
There's been many countries that I've been to where I didn't feel I spent enough time to really understand the people, culture, and language. China has been one of those countries. I visited China about 7 years ago during a 2 month backpacking trip through Asia. I spent some time visiting Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. Although I didn't know much about China before I traveled there, I really enjoyed my time there and had an opportunity to discover what a lot of people don't see from abroad.
So here's the big news! I've accepted a job in China and will be departing early March. This is both exciting and scary. I don't know anyone in China. I don't speak Mandarin. I expect to go through some bumps as I adjust to life outside of my comfort zone. At the same time, I'm looking forward to meeting new people, discovering new experiences, and learning a new language. I haven't updated this blog over the last few years even though I have traveled through 34 countries over that span. I intend to keep this blog a little more updated as I learn from my experiences and hope to give advice to those thinking of moving to China. Specifically, I will be based in Chongqing but will write about my job, travels, and interactions as I move forward. My intentions are to stay abroad for some time and possibly move onto other Asian countries after my assignment in China is over. Eventually I would like to make my way to Eastern Europe but that will remain to be seen. In the mean time, thanks for visiting my blog and I will keep you posted as my new adventure moves along!
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Monday, January 19, 2015
Cusco - The Heartland of South America
Most people would describe Cusco as the gateway to Machu Pichuu. It would be unfair to see it in this way only. Cusco itself has a lot of history behind it. From the time of the Inca to the invasion by the Spanish, Cusco continues to be one of the greatest Latin American cities one could ever enjoy.
Today, Cusco has a population of approximately 400,000. It's a thriving city that blends the old traditions along with a more modern way of living. La Plaza De Armas is the old town center that has been the meeting point for commerce, political, and religious ideology for centuries. Residents of Cusco take pride in their city as you'll rarely see any trash on the streets.
What to do
There are plenty of hotels, hostels, and restaurants available throughout the city. If traveling on a budget, hostels are reasonably priced and are typically located within walking distance to La Plaza De Armas. You will find numerous dining options including Andes, Italian, and Chinese food to name a few.
If you haven't booked a trek by this point, it would be a good idea to visit the town center and talk to a few tour agencies. They typically offer the same services for around the same price. There are plenty of free walking tours that only ask for tips or you can self guide by getting map from your hotel. There are tours available as well that will take you to the Sacred Valley and to cities close to Cusco. Most of these are all day tours so plan accordingly.
Mercado de San Pedro is a large indoor swap meet of sorts. Here you can find just about any souvenir at reasonable prices. This is also a place that locals shop for meats, veggies and grains, flowers, and household items. Don't be surprised to see pig heads, frog legs, and live grubs in the meat section. There is also a large food court where you can try local treats such as ceviche, fried chicken, cuy and chiche morado.
Money
Many places will take US dollars for payment. There are also plenty of ATMs around to take cash out. If you do pay with USD, make sure to have bills that are not worn out or torn as many vendors may decide to not accept them.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Machu Pichuu What to pack, what to rent
I made it to Cuzco yesterday afternoon flying in with LAN Airlines. I didn't have any issues with the flight. They were on time and flight service was pretty good. In this post, I'll discuss what you should plan for ahead of time and what you can hold off until you arrive.
Which Trek to Choose
There are a few trails to choose from when planning your trip. There is the traditional Inca Trail hike that is typically 3 days/2 nights. This trek will follow the old Inca trails. You will run into old ruins and get some fantastic views of the terrain. This is the most popular trek and usually sells out months in advance.
The Salkantay Trail is probably the second most popular trail. This one is typically 5 days/4 nights. I chose to do this one because I heard the views are even better than the Inca Trail. But to be honest, it's half the cost of the Inca Trail and you can book it as early as one week before your arrival.
Packing
If you plan to travel for 2 weeks or less, get yourself a 50L backpack. Most airlines will allow you to use it as carry-on luggage and therefore prevent the need to check in a bag. I purchased a Kelty Redwing 50 from REI. The prices for this pack range from $90 to $125. I got lucky and got it for $90 during an REI sale. I won't get into details on the pack but you can go to YouTube and find plenty of positive reviews. Below is a list of must brings for your trek.
Buy/bring for the trip
Hiking socks (3 or 4 pairs, depending on how long your hike is)
Medical kit
Hiking boots (you can rent them in Cusco but would you really?)
Water bladder (recommend 3L capacity)
Camera
Dry fit underwear
Dry fit hiking shirts and light jackets
Hiking pants (one should do)
Gloves
Luggage cube (to help organize your pack)
Rent if you don't own already
Waterproof hiking jacket
Hiking poles
Head lamp
Sleeping bag
Buy when you arrive in Cusco
Toilet paper
Sunblock
Insect repellent
Snacks
Water (for first day)
Diamox (for altitude sickness)
In addition to the items listed above, you'll also need to make room for your toiletries, electronics, and any souvenirs you plan to bring back. I also suggest bringing a towel and a bathing suit to jump into the hot springs if your trek includes it.
Choosing a tour company
The best way to book is by looking up reviews. TripAdvisor would be a great place to start. There are plenty of tour company sites you can visit online. Be sure to pay attention to what's included in the Tour. We chose to work with Salkantay Trekking as they specialize on the Salkantay trail. I will follow up with a review later. All companies will ask for a deposit in advance. This trek is approximately $400 but can vary depending on the time of year you go.
We'll that's it for now. I'm about to start the trek this morning so I'll be off the grid for the next few days. I'll promise to catch up on Cusco for my next blog.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
I Quit Part 2
So it's been a few years since my last post. I haven't really done a lot of traveling internationally other than the occasional trip to Baja and a one week trip to Taiwan August of last year. Well its Déjà vu time. From what you can tell from the title of the post, yes I'm quitting my current job and traveling right after, again. However, this time I have a new job waiting for me when I get back. The funny thing is I had this vacation planned months ago...just wasn't planning on switching companies. The timing is just a coincidence. Anyhow, the destination this time is South America, specifically Peru and Chile.
Peru is not new to me. I did a quick visit to Cuzco spring of 2009 in route to an international residential in South America sponsored by my grad school. I took some time off from work early and since I was heading down south anyway, it made sense to spend a few days in Peru. I spent about 4 days exploring the city and nearby areas. I also visited Machu Picchu in one day by taking the train roundtrip. I have to say Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing places I've ever been in my life and since my visit, I knew I would return some day. I just didn't think it would be this quickly.
After returning to Asia, I began dating my current girlfriend soon after. We've done quite a few road trips during our time together and did our first major trip to Taiwan to visit her family. I've also taken her on short trips into Mexico which she has enjoyed. She's well traveled herself including a stint living in Germany but has never set foot in South America. It was actually her idea to do this as a summer trip. She's an avid hiker and has dreamed of hiking to Machu Picchu. I've never really taken up hiking and remembering from the last time I was in Cuzco, having iron lungs is a must if you plan to be active. My preference would have been to head over to a more relaxing destination such as Cancun or Havana. She is not the type that vegges out on vacation as it turns out. So it came down to this. Go on vacation to somewhere designed to be relaxing but only one of us relaxes or go on vacation to somewhere designed to be active and both of us are active. So there you have it. Peru and Chile it is.
I'll continue documenting my prep work and travels to South America over the next couple of weeks as I depart on Friday. Unlike my Asia trip from a few years ago, this is a short trip concentrated on a 5 day hike to Machu Picchu and exploring the Atacama desert of Chile. I expect a lot of challenges, excitement, and sense of achievement. I'll do my best to describe my experiences with different hotels, tour companies, equipment, and anything of importance that can be valuable to anyone traveling to these countries. Stay tuned!
Peru is not new to me. I did a quick visit to Cuzco spring of 2009 in route to an international residential in South America sponsored by my grad school. I took some time off from work early and since I was heading down south anyway, it made sense to spend a few days in Peru. I spent about 4 days exploring the city and nearby areas. I also visited Machu Picchu in one day by taking the train roundtrip. I have to say Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing places I've ever been in my life and since my visit, I knew I would return some day. I just didn't think it would be this quickly.
After returning to Asia, I began dating my current girlfriend soon after. We've done quite a few road trips during our time together and did our first major trip to Taiwan to visit her family. I've also taken her on short trips into Mexico which she has enjoyed. She's well traveled herself including a stint living in Germany but has never set foot in South America. It was actually her idea to do this as a summer trip. She's an avid hiker and has dreamed of hiking to Machu Picchu. I've never really taken up hiking and remembering from the last time I was in Cuzco, having iron lungs is a must if you plan to be active. My preference would have been to head over to a more relaxing destination such as Cancun or Havana. She is not the type that vegges out on vacation as it turns out. So it came down to this. Go on vacation to somewhere designed to be relaxing but only one of us relaxes or go on vacation to somewhere designed to be active and both of us are active. So there you have it. Peru and Chile it is.
I'll continue documenting my prep work and travels to South America over the next couple of weeks as I depart on Friday. Unlike my Asia trip from a few years ago, this is a short trip concentrated on a 5 day hike to Machu Picchu and exploring the Atacama desert of Chile. I expect a lot of challenges, excitement, and sense of achievement. I'll do my best to describe my experiences with different hotels, tour companies, equipment, and anything of importance that can be valuable to anyone traveling to these countries. Stay tuned!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Finally...Blogging Access Once Again!!!
I'm now in Beijing...I didn't know but blogging of any sort is not allowed in China. Well that's not stopping me. I guess you can say I'm breaking the law by blogging now. I left off with Hong Kong. HK is definitely different from any asian city I've been to so far. It's like the Manhattan of the east. Everyone actually follows the traffic rules. I got so used to walking into traffic that it took me a while to realize I needed to follow the signs and actually wait for a green light before crossing the street. I reunited with my friend Minh and did a little bit of exploring with him. I also met up with my friend Gigi. She took us out for the best hot pot I've had in my life! It was so good I know any hot pot I have back home will not even come close. I also got to see the big Buddha which in my opinion is highly commercialized. Christmas music in the background while visiting this site kinda kills the meaning of Buddhism.
HK is a must when visiting China. It's basically a different country. They have their own language, currency, and culture. If I were to move to asia, this would be a city I would most likely move to. The opportunities here are endless.
I'm just excited to know I have access to the world once again haha. I will post again from Beijing as soon as I can get some clearer thoughts. It's late here and this post is probably not as exciting as the rest.
HK is a must when visiting China. It's basically a different country. They have their own language, currency, and culture. If I were to move to asia, this would be a city I would most likely move to. The opportunities here are endless.
I'm just excited to know I have access to the world once again haha. I will post again from Beijing as soon as I can get some clearer thoughts. It's late here and this post is probably not as exciting as the rest.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Halong Bay
I've been meaning to do a better job at updating my posts but for some reason or another, I just haven't had the time or access. I'm in Bangkok airport at the moment waiting for my flight to Hong Kong. I decided to meet up with some of my Contiki travelmates and a couple of local friends for one last hurrah in Bangkok. It was filled with 2 nights of food, fun, and fantastic memories. I'll miss hanging with you guys!!!
Now back to Nha Trang. After my visit in Saigon, I took an overnight train to hit Nha Trang. Let's just say that was an interesting experience. English is not really spoken at the train station and I was directed to my car using my ticket as a reference and lots of finger pointing. After a few moments of confusion, I found my car and proceed to enter it lugging a 30kg bag (note to self, don't bring so much stuff next time and stop buying souvenirs!) I found my cabin and proceeded to take a peak. It seemed like an older lady was already occupying my bed. A Vietnamese lady spoke to me in broken English and asked if I could switch beds with the older lady since her assigned bed was on the upper bunk in another cabin. I didn't really care where I ended up so I agreed. I lugged by bag once again through a narrow passage way to found my bed. The cabins were set up with four beds each. The other 3 were occupied by a Vietnamese family that did not speak English of course. They smiled at me as I proceeded to climb to my bed. I actually preferred it since it got me closer to the AC located on the ceiling. I got comfortable, pulled out my iPod, and listed to music until I fell asleep...
What can I say about Nha Trang...it's basically a beach city dedicated for tourists. The beaches were ok, the water clearer than most places I've been to and the people for the most part were nice. The bad thing about Nha Trang? Everything else. Although the bars were cool and full of foreigners, as soon as you walk down the streets, you'll get hit up by every single Tom, Dick, and Harry offering you drugs, women, and pretty much anything else. This is especially true if you're walking alone at night. That's the major drawback to Nha Trang and for that reason I don't think I'd return. There are so many much nicer places in Vietnam you can visit without the shadyness. I did meet up with my friend Minh and his parents who were visiting Vietnam on a family trip. They started north and worked their way down while I did the opposite. Nha Trang was the mid point for us. We went to Vanpearl Land which is the poor man's version of Disneyland. They offer some attractions and rides as well as an aquarium. It was good to see a familiar face from back home. His parents were quite nice and invited me to go have dinner with them. Although I don't quite remember all the names of the food we had, it probably was the best traditional Vietnamese meal I had while in Vietnam. If you ever come visit Vietnam and your time is limited, Nha Trang is probably a place you can skip but other wise it's ok.
After leaving Nha Trang, I flew to Da Nang which is the closest major city to Hoi An. Hoi An has the be the most pleasant surprise on my trip to Vietnam. I felt like I was transported in time 200 years back. You can almost say it's the Venice of Vietnam. The buildings have withstood the test of time and unbelievably gorgeous to walk through. There are very few cars running around and there are even restrictions on motorcycles around the city. I loved the look of the town especially at night fall. The sights of colorful lanterns, water puppets, and shops made this a magical place. This town is a must for anyone visiting Vietnam. If you like shopping, you can get tailor made clothing at very affordable prices. A guy can get a nice, well made suit for about $150 or less. While in Hoi An, I took a trip out to another town called My Son. They have temples built by the Cham people that are about 1000 years old or so. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed during the Vietnam war but there are still temples in great shape standing. You can walk through the temples and almost feel the vibes of what the area once was. In all, I wish I could have spent another day or two in Hoi An.
The highlight of my Vietnam trip is absolutely Halong Bay. You cannot visit Vietnam without coming here. Most people fly to Hanoi in order and then do a 1, 2, or 3 night stay in Halong Bay. It's one of the most spectacular wonders of the world I've ever set eyes on. They beauty of this place in undescribable. Just imagine an endless amount of islands all carved naturally by the water into perfect works of art. I stayed here one night on a boat but I wish I had done at least 2 if not 3. The tours offer kayaking and cave exploring usually as part of a package. For those staying more than one night, they will also take you hiking on one of the larger islands in Halong Bay.
I'm sorry I didn't expand some more on this post but it looks like I'm running out of time and need to catch my next flight!
Now back to Nha Trang. After my visit in Saigon, I took an overnight train to hit Nha Trang. Let's just say that was an interesting experience. English is not really spoken at the train station and I was directed to my car using my ticket as a reference and lots of finger pointing. After a few moments of confusion, I found my car and proceed to enter it lugging a 30kg bag (note to self, don't bring so much stuff next time and stop buying souvenirs!) I found my cabin and proceeded to take a peak. It seemed like an older lady was already occupying my bed. A Vietnamese lady spoke to me in broken English and asked if I could switch beds with the older lady since her assigned bed was on the upper bunk in another cabin. I didn't really care where I ended up so I agreed. I lugged by bag once again through a narrow passage way to found my bed. The cabins were set up with four beds each. The other 3 were occupied by a Vietnamese family that did not speak English of course. They smiled at me as I proceeded to climb to my bed. I actually preferred it since it got me closer to the AC located on the ceiling. I got comfortable, pulled out my iPod, and listed to music until I fell asleep...
What can I say about Nha Trang...it's basically a beach city dedicated for tourists. The beaches were ok, the water clearer than most places I've been to and the people for the most part were nice. The bad thing about Nha Trang? Everything else. Although the bars were cool and full of foreigners, as soon as you walk down the streets, you'll get hit up by every single Tom, Dick, and Harry offering you drugs, women, and pretty much anything else. This is especially true if you're walking alone at night. That's the major drawback to Nha Trang and for that reason I don't think I'd return. There are so many much nicer places in Vietnam you can visit without the shadyness. I did meet up with my friend Minh and his parents who were visiting Vietnam on a family trip. They started north and worked their way down while I did the opposite. Nha Trang was the mid point for us. We went to Vanpearl Land which is the poor man's version of Disneyland. They offer some attractions and rides as well as an aquarium. It was good to see a familiar face from back home. His parents were quite nice and invited me to go have dinner with them. Although I don't quite remember all the names of the food we had, it probably was the best traditional Vietnamese meal I had while in Vietnam. If you ever come visit Vietnam and your time is limited, Nha Trang is probably a place you can skip but other wise it's ok.
After leaving Nha Trang, I flew to Da Nang which is the closest major city to Hoi An. Hoi An has the be the most pleasant surprise on my trip to Vietnam. I felt like I was transported in time 200 years back. You can almost say it's the Venice of Vietnam. The buildings have withstood the test of time and unbelievably gorgeous to walk through. There are very few cars running around and there are even restrictions on motorcycles around the city. I loved the look of the town especially at night fall. The sights of colorful lanterns, water puppets, and shops made this a magical place. This town is a must for anyone visiting Vietnam. If you like shopping, you can get tailor made clothing at very affordable prices. A guy can get a nice, well made suit for about $150 or less. While in Hoi An, I took a trip out to another town called My Son. They have temples built by the Cham people that are about 1000 years old or so. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed during the Vietnam war but there are still temples in great shape standing. You can walk through the temples and almost feel the vibes of what the area once was. In all, I wish I could have spent another day or two in Hoi An.
The highlight of my Vietnam trip is absolutely Halong Bay. You cannot visit Vietnam without coming here. Most people fly to Hanoi in order and then do a 1, 2, or 3 night stay in Halong Bay. It's one of the most spectacular wonders of the world I've ever set eyes on. They beauty of this place in undescribable. Just imagine an endless amount of islands all carved naturally by the water into perfect works of art. I stayed here one night on a boat but I wish I had done at least 2 if not 3. The tours offer kayaking and cave exploring usually as part of a package. For those staying more than one night, they will also take you hiking on one of the larger islands in Halong Bay.
I'm sorry I didn't expand some more on this post but it looks like I'm running out of time and need to catch my next flight!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saigon aka Hustle and Bustle
It's been a few days since my last post...I really haven't had a chance to get to a computer until now. As I'm typing right now, it's a beautiful sunny day here in Nha Trang. The weather is warm but not too hot and surprisingly, the humidity is not so bad. I don't know if it's because I'm getting used to the weather now or is it because it is getting better.
After the Contiki tour ended and said goodbye to my travel mates, I took a plane out of Siem Reap straight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Three of my travel mates from the tour were also on the same plane coming to HCMC for a few days. Upon our arrival, we shared a taxi to the main backpacking area and we went our separate ways to check into our hotels. We made plans to meet up for dinner later on that night. I ended up in a hostel which I've done many times before during my travels. They offer budget prices for a roof over your head. The one I stayed in was actually not bad. It's an older hostel located in a back alley called Luan Vu. The staff was very friendly and helpful and helped me book my overnight train to Nha Trang. I ended up in a room by myself that had AC, a flat screen tv, wifi, and a bathroom. For $30 for a 2 night stay in the main area of Saigon, I think I got a pretty good deal.
Saigon is nothing like I imagined. For some reason, I pictured a quiet city with not a lot of things to see or do. The minute I got off the plane, Saigon hit me in the face with a bag full of bricks . The definition of hustle and bustle should say "Please see Saigon". I thought Bangkok was a busy city but I couldn't believe how much was going on all at once. From the 7 million motorcycles roaming the streets, to the street vendors trying to sell you everything from sunglasses to dried squid, to the neon lights of all the hotels, bars, and restaurants, Saigon is anything but quiet.
We ended up having Pho for dinner that night. I heard from some of my Vietnamese friends back home that the Pho isn't as good as it is in the states. I figured I try a place and judge for myself. We went to a well known place in Saigon called Pho Quynh. All they served was 3 types of Pho. I ordered the one with everything as I usually do back home. I was hoping it would be at least to similar to the Pho back home. It was tasty but didn't impress me too much. I've been told the Pho in Hanoi is much better so I'm going to have to give that a shot when I get there. Afterwards, a couple of us went out for drinks at a place called Go2 Bar. It is a bar mainly there for tourists. It is located in a busy intersection of Saigon with chairs facing the street to give you a chance to people watch. The prices were reasonable for beers and approximately $2 each for locally brewed Saigon Beer. We ended the night with a stroll through Ben Thanh Market where you can find all sorts of clothes, souvenirs, and late night snacks.
Mekong River Tour
The next morning, my Australian friends and I took a trip down to the Mekong River. The tour only cost $9 for a full day and included lunch. What a deal right? Well by now I should know, you get what you pay for. The trip started with a bathroom break an hour into the ride. We stopped by a small outdoor cafe for about 20 minutes which of course offered us food and drinks for a price. They did however where offering ice cold coconut which I couldn't resist. It was definitely refreshing. We continued onto our destination which took about 3 hours to reach. We hopped onto a boat which crossed the Mekong for about 15 minutes and then onto an island called Unicorn Island where we were give bikes to ride for about a 1/2 hour. That was fun but with the humidity levels being high, I sweated like George Bush trying to read to grade school kids. Afterward, we had our "free" lunch which consisted of a mix of veggies and rice with an option to upgrade your food for a few bucks. We then strolled to some shops to see if there was something we would want to buy. After a short ride on a canoe, we headed back to our boat to recross the Mekong and back to our bus. We probably spent 5 hours getting there and back and maybe 2 hours of actually "touring". If you ever do one of these trips in Saigon, maybe you're better off spending a bit more for a better tour.
Cu Chi Tunnels and War Museum
The next day I spent the morning visiting the Cu Chi tunnels. In case you slept through US history or never studied the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi tunnels were a network of underground tunnels the Vietcong would use to hide and ambush American soldiers during the war. These tunnels are ingenious. They were so well hidden, American forces had a difficult time finding them so they resorted to bombing the shit out of them. Even with continuous bombings, the American side was never fully successful in destroying these tunnels. I ended up entering one of these tunnels and man did I have a hard time crawling through it. Then again, they weren't built to house a 6'2", 200 pound guy.
In the afternoon, I stopped by the War Museum. It tells the story of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. It's a completely different story than what is taught in our history classes from high school and college. Although the museum is biased, it does paint an ugly picture of the atrocities that occurred during the war from the American side. There are a lot of photos on display that make the photos from the Abu Ghraib scandal look G rated. The funny thing about this is that most of these photos were released by the US government but we never saw them back home.
A Night Out
The night life in Saigon separates the men from the boys. Although Vietnam in general has a conservative culture. People really know how to party. I met up with my Australian friends the second night for dinner and drinks as well as my new friend My who was kind enough to join us. We went to a place called Garden BBQ for some outdoor grilling. The food was delicious. It was a mixture of different meats including beef, chicken, squid, and boar that we threw on the grill and ate until our stomachs couldn't take in anymore. My took us to a local Vietnamese spot called Acoustic for some live bands playing mainly American rock music with the occasional Vietnamese song. I road on the back of her bike to the bar which was a fun experience. She mentioned to me she had never had a passenger quite as big as me and had a bit of a struggle with her bike but we made it ok. After that, we ended up at Go2 Bar for the second night in a row for a few more brews and a little dancing as well. I finally gave in at 2:30am and went back to my hostel for some sleep. People were still out at that hour and it wasn't even a Friday or Saturday night. All in all, Saigon now ranks as one of my favorite cities to visit and would be a place I would like to come back to sometime down the road.
After the Contiki tour ended and said goodbye to my travel mates, I took a plane out of Siem Reap straight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Three of my travel mates from the tour were also on the same plane coming to HCMC for a few days. Upon our arrival, we shared a taxi to the main backpacking area and we went our separate ways to check into our hotels. We made plans to meet up for dinner later on that night. I ended up in a hostel which I've done many times before during my travels. They offer budget prices for a roof over your head. The one I stayed in was actually not bad. It's an older hostel located in a back alley called Luan Vu. The staff was very friendly and helpful and helped me book my overnight train to Nha Trang. I ended up in a room by myself that had AC, a flat screen tv, wifi, and a bathroom. For $30 for a 2 night stay in the main area of Saigon, I think I got a pretty good deal.
Saigon is nothing like I imagined. For some reason, I pictured a quiet city with not a lot of things to see or do. The minute I got off the plane, Saigon hit me in the face with a bag full of bricks . The definition of hustle and bustle should say "Please see Saigon". I thought Bangkok was a busy city but I couldn't believe how much was going on all at once. From the 7 million motorcycles roaming the streets, to the street vendors trying to sell you everything from sunglasses to dried squid, to the neon lights of all the hotels, bars, and restaurants, Saigon is anything but quiet.
We ended up having Pho for dinner that night. I heard from some of my Vietnamese friends back home that the Pho isn't as good as it is in the states. I figured I try a place and judge for myself. We went to a well known place in Saigon called Pho Quynh. All they served was 3 types of Pho. I ordered the one with everything as I usually do back home. I was hoping it would be at least to similar to the Pho back home. It was tasty but didn't impress me too much. I've been told the Pho in Hanoi is much better so I'm going to have to give that a shot when I get there. Afterwards, a couple of us went out for drinks at a place called Go2 Bar. It is a bar mainly there for tourists. It is located in a busy intersection of Saigon with chairs facing the street to give you a chance to people watch. The prices were reasonable for beers and approximately $2 each for locally brewed Saigon Beer. We ended the night with a stroll through Ben Thanh Market where you can find all sorts of clothes, souvenirs, and late night snacks.
Mekong River Tour
The next morning, my Australian friends and I took a trip down to the Mekong River. The tour only cost $9 for a full day and included lunch. What a deal right? Well by now I should know, you get what you pay for. The trip started with a bathroom break an hour into the ride. We stopped by a small outdoor cafe for about 20 minutes which of course offered us food and drinks for a price. They did however where offering ice cold coconut which I couldn't resist. It was definitely refreshing. We continued onto our destination which took about 3 hours to reach. We hopped onto a boat which crossed the Mekong for about 15 minutes and then onto an island called Unicorn Island where we were give bikes to ride for about a 1/2 hour. That was fun but with the humidity levels being high, I sweated like George Bush trying to read to grade school kids. Afterward, we had our "free" lunch which consisted of a mix of veggies and rice with an option to upgrade your food for a few bucks. We then strolled to some shops to see if there was something we would want to buy. After a short ride on a canoe, we headed back to our boat to recross the Mekong and back to our bus. We probably spent 5 hours getting there and back and maybe 2 hours of actually "touring". If you ever do one of these trips in Saigon, maybe you're better off spending a bit more for a better tour.
Cu Chi Tunnels and War Museum
The next day I spent the morning visiting the Cu Chi tunnels. In case you slept through US history or never studied the Vietnam War, the Cu Chi tunnels were a network of underground tunnels the Vietcong would use to hide and ambush American soldiers during the war. These tunnels are ingenious. They were so well hidden, American forces had a difficult time finding them so they resorted to bombing the shit out of them. Even with continuous bombings, the American side was never fully successful in destroying these tunnels. I ended up entering one of these tunnels and man did I have a hard time crawling through it. Then again, they weren't built to house a 6'2", 200 pound guy.
In the afternoon, I stopped by the War Museum. It tells the story of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective. It's a completely different story than what is taught in our history classes from high school and college. Although the museum is biased, it does paint an ugly picture of the atrocities that occurred during the war from the American side. There are a lot of photos on display that make the photos from the Abu Ghraib scandal look G rated. The funny thing about this is that most of these photos were released by the US government but we never saw them back home.
A Night Out
The night life in Saigon separates the men from the boys. Although Vietnam in general has a conservative culture. People really know how to party. I met up with my Australian friends the second night for dinner and drinks as well as my new friend My who was kind enough to join us. We went to a place called Garden BBQ for some outdoor grilling. The food was delicious. It was a mixture of different meats including beef, chicken, squid, and boar that we threw on the grill and ate until our stomachs couldn't take in anymore. My took us to a local Vietnamese spot called Acoustic for some live bands playing mainly American rock music with the occasional Vietnamese song. I road on the back of her bike to the bar which was a fun experience. She mentioned to me she had never had a passenger quite as big as me and had a bit of a struggle with her bike but we made it ok. After that, we ended up at Go2 Bar for the second night in a row for a few more brews and a little dancing as well. I finally gave in at 2:30am and went back to my hostel for some sleep. People were still out at that hour and it wasn't even a Friday or Saturday night. All in all, Saigon now ranks as one of my favorite cities to visit and would be a place I would like to come back to sometime down the road.
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