Places

Jesse, Chunaki and I slept for only half an hour. We woke up at 5am, washed, gathered our bags and ready to leave, for good. Ha had initially planned that Da would fetch us to the airport, and we were all for it. We would meet him at the junction of the road but Ha’s mother was awake too, saying she would call a cab for us. Ha cautioned that her mother was suspicious. So the cab came and we were shoved in. We insisted on seeing Da anyway, so Ha asked the driver to pull over after some distant away and waited for him. Since we had too many things, we stayed put in the cab and Ha alone shifted to Da’s car and followed all the way to the airport. We check-in our luggage and went for breakfast since we had another hour before boarding. It was beef noodle (again??) and I couldn’t finish mine, so I gave half to Jesse. Ha and Da were always so affectionate, oblivious to the surrounding and us, but of course we were happy for them. They sent us off and finally left when we were out of view. I sincerely wish them all the best and may they get to overcome the obstacle they are facing. Gambateh!!

I don’t update my blog often and when I do, I write long posts such as the recent ones. I bet, out of ten who visited, none would be able to finish them but it was my pleasure to tell the stories of our trip. What I related was only the gist of our journey and it does not do justice to all the big and small events that made this vacation a memorable one. Next time I wouldn’t be able to write such long posts anymore due to other commitment, but while I still can, I’ll continue to do so for my own documentation. I would like to dedicate these 10 posts to Kelvin, Jesse and Shean Chuan aka Chunaki for making the trip a success and a brilliant one. For those who have helped, both directly and indirectly – THANK YOU!

RIP M.J

The breakfast was egg, toast bread with butter and jam, and coffee/tea. Woke up late this morning and we missed to sun rise but never minded. It was nice curling up in the air-conditioned room where outside was hot and humid but glad it was like that rather than raining as it could hamper the trip due to poor visibility.

That morning was just cruising around for more sightseeing. We bade goodbye to the Vietnamese family and the doctor as they left for a stay on the beach which was part of the 3-day package. The rest of us stayed on our boat waiting for other people to come on board before headed back to harbour. That was the end of our trip. Therefore, for those who has not much time, 1-day trip is recommended because the following day doesn’t really have much activity other than sight seeing.

Before going back to Saigon, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant near the harbour and that place was hot. To matter worse, the generator wasn’t working while we were having lunch, so there was no electricity. I’ve never sweated so much while eating before. We had a typical Chinese-ish lunch but the conversation at the table was interesting. For example, we get to know that Tom and Kim sold their bike and car, and quited their jobs to travel – for a whopping one year continuously! If they were still talking at the end of their travel, they would get married. Then there was the French guy about his life and travel. It was nice to get to know them and we took a picture for remembrance.

We were then cramped, with all our luggage, into a van for the journey back to Saigon. I had more conversation with Kim about things in general. She was nice to talk to. Most people including myself slept on the way back. Upon arrival, we got down near Dong Xuan market area. Jesse bought a belt. We wanted to shop more but the shops were already closing at 5pm. So we wandered aimlessly around, occasionally stopping for a cold drink and snack. At one corner we had a bread stick (RM0.80 one) that looked simple but quite delicious. Then at the other corner, we stumbled into the best kebab I ever tasted. We sat down and ate 1-kg of lychee (RM2 – 3 per kg) before wandering the crowded market area with bags on our back. We continued to walk about, mindless of destination because we couldn’t go back to Ha’s place yet as she was still at her aunt’s place. She asked to wait for cue to go home and we obeyed. Anyhow, through this way, we actually get to experience the city and the hawker food, including the dessert (see picture). When we reached a park in the city, the sky was already darkening. Albeit tired and dirty, we had each other for company – chatting, joking and playing ‘chi ku pak’. After what felt like 10 years homeless in a foreign land, finally we were allowed to go back, yea!!

We were introduced to Ha’s cousin, who was back from the States doing her internship. We clicked almost instantly and the way she talked showed maturity and intelligence. She said fast food made her fat and she’s getting fatter, when it clearly wasn’t. Sigh, what’s wrong with Vietnamese girls? But then again, girls are always like that, right?? Kelvin was most manly to push the bike for her all the way to the junction, where we hailed for taxi. There we parted ways as we were going for night market, and she had to finish her report. Sad that we didn’t take a picture for remembrance. Wuwuwu~

Da came to join us as the night market. How nice it was to see him again, and we’re glad that our ‘pasar malam’ outing gave them a chance to see each other. They were quick into their own sweet world so we asked them not to worry about us and we walked separately. The night market was so long that it seemed endless. We bought more things, then it was closing time before we managed to see the end. We met up with the sweet couple and went for supper at a stall – beef noodle (again). It was nice nevertheless but again we were sweating while eating. Seating place by the stall was low because we sat on stool. Da insisted to foot the bill for us, again. After that, we left for home and they had a teary goodbye. Nah just joking, they just embraced and said goodbyes.

What surprised us when we got back was a bunch of goodies for us. Earlier, her mum and Lynh went and bought us each two packets of tea and cashew nuts, and 3-kg of lychee. And they wouldn’t accept us paying for them, saying it was a gift to bring home. So generous of them. We felt bad but grateful. We kept pushing money to Ha, but she just wouldn’t take it except for the flight expense. That night, we all chatted in the room way into the wee hours. That’s when we got to know her more, and liked her even more.

Almost all 19 June in the past went by like another ordinary day, although they were in a way, anyway. But the one in 2009 was very memorable to me because I get to spent it with my good friends in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

The gracious Ha woke up early to buy bread for us that morning because we hadn’t much time left to go out for breakfast. Once ready, we walked up to the junction of the street to catch a cab and we were lucky to get one in the morning rush hour without having to wait. At the travel agency, we settled our bill for the trip and waited for bus to Ha Long Bay. When it finally arrived, we thanked Ha and she wished us an enjoyable trip and reminded us to take loads of picture.

Remember to get the receipt upon payment as proof because few minutes into the journey, the guide asked for the ticket. Luckily we hadn’t driven very far, so we rushed back to the agency to get the confusion settled or otherwise we would have to pay another 3 million VND. All was done without considerable delay and off we went, stopping once for a short break at a big souvenir shop. At the harbour, we were brought into a (taxi) boat that will ferry us to our own boat. As we docked out, the view looked like a scene from the movie Red Cliff – plenty of traditional junk in all directions, some approaching the harbour and some, including ours, set sail towards the limestone cliffs at the far horizon.

When we arrived at our own boat, we were given a wet towel to freshen up as the weather was hot and humid.  Aboard our 3-star junk, there were a group of Vietnamese family including two cute children, a couple from London, Tom and Kim, two lone travellers – a Canadian and a Russian, a doctor, both women, the tour guide, captain and crew, and there was us, from Malaysia. Really, it wasn’t a big group which made it all the more interesting and easier to handle for the guide. As we moved closer and closer into the formation, the view was getting more breath taking. The water was green, sparkling under the strong sunlight.

After checking into our rooms (lower deck), we got back on the mid-deck for lunch. The lunch was okay but being Malaysians, we wanted more of everything – the rice and the dishes too but we dared not demand more. We looked around and most table couldn’t fisnih the food on the table and we were like “ohh… what a waste” and wished we could have their portion. Our table was wiped clean. One more thing we were short of was drinking water as they are not provided. We should have brought along more but we didn’t and we had to conserve them (something Kelvin was weak at) or buy, which was expensive – the lowest was RM3 per 1.5L bottle. The more experienced Vietnamese family brought a lot of things with them including like unlimited amount of liquids comprises of juice, tea, water and liquor, and also tidbits and fruits. Anyways, all was not too bad. It was still a wonderful cruise altogether.

Our first destination was the cave that felt cool from the undercurrent. Well, we saw things that could be expected from a cave such as stalactite, stalagmite, formation resemblance of things and everything else. The tour inside was only slightly more than 35 minutes or so and we exited at the top to a splendid overview of the bay. We boarded back on a boat, not ours, and together with other tourists, headed for kayaking – the perfect activity for us to sweat since we hadn’t been exercising. It was really nice to kayak in the calm waters with views around so remarkable, especially more under the sun set. Everyone was given 45 minutes but personally I felt it wasn’t enough although quite tiring. Chunaki and I were lousy at first, banging to every obstacle there was, no matter how we tried to avoid them. But after getting the hang of it, it was great, rowing around amidst other kayakers and boats.

When time’s up, we got back to the jetty, and waited for our group to be whole. Our junk anchored at a spot, so as many other boats. It was time for swimming and half of our group jumped into the water, some as high as from the third deck. We wanted also to dip in, but decided not to after spotting jelly fish in the waters. So we just relaxed, mingled around a bit while enjoying the sun set. It was actually quite romantic not just that moment but true for the entire journey in Ha Long Bay. Quite recommended for couples. If you’re in Vietnam, be sure to visit Ha Long Bay. A day trip would be enough too see the scenery and kayak. For us, we had the 2-day cruise, which means we get to stay a night on the junk. There was also a 3-day cruise that comprises a trip to an island where you’ll stay for the second night, and trekking up the mountain in the national park.

Dinner was served at 8 something, and it was not bad, but something odd happened. Perhaps it was my lucky day that we were blessed with extra plate of beef and fish on top of ours and we had more than enough rice to go with. Don’t know here the extra dishes came from – maybe from the kind Vietnamese family or maybe from the kitchen, we never really quite sure but thanks! To show our appreciation, we finished almost everything given. Later that night, we just relaxed and chatted. It was a nice, peaceful birthday for me.