May 6-7: The War Museum

After visiting Can Tho Museum, I walked further down the road to go to the war museum. Along the way, I passed by this:


...a shot of Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel against a rare sunny sky as a background.

So finally, the war museum, whose "English" name I actually forgot after a year of visiting.



What can you see there? Of course, lots of war stuff - guns, ammunitions, sky craft, etc.





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?

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?




May 7, 2009

The following day, I went to finish touring around that war museum. Aside from the ammunitions, you can see him:



I can't resist posting those other stuff:



And this photo of lady soldiers:


And this sort of glass art or wall mural (what do you call these kind of art, anyway?):


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.



And so, this was how it looked like then on the afternoon of May 7, 2009...



:)

May 6: Museum Trips - Can Tho Museum

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.

Here are some pictures (more at the Picasaweb site).


This thing (whatever you call it) actually gave me some creep since they were life-size.


While this thing reminded me of Ninoy Aquino.


I loved seeing old weapons. Cool. Thrilling.


And especially this old camera.


I do not know what was written there to describe this piece... I simply found it interesting.


Mural. I could really feel their pride in their history. I wish I could say the same thing about my country.


I was really thrilled seeing those guns. Haha!




Coming to more recent history, they featured photographs about their development.


Can Tho Bridge, still under construction, was also featured.


A celebration (what was it again?)


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).


Inside the "pagoda" inside the museum.


Ao Dai


This was bronze. They also had other sort of bronze things, even a book.

More on next posts. :)

April 30: Independence Palace

Reunification Palace


A view from the top (well, almost)

A historic place for the Vietnamese.

Ticket to enter the palace is at 15.000 VND per person.

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).

Snapshots inside:


Corridor


Booklet


Office of the President (there's a cheetah inside >> check it out here)


Credentials presenting room


Gambling Room


Heliport


Basement


This is a real gun


Mercedes Benz (see the "behind the scene" here)


I wonder if that's really the target they use for practice shooting...


A Tank


More snapshots: The Cast


Turista


Me by Mon


Ed (his photos here)


Mon (the "actual shot" here)


"Behind the scene" shot


Going further down the basement


Finally, my jumpshot. :)


Jumpshot (by Mon)