Thursday, November 02, 2006
I have returned to continue writing on my trip as it is less of a pain to write than to watch Fiona Xie on TV.
Day 2 in HCM was rather uneventful. We spent the earlier part of the day touring the city and visiting some sites that include the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the central Post Office, a musuem, Binh Tay Market and a temple. We sampled Vietnamese rice noodles called Pho at an outlet named Pho2000. They had photographs of Bill Clinton visiting the place hung all over the walls. Compared to their rival, Pho 24, they had a larger variety but they paled in the flavour of their soups and service. We were appalled when they took away the plate of fried bun that was untouched on our table to serve to others. Although we did not eat from that plate, we might have contaminated them.
Later that noon, we spent time shopping at Saigon square where imitation luxury goods and apparels were sold. There was a large selection of haversacks, winter wear, DVDs and American labels. Saigon Tax Centre was our next stop. It was an air-conditioned and clean building that sold goods similar to what Ben Thanh market offered. Our boss gleefully shopped while the rest of us decided to make an early return to the hotel.
The night's dinner was a great feast of local food. We had Banh Xeo - a pancake with beansprouts, pork and shrimps, grilled catfish, fried spring rolls. As usual, the meal was supplemented with plates full of leafy vegetables of mustard greens, peppermint leaves, basils, etc.
On our third day in HCM, we had time to ourselves. I led the pack to their Lucky Plaza. It was a new low-rise building that sold counterfeit goods. After a futile tour around that place, we proceeded to walk to Benh Thanh. Alas, my navigation skills were atrocious and we ended up on a wild goose chase around the city for hours. I sure left my colleagues panting and sweating. They only stopped short of cursing and swearing at me, openly. Maybe under they breath, I had long been banished to the lowest of the planet.
SC had thoughtfully arranged for us to have a massage done later that afternoon. A galore of jokes transpired when we first arrived at the spa centre. Shuyun and I had requested for male masseuse for a stronger Thai massage experience. When we were led to the changing area, we were astonished to find out that we had to undress and put on a sarong. A series of hilarious exchanges took place between the staff and us when we tried to explain that we shouldn't be made to strip down especially since we saw how a Japanese client was indecently exposed. They finally understood that we were not doing an aromatherapy massage and handed us more appropriate garments, much to the relief of SY and myself since those who are laying hands on us are males.
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(time for prison break. this time, i definitely wont blog more... kekeke.)
9:34 PM
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