Miss Saigon

Finally landed in Saigon. Before I came, colleagues, hubby and Dad told me -

1. It's impossible to drive there
2. Traffic really terrible
3. It's very French-like cos it was previously a French colony;

respectively....

and my thoughts?

1. Doesn't look very impossible to drive, but I think its easier said then done. I kinda like how 'co-ordinated' they are, i.e. the motobikes are on the right side of the road, hogging almost 2 lanes leaving the cars/other vehicles to one. (Cars here are left-hand drive)
2. Yes, quite terrible, especially if you try crossing the road. I think only people from Penang or KL city can survive. If you hessitate, you'll never get across.
3. Yes, this place, minus the traffic (and the excessive motorbikes parked along the roads) and if only there were more ang-mohs, would definitely be Paris. Only if it was cool like in Paris too.

*sorry photos in camera and I didn't bring the cable/card reader. will try to take from phone tomorrow.

I was walking and walking ever since I arrived. Certain things are cheap, branded ones I mean compared to Malaysia. But I've held back, since I've not gone to the famous Ben Thanh Market yet. Staying in the heart of the city makes things easy. All within walking distance and the busy streets don't worry me, safety wise.

A bottle of 390ml (have no idea why the odd number...French related, perhaps?) Coke is less than RM1, to be exact, RM0.75 only! *jumps for joy*

Bong Sen Hotel, where I am staying, is right in front of the street, which houses many halal restaurants and a mosque. This includes 'D'Nyonya', a Malaysian restaurant. 'D'Angsana' in a foodcourt in the Parkson Shopping centre is also Malaysian. Don't ask me why the obsession with 'D'. I've already set my sight on a very unique Halal eatery for tomorrow's dinner. Other Halal outlets here are mainly the Indian shops. Yup, northern Indian food or Pakistani food.

But then, tomorrow my day starts at 7am. Yes, I have to report to my Vietnam branch office at 7am!! Gosh! It's actually within walking distance, less than 1km away, but with one cooler box and 2 other bulky boxes of equipment, I'm forced to take the taxi.

Can't wait for an early start tomorrow and hope to clock in some running milleage after work! (Gym is as good as the one in Sibu ;p )

'Out of office' Assistant

That has never been used more frequently than recently.

1 week of travel, 1 week back here. Another travel, another week here. Enjoyable it may seem, but it's worrying when you have to leave unwell kids behind. Pity the kids and the daddy. And knowing the especially-clingy AIR1 to me, I hope he'll not give daddy a hard time.

Back from Sibu, and I've only partially unpacked, to repack for Ho Chi Minh city. Excited. BUt then I feel abit daunting too as it's going to be my first site work alone, in a slightly different area and conditions. Pray that all will be well without hitches.

And of course pray that the kids will recover by tonight and so will not give daddy a hard time.

This wekeend's plans were partially aborted because they were down with flu and all of a sudden fever. Disheartening.

Aquaria

For the first time, I'm going to Aquaria, and we brought the kiddos along too....

Well in actual fact we had free tickets to grandstand seats for the F1 race, but unfortunately it was last minute and we couldn't find anyone to help babysit. So we had to change plans and away to Aquaria we went. :)

AIR1 refused to budge when we were at the touch pool, though he wasn't interested in touching any of the sea creatures, he just wanted to observe. We were stuck there for a looong time. Took us ages to convince him there were more exhibits ahead.

When we reached 'gecko', same thing happened. He screamed and threw a tantrum when we tried to ask him to move along. He loved the otters and was amazed by all the fishes. Especially the Arapaima (Dragon Fish). He just stood there observing the 3 Arapaimas swimming, one looked as though he had a bad case of osteoporosis (all hunched).

As we went through the tunnel with the walk-a-lator, he was mesmerized, but refused to let me take a photo of him. We went through that twice. Coming out, AIR2 was sleepy and hungry so while I fed her, Daddy & AIR1 sat in front of the 'largest screen saver' where fishes were swimming 'inside'. A shark was sleeping at the side and AIR1 was kept busy trying to 'wake it up' while enjoying the antics of all the other fishes.

It was a loooong day but fun.

He wasn't in such a good mood as he was having slight flu, and we took turns carrying him. Oh boy! IT was quite a work out.

Now we postponed bird park, so perhaps that will be next.