Memories of Ho Chi Minh City

This picture of a smiling female singer at a Mekong island seems to welcome you to Uncle Ho's city. There are many more of them at Ben Thanh Market and Binh Tay Market....


The tour guide told us that the number of motor-cycles are millions, much more than the population of the city. The one-day tours offered by most of the travel agencies are simple guided tours to the city's landmarks, the Cuchi tunnels, the Caodai Temple and the Mekong River. I like the Mekong River cruise most because it is a going-back in time to the days of bullock-cart and we could sit on one to cross one island to another....The lunch can be found wanting if it is a budget tour. You will be surprised that in the US$9 one-day city tour, you are offered a plate of `nasi-lemak' with plain rice, two pieces of omelette and two slices of cucumber..... no wonder there are many complaints....

Hotel Tan Hai Long

Location: 14-16 Le lai, few steps from Ben Thanh Market

This hotel is located a few steps from Ben Thanh market which closes before midnight and therefore there is no interruption from the hustle and bustle of business. One thing we admired as we step into the hotel lobby is the cleanliness and `at-home- atmosphere. The front desk was manned or rather women-manned with English speaking receptionists who were most helpful, especially writing out directions to places of interest for the taxi drivers.

The buffet breakfast at the Square Restaurant, located at the 10th storey, was quite good in that they have varieties which included porridge, cereals, bread and of course coffee and tea. If we sit near the window, we can also enjoy the view below as we take our time to eat.

The twin-room without windows is comfortable and noiseless. Everything work out fine.

Location wise, it is walking distance to Rex Hotel, Opera House, Caravelle Hotel etc.

Zhuhai - a nice place to be

In Zhuhai, we loved to take our lunch/dinner at Mao's Family Restaurant which has branches all over China. The dishes in generous portions were still kitchen-hot when served and we marvelled at the tea attendant in ancient costume, standing in a special stance and dispensing hot tea from a teapot with long sprout.......I have to find a photo to show you! hahaha. Then as I mentioned somewhere, Ocean Spring Resort is a must-see in Zhuhai. The spa is good. The free flow of fruits is good and the show at the adjacent theatre beats all. I manage to get a glimpse of the beautiful dancers....see the top picture....Of course, don't forget to walk across to Macau and savour the sights of The Venetian with the make-believe world of Venice's gondola-singers and all.

Jiuzhaigou

A taste of Eastern Paradise - JZG Nature Reserve
"To miss coming to Jiuzhaigou is a lifetime of regret... to come is also a lifetime's regret." Why?

I still think Autumn is the best time to savour the beauty of JZG, but the timing must be right and largely depend on Nature's moods. It is now 11 Oct 05, but not all the leaves are red, no, not even completely yellow. But then again, the myriad colours of the leaves - green, yellow and some red- heighten the feelings of joy and wonder... The smell of fresh air, ah..this is Eastern Paradize. Look at the landscape in the photo and imagine that you are standing there, breathing the cool air, hear the stillness of early morn and watch the clouds on the calm fairy lake floating by......

Buyers Beware!

I have visited China no less than 20 times on package tours. Each time, somehow the tour guide will take us for free consultation by white-robed Chinese physicians. Nine out of ten times the physicians will say that we have some kind of illness and recommend medication for total recovery. For that, they will say, the medication has to be taken continuously for six months if not a year. And they will willingly `despatch' the medication when we run out. I would not say that the medication are not efficacious but I would say that they are not that cheap and we should be very sure before we buy them. Even if we are forewarned, we may still end up buying the medication. Let me relate an incident. We were in Zhuhai on free and easy. We booked a `bread' mini-bus for a whole day tour and the driver was good. On his request, we agreed to go with him to a medicine shop but agreed among ourselves to be wary and not to buy any medicine from the shop. But after the visit, we found that one of my friends bought about S$400 worth of Chinese herbs for his ulcers!

At Chengdu and other places, there could be offers of free `foot reflexology'.When we are enjoying the reflexolodgy, the men in white robes, the `doctors' will appear and take our pulse. They will persuade us to buy medication for our newly diagnosed illness! Or if your wife is with you, they will `play' on your feelings.

`Sir' your wife have this and this sickness and this herbs will cure her.

`Madam' your hubby is suffering from....., look at his eyes, his face, his hands, take this medication otherwise he will not be well again......Buyers beware!