Our time in Hue ended with a trip to the last emperor's tomb with more Buddhas. We are close to being "overly templed."
Saying goodbye to "Mom" as we referred to our guide, we flew to Saigon. After being too hot (in Cambodia), then too cold (in Hanoi), Saigon was "just right," sunny and 75 with a breeze. We met Duc and immediately went on tour. Our first stop was the Museum of War Remains, formerly called he museum of American war crimes and oppression. Pretty much sums up the viewpoint, but it was difficult to recall the Mylai Massacre and the effects of Agent Orange.
That was followed by a walking tour to Saigon's Notre Dame cathedral (a "mini" version of the one in Paris), and the Post Office designed by Eiffel, before his "other" work. We also saw the Presidential Palace and the building from which the last American helicopter left. Finally, we saw the new shopping center, the Intercontinental Hotel (from 1880) and the required Yves St. Laurent and Nike shops on the main boulevard. Very modern city that could be almost anywhere, although with rows and rows of motorcycles, sometimes ten deep.
Today was very special. Our van took us to the orchards of he Mekong Delta. We boarded a big boat and toured a canal. Then we transferred to bikes and pedaled through the trees and plants with our guide pointing out the various tropical fruits. Next we went down a narrow canal in a very small boat (think kayak for four) to an orchard where a farmer provided samples (pre-arranged). Then back to the bikes to a lunch stop in a Vietnamese home, a most sumptuous spread. Julia discussed pigs and fruit with the family. A short bike trip brought us back to the van for a trip home with one final temple, the "Happy Budda," my favorite of the entire vacation.
The orchards were cool and memorable as we biked and rowed along. What a great feature from this tour company! Never thought we would do anything like this.
Tomorrow it is the Viet Cong tunnels at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, near Saigon, then a day or resting and shopping before Julia returns to Thailand (sad). We depart Tuesday evening at midnight and arrive in Chicago 7:30 Wed. morning.
Incredible trip, but it will still be nice to be home.
O.K. So when you return, we need a long get-together with you guys to hear all. What an amazing trip. Thanks for all the sharing which I'm sure is the tip of the iceberg.
ReplyDeleteCan hardly wait to chat.
Judy
No Hue Hue. Sounds like that chariot you were in hit one too many potholes (or unfilled ordinance holes) on the way back from your search for the perfect Vietnamese beer.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your commentary. Reminds me of Ireland. . . ruin, bar, ruin, bar, bar, ruin, ruin. .. I would imagine the war related places you've seen generated mixed feelings. I can't wait to see your pics of the temples, and hope your return journey is uneventful.
TomS
p.s. Just to make you feel comfortable, its snowing right now in Reston.