May 8: Back to Manila

Back to Ho Chi Minh City first.

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).


Here's Mon where we had our stopover...


...where we had this rice noodles I love...

...and where you could find these kinds of fruits and other fresh goods...








Approaching HCMC and going to the airport (or at least that mall near the airport), you could catch a glimpse of...


...Eden Garden...


...a man on this tri-bike with the nicely landscaped rotonda and a Vaseline billboard as a background...


...a busy street...


...tons of sugarcanes on that pedicab almost look-alike...


...a cab on a street with heavy traffic (tel. no. 35.12.12.12)...


...and another cab (tel. no. 38 111 111).

We had our lunch at that mall near the airport (Parkson Square)...


...where you could see the airport...


...and a light flow of traffic...


...while enjoying a soup at Coca...


...and another shake with cute straw...


...with a rice meal that does not forget vegetable side dishes...


...and a seafood meal that does not forget the leaves.


And that's me - tired, happy for being with Mon, but sad that I'd be going back to Manila away from him.

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. :)

And, more importantly, Parkson Square offers a free shuttle to and from the airport regularly (every hour, I think).


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.


This is Michael. I guess where he is now and if he remembers the young (ahem) couple he met in 2009.

Some aerial shots as the plane took off:


May 8, 2009 - HCMC or near that city


May 8, 2009 - I wonder if this is still HCMC


Above the clouds...


...a peaceful view...


...with the airplane's wing...


...an attempt to catch the sunset, but the filter got in the way...


...and finally, the sun setting.

Back to Manila. Back to the Philippines.

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.

Up next, where? :)

April 30: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

They allowed me to board the plane. No hassle. Except that a lot of the passengers were speaking a foreign language. That's the start.

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.

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.

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.

Instead of getting excited to see him, I was simply relieved that I saw him, and noted that ang itim niya. He was with Ed, his friend and Manila Water officemate.

It really helped that we were with Ed. I could not understand the Vietnamese's english! It was just blah-blah-blah.

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.

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.

Next: The Food Trip begins

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.


Fasten Seat Belt While Seated


Trigger Happy


There was a man sleeping by that seat, shoes off, socks showing


Trying hard shot

At the Airport

I arrived in the airport before the doors even opened. Yet, I went to the check-in counter who was manned by someone who so frequently asked questions from his supervisor (I think he's new, and doesn't know all the procedures, and has to verify each decision he has to make. Duh.)

Ho-hum. Nothing much to say this time. Uh, there's a free wi-fi. I bought a fluffy mamon from Goldilocks. And my camera's crying out for attention.

Oh, the camera. I think it would be nice for me to test that camera again. I still do not know the difference between the P mode and the auto mode.

Side kwento: The woman in front of me has a Mac laptop. My dream laptop. Though not really. I want it in white, even if I'm not really good taking care of my gadgets. Hers is in black. And reality check, I am not willing to spend that much for a Mac. It's just a dream. Even if you give me a million pesos (oh really? haha).

That's it for now. I guess cameras are allowed here? Hehe.