Asian Wonders #17 Ladies who wear the Conical Palm Hat
16 Feb 2012 11 Comments
I became fixated with ladies who were wearing the conical palm hat as they went about their daily tasks and snapped away quite a few times. Each photo has a woman wearing the hat I admired. I so wanted to speak with each one of them and perhaps listen to their stories. I wanted to know so much about them, but the only contact I was awarded was the ability to catch a glimpse of them in that moment of our time together. You may have seen some of these women throughout the blogs, but perhaps look again.
Asian Wonders # 16: Hong Kong
12 Feb 2012 3 Comments
Asian Wonders #16: Hong Kong and HOME!
Masks of Fantastic Creatures on loan from The British Museum have messages for us.
May you be healed: 
May you be free of the evil spirits: 
May you live a long life free of fear: 
It’s cold here in Hong Kong and everyone has a cold, a cough and snot is everywhere. Gosh, for a germaphobic like me this is a difficult environment. The spitting still goes on here in the streets of this bustling New York like city, but a lot less now than when we visited in 1999. As in most cities in China, spitting is a big “no no” and motorbikes are absolutely not allowed in the city centers. If you grew up spitting in the streets I guess it is hard to change, but if you drive a motorbike in the city there is a huge fine. We saw a motorbike crash head to tail in front of our hotel. We are in a lovely hotel, The Kowloon Hotel, right across a little street and slightly in back of the Peninsula Hotel. We are on the Lounge Club floor with a view of Victoria Harbor, including breakfast, tea, and cocktails. They had a little anniversary party for us because when I made the reservations I told them we were celebrating our 50th. How sweet of them to remember.
Meet Joey Lee the Harbor Club Purser at the Kowloon Hotel. She will greet you and help you with everything and besides she is the nicest person. She is interested in everything.
We thought we would go for tea at the Peninsula, but the lines for tea were extensive. Instead we just gawked and enjoyed seeing such a famous old landmark. We happily crossed the street to our lovely digs and enjoyed free tea in the Harbor Lounge.
Nighttime walking on Kowloon streets:
My new very favorite food is Glutinous Rice in a Lotus Leaf! It is very delicious. It is thick, dense and feels rich and full-bodied in your mouth. It makes you keep going back for more. They have a Laser light show in Victoria Harbor every night at 8:00. The first night we ran with the crowd. We had to hurry along with everyone. We dashed down many, steps. Walked a little only to have to grind a climb up the steps on the other side. We had to go under the street to cross safely. We got to the viewing site in plenty of time.
I do not know anything about the Chinese people from this visit. I only know the sweet pleasant smiles of the service people and the beautiful, fashionably dressed people walking by. Some of the sellers at the maretplaces want your money so badly, they hawk gruffly in your face. They negotiate in loud, clipped tones and when you have made a deal the literally grab the money, shove your item in a bag and turn their back on you. We had an opportunity to speak for a little while with a couple from India. He said he wondered if you ever know if you have received the best price. I told him, he will never know and none of us will. The price you are willing to pay and the price you settle upon is the best price. The three market places we visited and each worse than the other are: The Lady Street Market, The Stanley Market, on the way back from Victoria Peak and the Temple Street Night market.
We took the cable car up to Victoria Peak to get a shot of the view from that height. It was so foggy, and you see what we saw. Not worth the struggle. .
We rode a small sampan out into the Aberdeen a fishing neighborhood of Hong Kong. It is where people live on their boats and you can negotiate a sampan ride from one of the ladies who run the boats out to see the sights in this area.They have preserved this area as a tourist site primarily now, but it was/is an active water village for hundreds of years.
Still in Aberdeen: The first photo is of the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant and the second one is the back of the restaurant: See what you can see floating around.
We were told that the Chinese are not good at inventing, but can copy anything known to man. They can, indeed. I think the reason they are so far ahead of where they used to be is that they can copy and we buy. They have gone to many other countries and taken the best they have to offer and manufactured it as Made in China, which it is…. How ingenious is that? We, at least I have been taught to create something wholly your own and in the creating that is the genius. Well, I have seen a new light. Copy if you can and add your own genius to it. This is very financially beneficial. I have always been fascinated by the Chinese culture and should have studied more before we made the trip, and you can be certain a study will be made and we will gladly know so much more.
Hong Kong is totally separate from China, the mainland, but many Chinese have one foot in Hong Kong for investment purposes and it has served most of them well. They are building a new high-speed train. The train service now connecting Hong Kong with Beijing is a 28-hour train ride. The new mass construction of the new train will cut the travel time down to 8 hours. The construction sites are everywhere.
We have enjoyed the bustling streets full of people on the go. You can truly shop until you drop and you can buy anything you want, you just have to know where to go to get it.
We rode on top of an open-air bus through the city streets at night. It was an interesting new perspective and very cold. It was almost impossible to get a good nighttime photo because of their glaring yellow streetlights, so sit back and just enjoy the hubbub.
Our last stop was the tallest building in Hong Kong called Sky 100 because you view Hong Kong at a 360-degree experience on the 100th floor. The view from the 100th floor is knowing you are very high!
Today we visited the 1881 Springtime Wonderland at the Grand Piazza and the Museum of Art. The best gallery is the one containing old pictures and prints of Hong Kong. It is hard to believe that this spectacular city is built on what once was mountainous terrain and jungle. Actually, forgive me, but Hong Kong is still a jungle of an altered kind. I have noticed that the jungle animals here nowadays who are in a hurry and do not mind knocking into you, and shoving you along to wherever they are going. They have no spacial boundaries. Mine are huge! Never mind, I forgot to mention seeing antiquities at the museum from the Tang Dynasty, The Sun Dynasty and The Qing. I know there were more dynasties represented but the three mentioned are all that I can remember. For an experience and general knowledge, Google Chinese Dynasties and enjoy reading about how the various dynasties played their roles in Chinese history. We have enjoyed our Asian Wonders trip and have enjoyed having you along. We have been blessed and are happy and lucky! Happy and Lucky are attributes the Asian people hold to be very special and important. Do you not agree?
Asian Wonders # 14: The Art of Bonsai, Penjing or Hon Non Bo
10 Feb 2012 1 Comment
The art of Bonsai is planting in a tray (bon) low-sided pot and sai, is the planting. This is traditionally a Japanese art form. But similar plantings exist as I have seen in China called Penjing, from which they say the art form originated. There are also miniature living landscapes of the Vietnamese call Hon Non Bo, with accents appropriated designated for certain letters, but not available on this computer. So, since this is a collection from Thailand, Vietnam and China, can you tell which is which? I have no idea, but I am pleased with the collection. The purpose of these beautiful plantings is contemplation for the viewer and certainly creativity and a great deal of continued effort for the grower.
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Asian Wonders #13 Old Canton/ Guangzhou in Guangdong Provence from the Huangpu Port
09 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
Meaningful dragon # six of nine:
First and foremost, I would like to thank a VERY special company for allowing us 6 days of private in depth touring of our ports and surrounding cities. The company I highly recommend is China Odyssey Tours at:
www.ChinaOdysseyTours.com and ask for Yeliz because she is a very special agent! We were happy with each and every tour guide, hotel and driver. We learned first hand about our specified tour for the day and shared experiences with the people living in our city stops. THANK YOU you for all of our stress free learning and sharing experiences.
Today we had a bit of culture shock. There we were in the heart of Vietnam yesterday, a, developing, country, not there yet and will wait many, many years to get anything much done, into a country developed and straining to develop even more. The city is full, chocked full of beautiful skyscrapers which are office buildings. Apartment buildings, a lovely beautifully designed Opera house and across from that a huge gorgeous stadium. It goes on and on…our guide told us that China develops a little each year, a moderate amount every three years and a lot every five years. Good job, China.
We visited Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is a Chinese style building and was sponsored by Chinese government to commemorate Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great forerunner of the Chinese revolution. The hall once had 4,000 seats and when it was rebuilt because of fire, they only put in 3,000 seats. When asked why there are fewer seats, the comment was made that the Chinese were getting too fat, so they cut the seats so they would lose weight. Good answer, but probably due to new architectural plans. The sound used to have an echo but now they have fixed the sound enjoying concerts and large venues there in the hall.
Plaque in Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s calligraphy in which he states:
“The world belongs to the public”
Many Chinese people envy the self-confidence they think the American’s possess. They feel that what they are doing is always not quit good enough and envy being able to feel that one is doing well. I did not know the way I always felt was a Chinese way of thinking. It took a long time to think of myself as doing well, but I am there more often than just once in a while. When you travel you really do not get into the minds set of the people and their way of living. You barely scratch the surface and besides, it changes from district to district as it does everywhere from place to place. You can’t know and understand what the people you are visiting are all about and truly understand because their ways of thinking are so complex. Maybe and hopefully you slice a sliver off to take home and cherish. What you do learn when traveling is a lot about yourself. Now that is the truth!!
Your bathroom awaits madam. You know, you stand spread eagle and squat. There is nothing to it. BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper) and put it into the basket along side the squatter.
The government in China does govern. We were told that if you want to have a baby you do have to petition for permission, especially if you have moved from your place of birth (to insure the child wil have a place in school)or maybe it is for everyone wanting to have a baby. The rule still holds that you can only have one. But if you and your husband are only children, you can have two. Here is a photo taken with the lucky mother’s permission. She is allowed to have two or three or as many as come, but only within the parameters of the one pregnancy.
Our next stop was The Chen Family Temple and also known as Guangdong Folk Art Museum. It used to be the study house of the Chen Family in the 1890’s and also happens to be beautifully decorated ancient architecture.
We also enjoyed he demonstrations of folk art being made on the premises.
Two gentlemen dressed in ancient clothing posing at the Folk Art Museum.
Paper cutting, beautiful!
Some carved ivory caught our eye!
The carved balls are a piece to insure future generations. I bought one for our family, but not out of ivory, out of sandalwood. Have you ever had the sensual pleasure of smelling freshly carved sandalwood? It is hypnotic. I put the balls in my jacket pocket and by the end of the afternoon, I was in a mellow, comfortable state of mind. I think I am a little allergic to long-term association with freshly carved sandalwood because my nose got stuffy and started to run. After distancing from the smell the nose cleared up. Still, the smell is just a great treat.
Ivory Generation balls:
Time to say good-bye to Canton and get ready to make our way to Hong Kong and the end of our journey. Don’t stop reading. I have several more Travelblogs coming your way.
Asian Wonders # 12: Chinese cures for EVERYTHING
09 Feb 2012 2 Comments
Meaningful dragon # five of nine
GOOD HEALTH TO YOU!
You do know that there is a cure for every ailment on earth, supposedly provided in natures grand form. Your only chore is to find out which one works and how to prepare it. Here are some materials for remedies provided here.
Asian Wonders # 11: Docked at Ha Long Bay and an Overnight Adventure in Hanoi, Vietnam
08 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
Asian Wonders # 11: Docked at Ha Long Bay and an Overnight Adventure in Hanoi, Vietnam
Dragon 3 and 4 in my quest to find 9 meaningful dragons.
Ha Long Bay is located in northern Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin near the border with China (people in this region make daytrips to china for shopping and can return the same day) and 106 miles to Hanoi. Ha Long Bay means “Bay of the Descending Dragon” in the Vietnamese language.
I woke early to be able to stand on the top deck to watch Ha Long Bay and the monument islands unfold. At first I was disappointed because it was a foggy morning and misting as well. But once one realizes that weather is an enhancement, you just cock your camera and start shooting. Ha Long bay is counted as the most beautiful bay in the world and has been added to UNESCO’s list of important places to save. One of these photos is as good, as the one this cruise line uses for publicity.
Yes we did ride 3 almost 4 hours on a bumpy, pothole filled road to Hanoi from Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. We journeyed through village after village. Each village while different had enough of the characteristics to make it Vietnam. What a pleasure and a privilege to be here. But once again the history of our involvement arises. They have gentle reminders, but show no outward animosity. I will say that each major city we have visited seems to have a War Museum that you are taken to visit and it shows some of the military weaponry and the awful things done here. Gulp, you want to say, “Sorry,” but I didn’t because who will I say it to?
Let us move on. The Vietnamese could not have been nicer to us or treated us with any more courtesy than if we were royalty. I thank them for that and I thank them welcoming us into their country once again in another time, on another level.
When we finally arrived in Hanoi, we had another interesting lunch.
After lunch we checked into our hotel and were then treated to a Cyclo-Ride. This is a chair, all your own, where you sit and are peddled into the center of the city for an hour. Remember all of those two-wheeled motorbikes and all the head on traffic I talked about? As your chair begins its ride, all of the traffic envelops you, and it was a new head trip altogether. After I got over feeling sorry for the guy peddling, I plunged into the experience. I started to realize that even though I took as many photos as I could, I still could not capture the real street scene. All manner of life is there. I saw a man getting a soapy shave in the middle of the scene, a haircut was in progress, several fellows peed in public, a woman squatted for her relief, small cooking done on the curbs, fruits and vegetables being sold, diapers being changed, families having a meal, everything being sold and all kinds of activities and exchanges were happening. I even stared down a fellow having a beer, until we finally both cracked a smile. I saw, everything being sold or shown, needed and or not needed, but honestly, one of the only things I did not see was copulating by man or beast. It was there, I am sure, but I just didn’t see it.
After the ride, I was told that one of the other peddlers would not let his occupant take photos. I was so grateful my driver let me be the boss I over tipped him. In looking over the photos, I can see it was something you had to be there to feel and understand because the photos are rather tame compared to the actual ride. There are so, so many photo opportunities that pass, connect to the brain, committed to the memory section, but are gone when the finger begin to push the button! Click! Gone!
Burn your trash at the side of the road.
We met our guide this morning in the Lobby of The Hotel Elegance and the moment you opened the door, you found yourself in the middle of everything happening. The intensity and density of the activity in the street causes momentary euphoria. A camera can capture many scenes, but density and intensity to humans escapes technology capabilities, so far. I think. Before we got started on the day’s touring activities, I opened the lobby door and went out to join the activity in the streets. I put myself in the middle of a bunch of ladies crowded around a particular seller of vegetables and fruit. The ladies bowed, actually smiled and huddled me into their circle. I just stood there absorbing the warmth of their bodies, the sounds of their voices, their smells, their hums and grunts and the buying and selling. They let me be part of them. Oh my! All too soon, I was called to join the tour.
We started the morning at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. This country loves him then, now and forever, and in this Mausoleum he lies for everyone to have a walk around and see him in his final resting place. They say it is really his body even though people have accused his likeness to being perhaps wax. Every year for two months he is not being viewed because of repairs that must be done to preserve him. I will say that his room is so cold you can be sure that damage to him has been slowed down and his preservation enhanced. Google Ho Chi Minh and see what an interesting man he was, life he led and some of the work did for the love of his country.
We continued on to the Literature University, which has a long history, but is no longer a working university. It was begun in the 1300’s to educate the King’s children. At some point it was opened to about 1,000 students who passed rigid exams and showed great promise. Many of the top students were picked as Mandarins who served the king in many helpful as well as leadership roles. There was once a prominent teacher who became the principal of this prestigious school. His name was Chu Van An. He told the king that some of the Mandarins were not doing their jobs and the king repaid him my asking him to leave the school. Chu Van An left the school and went further up north to open a school for children in his village. The king soon found that Chu Van An was absolutely correct in his assessments of some of the Mandarins and asked him to come back to his former position as principal. Chu Van An refused the king’s offer to return to the university as principal and enjoyed teaching the children in his village for the rest of his life. This beautiful statue of Chu Van An is enjoyed by all who visit the university. The grounds of the old university are beautiful and they have been turned into quite a tourist attraction.
For a moment, please pause and look at this thousand year old tree.
We kept on going to see the beautiful Pagoda in West Lake called Tran Quoc. We especially enjoyed this place of prayer and joined in with the donation first, the hands put together in prayer. You shake hands once, twice and a third time. Then, you can give it an extra little spin and do it again. Now, you are blessed and you know it.
We were served an extensive buffet lunch including many Vietnamese delicacies and then transferred the 3 ½ hours back to Ha Long Bay. Since 3 ½ hours is a long time to go with out a break, so, we made a stop at a roadside business full of handmade souvenirs and an opportunity to see them being made.
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We are back on our cruise ship heading through the Straight of Taiwan to Huang Pu, China. Tomorrow, our guide will pick us up and drive us one hour to Guangzhou City/Canton City. After an overnight cruise, we will head into Hong Kong, our final destination.
Asian Wonders # 10: A Day in Hue. (Rhymes with away)
06 Feb 2012 8 Comments
Remember I told you I am looking for nine dragons? Why, Why not? So here is dragon # 2
After one and one half hours of driving through the most interesting countryside, dotted with rice patties and one village after another, we arrived in Hue (the former capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynast of emperors from 1802 until 1945. Hue is a beautiful town with many lovely buildings.
A special day to be driving because it was a Sunday and all the little towns had their market day. The whole village was out selling or buying. What an array of items being sold. What an array of people buying. What a crowd. We passed a funeral. The mourning woman was dressed in white and the procession of monks and musicians passed in front of her, then she came walking and all of her friends and relatives brought up the rear.
After an hour and a half of looking out of the window you get a stiff neck, but aside from that, you get some ideas. Street after street you see run down patched homes, dirt streets, poverty, and beyond shabby, dilapidated, worn out, poorly maintained, and the barest essentials of all manner of life passing by your window, but every ten blocks or so, you see a place of business selling gowns, ball gowns, elegant dresses to wear for very special occasions. The dichotomy is so fascinating. The Vietnamese are very fashionable and do dress up to walk in the dirt and mud in their fancy stylish shoes.
This day was spent in and around the 17th parallel, the Demilitarized Zone in Central Vietnam. They have the philosophy that you close your mind to the past so that you can think of the future. In the area of Hue there are bigger, longer tunnels where people lived for years. Remember the Vietnamese are no strangers to fighting for their independence. The were dominated by the Chinese for 1,000 years, by the Japanese for a much shorter period of time by the French and then came along the Americans trying to unify the country. It was pointed out that the government has a great hold on the people now. They tax them on everything, try to govern their lives as much as possible and where the government ends, the corruption begins. Wow.
We first visited the Forbidden City, then a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is on the riverbank of the Perfume River. It is a beautiful Pagoda having seven floors that make up the tower of the Pagoda. The river is named the Perfume River because in days long ago, boatloads of fresh beautiful smelling flowers were delivered to the city from the river, therefore, named the Perfume River alluding to the wonderful smells of the flowers.
In front of the Pagoda, we boarded a Dragon Boat for a ride down the river to the local Dong Ba Market where we bargained for precious junk. We all did get some things and bargaining is fun, until they take over and they are really in your face. This is a matter of their survival and they see you as what they need. Glad we were with our guide. We did not need him, but nice to have a back up.
Scenes from the Market:
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We were treated to a special lunch and all of the dishes of food were presented in such an unusual and beautiful way. I have photographed some of the presentations so that you would be able to enjoy the presentations as well.
When we came out of the restaurant we saw cows roaming the side streets. Cows are loved and raised to eat!.
I had seen some Water Buffalo on the way into Hue and asked the guide if there could be a way for him to stop so we could photograph water buffalos. He promised if he saw them on our way back he would stop. True to his word he stopped and asked who would like to go. Just me. I got a little stop-on-the-road private tour. We had to cross the hugely busy street and he was the expert who got the job done. Once across the street we had to walk down the road, down an embankment and you have living proof of my slightly off the beaten track adventure. Oh I was so happy and I am so lucky!
Asian Wonders # 9: Mekong Delta and sights along The Mekong River AKA “Song Cuu Long” the River of Nine Dragons.
06 Feb 2012 2 Comments
Of the nine dragons, this is the only one we saw, but hopefully I will collect all of nine:
We started very early this morning for a drive to the city of Cai Be and visited a lovely multi-denominational temple/church. (Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Christianity, and Muslim. Somehow the mixing of faiths gives this temple a special glow.
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I briefly encountered these three women in the city of Cai Be. I was fascinated with their traditional cone hats and their beauty.
Point of interest: As we drove through the Mekong Delta area on our way to the river, we happened upon a resort located in the middle of the Delta region called, “Happy Land” funded and built by Michael Jackson’s father, Joe.
The heart of the day was spent cruising along in our own private Sampan on The Mekong River among the local sampans coming from all provinces to a floating market with fruits and vegetables from all over the delta region. Included are some of my favorite scenes from the river and some people we briefly met in the region.
As we floated along witnessing the sights and sounds of Mekong rural life and Mekong River sights, we stopped to observe rice paper making, coconut candy making and popped rice products. We taste tested everything. We continued on to view traditional brick and tile factors and saw how locals are using palm leaves for houses.
A lovely luncheon awaited us at a special Indochinese restaurant. Sorry, in the photo, I cut off the fin of our Elephant Ear Fish, which was plucked and wrapped with fresh greens and condiments into a rice paper roll.
Asian Wonders #8: Good Morning Vietnam and Highlights of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
06 Feb 2012 2 Comments
I, on my floating palace, glide into Vietnam, feeling like an ingrate, almost a traitor. Why? I think it is because of all that I remember, all of the Veterans of the Vietnam war that tell their stories, all of the tears, the lingering wounds, the loss of dignity for all mankind and the regeneration now that makes me feel these perplexing and mystifying emotions.
Here is what Good Morning Vietnam looks like:
Just yesterday some of us were complaining that the food was not too flavorful on the palace, that Wi-Fi is ninety-five cents a minute, that it was too windy, too hot, too cold, that the toilet paper is so cheap that when moistened, it sticks to your fingers, etc. and here I am on the palace balcony this Vietnam morning crying. I am crying for all that I do not know, do not understand, and for what secrets I might uncover about two countries at a time in history that I remember.
One thing I learned is that the Vietnamese call the war, The American War, whereas we call it the Vietnam War. Another thing I earned is that all sides in times of war can be terribly atrocious.
Did you know that the official name for Vietnam is: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam?
There is a legend that tells of Ling Lac Long Quan, aka “The Dragon of the Sea who married Princess Au Xo a Chinese immortal from the High Mountains. It is said that she bore him one hundred eggs and each egg hatched a son. Each took 50 sons. The Dragon of the Sea took his fifty to the south and the Princess took hers north into the high mountains. This legend attempts to explain the importance of the uniting of the two main geographic and cultural areas of Viet and Nam.
Creating a unified Vietnam.
Of the population as a whole in Vietnam, sixty-five percent is under thirty years of age. They think Gucci, Mercedes, electronics, they think of career, family and making money in that order. Think about where such a young thinking population will take their country.
OHMYGOSH, OHMYGOODNESS, OHMYGOLLY, OHMYGOOSE OHMYGANDER, OHMYGLORY, OHMYGLADNESS, OHMYGREATNESS, OH MY!
The city of Saigon has its true exotic, eclectic wondrous sights full of motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles of all nature motorized and foot and leg powered. People, people and more people are everywhere. I don’t know how our driver did it, but he did a great job from morning until night two days in a row. Eight million people in Saigon have five million mopeds. Don’t even think of crossing the street. Just being surrounded on all sides, front and back by two wheeled vehicles crisscrossing your space and crowding you is like a theme park ride that does not end until you have come to your destination.
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In Saigon, we enjoyed the Post Office an important site, The War Museum, the Rex Hotel, The Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown and a very special Temple there, the Ben Thanh Market, the night lights all over Saigon City making it reminiscent of Times Square in New York City and towards evening, the warm moist air sensitively and delicately embraces you.
I loved our visit in Saigon and found myself gasping because I could not get enough of it. I wanted to run out of the van and run up and down the streets touching and looking at everything. I wanted to say hello to everyone. How silly, but I felt so alive. As it is, we spent two days on the go without much rest. When I got into the elevator on the ship, I took the last spot available, gushing with love and excitement and blabbing about how wonderful the sights and sounds of this city are; everyone just groaned and then looked at me with silent vacant stares. I did not have a fellow gusher in the group. Oops. What did I see and feel that my elevator mates did not? They saw the poverty, the people sitting in their shacks all day long doing nothing much. They saw people struggling to survive. They saw little children with no futures. They saw crumbling buildings covered with black mold and masses of people huddled together in such small living spaces, crowed onto one street after another. The traffic is abominable and the honking goes on every time you pass someone. The air is atrocious because everyone on the roads, riding in the streets, and walking are wearing facemasks. There is a serious air pollution problem here and probably because there are so many cars, trucks and two and three wheeled vehicles on the road. The industrial section of Saigon is a ways out of city central. Some of the hats have built in masks attached at one end with Velcro on the opposite end. Maybe my elevator mates heard about the wide spread corruption in Saigon. If you want to open a business here, you have to know how to work a permission payment and make continued payments. Perhaps t/hey saw the trash and perhaps I saw through it. There is an abundance of trash thrown hither and yon. I wanted to start a house-to-house campaign called “Clean Up Trash Day” and the whole city would do it together. Fat chance. It seems the trash is there to stay. As long as the trash is twenty steps from the living spaces, it seems fine for the people. What would it take to clean up the trash in and around Saigon? A miracle!
To learn this city would take along while, but we got a good head start. It was a complex, intricate involvement that enveloped I guess, me, to the fullest extent and like I stated left me gasping, breathless and looking to inhale more.
We toured the Cu Chi tunnels, which are an underground system of tunnels that is extremely complex and were constructed by the Vietnamese fighters. By day the people worked on rubber plantations and other jobs in the city of Cu Chi, but at night the work carving out the tunnels went on unnoticed. This underground system of tunnels has three floors, and looks like an ant colony has constructed it. The Vietnamese soldiers had living quarters, cooking quarters, meeting spaces, and special secret entrances, plus hand constructed bamboo traps and other traps so that anyone looking for the tunnels, or innocently stepping in the wrong place would be stopped before they reached any knowledge of the tunnels. This tunnel system was also known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail and reached out to the Saigon River, which gave the Viet Cong easy access. Below you will see photos of the secret entrances that were so small that American’s may not have been able to enter. Also this complex system had ventilation holes. The Vietnamese are proud to show you their accomplishment in their fight for independence.
Bamboo Trap
We visited a lacquer factory and listened to the presentation on how these products are made.
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Asian Wonders # 7: Leaving Thailand for Sihanoukville, Cambodia
01 Feb 2012 3 Comments
Okay, pronounce this one. Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is portrayed as a sleepy little beach town and a claim to fame among tourists is that Angelina Jolie adopted a baby from this island. I don’t blame her after the beautiful children we saw today.
Sihanoukville was called Kompong Som when the ancient Mon Kameo people lived here. 5,000 years ago. It was re-named Sihanoukville, in honor of King Sihanouk. The French and Cambodian’s worked together to dig out this port and construct the rather modern looking town. Some of the city has modern buildings, but basically it is very primitive living and shanty shacks are everywhere in and around any and all of the new buildings.
It is very different we are told from many other French Colonial towns. This port where we are docked, played a role in the American/Vietnam conflict as it served as a point where weapons were transited and bound for anti-American forces. I felt hardened to be here when I heard that news, but did not dwell in the past because that takes away from present living.
If I dwelled on the anti-American past of this port, I would have missed today’s joy in being treated to this Island’s people and the beauty of the milieus.
As we drove the roads, I had a funny feeling that were in Khmer Rouge territory and seeing the sign telling us that we were on the road to Phnom Penh made me remember more and more of where we are and how much bloodshed was right under our feet. It is easier to forget than remember.
We visited a school today and let me tell you once a teacher, always a teacher. I had my moment in their classroom and had more fun using my hands, fingers, lips, legs, feet, pats, soft pinches and lots of picture taking. If I only had the words to make the moments with the children alive for you I would use them now, but since that would be hard, let me add some images to help.
We ventured further into a little village where the people welcomed us and enjoyed having us visit as much as we enjoyed visiting them. I have some photos of moments in the village. The Cambodian people we met today wear pride on their faces, they shine out from such meager surroundings and they want you to know they are well. There is a subtle refined attitude and a grace they have to share.
People in the village:
Homes of the villagers.
We then had an opportunity to learn about the resort life here on this Island. We had lunch on the beach with the waves crashing all around, dipped our feet into the South China Sea, and I found a little free Wi-Fi! Let me just say the sand on the beaches of Sihanoukville is the color of once stirred cappuccino foam. It is soft and silky and oozes out from under your feet as the tide rolls out.
It was so, so hot during our visit. I kept feeling droplets and thought it was raining. Nope, I was raining on myself. I know by now you think I am “Happy House” (lavatory) oriented, but certainly, it is such an important thing to keep track of when traveling and actually at any other time. When it is so, so hot and when you are raining on yourself, you do not need a “Happy House.”
