tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32340517201484144972024-02-19T15:37:04.302+08:00My Vietnam TripThe Adventures of Kate F. in VietnamKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-55682697699740943772010-04-29T20:16:00.004+08:002010-04-29T20:46:04.453+08:00May 8: Back to ManilaBack to Ho Chi Minh City first.<br /><br />At so early in the morning, we could not find a taxi to bring us to the terminal. Then there were motorcycles. At last, I experienced a motorcycle ride in Vietnam! They brought us to the terminal, and in particular to that of a shuttle (sort of the FX here).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TiP4fi6p2fJ71QRPJG081mFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbT3KbRAzXVJorwcfKndz_Rqkp8hTOLdNfnvpq9_bH36jBGs_dMFAx6WTeMuSl4isc1q-WRsaQYCd-lAm4RYN7DUGMEg7yL3DGsbHR0Zd2yhP3tqgE6StrcUdSj2NW06Ni6zWIVKgQRY8/s400/DSC_1036.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Here's Mon where we had our stopover...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Rm0VDT7RXBQO6h_uAj0wnGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm0KnCriGqdzje5k0IT1zCDL0aIB57b81Il7hEQcmE9t8ELMvVFPXKtS-ls3oF3t8MvV64vSbJs4vJTiu-WuZEKuBA3LjXNQvsP66ee-54UYDXkEqLHXn1w98luU5knfyBMEWS69pBak/s400/DSC_1021.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...where we had this rice noodles I love...</span><br /><br />...and where you could find these kinds of fruits and other fresh goods...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NCOe2WHi3Uutp4SaY-fL-mFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoRThV0iSAwtjfx2YanLSIIRPhdB2xreAail8GbTHu5uoIdMbxlciZxtObhQABt0tVGpZ4hvJEnnJXr6TRV39cRepEsHnt5MIaub3QeuR8tcP-wkCL8K6-_9ephS74XhWeE5665bOpco/s288/DSC_1026.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5pG80ZfApaJki8MNNtevUGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw-Tf4pizphFVo3F8_7vM_hUrCaQXeRAsT1aq9r8y59EK-2HD6nP_eNRs7zYz9MO2KXSSkY19reMmIyLyhkdE02DJafPOX8yv5elxnhHETySoeDmKoxJmWx9fX5urU0mBRug1CDi8KLk/s288/DSC_1025.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B0cebKe4RVthYhYYWFiUXWFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8edsxldqEKo_VByJ5OyQp96_Gcajcoq5_vtORugVwuhgTmrNoA5iTAgCyyD5cercDNe0DRLp4nkc8YFsvAXfKSwD0XB4tNOnd8RKrpQxeS0GXRjJdc1apQKmO1ZU0lBpjlPLUOUQHHgA/s288/DSC_1033.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Approaching HCMC and going to the airport (or at least that mall near the airport), you could catch a glimpse of...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N7ZQmUhZQj8NUKmooKDKDGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDI03f8lTRFX5sHT7RWv464zAmJ8yEvDal8dooYwuAjMwmENyyRdVNXv9Vm44S2AxiRF5sTl7JQB1IXakLjN4MeRbBogXL8_JKZEz7XM4wriuSS65Fd30iB39dzGF7P5DhSUVUEW-s4M/s288/DSC_1040.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...Eden Garden...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zOGa6cbRjnxvIIYOwYqA3GFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbHR1b5ytI/AAAAAAAADfc/NafKCpQdsx0/s288/DSC_1042.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...a man on this tri-bike with the nicely landscaped rotonda and a Vaseline billboard as a background...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4z3IPJCJ0AOe2XRQhbXKjGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe8DvMHDFboFYuTAzxmSuqlNA8jLifjQufjyKpc-YaB4ZRN_vTNllmc3Ktj7fHAxtFkRUDVKlTTkFqhR6EmO-XeAQcLC2-2oJbkjptbaqaJ55Ue-bqx-H4DZR92A2wa3NM99u167lpJM/s288/DSC_1051.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...a busy street...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OhKm_EZBEh-VmrdxrvIQXGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPb5YbahvCPfAMkbXXwN2sauX0dzXgzZakhLI0gtPdz5JoyQyIv0oG_ZF5so89EXZxL9CIs0b9M0eGp9ofiwN2RSyb9n_mIHe-uV9SofntwIWznZJ5hCph98iAxunb6lBDti_zMEcX-c/s288/DSC_1053.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...tons of sugarcanes on that pedicab almost look-alike...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J8KLVhz8XM8aOxWpjFfef2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixs9R-omWov1YTL8TDBCrzmZlPgagSPDJvXVFoMB9AbQcYOxPZJn0QsPx8ZU99zps486gX7adFnWL_Aff0DFuJL1jTESJwoPSCt7wATeknRd15wiKqeT-deqiugIZAgDHtz3_fl3_jLJg/s288/DSC_1055.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...a cab on a street with heavy traffic (tel. no. 35.12.12.12)...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Qn5d1Bo-M6KDGj98f5lFq2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7qcs3sLs3-XU83krQX3IC1MBs_NeusXMnwJgV0oMJltEy_AFHid_BVtKq8EZHQhT4ciO2Rnk2yQrrhnoYGo7qUB4xL-9WVln5Mi7yV6Aa9Pm-bwDuZ0F4qHxc3CTrSqsT10E0d-o_BE/s288/DSC_1056.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and another cab (tel. no. 38 111 111).</span><br /><br />We had our lunch at that mall near the airport (Parkson Square)...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ufJs-UZSxNd-lJhmFBXsFWFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbHgzf-nnI/AAAAAAAADf4/HOKnY9sVq34/s400/DSC_1060.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...where you could see the airport...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0bTbcIJV5McU5-jY-1xYvmFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxjKgNuB9uuTmpf9KpyHFzfclKZsaIK6mOafvoqMG0y-8X_vU5fnGX4TNgp5QbL3MyLmfJKYXPh4QuVvX6M6IJwWa7TBTcQg8Ld1oVbEhMay-vUMKNR44p71IwjpP3M4NiTQF4Mc2864/s400/DSC_1067.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and a light flow of traffic...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yJTIBIn1UA_J0vC71czsiGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnPbSTA5GNMSOR7XgH6uuv-I4DikQUpfWK9EcvplEF8QP0acLLAey4kwLDliSasReKhPHj_1JW22be6LgLVeMm1WatuHOTikh9dk7WLsl-bpAm-McxP0Vz3iEpyWIDWE81I6ZbUfsLY0/s400/DSC_1068.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...while enjoying a soup at Coca...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EixZj3NPOh_fKFTp_O8sl2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg88WGsBEnd5Oiz38NzG_kCHi9Ju-f6Lbepjcv0FrThI2VUl9txRNPMmMf9G3aFsFZ0PbkZZdQMbOt8Zd6jUdHQ_DaTz7AUE5I6gODdMzLpOy8tY9_y5O58x_Ad0hU_q5RZe6p0hcAzc/s400/DSC_1075.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and another shake with cute straw...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wU46QZJJmpklPoleIxRfG2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzHsjjzpC-hgzSAys33QcnLmVYMlu5heSTgl1APBFCW3xr2tQRPvh09DVmHHSIg1EbHcK-9xJ-pxRMK8DRJ7AHvXR7XuAn_d1e6mx4YK_HauXD2i7Bjfrxqq3r1Twgv2uvcBn1DaX-Hs/s400/DSC_1080.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...with a rice meal that does not forget vegetable side dishes...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EG2UX7b0DI6ByLfSDagrmGFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbHrqOXyYI/AAAAAAAADgU/qJkdHRQ4yEQ/s400/DSC_1082.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and a seafood meal that does not forget the leaves.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nZVm9Cy0MYWIXqrfW33cn2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenGgXStcxoYReb-rjO59b-husfZXeZn8tcx8Gb2S3_XGSDx9VGvp4uWPSDoFnm5Pb89psiWnBk-aPpbQPMij0Edu-m8aKCac-NzlCYeXvzGwDhTvoKSTb8_82xf62QzNzN0pm95NYKXE/s288/DSC_1063.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">And that's me - tired, happy for being with Mon, but sad that I'd be going back to Manila away from him.</span><br /><br />Before I forget, I bought a little notebook at Parkson Square in my attempt to study while waiting at the airport. Back then, I was about to take an assessment exam after a refresher course in economics and mathematics. Nice try. :)<br /><br />And, more importantly, Parkson Square offers a free shuttle to and from the airport regularly (every hour, I think).<br /><br /><br />At the airport, while waiting for the check in time, Mon got to sit beside this young man, who looked like a Filipino and indeed he was one. Amazingly, Mon had an inkling that he was a Mapuan, and indeed he was. At that time, a fresh graduate and board passer who took up B.S. Chemical Engineering.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wcqehwg7tYLpxmeZ70tYyWFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6pach9qnuzTYJ31ULWK2KNFGg5DMUHDzxigVpHwDlrXcDMTP0amC6rrpQj_3dstjysc6hmZcsv0IqFJMNE8IuIoFD47wAnOBDbGvBmMEpNuZu7yj32Tt87Vh0KYe6jSgGh55c1rGH90/s400/DSC_1086.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This is Michael. I guess where he is now and if he remembers the young (ahem) couple he met in 2009.</span><br /><br />Some aerial shots as the plane took off:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2cF8hlQ3eRCPJ9DGZpYyvmFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazp4t7avFRZil6zgniTlGpSNvpY_YqaaN1gQUWiXZ5VplYQCC6p7670XYv_W0hN1Z4WYE8TEzrVD3MDcdWEGHb5-wAc7iJV70FCsKQYGjjJZyVnPFcwn55tZl4ZqRtXHEfTfJt4crNjo/s400/DSC_1090.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">May 8, 2009 - HCMC or near that city</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NDEdEEgJ55gb_P9D6e_El2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBsNzpzcyAeIfQY-8lwyqIX9cmh4k2RM6qIJ_Pa6Ttr94Eb2wqm5fVqDoA1quVuKyUpDwZKzY5sC7hlE7ACDV5o8-pWj8oJh1u9gax80AR5RLh2Aeh0AkNz_PRjBxKFYDSMgfWnkAvos/s400/DSC_1092.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">May 8, 2009 - I wonder if this is still HCMC</span><br /><br /><br />Above the clouds...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ypziWxOKQF-TUliYURzUDWFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dNpD2A-tu5a7sf0OEeryEkucS6UWsF8di_UCgnueoSlTd2qPAZiILlj8VeAa9RdfdoC5gL33zXeK4I0fFV7iso4UhKRsr0ybO_HGMMlHdUOvagDA-bIAClLN7S-nlYGSqB_rfSlva8k/s400/DSC_1096.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...a peaceful view...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G5klDfP5HrhCFEih6WUYH2FEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-_9GmNKXRNqhHc6DZ4cZp7dkRDGKDEizmz2H4GuSAd81G64ZWM_Xl0oEymCCFOTj2EqSuTwAD6kpQ0RkgChm6_j15IghaUp7FqgqJ_S-k9OarOy0rc1zwqOKe3UGBWJ3DN4BTrYcAcM/s400/DSC_1100.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...with the airplane's wing...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/O3r9Qrs7nV9GR5axQCNjpWFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F1zXUPy_MsER7yPMKNJzg7K70FkLXtubtzmNqUqtNQl12pUmAfYqfZORu_so_U5b-IHN8Z4syteixa0nI7TbFvnUAsFTU7JUB-OG_GJsBhbJAo7BCaKyfWGoIFs2jIh_76gOVyJnbko/s400/DSC_1102.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...an attempt to catch the sunset, but the filter got in the way...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xJ9OktMw3enBJCN75o328mFEBZyKd2kYTb5mNb-vVmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWwB2zv52AksGc_1L4OaNKGX3h2luoUt3zTMzpwYu928o5wK7wtwWkw0ecEswSrQeYaVqlEme7AAVBnAtAs7sjquRXmFExYpsNUZoUVlpRoguTyCgPVHclrLH8eHt7k9hZ1_VfFeny6Q/s400/DSC_1107.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and finally, the sun setting.</span><br /><br />Back to Manila. Back to the Philippines. <br /><br />That Vietnam trip was really a great experience. I bet it would have been better if I had already taken economic history under the dean when I got there - more appreciation of history, the people, landmarks, customs, and the little details. Yet, having taken that course would have meant less money for me to spend on trips such as this. Resource constraint, plus the many other places I wish to visit. Vietnam, meanwhile, remains on my list of the places to visit.<br /><br />Up next, where? :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-73118154965739182042010-04-29T18:46:00.005+08:002010-04-29T20:08:15.424+08:00May 7: Touring (a Bit) Around Can Tho CityOn that second to the last day of my stay in Vietnam, I finally managed to get up early. Before going to work, Mon went with me to that bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u_ljitXVvIOQxX4ABUuIrFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPBM5DrDKT5wgmIQQJXVUshlEGiNu4QN6XPM02QqXLvgMeDIG7tY-BX7KwGUL8ZCgncmpT6G4SXojLypazU0zi4vwAq9znLlGeOQgHBWRkf3yNF7vsXVqSNfl7OWPVm7k-zRhKR0JcSM/s400/DSC_0891.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A very foggy morning</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/srylN0TyFuIaT5yg1onZPlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDBclqpBtrpprQ5NVHLCmM-cvg66W__f77z54PtV1YuWF6JQKbdV8_7kHxoRmSfue3knfWclrsXj15KKtxYzkCm5yyu4fSla2wBjgOJYyHD_aqvJhVjCRagY_O4l1dOLnmBZwZ0jUR_Y/s400/DSC_0899.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">You won't fail to find people on bicycles and motorcycles</span><br /><br />When I was alone again walking around the place, I finally managed to take of photo of the pagoda along Hai Ba Trung.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PqPtQi1wFqJsFGG3pqsdt1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-H_L3cPpSHrjdEGpWKwaC1srAEnioT62mS68r9UTtLqiuN-7pMaQgwMngQuC1uU58KVK63eSSJ6KHEMkhZnt5bjYeyqQNzNFP_b_hKbRCOdnFFGbLjJJJGG9KcJN1n6VyRA2CCYNODk/s400/DSC_0908.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Despite lacking the funds to take a boat ride along the river, I still talked with locals trying to make me avail of their boat services. They were really nice, but I was a bad tourist passing off as someone interested in their services.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mOIgo99Kjaivz46tW9PyolAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPmuEv5HQ80qclFGCs1Q4l7tPOj5zQkoJz6amxKZ7coer-QXSRibG379tKqJXeirgvam1Myy4SU6oyiIRv51o_wnK5QQwi2JwBrilIQHbsWl3ztkR_TJ_xCxIMW2V21WcGxnXBnQrrnw/s400/DSC_0914.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He was one of my victims, who even desperately called what I presumed was his boss, or at least someone who could understand and speak English.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qmehmvxtiQASokXf726kbVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG02eQLBGkcSOeZb09gp8K-GeNdfFMvhqeLY7b4jpeCTSo2Qthdbyk6BOUnbMrz16p8XMaE5o4kZzLEW8gpSRDdIsbNltNEDQll9Eu6riWyCeKZDWjDcEK0Ay7Kolbj7dUGdmDdtvfew/s400/DSC_0927.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I like her! So cheerful, so nice, and so persistent on making me avail of a boat ride. I felt bad for making her hopeful. I tried to send the message that I really won't be spending money on that boat ride. But she was so persistent!</span><br /><br />For lunch, I again went to Mekong restaurant where I had the goat curry, and again met friendly locals who told me about Filipinos (from the Philippine) who would go there to buy beer during Sundays.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_qHW_Eyg_V03MJErvn6rh1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQocDgWf_QDAwRoxWLtT3JmIZu7mQofNkXujRnJWP6pd1TMQMHcY7jGXZL8h-090MX-QEPaAHOfrMlCVvf77XvPSKr0acdrg_N_8EYT9a7YUTufFlDR4jC7yFQxA091rt-4IqPr4bt9o/s400/DSC_0930.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The friendly one</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VeQePjGNe6eOqd6N2FxHpFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ_U2mVXlUjbhVrdpSEPUwpgakajTnNnzOGR6gqdyYz1rxZL4Qu3-31j0t9PivVsMglK0yYDs-8huPcxs1LFCbyarXWLx74WUcOsAJJQMgC0rDE0RHr56LxULPYBVS2ajCaR3HYxtVzY/s400/DSC_0932.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The friendlier one</span><br /><br />Going to the war museum, I met these young kids who were willing (and actually volunteered) to have their pictures taken. What were their names again?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b59IiKFhmC7IoYx6tDh2sVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx45iqynkOgEI8iVQIbvPwR0P2ojVmYWUTyBJSEVu5OJVr3sKVOV_6tzf10KwaDVBI6QKKqNOYk2jNDsFOEjuVQdFZP5CWIwsLYZTbLF-PMnFGZCqPvJIlqmDnBIRIyCuPhtEvv9sIEyg/s400/DSC_0939.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NDPqkbQ6okSJr0MfxWOSGlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t_8TEaYWeOn1bcpu0IVg9FnHdO4_rR_jIlicENgkxts8z71i4TVA4BEOSpimxGpRIkAk9zfSgLvOuKfkYtCVjtkGq1skJRt-FhttvD2DoeWY3Nfhm8yi44MODRgdF0adeJLbGfHaTMc/s400/DSC_0940.JPG" /></a><br /><br />After visiting the museum, I then met this Vietnamese.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ubSNPuxQKOgKOOfknIYuFVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd18eFm4FqPRDFIjBLID-lbGYPqOm_YMvrKPIRDGBf98a0xSXu8CFbhpsIWlt7MgJj9haN0LE5LIFZ9Anlx8pl5FAu7KDvNez3wiHn4azSVp2Qfku5bz-TfFqQCmGD8Nwx7x2tw10g17k/s400/DSC_0992.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">He could speak good English</span><br /><br />Looking back, it was great to have met and talked with them. Because of them, my Vietnam trip became more meaningful. :)<br /><br />Now, more snapshots around the town (or city):<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LibOKPrgu1wSz1oBy4ZmzFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMQnLa61JuQfwspLodaN2rbfS-GgxBNd2AZNkMfR6EEVwhROX1xNnELIleeduckCMWP9F8K4_AYR5PGYrleRfkisRynzhTnUD12uO3gI6J1xvu10-Q4bWAluZRaNQGJBQtZuuvOfLYPw/s400/DSC_0917.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The riverside park</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tLPq1SBAaD0X7qky95gPdlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUcZ3u1dQopfI1r3-1HjNajYpTMwKYJ2APHxr6eiAiJ6_osXWdYuzje__iIqrgNsE7dqPQ4b9jbo6wlgMfwvKXevkPOnXg8liSJnqU-2FmYa0OOp9KAhHvPuvJKem4iB1TOpG3W8wUV0/s400/DSC_0919.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The river</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T0JwdJQsq_AJN7O8HCSbhlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbGSI9__sI/AAAAAAAADdQ/J2dmjvH3RtU/s400/DSC_0928.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The restaurant beside the riverside park</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RNLPjqzf0H5SxuitbO9v11AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ5C7Rx5MHGXWTMXtU2itHkAy8nkFc2_kzLOpFjhG96xg2WkBL1dfbg6R6oKKVdYMYLw9BQALLHIBxoOMC0K6KDPOtXgT8snnpdADiBaZkChONLlwi043XI7vx0fVhsq2PtrFydQWkqM/s400/DSC_0931.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A lady on a bicycle holding a tray on the street viewed from the restaurant beside the riverside park</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/guivTa1LUMzeHNsYstvsF1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbGdG3aDVI/AAAAAAAADdg/1w2EahpQVS4/s400/DSC_0937.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Khi Den Do, where across the street you could find a bookstore with relatively inexpensive books (compared with books sold in the Philippines) but written in Vietnamese so I could not buy them even if I wanted to</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V3g0LrDy6-x80Y46gzibZlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbG7inri0I/AAAAAAAADes/CiGE6ybe_rI/s400/DSC_0993.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Pham Hong Thai and Ly Thuong Kiet, some streets I walked through to go to the restaurant with free wi-fi to have my late snack</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6srCVDyf-5I1VIucDh6eY1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCamTKMhvxbQAxHfZr47cvmjUJyHS5YcsQ-8-WoDRdskTUaz5RerRDmOHzGypbLjo0oCsaot8US-mwAkrtVJPS4nQgFDzX-06Slui-xYcQ7O8Yq4AKx25r_R3g6k7z_lfbC1_rrI6-WGk/s400/DSC_1002.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Again, a cute presentation of a shake...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RmG9EHVESASwu4A8sK2sWFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbG--adHlI/AAAAAAAADe0/MfoyrF1l7YY/s400/DSC_1003.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...to accompany a serving of seafood noodle dish</span><br /><br />And for dinner, KFC, with Mon...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/acaEJbC6oCc7IW-2UUQK9VAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAakCJFWJw6HwIwjRM7Sz0ZLSR1LjIyUYlp53aOSCr6je5-7BKir7sj_B4iPyW4c84MERjrPKACho9b54f8MVp2MBqfL528QY-pwj7_xdO3FIyM6jVMnKGJZJufaHAnl5rVXQwLKIUiY/s400/DSC_1009.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...where their chicken meal comes with sliced tomatoes as side dish...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QdmcSrEMSQYLerJ2Jaffd1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCIomqII5kPT_m1zi35giwYaX6Rh1bO_vlt8eNta0UNuhZDnqDOrK-0pHOpMvqLI4V6ldTOe4TRJYhIyFgf_jF2tSzCiMSdm7BOjJcnSG_IB6Slp38DNB_U1Nhs0W1LG3gCNAV5-fK8o/s400/DSC_1010.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">...and where there is a salad, albeit not a satisfying one.</span><br /><br />:)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-40087183333906135752010-04-29T17:56:00.003+08:002010-04-29T20:07:36.027+08:00May 6-7: The War MuseumAfter visiting Can Tho Museum, I walked further down the road to go to the war museum. Along the way, I passed by this:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jaiym4wKT7_PQwA6frmd_nFRTWojFpH7nKf8n_RIHA8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzU9VXiZTUGFQvgm6LJODa3uD4FCzDgezva2ToiQ4cU0NB6yVmE_84v6KR4fXK1b_NwDtXVCNNoodshywje-3vQS4jRDPowrCYHphvGtiI471RDM5YBTZ3MfuApU-wGkOhFH24DHo9ZU/s400/DSC_0867.JPG" /></a><br />...a shot of Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel against a rare sunny sky as a background.<br /><br />So finally, the war museum, whose "English" name I actually forgot after a year of visiting.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WPneoXKQTdQo18RZJdNOHFRTWojFpH7nKf8n_RIHA8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Mo9eEQj3894cVXvdAwdpZRA4LCHEvvyyW3IA4kQ3cGRlCHTfTq40if0zcEbQVZodAhQTTW_IhyAHn9MuQ7wyDa6rETQgleAKMtuAobKDyySYLkVCiKEsVKQTo8wBIojgRROObQUaZNc/s400/DSC_0871.JPG" /></a><br /><br />What can you see there? Of course, lots of war stuff - guns, ammunitions, sky craft, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KkTHrAXK8tN8wIj5VjmejnFRTWojFpH7nKf8n_RIHA8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WHX1Ix7Jdl5r-XExBGqjkQgvRMFWdZTqQc8ujQb9gWuISm2i4CKxZlBuM-hdV7f1eiI4HeBqz0XGlOtteXvW9Nxe8oF8EoKKd6ASpFFXXaxzeLd2owFoWkZSAtzzYruYLDekyZy-kkY/s400/DSC_0873.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HhRfQaRgv2KPWFq3lmffIHFRTWojFpH7nKf8n_RIHA8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFvo0rS-kI/AAAAAAAADZY/fRCf_vM3lVA/s400/DSC_0879.JPG" /></a><br /><br />But then, I went at a rather untimely hour as they were closing for what I supposed as a lunch break. I was going through the second floor when I heard a very lovely sound of humming. Then I was told I could come back at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Or was it 2:00?<br /><br />Off I went to the nearby cafe by the supermarket to enjoy an icy cold mint tea. The mint tea at that expensive restaurant, which came free by the way, was definitely better. Have I already mentioned that iced tea (the real tea with ice, not the sugary sweet iced tea commonly known) is their water?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yNN43bd4sh44M0ld4D0793FRTWojFpH7nKf8n_RIHA8?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWoiI5AWk_1tGaLCRcFpk2KG8aw7VAGY65qahWW1j-Sb4V5va4JO_u2pK7vtic-2pcK4uPQlgEYb0bVh33K0uWB0ihzGkZx8O14c1iE3coC9aDS2CADghIqGfc_wkY3KnJCilvn6Vg-w/s400/DSC_0888.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">May 7, 2009</span><br /><br />The following day, I went to finish touring around that war museum. Aside from the ammunitions, you can see him:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VK_0DiW1acbHkiAFljVTvVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgbGn06O3mI/AAAAAAAADd8/3eiAtnsGVh0/s400/DSC_0952.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I can't resist posting those other stuff:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gT7zzPp8PbChlCbX_tuVilAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdUIPohOS-bEdLv4-jhfV0sKY9lvywoS-4XA96Ct-SKh8MCV-DqJnL9k0mqDy3Fowv4FTg9aJbaz-b3jGaXcr8sLzVYpUib7BPF6gvZ9FOGcXC9Pa04pUYj1O5Hhw5dqsBYKDpf8MHIA/s144/DSC_0945.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/He9BZEh4OwAahUYsW3oxK1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEtIbFpiRf4lDyTgsHNhza73iwIQcdsf6KWmYNjP4RSaP6dGJbzH3-XgunTKFZly1psoBka9S3us0E5hM3bHnxr2zDphNskj7QL8lMpz7jXbg5F5uDvZghhZSEzeuWHeHILBlfEz0TUY/s144/DSC_0947.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gWDODfS_XGqmqI8N2SAUulAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lym-2LkrU8xVxJC0yQCqFQjkq9bNIU2EgEcnpUfrwuq7z7fUS6BBKv9gAGs3Pwzxt7lIiLp7ym7OCycBKdAcodpwlco_3hCIkOMK5ejhdcwYpyB5G0yu69NP1kLsx6D6iPitve85ZHc/s144/DSC_0958.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g207RQ7fWOfZG94IGqxqg1AJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINjzI1ooOf_EoecZRnuUC7J2om5lhOVHqbjOxwcQ0F0RPJzKvdm5PpI0nNaG_tQA-nb0iCGD96xIr-DlQhAzvN-nrZK4lTwWhXxgSbGm_xtbIN1Zo2lWu-xc6lGANE6lLYGSm1e114cI/s144/DSC_0959.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yj40CRye_Y7WFSlyUWN6EFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6GMn-b4lsMvN3Mvu-nfMLm_cfd5syvbDuUGfrHKFpUOdyGbIWUJlClbst6ZrpUi7mJZTA0H-z_KEY_aVf84zgWW8S2Jntjo-olANyABhD6N5PrgovF_HlN1k3uGCbNVJ0PtmJcZoPOM/s144/DSC_0963.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9HWqTkgyYxTgZ2kEU-ip0FAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizLZZpaMJYt52WCAStZsxzoc1h21C32Ua7LDml9MzQfHSfp38B4IPqTH5J2f56n_xsYRUmKg8F20Nn05U5nTmKi9cS9aOZV_zsTODhXvVxtQa_dHt4PCQmbtJdSoA9KB56J3iUzoInyM/s144/DSC_0968.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TjwKj5GiI0uCZFiOfHR6DFAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh995FfepQSPQdFF9Pk0sirKe3Gcd6XkpQFZy1M1p5UySRR0kqHjBaJ74IJtVHAAaS8FUPB8Qw4uVjduzWAK71DwvgEZMwI6mg2Fmvxf0YNaJrFmi8STqgaX0KhJikyIK6XEWh3TRlBpQ/s144/DSC_0971.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CnczaDolgb6-V3q5_AWTbVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvu7nHte34p9xrrKFUacU8bs64XWqaBv1dAmPbElTREa1hMOCj0eDGItGlPGS4oFevOB4qhiVbJgZq-YkIo28R_lzKC7rtHCX5j7ymKx5JPK2Dg7qhDezQgp_u5lEQTdnmywBUST6Kes/s144/DSC_0948.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RMN2EaQ9Txg5ApP47IbFklAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMJv1CXPoceMzepqLZpgXNsGy2HAS4ZyZ3mvCwMXOM2XieI_kiKGlWVAzNeOjl9rOOfufVreKt0ItJwM5bQbWyYInqoR3rHEITLlJRR02G0q6ssX6-7Hei2MeQXbzzvoXQWr-4k0ER0I/s144/DSC_0964.JPG" /></a> <br /><br />And this photo of lady soldiers:<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yyr151CFfuruZQ227wEKKlAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfJ8ml5LZI5gD2_0GSNR9IRD_jsP2puYtWNX0VxXbjdtwowuDxhTRR-2YCN0aGFT6fRu6ppOnu03ucDVa3fcGQkD5TQm2mHP2L1CrjxwoltJ5sPgCBcIlY4nSJ76lobeubuU2Dpcnfc4/s400/DSC_0965.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And this sort of glass art or wall mural (what do you call these kind of art, anyway?):<br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wdNcN6sMw3-xoYyfGOmy2VAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWrCHOHVntOY832DyCa748AtH0sk34ybAJdmdHkD9KHwXZ1Kjno3-lCT3MFCznmJLpWiowUoXu3NheWqFNpLVC3LEN8HrzjH7GnBO-acVltsPTO8MEPu5mttegrQfuGwJNe_PS71jApg/s400/DSC_0983.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Most of all, I'm proud and fond of this photograph with a friendly Vietnamese who made me feel welcome, taken by another friendly (male) Vietnamese with the lovely voice. Of course, I wish I could remember their names.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kwdYItNKPQdHCd2xPGgyplAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHNnFthSYHM1rtluadVUf0_fCvkW9Td-799pMpQnC_vN9-AWtUJor8AgEnpp-aJY6TC3vaJDoXRedTSYkABIwTVO3FeVaGXCgJ7VCDR-R0bNKFTTrxY_t8EpYVnjvcsjzoZcYWeO7A1Y/s400/DSC_0984.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And so, this was how it looked like then on the afternoon of May 7, 2009...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UkAqgkaZrRyQX19LOxdwYVAJTfi3QHXe7zblntLfqAg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-ZbttfMJBekSLzHrmx087pay20Cdcwe-bwEXKqkGuAUyWpll2xK-Goxvy-M2OP3PI3cY2RkFBi-SGrm6ooRvSOlQCXsd4HDVWZo5CcSPb9IzWmPpPhD8HPLFkpMEHHrLRBJms9zoyDw/s400/DSC_0985.JPG" /></a><br /><br />:)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-4154820302732582602009-12-28T02:20:00.000+08:002009-12-28T02:23:39.302+08:00May 6: Museum Trips - Can Tho Museum<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/75KXTgQDPOfRE2CxwSvlZQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBI7Yc9Cd_adMb8mISN_0LQu664EEl9Eq0dCKzk-cZu-eFUs-vhgNvFx2EDl8QVGOPvVllcQyaf-KYJyRBUbfCmPm3_SRyEMa9wlJOp66_0-B2I6GDlMF_Hhwr3hfk6xNyHAPLdkrP5A/s400/DSC_0782.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Among the rules and regulations of the museum disallows taking of pictures without consent. So when I got there, I asked if I could take pictures. The lady who entertained me could not converse effectively in English (but the smiles meant more), so she asked her boss (the curator? not a fan of museums, actually). So there, tons of pictures inside Can Tho Museum. The museum, by the way, does not charge for entrance fees. I love how they value their culture.<br /><br />Here are some pictures (more at the Picasaweb site).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9kVsVHzv46xlG9coeWtNeg?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFuuKKSiAI/AAAAAAAADU0/DrpU9sKsTyw/s400/DSC_0789.JPG" /></a><br />This thing (whatever you call it) actually gave me some creep since they were life-size.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dIxpgXFupRtENT25UzrOdQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1hhqKzUfvT1qy1r13RlGRXU0HuuAjd78ktKNlFQdBR5mryFvqCwuZqxTZq4oqnqIYcOJbM1zYT1yqcH672iw7O-nvnnWA92AOzyrjj38yfXehBBnRsMo7LiG-zeW3GbMP_ytvFkmiXE/s400/DSC_0793.JPG" /></a><br />While this thing reminded me of Ninoy Aquino.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o1xzPWDC-lpd2us2Z6_SUg?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1l4Q81CWXi62qGFFRNz_FY8RqLp3aOHR4F0rjJyqcdQE9kWHaG3S378vWRea5OYLqiqoNUSg30HOMpm_uhBQcx4uNy29F5JwpqIepYH8BG0j-1v3KyU2Ubh2ooW-EZglzOLVDRA17ao/s400/DSC_0799.JPG" /></a><br />I loved seeing old weapons. Cool. Thrilling.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HE1EZIRFjD6n0Zaie_td8Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl3NowM3FND95TeVyFnjOnzRwAVQTJYdnYI4Lz9EttNJxnJ78R3gAJ2IfvQABK03jJ3nuHpcB868L3WUTEwOjUmKF_QBTztUSGcdor0d-mJU1quOyRzcH4eNsov00_zCxlat9E621r3k/s400/DSC_0801.JPG" /></a><br />And especially this old camera.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2kWsEs5XKm9R6Pk9BKuijQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTJMkyX2-cG72eGRnwlmj02xwW0TtLYlVV1tLTP55HnYkxN2cziOfJv1flIGQNCEiFZT9WAz4SgiTzAS3OWlK34FiFj3Qu01qJxAcJOCjKNrwy22emSk4JSYZJw0RFm6POVR7jlLqTyU/s400/DSC_0814.JPG" /></a><br />I do not know what was written there to describe this piece... I simply found it interesting.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ODhr9Qzbrg4rfYv6qKP6sg?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38QmyoDy_eXemYKRCmgqT90WA_bsOltOluspKY_a2anr23qZO7U8SxhlXC13dUknwWitHc8JyQUPVfHWBtEeicKbhUH5jLmEd6dIjnoqK5xHoPxtRNsfb6WJY41VhYztU4FdFMHny-9Q/s400/DSC_0817.JPG" /></a><br />Mural. I could really feel their pride in their history. I wish I could say the same thing about my country.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T1VPI2OLrwdMbfc1zcxXHA?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysOl-diMryHk__Ln3T9vd8vSm2XqNGL7dY-QNMybwiTycPW1DMJHTluDi-mNGWbB5UjJy7Q9Liv3E4aNOf3EgJ8uYanNlPBFKiN-gsOO0MFY-QVarlIVWU0Mx-C24wSsBQV8E3t5TEdU/s400/DSC_0822.JPG" /></a><br />I was really thrilled seeing those guns. Haha!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3uviH1qban5Ogwa5UT8Yog?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC5lQ4JunzkbOOFy69Wy0-BLdWSG3ZKmOCN5aIv6tP8Oy80z3E7b01mSiszJm1VUEr1naELhA1-fX5tLVCXL4JrxO-S1OBDqEoMlrn4jSURbnojwRDDwIpcu9vCEq5Y2AshxQ2EXWZkw/s144/DSC_0825.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-uA2sNLneASbzNBQjzp2tQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFvd3XtBnI/AAAAAAAADYY/cax4ymuHT_o/s144/DSC_0828.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dKrrms7ofkab-H8Yhg_-Rg?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sSm_vbUnKUup9P0v6_lI0zdT6zC_llD-bYHOHU6xciz9-k9SPIk-Wk-xXsdRvi-QUFkjXVMC8VffTlfMwrWo3mdx-dXcmtJKuaERs1R_6HPoynYFag9MgTKKNuh8PTmxMb8KonVPdT0/s400/DSC_0836.JPG" /></a><br />Coming to more recent history, they featured photographs about their development.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tfPc9mUteyt8UFTaRqK1fA?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OopBSxSoLlgjzLeGDM1KJ_x_SpAiFu51smoCEBUPWnjnGrUZ4XdjjzdCs3pyE68hpotM-RZ0aI1XjwbVNB3R3B44nbyhl8dWHhb8lvojw7_KirUgcPqzgDjqXQkZDyAyjEX8rZrKgS8/s400/DSC_0838.JPG" /></a><br />Can Tho Bridge, still under construction, was also featured.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tvCtL2HfaludqJMl_q5h9A?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LNOTgevFONUzPL5gfZENI4xbUWwq2jkXfT_H-jE3od0lDNmqKLLjsswR5PA89csXfDarD-hWLbm4A2NOcis_kNfO_KRpFczRD7UvNEt6l77k1OYg47frEfOcFT6ICF2VwGDCJ2tNUvk/s400/DSC_0841.JPG" /></a><br />A celebration (what was it again?)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pMEq3oQgux5lJsMkt7wh4Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEIFDfdPU2jrkOpeTO19zkvb9o-9qPjIFza4FW9TYDR_ORElskmVgM-r2KSbtaNVRcEE77zy3Dl25bNlZRTJw1RccFlMqaCM1VqmoI8osInj8-rGB1mf-WZSelnxVMGykFgDiKkUq1Jc/s400/DSC_0845.JPG" /></a><br />A boat. I missed the chance to go to their river market (lack of budget, no companion, afraid for camera to get soaked in the raging water).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UreW-jRm6PJUcrmdqAav_g?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7fPMDXz_dqiBPzBbP0_e-SKd6bcLyKRtGEb4tAwPr068bnL_8vIF1R_craW1XnqrWpnplGpUrLxP2JvGXYythVcDWIF0-JVQqvGFym8uZYSKUmCLLnhxqCBY1XLkkbOP8BqIy_6pMHM/s400/DSC_0851.JPG" /></a><br />Inside the "pagoda" inside the museum.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R3zXKuhfSPtS78CaVMqqrg?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfyG4MVSqEfmBZlzpHcO2Njb2UE4GrwHAwcijjxpUoci48gA2FN6CagY_UiKvHRrLgO-GKfqJsmmKL3oIYRHy2jF1KIgEwyhAAlhtnnZnNLR_j6rwfM7GqXPPIEuhklW2wcYZg5bTIQw/s400/DSC_0856.JPG" /></a><br />Ao Dai<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0Fq4mgEunVWgEML56HDRaw?authkey=Gv1sRgCIGhzYTEnJ2gTw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzelA0iuLEw1rsC0I2Rm-D2H2VB-9fHgULkx8ECUyRbLSBLz2ipcJIK6z8u-yYdDRKxWZ50eg9TaaoLJ0PwROgX7ky_GS9rOxO6f0aNWr96mUKK5oWIuc58wAYCEVj1yCZBpFcxmLM0w/s400/DSC_0862.JPG" /></a><br />This was bronze. They also had other sort of bronze things, even a book.<br /><br />More on next posts. :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-63770465119066141392009-05-17T15:32:00.003+08:002009-05-17T15:54:54.248+08:00May 5: The Most Expensive Dinner Yet<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rqXZYJafltEhgYpjFJyjog?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAEzierbWaB6GzrAp8nQKC3I9y4yki6RT-7rCWhFoS-3YZ4VBYLh5OFeywen95KaBoChycV3L4ho_eHs-xH1RH3HhWGtnUvBW54qqa9JvQ3AZ7VUgHW8V21JDF4XAP1tXlnoxi1_FYf8/s400/DSC_0730.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Dinner date with Mon at Golf Can Tho Hotel. It's one of the expensive hotels in Ninh Kieu, near the park and riverside. Restaurant (where we ate) was an open area at the 8th floor of the hotel overlooking the river.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E39nwAL1w-piN24NLs3N1A?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XTy15IqPmye2-ClMIBymojO3RYGFBXgiwmB3ogkSoO4iPMHvMbHG6bfQ1SEOljcWnZH3c0-rDkWgrgmKdhlF6789Kd_bOmREdVK4t4OgFKSZ7gfjKTvKwD1tK1JtnV_xWHnnuTLMNNk/s400/DSC_0740.JPG" /></a><br /><br />When we got in the lobby, there were a Caucasian couple who said "merci" when we left the elevator open as we waited for them to get in. Still no Americans in sight.<br /><br />We ordered spring rolls, fried rice, and a fried crab with some weird seasoning. Mon had Tiger beer while I had pear juice (tasted like pear, really.)<br /><br />It was supposedly a relatively inexpensive dinner so Mon was surprised to see the bill amounting to 554.400 dong. That was roughly PHP 1,500. Apparently, the crab was priced per 100 grams (VND 62.000, times 5, and that was a whopping 310.000 dong or 56% of our total bill). He did not notice it, and we actually thought it wasn't the whole crab that was going to be fried (hence a believable price).<br /><br />I was out of cash, bringing only a little more than 300.000 dong. He didn't bring enough cash as well since the dinner was supposedly my treat. I brought one credit card (which wasn't really mine but a supplement of my dad's) and he had two cards that weren't yet used in Vietnam (and which he did not really intend to use).<br /><br />He did not have a choice (even if I volunteered to use my card). His Visa card was first swiped in Vietnam at the Golf Can Tho Hotel.<br /><br />Good thing he finished off the crab. I even did not like it. The oil was a bit too strong for me ("oily" was not even the word, just that I could taste the oil).<br /><br />As a remembrance of that expensive dinner, here's our pic (highlighting how Mon got dark in Vietnam.)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I1pK-nmfevUC-3hx5eQBZw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAImOTWtTU3KZAXpZkgZnxuu95RuUsVUhNbBCJgpJfgRTXx3TbROywhZlAwp1Wbo3Ns7j51-8-EshKHFM66ocNYJcC_xpt1IZI4nZQ1cTr-lkPFbaXWmFkg92B4J9IzzrhEKBOD2CzNmo/s400/DSC_0761.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And snapshots:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q66HfMHT1O8dchAYbj5DOA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QBx7yK3Z8Baqc537-Xtfm49T3DTGcp3UqYxGQd9UbqYKyJq9jDUfFarzGnD9A0WFPwFY17yp1ms9GYGa167Nwb8iSaCYcPcEw-hXVcgRl6s6ynbppVDBqZccD7Sz96RSnJ705691pgA/s288/DSC_0763.JPG" /></a><br />The pool<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DTK2Hy1mgBHG5NM88iIaXw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXbrp0lh8Gr5PadQIopbysTfncYGnK8H4AvmSiftbY60ZYALWnWhimzwQeJ-tkLLPcyPMg8cX-54TRiIFoIpAHiw1A8PAtbW8NUjOIrZZzaFHpCjwCGGnbag5-jCuI6pQF6jVR43U1Bg/s288/DSC_0750.JPG" /></a><br />Waiting for the <span style="font-style: italic;">expensive</span> order<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_8Jr28T22oEpbmQsmXnpYw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q_-rH4wNQUjajS-Fe1lZI8Dt19i8VWMzkfwHVQg5MsfOZsYr6N6uOnLBaN86jPuQ6OgD5Cy5Cn4FmSRv786qcSN5GBUUgFMRoNmkj1e44iRud8O59PxBOGdLkDV-hkJPT7zP7yjzDfo/s288/DSC_0772.JPG" /></a><br />Elevator shot<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-DLJSaKSzMfYOOkcnVRYjA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaJDUJVBq5daIFLUExG4_qpx4x5awhGIvPjTfO3wMlHIMMsOhWqUet8dcmoH4KhiKSDytF528u6wz-UAMB_Pe4m9QDjD18FyLwl8N8oFlxNZwf1BHkOYzJtoBt9uaiCGgPqbVKoGAp6M/s288/DSC_0781.JPG" /></a><br />By Uncle Ho in Ninh Kieu Park (I haven't realized that this statue was that big until this night.)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-6589918207339717192009-05-10T20:43:00.003+08:002009-05-10T21:41:49.142+08:00May 5: Walk in the ParkIt rained in the afternoon. But when the sky cleared up hours later, I took the chance to go to Lưu Hữu Phước Park walking along the street of Châu Văn Liêm (Nguyễn An Ninh just at the other side).<br /><br />I've then noticed that in wide streets where there were islands, they tend to name the streets differently for each direction (i.e., Châu Văn Liêm for the east bound lane, Nguyễn An Ninh for the west bound lane). It got me confused for a few seconds, but figured it out anyway.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ehYfXI2GkvrHOhOE9cFlpg?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FNjbtKEs4skpZKL2yzxmpC4B0LCc8j6t4L4ldyiOaIpb1X4K5tLOweC6og9FfZQs2NO4zsI0untY1YTHW7yCCYAq8iWbI9cwa-hIOoXpWZTZRpe1yZiTPYAlcNuT1Yxtf5txBGuU3KE/s400/DSC_0673.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I ate a Celano chocolate-vanilla flavored drumstick ice cream in that cafe. The seller did not know how to tell the price in English, though, and had to call someone else to tell me how much it was. VND 10.000. Or was it VND 13.000? Couldn't recall, really.<br /><br />While I was enjoying my ice cream, I watched a group of men play <span style="font-style: italic;">sipa</span>. I don't know how they call that game, but I know of it as <span style="font-style: italic;">sipa</span>. They're really good. Great. Awesome. Amazing. And these were not so young men.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YrNMj3TbEw9WPDfKBrCskg?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNqrlckS_pQv6g2JLC-t67Vo2vabZX9XNBxpcGqpza3fxuuiz2fsh3_QTO_LPf2DgJK3c510cQW5RqUMHneF7BRrST5-FPn4okDSQJu1C98Age7TW7bfvtO9LUDmMDnqMw-xI_L8Cunw/s400/DSC_0677.JPG" /></a><br /><br />When a few of them sat down, and when I was about to explore the park (it was a small park, I later found out), somebody called me, "emoy" (I was told earlier that this is how they call younger people). So I looked. He instructed (signaled) me to take a picture of the men who were playing.<br /><br />I agreed, without them knowing yet that I could not really understand what they said. Though I knew I wouldn't be able to take a good shot - it was twilight and my lens just could not handle it, plus the fast movement of the players. I tried. Then told them that I couldn't take a decent shot.<br /><br />So they learned that I was a foreigner. From the Philippine(s). They still persuaded me to take a shot, and pointed the person whom they call "Superman" (young compared to the rest of the group, so probably a better player than them).<br /><br />They offered me water, but it was really a tea with lots of ice. I declined. They may be nice, but they were men and it was getting dark and I could not really understand them. Taking this chance of another close encounter with the locals, I asked for a photo.<br /><br />Instead of me taking their picture, the guy they call Superman offered to take the shot so I could join the group. While I hesitated to give him my camera, I agreed.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Lke_cKAMt6I7XTDgrDJOsA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFtzrPp_zI/AAAAAAAADiM/C7wB5RVpICc/s288/DSC_0683.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then I took a photo of the group. Weird, not all of them looked.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WiQ0GRFiBWG3W__Vx5bXIQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh8uPkXZrZo3tVxRcem8er60LSlSvl53z_IH10JZ06cXoX3b9-AmySBMRi98kzfe-V9ye6j7DF15-i3W9dQlXF1NNo6xY9TX9PaPQRbt2aGTAVs8wog4K9Ecm93eRTfwE-ZSpvsw6_68/s288/DSC_0684.JPG" /></a><br /><br />So then I took snapshots in the park.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HF6xF275IM0nzBICwemUzA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFt7orgnFI/AAAAAAAADRk/9I1yN_hdcfA/s288/DSC_0685.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K_dMEXVzAYoJbHjCp3_J4w?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/SgFt-qPGcJI/AAAAAAAADRs/j0fTKHlfhNw/s288/DSC_0690.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ktot1Lh_XwvwRotPNUBfuw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRfE0BP2YeZCi_bxUC7lT8uh09ArGQ_zTGNXD9qIyeryR-ik8yHDHX9DiF1NRlHEjB32zcq73MnxFYuAgUTqWocn7jFJCqTalfduStMHrNC78l8YniU2H4PtZamM926hOGM1yQNW_RYE/s288/DSC_0692.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then a pagoda...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OcuCPtqv1d1lywqPzGTstw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGP0hV2xofsuJ9i_uz2n1IxK1gp__V5ZFqwfiItIhynGRkclPtCcbVCKuHvcHN9cDz8sAWUsHIZ7ALSzfoj43wVi2tLVM3I0Isnm2xkiLQu0qnjeiKet1yLhfqYn_XlDoi-G2pLcT518o/s288/DSC_0703.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...and a shot of Ninh Kieu Hotel 2...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cvLpGDojbuV1MvhgJRjMzA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9z5suFM15D_B7rFmI3eNGSDK8ZYcwmlPF95NC-4BHqwnRLjFdvwZwQkYCneZMof9shQJk22A4bW32Rn0krxaF5my8-1mDmWdrjlxCpoxTB-X21ah_ulwWXenslHZv3JgqYom2Q1HPRw/s288/DSC_0715.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...all along Hoa Binh.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IHIv9X-6qNBMcsDBLEJEuQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuI7YqDMPGl-BTGY7zGENjRDvpSk_H-zJEy5pCYNF9izRoh9CVRnf4KMBoCEeXHCgmIpnqxa2-C5FGmWzGBzEBVz3QKjrZzhMPNYZAuhbLR8iKyQOjpwjTRyi98gJECJc72npZ5lYCw8/s288/DSC_0716.JPG" /></a><br /><br />When I got back near the riverside near Ninh Kieu Park along Hai Ba Trung, there was this group of motorcycles, este people watching a screenplay (what do you call that thing?)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jken6cXnrLL-bXJiOJbRNQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_AVc6nhouWG4vvk6Ase6OqHlxYa_78UqCdbloGQXtDLUkqDhecTS686KGL6A1AJcx83-5Txgr_LdxlZgHAEW4JK6xOfuqVT9oj_KH_xOxzfg2V1W_1fAOaEeBary60qRy6eeOxvA7EE/s288/DSC_0721.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then again a snapshot of this...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hme6Xoqh71w3oJLGI6vdkQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyjPWo9s8Cs23F8sYzo9wHlTPtU6HfcqUWSiuEukG_bXwvve1xOAlfMw8LR-zBh-9CF1s5R9Y3cV3l-ly75RPp3lIffiXH5SVx-TPikT5tQIwLXsRYQccYAHLKCTBHr2fox64naIjiq8/s288/DSC_0724.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...at night, with a pair of lovers in that bench.<br /><br />To top it off, here's a night shot of the ancient market.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RFq4UOYqWzTG3vL1ObFboQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEByv_5j-X-wa8DS_syjMm8QxwHO_I292YW1lgjiw8fYToIzYtbfRRpQOMs_wb7tsYiopFygg1sz911Nb6JBWb9HmqdpG786Umjs1dya0ubMI-WaLyVXZJ1slaC7ba8Nq1USCKfIH3gpU/s400/DSC_0725.JPG" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-64260059565382945272009-05-10T14:00:00.000+08:002009-05-10T14:35:56.373+08:00May 5: Goat Curry for LunchLunch at Mekong restaurant (near the statue of Uncle Ho). Goat curry, Vietnamese style for VND 55.000. It was served with rice, and the curry itself had rice noodles in it. I tried to ask before the order arrived, "Is it served with rice?" but the lady who got my order did not understand me. At least she understood when I asked for a "not spicy" dish, but it still was a bit spicy.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/N_RPk4CkQO3fsosthmPGpA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjGKp01XtwKLaGW8SRyErm7tcZ_F03BEO-Gr-OOW8vld1d_KWRj_3-KkymEbIwR2hX5q2BXwTVQ7fM3NnRTZupcuTKPyF7iDL-WdwTqcrZ3r3RlWDA5tv_yiMVMcsJpqt6XZ-Gxo2eOI/s400/DSC_0635.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Everything in the dish looked familiar except for the thin slice of black thing that I thought was a vegetable or some plant or organism that could be found there. I tasted it, chewed it with much enthusiasm, then realized it wasn't a vegetable. It was a the skin of the goat. It was good, by the way, but I was not really open to the idea of eating a goat's skin.<br /><br />I spent some idle time after finishing my food watching people pass by the street - in motorbikes, in bicycles, or on foot. It rained a bit, so a few more minutes sitting alone in that place. Then this man initiated a conversation.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ldPEHb0oG2JebP7uZJr3Fw?authkey=Gv1sRgCM-MvPuLno7BogE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjmMGp6hQt50WKePWQqQMiv3gyeu4PGC9uXJhpmsU8KjHoXRL_X51ImBeMRKqMRc9P3FapxHizyRbxi_I42yQWeG1vmbMf5yvha8KWmtNBVPgYmo0JX-nbwavZ_X8quZv9yTy25SKo4o/s288/DSC_0644.JPG" /></a><br /><br />He asked where I was from - Philippines. "Philippine." (They always do not say it with the "s" at the end.) He said twenty (two by hand language) men from the Philippine who work there eat or drink there on Sundays - San Mig beer. I doubt if they were Mon and Asyong for they drink Tiger beer.<br /><br />I was not able to ask them their names. It just gets complicated to ask more questions. But it was nice talking with them (two other men joined the short conversation). They even recognized me on another day I walked past the resto.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-This is Kate F., now blogging from the Philpippine ;)</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-28286529142416514762009-05-06T20:11:00.002+08:002009-05-06T20:19:12.462+08:00May 4: Riverside, Ancient Market, and DinnerAfter a few minutes of walking, I was back at the riverside area near the Ancient Market...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lY_fNHLifwfcplL-veQC_g?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYHUWel5SxTekFgUZqdrQKrVL1rS-a1-eqK6zmDt0VosP47e_EoOFq82OaB_AI-Q4U7RoAhnW3fl4hIOH1jsmaQ5lNhxQcwQ9rcRYX5p7vTIUitk3OEMhBnoi7uLJEn5IWeyU5Z2wi7k/s400/DSC_0566.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...where I took more snapshots...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lcAeyre9Uz3uro00Y_FYFA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9lcBulaqvK-4HP7PLku0z4WoGHde9KVtqudZyJs6Xf2HwYXZVI09LGwCRxQwYDnDyRozaawr1-Aml5unryAGrNbM146CcP0C9PaqT7WJiYJqgka4DIuzHK4GCwcMdtbHCuH4iO2r2iw/s400/DSC_0575.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...including a macro shot...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-vdzUf6iLGjgCM2ApWUB2w?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWYr8clYzkB5mswbXIwAai_3aYMJgKCGDp3Y8B6pBR4oHmt53beLxAJjekdPVm_cR8rbznLFQIpHqyQtB26ZQzYSLmpL8Ju7O1c4zENBrjlNf_08n2iiArPvIB3qf8eE7xf9bKOlkVfg/s400/DSC_0579.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...a shot of the Ancient Market itself...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/51ym3Y28oCeylQnrREcmBA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bQyu9NmFhc-U62ZsiVewXPOxaYNtZJ-5-BqS3AZPTuG7hZiwTTGk2uqSJRasPE6-hO_NhaHMOTS9AcfIzgHwH8evO4nRi9Nu1P8CssZbIoxNBMFwVNmjuPBoNeJSq3Kln9LhhQJEWDU/s400/DSC_0590.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ifkhx_J30OeCGz_gTHEmsQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxry-4CVsFAwnwkfbDzY0Ixrj3IX4Q0cvcAB2yIET8fal35b362BIXvRANpY-5rhRhTPbkg9KPWpTXIdTbNRCofq3Nh2i-gQAoawfkoDLq4yIs5sqitF05C_ltbrC3IhxoHp1dC_frQI/s400/DSC_0582.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...and the boy riding the golden carabao.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bCwwnjvwhfpB0iO0GN1Dkw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCyj3ss3apVRtJFt8qd2iegDP4PLOvS5K39alKnuMoZBY6JErj21-TzD7f8bwxqXUOsXfyRMKlJYk5VSpMXf_2zK8Pu7YilbJaN6KvbRBmxFKeVQr9CV7QfTLS9ZfoX8CMYko9F8tvLM/s400/DSC_0583.JPG" /></a><br /><br />That night, we went to the cafe I first visited in Can Tho. The view was really good at the terrace at the second floor. Unfortunately, the only available table upstairs were reserved.<br /><br />Snapshots again ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IYKqa9acg31xFTKtbQDJXg?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYLRHCaXdv51IssjJ4ZbSTXHon78ydodXMuMl8U_EpsjoBj_UFcYL_fwzd0vnWkn-VWZms7bKXHsr92PF1dJhOpQyqJil40IZw3W7d3_xPd0TzToJj6Qv0ztQTawY-XCagDkFkJcG16g/s144/DSC_0596.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9ZK3izfJ7zADOoofswMqTQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSi6e0016EPTReG9i98uVGI6BhNkyExdiJU4FvPBdXQ6DDyJVZ8StjXWKTck3FwCIr5iTJLCy6e5uFN1Hcg0qnZIfxiLsYNxTun5dl1MBy075U6BsaVbWJtwL4Kti5J2E7AJ-mvYTARI/s144/DSC_0600.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OxZaIkysrZeESp20SrJhYA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tCB8r0Tzz0WtpfstRslXcrxgzlbGTZu-GqmZ1pkEiVPW2m588o7idD2fa3EeJ4YVN-GYGt3fc_AGug-k2QR4Aj6Ae50SNEeYSQIwCdG-tUeQev4vP5kNEbRO1aCFnIGzT-KikjTtkB8/s144/DSC_0610.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CsTFR6rNJCBvVPMMggL6dw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaldN15KuST72D9T4HzyrhyR29ioSTi-QzM9FbG84uBr9PwktH6Yn7b_Tachmkkrf1ku8-wfs1fmRiIthvZQl_zqWdS56WhmgWmih92tXDXLnPrThAMUR0yNTO-jE1jsT6OKNmycOOW9g/s144/DSC_0612.JPG" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-19842922489562721222009-05-06T19:43:00.003+08:002009-05-10T14:33:08.913+08:00May 4: Foods and WalksFirst stop: the cafe beside the one where we ate during my second night in Can Tho.<br /><br />Food: Spaghetti. Meaty spaghetti.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RaD7i2hQHezC7tGOks--lg?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7z9MoUao04DszV9beBLhUgiWZ7tXb2edk7PnPhNVjr46JlTAV2vifIJ4vvkkTpiCraze8ybCPCHwN-l4mdk6doV6aBIPvbhdpGFm8LDA5laueFiSpX1vlL7R3OMnpXkVCOqFZUcWq_c/s400/DSC_0519.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Drink: Watermelon shake. It was written as "Melon Water Shake" in the menu. I thought it was melon, not the watermelon. Still good, anyway. And I loved the presentation. Aside from loving parsley and stars and rotondas, they also love stirrers.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pwWHP_rHwawvNltRn1Ljmw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf9JwqZrlH2LjNfJDzeYqSUHdO5aPJNeON5Vwsr942fXsS7F14p-4GCPOxes0aK1Fn7dJCtUVgOT6f_dvoJkVd2Ot_HQu_ougzSdfthc4KT70cyBEdGpi6G4h2L59uElwtqZ8bBcPq7s/s400/DSC_0516.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I haven't been in a restaurant or cafe yet where they serve plain water. They serve iced tea here. The plain kind of tea, no sugar I guess, but I liked it. Weird, but good.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kBZtwOhohUydDY7EIdbHPQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrTgX17YKP47YuHe0ycVN1qJwSSnt5cf7MoOghJCKW8RqAT0CqaqEyIFvmVkWPHd4-pjK1UoizeLPsNxJk4DOlJ2-gzOm-DjBZkTInaohitbRKQGD8yW3LdzQJzQjuILTbnOgTiZiD_Q/s400/DSC_0531.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then as I was about to leave the cafe, it drizzled. Fortunately, the rain did not pour hard yet that time. So off to some snapshots.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8CzAfODZvTDIOj3U6QYnNw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Odmv6-Ig1NUIY3_XkbGpQnEuR5X7TRQWiHxJUKnvN2TyBSN1UEQGP8fpHDUYxVQqOcX6CRfJt3-WtdomN6G8xNZxSQE9KHZt7E53G2C24allCYYQ4WQ26zciiTTSSsvVASwNcK3pDoY/s288/DSC_0532.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NOAk-RiBk_SSoNL_wk6VNQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f_LEPo8yZ-wIMYWxR3dRTmrtWQV84jl5ma_kUDwcisEti9Pt2ky902Rgu5whdd4hjUwYvhgFQrLyrr01nMvOQJoix3XoD2CA8zaTkPty1XXXuKBCTO9BX6Uq9b_bZjNUK9mN5Gk_sgs/s288/DSC_0535.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8Iyv9PmBzAS4Ohr1oVBtiw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mBBsyMnggoVb92-1ODpD3-mTW8LVorJ1FHvqbZoe9bzwAM-UdbRr_q1q4_hK0H33O-2-qphU0rfXKY3MnnhtDOrHOCFPIegRMnTZsIgw9PUNXAJzQveWcmhfIhPDnTpuJmMBHmorAEg/s288/DSC_0537.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WVaVBQNtLEr3j0Qc9lwjNQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwDxm1AEQ7uTbhfLDTygzR64OYCacoyteeEtvP2Map-Q_z604XgL-uvRXXah8Md1_yfZ68aaTB5HAR_fAOoVCMqyrVR1QhVUVCFjiThsPadpQtGZ0cdwhq0Juift9AJ1GpsDk3UrIejI/s288/DSC_0539.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I was supposed to go to Can Tho museum. I asked a girl there and she said it would open at 2:00 PM. That was about 12:00 noon. Then I went to a bookstore.<br /><br />Everything except classic novels for kids were in Vietnamese. It was amazing to see all their books in their own language. I saw Sophie Kinsella's novel in Vietnamese, also Freakonomics, Twilight (Cha Vang, if I remember it right), Eclipse, Harry Potter series, James Patterson books, and even magazines I only used to see in English! Amazing. And when converted to Philippine peso, they come cheap. Even hard bound economics books are cheap (especially when compared to prices in my dear country). If only they were in English, I could have bought some copies for myself.<br /><br />Then I decided to have some dessert or early snack (weird sense of time) at the cafe at the grocery shop.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BfouEl9iDTuSUg7EjndnyA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zeVmR0J2FL-UvRlrgDY5mrpSYCbyuWn6eol5f0_7pI-2HnDsHoQE6y6CIXj3Rlp1loK6Ggw3d7ux6ACTaYQ-QCflodsnfqk_VikcLvQP4MQucw_qDnSQFe8MlSqa2Oz26NAw_zM6MA4/s288/DSC_0546.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o7lkiAHKBFypcA1vSOo2sA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys96CGx_duwT5wc1jqEioL1Z7giB0Qwsv9_MWVfoivDxgsNrpdVTxtJM_ogpX7tjRufTum0KSlWqIilQMfZcv49c_1kBY092hQ4uZJQGBckUW7mVHJmgrKdEBTTjBOuHF7ti3s-11wRc/s288/DSC_0550.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Ice cream of three flavors - durian, ube that tasted like kamote, and something like cheese (I couldn't figure it out exactly), with cream at the top, two cherries (I guess those were cherries. I don't eat cherries, but tried one of it, and it tasted weird, then I was not sure if it was a cherry.), and an ube mini stick-o. Great.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NqY2mgs_PJ8moncZK9BTeQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf7XjHjyP-I/AAAAAAAADLY/6XDNoN4_1Kg/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IG059-i5p8CX_lcQIQlpvA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DXdPzHlVMEVAbSYqG91ucQiBUrcLdT_c4PTjLr2NDWdGEC4SHfK6_hFNdU9F7MfegMQWUCVUBeW8dqjC_aoijRyjVH3H_r7tNQnCJJXBaYc4xJWseyb088ZZZAxDJxW5CCgu_JCtxkE/s144/DSC_0551.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WGvw3dxNxPiSnGBErKEjuw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSD6NfETiR833b7DNkzkp7utjSjF3Ckkmin0Wyc5g6U8bdHebMKvs566WGnFRol7FJfpFYhKBOL2XlQKDQ0uStnCgjvxfJLh1vZmEtNSF91TW1xb0tgJ1Un-_sqOd-WKLZRjkphcyGDk/s144/DSC_0553.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Going then gone =P</span><br /><br />When I went back to the museum, I finally learned that it was closed. No museum on Mondays. So as not to dampen the spirit, I continued walking alone (despite the numerous offers of motorcycle ride, which I have not yet known how much to cost). Snapshots galore.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gCcVkdpaO5QQNpS9EeKSWw?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf7XpjlX8dI/AAAAAAAADMA/DM8FaXeGXtU/s400/DSC_0554.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This really caught my eye. In a non-English speaking country (really, few people can converse beyond simple phrases), "That's something only love can do" really made me smile.</span><br /><br />And more snapshots: pagoda. I tried to ask a lady if I could go inside the pagoda. No success. She could not understand me.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8dzW-j8DzMjtZijuxNsofQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dVmMd6vpZqeikvGWLMKfqNKuuuw-CgR7UPL8m6K5Ll7Oe-kZbO-MYeHgGM-3cR6Lt_1uHiuJ0NCuY84-oWPuMmKa82JQw_aDbRXWXlGDfesdHnwGR4TDn7lGIHCnCmmC88mANBp2dMQ/s288/DSC_0559.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UiDoDIa-yMMVJVUwGwbclA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEsQKUchRroz2_rttC60ezVyocvJPZhYYraRdCz_WOvzFBGSU1FqujSfxG10In692K9vQPKuGzi1soDNnbtCVCvPEQG2UuS6DkblkGL7GFLtItqdJJ09g_UZAbGNAq5g2cjsOyHB0W7g/s288/DSC_0562.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then traversing Vo Van Tan street, I was nearing the riverside once again.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ceDxO380jIxA_Z0P_ncWrA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPyRoa_O_KrRDA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf7XwNTorAI/AAAAAAAADMY/OnBy6lPHcBE/s288/DSC_0564.JPG" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-30012744768830790822009-05-06T18:08:00.002+08:002009-05-06T18:13:17.924+08:00May 3: Dinner at Du ThuyenFloating restaurant, it cruises along Hao River. With live performers singing Vietnamese songs, and a magic performance by a <span style="font-style: italic;">lolo</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jlAT1SkhHJmJtKEDqWltag?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR9lg4_MFFNOV3PLVHY7hW0kmHF2sn_3Mx-jJTTscOAzdWcEsj0YG6nVCgq6BR-mwquCFZO1p0ggYqtucc_zKYIXnwzJVsGfX7aiUgSwaT8KdqFrClOMFELSoGx8bYUxakYcVjjQtfqU/s400/DSC_0470.JPG" /></a><br /><br />At the riverside:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B7DOvz0cfKh6f6C2M1svjg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoNIqoaBG10FQC4qzPYHyRmi9w33HiIKIO8-WpjlYzMGfG9Q1qqQe_JMwkToIJCzDCu4arn5d8WpwQTzXvIEjcRNFp4ihOc8j_i6ttyBF6nLZQ8sdoQbNkMWT27NkoiRURcP2SXsVEcY/s400/DSC_0486.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ancient Market</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZoO-J45r6gXXpwL4lHlDPg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi400LkQ2bFFwKuy1PHWfaDcAJQrU89PHdre2PN_jhrNNEMUe6SAGBjt1To0JgbidLPSVt8bINLI7ADpVWGmiynXOBZYU6bDTZYfD3keMWRvwEZEgVxLLJw0mf64VKHEdbzT5WuNDYLSJY/s400/DSC_0498.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The lights of Can Tho</span><br /><br />Snapshots:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CBdAkpKF4xoBpnzeaMOZbQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ4jwfmR9ljGK8ib2tNqLW75QC3fFREvQquP1jYtN7n5inOtt25yiJRlqbhaC7vDmhpObVBnxfYORGv6qI2F8n874klrO87xafblHk28rCApxPEn5gR9YoJXsYnbm8G-H4ebajmB55_Q/s288/DSC_0480.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BM7KxjbOHne13TDlSK5XLg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_saIuEolBgwAJbPNbwgRsYrrB0Ep0HZaAkh0DZiR8quDnCPnk0p0Eexi_K693_I8PVMW-AEB9xWfrfXzBS9mYGVvpMdZcJOEnPzGgLo5G_J55qu3Fa-ekXSBGYDeYmGpG9g4HHx5ZUY/s288/DSC_0501.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w_awHeV-mM1N4OAsigLe8g?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-eU4RKtGv4RiWbsLLOjqbY1cprSN9ZlY29NguRyJWGUhc0pkRfU0mBXAf0BL_vI-GNjGwX_p8VMs9AgIW67CtVUyq_IG2n0Oa5pE_ccQi6Ebw2Xsg3kxhYnOB24WYCcXm_V6jyxAY7E/s288/DSC_0505.JPG" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-48533987592891632982009-05-06T16:28:00.003+08:002009-05-10T14:34:49.774+08:00May 3: Photowalk AloneStill on a lazy mode, I got up late, then worked a bit (yes, work, willingly :) ), then went off for a late lunch at So Hom located at the Can Tho Ancient Market.<br /><br />I ordered seafood and meat noodles, wishing it was the same as the noodles Mon ordered the night before. Unfortunately, it was not. Moreover, I think the serving was good for three to four people.<br /><br />Here's what was left (a lot left, actually) after I couldn't eat anymore of it, plus a banana shake.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MgWMgq2RpYALqa5LhlmaqQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ptzWGmkFTkKX5Pt0bxMBs1-N9brcbn9JCCQ_M7TWBKkMG6M6sX6AZioRVRp7eZN29r7JlI5F_zLMzcrhyphenhyphenzENYMvYRMuaT9cK5ctgawnOINlZ-9d_hkrYLmLJcPIHWIAPxfJ6S54p9E4/s400/DSC_0380.JPG" /></a><br /><br />After getting full, I started my photo walk alone. And these are the highlights.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Mzg01w79d22zL3vypjfMw?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH_NkTgTMdE8yF2PAv1zuAjvrO40EjSs3yJDVpyjAz-kSKPKRG3xrln6oDE6gnoy3yd89GhmtY7D35JPFzfIg6_MZwiI1bJq7uyjoljXgNhpAQCb9rXxaeEQ93LgmrlV1z2zsJLBUZ5c/s400/DSC_0425.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The women who offered me their banca services. The woman on the right steers the banca, but she could not speak English, so she made her sister offer me their service. I declined saying that I was waiting for my friend. Here's their mobile number - 0918.934390. Again, I panicked with the camera when they agreed to have their photo taken.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://icasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NEWJaLH1M6UP4uFBjJ0nmg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy90vDozQfoE4Z368zjpZ_zZPfbIniikPDd2-egT3A3jT8be0Bqq6SPd6d9KsgVEu6PhkPSLgcCFvdqH8Za_Cf56BJgJ0bnEC0S6UXbxMO4dIJtexksLFc8nCCjY2M1CfPFhlDpMIwZ5U/s400/DSC_0434.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Say hi to Ho Chi Minh :)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0-xgQNdhSxFLSO4_ireJHg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G754C_wVKv5_6ImfX523HODt1Mazyu1rEYes5pITpC46kuUlpl9Bkki_IgRdAIyFCDLJmsN6ktjizhn_h-QZnvgQKGZFK2KzwBfBJ2v2yPHa8uiMqLbkIEu82Zs1rZNtUxOILaaYuCo/s400/DSC_0441.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The bridge: At the background</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T8J4hn176E_lGHyjFeh0qA?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XV1WXgcbCyOi3Xf6B_pIhaKvMnEILTZYExc6oyrCtlw-ywUXVTqVv2FuEXJ1VV1Mkfcf0cOtuG1plvlleuOhRykf49ORuEOyKF6E5y3jo_aP0vdaera2vFjVsalADqP38iurH4gbrGs/s400/DSC_0458.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">These couple asked me to take their photo (in their camera, of course.) The guy actually talked to me in Vietnamese. Due to the power of smile, we understood each other. I saw them again that night, and we greeted each other. Nice. :)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pzxCPiv-QRNM6aJlyjgQ_A?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsKS-N8o6wt-SSyucX7kzqmyW0Y1CoXqkP1dI6XjGj0fQdDxt_LeFvoKeumURU9kejYSG7dOsxL0DhuvY6uNBodgHwVEJcSVU9g3oP3vAAR3SEIzWESiB8Afq_Pn6fdXaPl9d8f_IaP8/s400/DSC_0462.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Almost a night. This was a cool shot - manual settings. Yebah!</span><br /><br />More snapshots around:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qsKthQgL0Of_M6VcMOoMxQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrlMLbJEzM-koI6pyUKm19ac-oHWXY0Mi1XjT9BoE2o3U5o47-L8l5oB3iaStF6QIBwnTwe0GYzHPnuf0rDDkXZedEfNhaxF1vsLnDAOuJm3lvATKkqGvit3ossxOx9aSOxQxKy0jHLM/s288/DSC_0372.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A view from So Hom</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PaiB61V_cdZjIdnAiWC5TA?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkYw3pQOEfQ3S5TLheG19mvi6GJRTE9D-tf8yMSOcVfWt0dmg-mu92nsq2fS4tbVToW14A9nsCw3ZY-8m__cqSOvmaKyw7aQ45jiYwf-QyFEvgV7OJqVez8j216MnkdeKmaURsd8TxkU/s288/DSC_0392.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Trying hard macro shot</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ofwuSrK0vHZCX8cC5d10aQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NH2ex0Pdoi9HPPMvDn6ygHLQr_hA77_w2Ic09bKjcIo5BTGNXJu6rXsnpUASGQVzTHh0_ZWevxhlWJ6B_8u3A2mBzj2wI7ce4SbZNTFER2MECPvOohLYnVS1TxMcD7dnt7mMZUF4Ho4/s288/DSC_0401.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yellow flowers<br /><br /></span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J24w3UXB4fEw_VJcx8d49Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIX3x3A8PCnFl41LwvtILXO_JfStT6UTTorJIGI9VQ3-I-fXXiTR_SXh9D_z8s0q6IoGJzR2g8MLX8J5sbctyMb1Gced7PKCQbnG7_a4SOME5iqMZJh7gjYRnmwWYWn9HnJAgGQjOCnY/s288/DSC_0415.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Riverside (left angle)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h7gWx62Gp2hK5VXX0bUTHg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_FWcUmNNjeDHWX_oU6Gzr7F-a_kO9VROOovfQOQ9PBok-gJVeRVmyfkFCwqUX7baszMD2b0ZMMLZlrHcQQkmns8GX0uPT-VyEdsVNl9Ter4vRZx6ezWFq4suj6mvuXTE8iw2mdQTpK0/s288/DSC_0420.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Riverside (right angle)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R5w4jvjjIyYWFNTsE_St2g?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiRZYH_c9A7nxm5k5clg4MNqBoyrFVlrFaHYd-vf-n71xWD2P-5quhdjyMu0bSpQk3JTNK3YR50kX-Hg_tXKrz1ZiluPh1qbDuldQgjfKvPw5L1Q-WNOovROJ5z3W6qKJRkpCAsv3AhI/s288/DSC_0428.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">They also love stars (of course, it's in their flag)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WJLqCLG87Y9aHjfCEI7hA?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlqv-uEavzvfevvVE9Z9LU6ouLvH_Lu72pMC1KplUSCBDF9ZYT_09_K7P3EMjp2YIUenINwZNFQWcuFBKiJjNO3sgQlRlBjDE7u84-FivcdlDJlNgOBmFeVZPqeXiJx8p503YHmM7I_c/s288/DSC_0433.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Riverside (behind a railing)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WrfaV-46V9jdHdXRdxvF2Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ8eDSuYN_WRkD6yEDhpMLZalq5Ex3W69caB2GbgFR6E_1NOM3U27hdkgVPfswHwJcCjiD4uo4zWXB914Kw6FjhWYjt9Kcb5qqy74xzN8JO3xUFPPtMhkEorpPr1saL5yOPuRNyVzhag/s288/DSC_0451.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cac ban: BORAC VAOTHUNG (no idea what it says, and if I even got it right)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yV54q7tq9RVpVd6iPpqz7Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOoz-s7W8bM_ep7nB31zQa_48oLCV-7381WyTMsHzXxRs8qBTLCKT7y-7DmrYPpDrII_rR6UjjRuMeEQBqSIXoxg9MrqUWUbRWMeLbyWKZ1cSWBD8WGhetTRAzgMy9QuTODva37evsfE/s288/DSC_0460.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Waiting... and waiting...</span><br /><br />Next: Dinner at Du Thuyen (the floating restaurant)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-85984402612530809112009-05-06T15:59:00.000+08:002009-05-10T14:33:35.293+08:00May 2: Boring SaturdayLet me first tell of my first night in Can Tho: dinner at a coffee shop where a lot of foreigners eat.<br /><br />Tired and hungry, I just wanted some food in my stomach. I always fail to take note of its name despite eating there twice already. Anyway, I ordered a simple egg sandwich. I expected a simple sandwich the way I usually eat an egg sandwich - in a tasty bread or an american loaf bread or whatever you call it. What came was a sandwich in a bread that looks like a hotdog bun but crispier and hard (some parts crispy, other parts not). I ate up all the egg-mayo spread but couldn't finish the bread.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SATURDAY: A Lazy Day</span><br /><br />Breakfast in my hotel room, lunch at Cappuccino - fried tuna with tomato sauce and rice <span style="font-style: italic;">(rice at last!)</span>, then slept the rest of the afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lOOJellN25UqlrP-VJxUuw?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMWZ7ZFWbbbJaYH7B6yPi-8GTRsryhVFaoHPtgzMLt_j5gGZPXEvSWdralGb3_UDO16fLP47DL2L6VCQC_VkhQZi67_Izpr-Q5WRLRoprTdbmSHeYFJzh2mSWJxxgLKNTnCIxSLOkD-Q/s400/DSC_0586.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cappuccino: they can understand and speak a bit of English. Photo taken on May 4.</span><br /><br />Dinner at the restaurant-bar-cafe (<span style="font-style: italic;">basta</span>, a place to eat) that Mon frequents and that offers free wi-fi. I ordered for drink aloe vera with yaourt, which tasted like drinking nata de coco, a bit strong, but got to like it after a few sips. For the main course: beef steak with fries (boring) for me and delicious seafood noodles for Mon.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K26jpgIIy85sefWucHEh2w?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR4Z21E6QuZ2xlYLjLJszGOXEd_lA7aWmsIq0fBcZTHTlbSjff1lj2sx7Hs6OqPv1xQTWwuYaHUSwqU9kNasDZONimkRKPoa76lXWKQkh4zMLMjZofsVEMWH4MNFboRDQV9QwWFJgUuQ/s400/DSC_0338.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">At the coffee shop with a free wi-fi. (Night shots are so difficult.)</span><br /><br />Ashyong, Mon's other Filipino workmate here, was supposed to join us for dinner but came late. We then just met him at the big Co-op (grocery store).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/re7GmVbB9vjmpJoKuseLkg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMwQdMiQSdJ-Pinz32zvNHdBsREvo5MRwi4LpeY2HBEYXhKMpK-j3CsTukkJ3OjBOr9IwhbqVE9-F8sXWUVVpU7w3vgzMC14VcNt_y3S6yOptD6dYSlrIFVRsm_Sm3X65tQeaqjijleQ/s400/DSC_0356.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The fountain in the rotonda. They so love rotondas.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-80319070287334203382009-05-05T17:17:00.003+08:002009-05-10T14:32:17.474+08:00May 1: The Trip to Can Tho4:00 PM - our bus left Ho Chi Minh for Can Tho<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mBtdHA-sc7--VK2BHkr31Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16xnRG4uMxaxnonI-y5U5xwppz6SgU4-HFHkJXG5aodKMAL_Z5jceyIqFKMqdX2mwJyBa2qWTu1NT67U4hailA_SWFO8G4yIbEuZhmBVp79YMyLSVsNHiGaqf0OhFSS348U1Jo96jVnE/s400/DSC_0265.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Riding a bus in Vietnam was so cool. First off, I did not see any bus in the town center. Apparently, there was a big terminal of bus away from the city proper. We first went to Van phong tai to buy a ticket, then a shuttle service took us to the terminal.<br /><br />We arrived at the terminal for quite a while with the air condition turned off. Good thing it was raining that time. At least we weren't suffering from the sweltering heat of the sun.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YSQhVGKipbjE1v_DvbwaOw?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkSauY_a2r7qp4U9IrwuRYGjnqbWibuoSpApFn3QR73zUpufbbgBiVVsYAYoptRltpQe1UWZW-Z1O1TQp5gHRmmEWBW2lwWQPAh4qm83777r0OOALMACWtKJq9jByOmzY8491Es46oRc/s400/DSC_0273.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Vietnam at 15:47, Manila at 16:51 (<span style="font-style: italic;">our</span> official time)<br /></span><br />At 4:00 PM, the bus started its journey. We were given free small bottled water and a wet wipe. All for 70.000 VND per person.<br /><br />There was one bus stop where we ate their kind of siopao - meat with some longganisa-tasting meat and two quail eggs for 10.000 VND each. There were lots of fruits, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nnz2vsjCkRt71pAd-BW96w?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV_wcLvtvo9iKD2p7bEVstD0lUAnpfGCjOvS34IeQ92lumfQQsGDIJwZGn8ctNAuiUTveKAZLgXTgs7HbXhyphenhyphen5svLL4uf2YYYy5ZxoihXX3DthPlsMjpW2n5pXrT3d3xn7pyd4g-sD31g/s400/DSC_0279.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Two of the three kinds of fruits that I did not know what<br /></span><br />The bus we rode was new, clean and had a flat screen TV in front showing a Vietnamese show. I think they love singing and dancing and the stage.<br /><br />Oh, there was this cute little girl who liked to look at us but was shy when we look at her, too. If only we could understand each other, I'd wanted to take a photo of that kid. I was afraid that her parents would get mad for taking a pic of their little child, then once we misunderstand each other, they might accuse me of child abuse and I would get a problem with their law enforcers.<br /><br />Anyway, here's one hazy pic of the bus that wasn't too good. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vuSyYfiBmMCXNTOCg9WAyQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCNvYtsSEhJHGRg&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_wYb_GvM6JlBqQfjZvklI8zQe3Wb9QEESLiSjFDxwMOPLk9EYfC_wO2Uzeo4p30RpjYPYGE1422cpXFa7u6-MAFmLLUAWwKtldOFD1mgqzbovJlnBeqrhb3cnPODyQt8cR9LNuBKIjo/s400/DSC_0288.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The other bus<br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-60766738800398579762009-05-05T16:54:00.002+08:002009-05-10T14:31:37.397+08:00May 1: Lunch at Paris Deli...in Saigon Centre...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v1wZ0gAePzXbOdVW9Wxjbg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6_FLgRQMI/AAAAAAAADEI/mEXHGI8_bXI/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...and since it was Labor Day, there was an additional 10% service charge.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/x7zevavnN93XN2yzx53ScA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6_DHytNZI/AAAAAAAADEA/b6dWPIARqTY/s400/DSC_0228.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I ordered Shrimp Salad with Cocktail Sauce. I loved the shrimps. Because of that salad, I got to eat fresh green bell peppers. Fresh! (I'm not fond of <span style="font-style: italic;">fresh</span> bell peppers.) Sliced thinly, anyway. But I skipped the tons of parsley in the dish. They really love parsley.<br /><br />I would have ordered "Star Shake" but it was not available. I settled for apple shake for that meal.<br /><br />Snapshots:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vGAt9NFGZ0ImZvKnX7uJ5w?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXnnrgkGmE6Zkb6FZjUELVhnQgLTT4QfmBIrg1m6mApN0rteFpM-i_xkMExMEUFt7TG1Ws8TdFqZRVEKQ15AOLJD4EqnFiYeAkzDtUixQ8y3-nP5YGTcVHzDAwXuKATCtW5FWIJeIt-M/s288/DSC_0226.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BmwwDZ5xXKL2G2-xO5IAqA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuWphrz7VXkNxxNLeTRSaIcdDJ90M8PUjTOKix2fclFUD39zxy0SsSxUGE-MZ0N8BMUyipilLGz264uCHgTjaPviRxpx0hWq02ZAuqqn5WyDfX9B0eYsfBu1MIDS96YyIFHyQvIqPY20/s288/DSC_0251.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/agi9o2dXdQU55_NZ9ExyGA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbL62xNHozn9hSBDQzh-OcKQHv3jDIqXZCkV09S-T8TbfNOJATRuewfdkg8baOgauciXvTSXZCvZ8h_4IqA_yHKXvqj5H_k9XCQLNBiwgyKE4zNr5SG-0fJUYRGrIdLpM2NKou_n60wA/s288/DSC_0252.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(last two photos by Ed)</span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-32772396709276670512009-05-05T16:43:00.002+08:002009-05-10T14:31:49.311+08:00May 1: Shopping in Labor DayBen Than Market. Saigon Square. Malls or department stores.<br /><br />In Ben Than, I bought two scarves and six little hand-painted bamboo toys that look like dragonflies that balance at your fingertips. Ed bought dried kiwi fruits and cashew nuts - the dried kiwi tasted like candy. I prefer the fresh one. Mon, by the way, paid for my purchases - my money was with him. ;)<br /><br />Saigon Square was like Greenhills - branded clothes and bags at cheaper prices. I just bought a dear camera two days earlier so I was not in the mood for shopping. Even if I needed new clothes. Even if I bought only four sets of clothes for my eight-day trip. That was how <span style="font-style: italic;">kuripot</span> I was that day.<br /><br />Then we went to another mall or store or whatever you call it, where a Barbie exhibit/booth was in place.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EVZjgBESUyrSEsREoe6a7Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-BKX0VD2lOpWuGNfG97hp7xLXTyx9wVL2ONFnEMvJqFubR2D4Gw9R2QX7UnYUFFk_Ikc4JLa9JjNidtcJb5LU52145fpypfki_P8xU6Wrr-gNxhgQZTG-iZuypG0tLMISFkMYJnXf9Y/s400/DSC_0218.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Where I also bought my yellow star in red shirt...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QizGuBVRKOR9g54LiouQSQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOllcwb9kqFoodTC2GskmhjNtb8kGjCobE_mvF_AsGgkcssU0bRzycdyJTrHCXI-UUBWxAk9WFsPURCWP0QqM623mn2UgxAShlJ1ArlBI7Peuyh1O02qDDtG0ZJbs9ud-EXi2fipLzqkY/s400/DSC_0220.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...which I doubt I'd wear here in Vietnam or in UP. :p<br /><br />Next stop: Saigon Center, where we ate lunch (Paris Deli).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tbrOXfb0AVAN2QM3KisKaw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6_Aw5c80I/AAAAAAAADDw/jJ0bpJdFwQU/s400/DSC_0224.JPG" /></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-67362906940457221532009-05-05T16:36:00.002+08:002009-05-10T14:30:38.843+08:00May 1: Breakfast at Pho 2000Pho 2000 near or across the Ben Than Market. US President Bill Clinton ate here.<br /><br />I ordered chicken noodles. Regular. But their regular was a jumbo. I could not finish my food. But it was good. Really. The noodles - just right (al dente? hehe). The chicken - the right cut.<br /><br />I was able to eat mint leaves. The other kind of leaf they served was a bit weird. It did not taste like a leaf (weird description) and it was a bit "strong" for me. The mint was just fine - enough leafy taste and some minty taste. :)<br /><br />They love parsley. They serve almost every meal with parsley - as a decoration, as an ingredient, or even as a side dish (I guess). And they love leaves. And they love vegetables.<br /><br />For my drink: sapodilla shake. Chico as I know it. Tasted like chico. It was chico! Loved it. :)<br /><br />Next stop: Ben Than MarketKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-75214094151304711612009-05-05T16:20:00.002+08:002009-05-10T14:24:55.742+08:00April 30: HCMC - Memories from Ed's (Camera's) Point of View<embed src="http://images.multiply.com/multiply/slide-show.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="album_id=zerodryden:photos:57&security=NBmJ8sj%2B9bI5nzi8U%2B3k9A&base_uri=multiply.com" width="500" height="500"></embed><br /><br />Photos by <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com">Ed Agbay</a>.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-8500023406632687752009-05-05T16:00:00.004+08:002009-05-10T14:31:03.121+08:00April 30: Dinner at Al Fresco's and Dessert at FannyNo, not Fanny Serrano.<br /><br />Anyway, I did not bring my camera that evening. Too tired. I missed a point and shoot camera, which I did not have. Too tired to remind Mon to bring the camera he brought. Too tired to tell him to bring the camera for me. Or rather, too sleepy.<br /><br />Therefore, I missed shooting Ho Chi Minh at night. Just visit this <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com/photos/album/32/zerodryden_Vietnam_Nightshots_">site</a> if you want a glimpse of it. Their "city hall" is magnificent at night. But I could not shoot a decent shot at daytime, what more at night?<br /><br />I enjoyed the food, at least. That's one very important point to consider. The food was great, even if my tummy was not very cooperative that night.<br /><br />Dinner at Al Fresco's: back rib, platter, pasta. DELICIOUS ribs. Delicious. Yummy. Yummy. Simply delicious. I want it now. Urgh! Delicious.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GXmoWPaqYxwwtoRXloXJzw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf_4vulgkoI/AAAAAAAADOU/4iZNjQUuLDs/s400/DSC_0647.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Dessert at Fanny: blue lagoon (ice cream with cream with wine). Delicious with Fabaileys (choco ice cream with Bailey's, I guess). Yum! Sweet! Ice cream!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dlCksb7gzRfqkt_21JX3nw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgbeM4HAerbs4NS5Jb-ELwTapvgI9MKmU93JnA3qx9GFCczgM-6d8P-8Ncm1O_pmVLGL37GkizwmzqkY5bzRG-O3tmNzbFlmorp7yMH1_hFHA_fbKor49mjRXaS-r5jhsgqgFiSbGPXE/s400/DSC_0657.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Trivia: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ate here, they say. No wonder it was an expensive treat for us.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IVwes0rkFu0lAJEq3h1fxQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuBCi0DAvj2GvpPIW5y62aOeBveirRza-pgKp9AEv02NlYgFR7MJpKo2eDl2DEw5aj6bewAiunFBUpzymQv2hlidlpQJQKpv5U_VRxhEiFbnzsxhGAGhgklQLXgSvVQeTSB7ZGyVMleE/s400/DSC_0655.JPG" /></a><br /><br />But worth it, anyway. Yummy! :)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: Shots were taken when I was in Can Tho, in the hotel room alone, blogging my time out since while it's raining outside.</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-74811354224761272992009-05-05T15:58:00.001+08:002009-05-10T14:30:20.025+08:00April 30: Having Fun<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nOETTamVNgUYGKgWT70pjw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61HqGdHthmlILxLxF4YQ9c867mlJOlKynv_LWG-63yuIRNE2TEtwe0Su7TcM8I4sIRgaFPCoF3EW4oy2r-Sh0ntRwE65AGbFQwnlLiv7l91hqNAiUW6KCLqK7R_PBwfrWxWCy8f-OpVs/s400/Vietnam%202009.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Having fun like a child amidst a flock of birds in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.<br /><br />;)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-10992870926008338172009-05-05T14:35:00.005+08:002009-05-10T14:29:39.533+08:00April 30: Independence Palace<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1iypPAMS9hksj5EWprIgvg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmypVPiZXsop8mozQRoLTNGN4Hexc-1xFXbWNqNZOtAO_mT7g7FqQuUwQHyOjeyXKaqT9bXXgHHXwwNUWSY-vgSlXgcOtFA-x2Kzd5MwQvA8nGkh1Zaz6n3G7HQv7NNlmbUuQT99r0hMI/s400/DSC_0172.JPG" /></a><br />Reunification Palace<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uNrwaN7OCWqbYKBKbxm19g?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUawq-6meOVtsBZcvh_4z7Nej6h8t8F8XwVZqhv3PPdUH9RDeLS0nuwz-UMZH3VAk2i8z7T3gta9Zs4v6aINpV9hZWSxZqKRdQIUfsLEU680QMrHa4AVqbtyUq93y4cliER9qKw3vgKew/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" /></a><br />A view from the top (well, almost)<br /><br />A historic place for the Vietnamese.<br /><br />Ticket to enter the palace is at 15.000 VND per person.<br /><br />No words to describe what are to be seen inside. Photos are definitely inferior to the actual thing. I was too tired attempting to shoot a good shot, and now tired to describe how it went inside. It was tiring, by the way (imagine getting fewer than the ideal number of hours of sleep, then a tiring day before an early morning flight, and a good deal of hours walking around.) And since it was Reunification Day, lots of people everywhere (and motorcycles).<br /><br />Snapshots inside:<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A7-qEZ2SVvax-3LVa82yzQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bc2v-EdWXZ87ZcsbYNI1D7YgfsAbqNpT8mxSo52AJxtFh3lV0iCwkm7wm-TEnKdZvyjHsBgq0L4FuBiZGdrEsrob8DfxmSE_FxnnbYH-eSwKxX9XJPG9Jj1vbdXlsR3ywGgFrruKLNE/s288/DSC_0085.JPG" /></a><br />Corridor<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XzaRJ7doShoMVeacQOLmPA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMchPL6gVt62gQexov5xi3yo2x_xepFz00Li00zzz4Fq0fo4h_mtIGCOu1_KoxyOCE7Pwhkl0b5D9c7DsIvpRAWSqdd5jyPsBrG-LaKf1AtkQ5-0HOohyphenhyphenbzzuR-rQv680W9c0En5LfIZ4/s288/DSC_0082.JPG" /></a><br />Booklet<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0PsHDN9tG1jAecIeBzCXIw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqaH30195A85AvQnJ4hjPjFPOCDg5Tf3ESp0yXb53aERIuUwB9CaHCCUCSHNThMWG9iakgNYFM8Jpu5bsJI8jMo1ZCmRx9ulFVDzyuI1_QlJIPfmrL7ofw9zYi_nTwAjF5jSBim7uHBI/s288/DSC_0090.JPG" /></a><br />Office of the President (there's a cheetah inside >> check it out <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com/photos/photo/57/17">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Es0Z-ENKzzNwkUGcDbDG7w?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESRLf-TyHiUj9wQE6h4SlCaZEyz5ocrz2AzJY9rnCtRDNXiNBwsaBmht3QSvcHc6qy4gTYGmGWO-D2v_e1l4bym_8HESLhZIERthuhUen-toLVacoDSw4R0Y86U8wH4qLCA6OdmvLMb8/s288/DSC_0099.JPG" /></a><br />Credentials presenting room<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rsmKiUZoKuKEAjlgvEubZg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe_a9rBWOpLL88n9bEO_hMsmLXpLoepYDwM05JkLzOyUUWsWcF0IOKF7R96WZYYlYEYlZLEE006yKUNbtMuJXzXdfMoxs1dsrjSbxT18WFJMeab-D2t2Vce7gLovipmFjaxMl4nxhodA/s288/DSC_0124.JPG" /></a><br />Gambling Room<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m4NZBmSPHa18QYYbWNVPYg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqDER4JyDIIOUwybghXIoD6l1vKo_6ot5G8I-J4Eg6bk5gfLn1V2SeGGfD56tu7ycYBuwmFAxWnUXIbw2yraOcADPkyplqflSqTemQVFNcSQm41xQzJaf8HeKNN3EqoZpsg1CzPzsJHA/s288/DSC_0126.JPG" /></a><br />Heliport<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BuwVvWilI4GxbvUT84Y5NQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1BiJMGv8DDQyzCx2MrAl0fHE_D6N7b4MWfjGchu1fQioNlGHd6BnKernNPMINpIyUl7KlbfM6cZXVT9yjPQwc6Fq7HfrKG0BbeCJWI1xpdl0b2JM2gT2v3GdJf916dw6KEoAbxxKuFE/s288/DSC_0138.JPG" /></a><br />Basement<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YqQvG9bCbbkyqwMhikwTlA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0-F87hnnKd7-2641_oJtirhFoklKeduavvsaKfaWn7QuCP4pKXG69iBwubZGQAJPshei05qAB-hRXlKsy1Wb-7IvA_i_tYT63rxhO5Jkovy3Ll7vFvrROBWPlttxTJXGuJ6bqurMkWk/s288/DSC_0150.JPG" /></a><br />This is a real gun<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nCexQNdyzddSMMnyngZyjg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdEdkfYxC36SLfyEwDl_dPdxidhLpxZwMq_Bitss_nJZ4XDrrxtr5sncLm3WUqWEAK1oNtfnRw4aXOkJZZfZOoSqzrkvsiB-TScMjkfKdW4dh2qdQzZ8zAOrMIcD3E2Kenv2-ghFWrxk/s288/DSC_0156.JPG" /></a><br />Mercedes Benz (see the "behind the scene" <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com/photos/photo/57/41">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LxW5TePQjX0V-lKtsoFigg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6-lWRNfAI/AAAAAAAADCU/AKGpy9Kc1wk/s288/DSC_0158.JPG" /></a><br />I wonder if that's really the target they use for practice shooting...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5F7hM2YREP7iIls1FIB9Tg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzPwbnFxRG-8ekQe57YSkRZoqcfK5HkVZ9yUi60ZJTBactAFWoCPsK-CWrR3F1EzlJ5awLFipY3rWQY4eBqQXCBcY-A9GABL2fH6AIaSJtUuuVOIWJ61Tiy5cs8JhjurQ8SgMBCrUj5E/s288/DSC_0164.JPG" /></a><br />A Tank<br /><br /><br />More snapshots: The Cast<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_pJ8vgDJD2MPQHoA1Fnypg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6-HlaH8fI/AAAAAAAADAE/LC_jXBpu2Qg/s288/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Turista</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Fb8cLeJJJ1bobkDcZdaDCw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6-K9pYI0I/AAAAAAAADAU/nELFzwgrdZ4/s288/DSC_0075.JPG" /></a><br />Me by Mon<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2QrrpJoGVZ155uFkh3_S_A?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVSJ8IKzhOIpbJXYY6iVU1hdA18U6O4vAuTbk8dJvD1e7wU6Z7T-2OOpWkeMKL4L9XuaAZMXgmd7lOqha0hfeA6fZxm_Ivllpff_eF0SMMYA141dVSsAFMFcETRtXwmrt-kS1Z2U1VKo/s288/DSC_0084.JPG" /></a><br />Ed (his photos <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com/photos/album/57">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SgD8YVWtoNnPhHNTRSzm2A?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6-RS4skPI/AAAAAAAADA8/y2a5Yav2nUw/s288/DSC_0093.JPG" /></a><br />Mon (the "actual shot" <a href="http://zerodryden.multiply.com/photos/photo/57/20">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2wBj2B7Il4WR6XTzV9Y-Lg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSXuFE1igXmyOIF4FOF_4xfJrI1Sn0Td0Bly1fVQUekUYoxi8k5MgD9js5qyOnMGbKIw8IbSX9dOb_5wT9QShGt5_uDSoHymSSkY4wwKArVuLXf4WyTmXVA2JQbYJS3M10y9uCAFc3Og/s288/DSC_0105.JPG" /></a><br />"Behind the scene" shot<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LdvK3uBPVmw9Iq8G-HOCrw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__rz1jkeOeTLu-ujIuW8vXKChocdpsJpxYeh2wUy_BQenOBu-jeqjJrlFDrYSGtaDRPJ7-2oClK-pM85JduLKn5e4X2HDz9rZveAW_BMeddD_5oeSV4VW_RMEV61K7f4Z3Yu5PKTmfcA/s288/DSC_0145.JPG" /></a><br />Going further down the basement<br /><br /><br />Finally, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">jumpshot</span>. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZBbha-0pcfIMlbxNMhJnDA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCj6PGdrZH10QE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1mul0M6UYJ5cWF0GhRQrPnKXtAGp-0bBDdeooourtiwodXhsXBExgkq9LkZM49D_i1xfWdEmk8zAcxMp7upDq0Q7SqUPUB5iI5iFH27L_Tih0YMdptsff4gpF9vPoqKYc2SaemybWQc/s400/DSC_0171.JPG" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jumpshot</span> (by Mon)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-89328330397737611522009-05-04T20:05:00.004+08:002009-05-04T20:21:57.464+08:00April 30: Cafe Creperie & CafeI'm not really sure about the cafe name. I just Googled "creperies and cafe HCMC" And no photos, unfortunately. I got tired attempting to take good pictures. I missed a point and shoot camera that day.<br /><br />The cafe had a relaxing ambiance, with lots of foreigners, apparently a favorite place for <span style="font-style: italic;">mga puti</span> (foreigners). I believe that place would have had been a haven for me if I had stayed first in Can Tho then in HCMC.<br /><br />Anyway, the food was great. Depending on which preference you would like it to see, it was a either or both a dessert (for Ed) or a snack (for me).<br /><br />Ed got a very tempting, delicious-looking, yummy-looking, mouth-watering crepe with fruits (strawberry, uhm, and others). There were different kinds of fruits on his plate, but my eye just gazed on the strawberry. I haven't tasted it, though.<br /><br />I got "apple blossom" crepe. This was one heck of an English language lesson for me. When the waiter confirmed my order, he said something NOT like "apple blossom." It was more of "eyp'l" then the blossom sounded like a mumble. I thought he was talking to me in Vietnamese, which shocked and surprised me, then looked at Ed for help (Mon went to "WC" - or restroom or CR or toilet or whatever else you want to call them - that time). Sorry, I didn't think he said "apple blossom." :)<br /><br />Apple blossom crepe had apple sprinkled with cinnamon. Sweet. Too sweet for someone with an ordinary tooth (non-sweet tooth). Great for coffee, or beer!<br /><br />The crepe's texture was just right, with the right thickness, and just the right tenderness to go with the soft apple and sweet cinnamon. Yummy. Ed was surprised that I could finish it off even if I said I was already full during lunch at Little Manila. Mon, of course, wasn't surprised with my appetite. ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Next stop: Reunification Palace</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-33928995277408602212009-05-04T17:12:00.004+08:002009-05-10T14:27:32.040+08:00April 30: Reunification DayVietnam celebrates <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunification_Day">Reunification Day</a> on April 30. Hence, festivities, activities, and thousands of scooters seen around this street...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T8AF6ZFF_H5-878wInXR7Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZx-EJROn8oSQiLt0J7ZtmBTHeoxTjeQWPld4mtEHXEDSLxMRePDGZ9woRCd3VQ9E3xUuZ2niW1m9P_OVmhFIjhzz-OqxotaIUjR5dtcqWYJzBv9Q37w-5ImLb3ZoZuVs2-gxvGfmL7A/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Did I say thousands? This is just a tiny glimpse of that throng of crowd...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aqhxl1MOWWCIhESHmql8rQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLJhyAwJU7QP9ZZGQmP7ESTYDarFVswZ1eZx6SzwQiZeMqIL66eApMdDrf7Sqrm5m_yKbeaFYIV3MTREYSp2EAbojFZ680P98H8IgfCVkoeyb96Yegwvcxnm-ZcIrLsTLNuNSEO99Nnk/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...who went out of their way to witness an event (which I did not see)...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bTAu9uE1ekD0gaDnio67rQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ_4uOFQg93HbX6wKpaZMPmfRx6Mux8Zsmue5f9qXSCSItSoOfR__VDJSG0GPvl4XLeU86n9C2pFj9jcIjPHSOA4lhyrmxJ1VCNrgGXQGUAzgMZTdYDhPnOnXA5Os9_x0JgJ_th9g4-o/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And there was this person who talked to us. Sorry man, I panicked when you agreed to have your picture taken. Not as good as it should be.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iMkwdP_3Lawn-ejcHmJa4Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD2DPjJvlmUui76c3ETaaxD70UkQFx3b9y0uFKBQNjGfaanmKSNx5bNX9ObpIxaUGpeNits0u3Mghk8bqcxSeQL3VuCDt9qjzdjh7X-f14LUVja21dkaRA6NXLm2lgGvgsnL84rTSSVk/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thank you for that smile. :)<br /><br />Further we walked and crossed this street...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o8HNR25BPnPuyv8LCXGZ3Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6z4eA_v9I/AAAAAAAAC_8/vOPNWrCya8w/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...saw this crowd and an activity I could not understand...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vV3egYqISris9T8pgDId3g?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMZmbz0ThfF-x4uzCrDlzhHF7AHK-Ncfm8P15jmo7F7evEFhNmnQidN66pFVNbQOwFGok44G3WoBl8K9oFdoQ20hBddu1zLpj0oYD-UitHxiCdMzQi-F5Z_-N5jFDiqbGjV4YR9RGI5k/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...at least I got this beautiful shot...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PndaR-GXSwG-dlUfNIzWAA?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPCes2o3rZ-FK9PkhJ3GJyE4XitdXhYad6LIDA8CuIL5QHBX1IDJmapyct7lAqm_tZQjgbfpoRcAKc7RlJbYpkd3a1RPD9ZBo_ZHg8memTSL5MfxKC0GvK26sxrBm_OsoLhYCYtIAw90/s400/DSC_0052.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...of Mon in the green green grass of Vietnam.<br /><br />Then off we went to the "Creperies and Cafes" to eat dessert or snack, whichever you prefer.<br /><br />;)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-91780349886934121492009-05-04T16:41:00.004+08:002009-05-10T14:26:27.323+08:00April 30: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post OfficeNext stop: <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Notre Dame Cathedral</span><br /><br />The Cathedral was closed, so we simply shot pics outside. This was basically a trip to visit Mon and a trip for a photoshoot, anyway. So off to use the camera!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-teqSOutn5_y9eJryjS_ug?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNcC5oC9V4tcc0FP5atlo8BJWgW3qYNiYY_AbJGXRxrx3W3OBlkhwmcnYw_AZ_vB5D_uQVLedNqQBDYGXqxsjfK4kxO6z-wBBjGrKYxJghPKjUJvSFCI0EJjHsEqsUNt9I9gswHsjUls/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" /></a><br />Lady of Notre Dame and the Cathedral<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j-Ox1nKSlVa8iAniYmC9Xw?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PxTClW-N8kIxiZwumoKV1YJMVI_2CQUSlhC__lNwmcoEisWcVvRYTA-bThVLQ0HWJgYqM2t9RSFZ9VUJ5-TxXChZRJm_YfjuV2L5rAn5BT8O-EJXPZjtZgPCagdIFHbmXKpD_4jy0Hc/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" /></a><br />The Cathedral<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KDc-T-f_Mn1IVNSV_uRgjA?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9ctfjJlLvnqgjUrw3C4S3zIwZhMWMTKofeMKbBA8WaJjeOsCHO3jrX_NHqMOvhA4m7ScmOkZGgvK_apMcKq-eIfxeEfAoTZ4tReF0a4OsXmHgkp5S27cfPpalFJmOXSCgyy7tKrCahM/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a><br />Mon<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8jZiV_6-VIlfFoCMs1i0Xw?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxmu1bn0b_aXrBmWPbWTzA2JvhD6ZR_u5e76UhZBRVojNA3AT7utIZXd6NkNfYQwCD9541btch_VdFoHeQW55SmWe6aw95eEGecvgq4PjUpce5QI60UIRNmPMUgY5SJesRGECgMbxcJQ/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" /></a><br />A street vendor who I think was not happy to have her photo taken<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KkSgwfeL6ndKzu5IPvkXhw?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNsLLThOW25eexTH31GLBKMlj6yH2qrZBgZiC5Fkl3ruh3jQYiUDSKcUi9geKd_DBzfmzDf1WQh-5fX1ziP9nS_GNtG61IkD63cX-fV9VgzZhgvnRCyz6JFA_z8whkiwkYeouhuAa8Mw/s400/DSC_0034.JPG" /></a><br />A bike, with a Vietnamese posing in the background<br /><br /><br />Next stop: <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Post Office</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FOyLz5HxfJZnXX9ixOKWEQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k4Lcm6A4YJkwTAlAqb8nIZnROxfX8xonqf-Ap_Lo-pwSt1BGtXIN96ctv5i8iOBZlDK-gcIPqYeCqoKoUyIdZM5aoCEfo2UcSPGa_lci76G2ZvH30yep7DzuESEFAT3ui7Nfd-sdDuU/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" /></a><br />View from the Cathedral garden<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lyQjZugMBU4e0pTHJwMJ_g?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-GizuKTLpGf1IN6WAPAslloJ_4SePZIBjepgG5KSfgVD4emTrUq7YekHWX31INI-8TMJFT7NgSd7YUgCdHwesSdcoG710SGdcORuSph5IQfcWyn9baisnqJrVR8ANmiFsdvXdV1-e0o/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" /></a><br />With a Vietnamese and a tourist on the side ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2bAdX6DDfO89Rfxy0vv1Tw?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3SORubCXucyZjkGx2-HLdg0kIrxVV5ogZBCNzqTrLXu61UDUuwOq-RtJgmqm9denFJwm0FDYXKajZepW0h8hOPiasoBzDSfZgMOm8uBaL88Cw0QvcSbitCbD0Ft-ELjznD5EmCCbd-E/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a><br />Inside<br /><br /><br />That was a tiring moment to take pictures, a difficult attempt to use the camera right. I did not even notice that the exposure compensation was set to one or two steps brighter. I sometimes could not even frame a photograph properly. Bringing a totally new camera to a trip can be frustrating, but fun. Haha.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-38156410207037227892009-05-04T16:09:00.002+08:002009-05-10T14:25:42.997+08:00April 30: The Food Trip Begins...in Little Manila...<br /><br />...where we played with my camera <span style="font-style: italic;">(in the pic: Ed with his camera)</span>...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KZ48vUrZANgNhaPR71vYCA?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_f-rzIL-e4tirM12don_L2J53CEMMAy75C9vdHgFyfWq77AgJpfDkCxroTWx1_IVW-dDCKWJQpOn5rpbNqUL9RXOKQokuxNNTupDjT4CeQRiwC3qbyzZdyqQxgYUPmKan6FaqJ53N3k/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...getting a just decent shot of the (Mon's) much missed San Mig Light...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4WCvzJusTDNchxEInadr8Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gUOqJeCwbfR0VW3huZlnHnSj4T7rdS3yeplDK6eHKE340qVGqwtWSB81zjeAm3w8lXcze_QogkNq0C59cgbJGmtXVpavYgbztc3UhCoY6AMtxzRvhK_yaXRLRrzD7fhJiOTMmpTy39Y/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...where he also took a random picture...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PmrtgYFmTROZP9FYw1xbuA?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf6jfofJYQI/AAAAAAAAC90/gb87rLK1mYU/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a><br /><br />...before we ate pork sisig, kare-kare and dinuguan.<br /><br />It was officially the start of the food trip in Ho Chi Minh City.<br /><br />:)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Another P.S.:</span> Back at the apartment, we also did a few shots with the cam. <span style="font-style: italic;">Adik sa cam waaahhh!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/65iuzwdBzMBISeC7iu25VQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkbdHHKB6_ZzK5gJsOk0P7ZNUKP5ouk-eqOH8nhLIxl7PofQyy_IaZKy97bUmW2Q7H3DOj4ACCtr32LurMlaKhhbl1uiQFx6KTgwQ55cwEKSERA3FUENtFW2zxPVSkaAxtnOlITu4nAA/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ed, who was very nice to tour us around (I think this one's taken by Mon)</span><br /></span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WTHSjUiorBBwUPeBV0r2Pg?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79kq7c4u3bKfaQTBJ1lo0Bm-igDIQZS7GoeuqGpPcukUiz1zkRejPu7IUDwkYZOjk7XUh_89SBw6a7_DpRsPSS0IxaeuDSaDAeVDLBgppBgItyy4Li5xsTjbuDhtyI4XupMfOGzeuz7w/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mon's self-taken photo</span><br /></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234051720148414497.post-53778126724454740622009-05-04T09:19:00.001+08:002009-05-10T14:35:56.374+08:00April 30: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamThey allowed me to board the plane. No hassle. Except that a lot of the passengers were speaking a foreign language. That's the start.<br /><br />Finally, earlier than the supposed 9:00 AM arrival schedule (local time), flight PR 159 arrived at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.<br /><br />Arriving at their airport is hassle-free. It was not crowded, and there was a special line for ASEAN passport holders. As a Filipino citizen, I am allowed to stay here until May 21 - no need for visa for tour for 21 days. But I will be staying until the 8th only.<br /><br />When I stepped outside the glass doors of the airport, I did not see a familiar face. Lots of Vietnamese policemen (the men in olive-avocado green uniform, they are policemen, right?). Mon, where are you? Then I heard my name. Mon.<br /><br />Instead of getting excited to see him, I was simply relieved that I saw him, and noted that <span style="font-style: italic;">ang itim niya.</span> He was with Ed, his friend and Manila Water officemate.<br /><br />It really helped that we were with Ed. I could not understand the Vietnamese's english! It was just <span style="font-style: italic;">blah-blah-blah</span>.<br /><br />Outside the airport premises, it was motorcycles everywhere. Motorcycles. Motorcycles. Motorcycles everywhere. Did I say motorcycles? Yes, motorcycles everywhere. I just said it, motorcycles. Everywhere. It was not even the normal motorcycles everywhere during rush hour, they said, since it was a holiday. But still, motorcycles were everywhere.<br /><br />Finally, we arrived at the serviced apartment where Ed stays after some 20-30 minutes of ride along motorcycles, er, the busy streets of HCMC. I don't know how much it was, but I guess $15 per night? I'll check it later. A little freshening up, then off to the first stop: Little Manila.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Next: The Food Trip begins</span><br /><br />P.S. While in the airplane, I played with my camera. I would be using this camera for my trip, and I didn't know yet how to use it properly.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t1plgFmY6Xt4n9YVPbSAtA?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf5LU2h72vI/AAAAAAAAC8E/SglQFu1jA58/s400/_DSC_0001.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Fasten Seat Belt While Seated</span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JrXxICzQBYWNG4T5xKOczw?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0i1Ja0-sEC8/Sf5LVnvamWI/AAAAAAAAC8M/6IMouJspGIs/s400/_DSC_0002.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Trigger Happy</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sehFpfM4vnlTg-2Uo5ybGg?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaDGZcyc2PcFO5PR4CaBrA3AQ7XNv26GshWbZ8ISk-zBBJOlClQo7RIvsQyX43xcr7qKZYKuQCIimNEhtXawHq2SvesRAj8e9MQYCeeSIKEgRgv45Bca74A-SE4XZpLkmlG0zw9OmrdU/s400/_DSC_0008.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">There was a man sleeping by that seat, shoes off, socks showing</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KuWsJqx7dBgLq7zsxEVfCg?authkey=Gv1sRgCL73kr-TtZ3c0wE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqrjNfNnI6wi9BfZ02PjQikfNXSlBZrcWG32oNEm1FZ7PE7iPmeYADR2i1-5Ioe0hqw_qDQmK9WoIfsV_-MtlDQQBnWKwgWcJ6whxPEaB13Aonc0XDrxSL8T-d5FVysne4qso9Izeqww/s400/_DSC_0006.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Trying hard shot</span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08446702792167374338noreply@blogger.com0