Vietnam 22nd to 26th June 2008

I took a lil trip to Vietnam (HCM City)... over June... for five days.
It was an eyeopener. Not somewhere i'll visit more than once, in five years. But its history is something that leaves me wanting more. With the French ruling, to the Vietnam War to the US ruling, to the modern day Ho Chih Minh city that we know today. Every country that has had some foothold in Vietnam left something behind.

For the French, it has to be the streetside baguette, done asian style of cos. Filled with green onions, and onions, and foie gras plus that ham, it's so yummy. Of cos, there's also the Notre Dame Cathedral.
For the US, the use of US dollars is so widespread, it's as though Vietnam never has its own currency. We went to restaurants that lay down bills which can be paid by Vietnam Dongs (vietnam's currency) or US Dollars.

Most of the time, we spend a good amount of time visting historical sites, soaking in how much HCM city cherish its history, and preserved its buildings. We went to visit cuchi tunnels. It was a series of tunnels used by the Vietnamese against thee foreign powers. Small & tiny, and carefully planned. Some tunnels i can't even fit into, and i don't consider myself that fat. The Vietnam War museum was interesting, with artefacts and pictures through the period of war.

A place i really liked, during the trip, has to be Jesus Hill. A statue of Jesus Christ is set on a hill at Vung Tau, three hours away from HCM City. It was a sight to behold, as He looks down upon the sea, the land and the people, watching them and safekeeping them. Every step up those 700 steps felt a lil closer to God. Once i reached the peak, i have one thing to say "wow". At that time, i was singing "I Can Only Imagine" By MercyMe. I felt touched by the wonders of God, and what he has given to me.

I guess other than feeling being in the prescence of God, one thing that made the trip so good was being with my family. My cousins Julian & Dylan flew in from US to join us.

Check out my flick for the pictures

Beijing, China...

Beijing, China has always been a fantastic place to be in, though my pref is always in Shanghai. But i guess the history of Beijing blended with the city culture has always been a drawing factor for some friends of mine, over work in Shanghai. This trip was like any other, for work. I didn't have much time to go around the city, mainly cause the trip is short. I had to fly back on the seemingly impossible full flights due to the Chinese New Year being the very weekend, cutting short to the trip for three days only. I caught a red eye flight on Sunday, to arrive on the Monday to start work... and finish off by Wednesday midnight to be home in Singapore for work on a Thursday morning.

Beijing has gone more commercialized. The subway has far more ads, from the latest Nike basketball sneakers to the new Apple iPod shuffles. I spent a good amount of time in Starbucks, making use of the free Wireless Internet Access, finishing as much work as i can. I didn't see any shoes that caught my fancy, perhaps it's cause of them being boots. And it's way too hot in Singapore to be decked in boots all the time. I didn't see any clothes, perhaps it's cause it was all sweaters and stuff. Beijing is very cold at this time. Too cold. And the wind was so strong. I am all wrapped up, except in my room or out in the streets.

The whole trip's highlight was perhaps the fact i caught sunrise, on my way flying into Beijing. That spectrum of lights, beyond that horizon. At that moment, i knew. I knew that things were going to be different this year. And i'm going to be a different Eve, i resolve to be, i have to be. I felt the sense of calm and peace. And perhaps, i found my own lil' shangri la. Like the song "Boston", i am just sick of sunsets. All i need is this one sunrise, to bring forth strength.