Touched down yesterday at round 1.20pm from my flight back from Vietnam. Here's how some of the days went.

On the first day there(1/10/07)
Our flight was delayed twice, originally we were set to take off at 2.30pm but ended up leaving at around 4plus. Occupied ourselves in the airport by doing some shopping and taking many photos. When we arrived, a bus was waiting for us and drove us to our hotel followed by a river cruise with a fire dance show for dinner. On the roads motorcycles were weaving in and out of traffic. Traffic lights seemed to be not in use even though they were turned on. People just went as they liked. Vietnamese food was served to us along with steam boat.

Day 2 (2/10/07)
We visited Hong Bang university, which was quite some distance away from our hotel. Presentation and gift exchanges were done from both schools. I was quite surprised by the students as even in university they had to wear school uniforms. The school was really glad to have us. Didn't have time to explore the compound as most of the time we spent were in the "hall". Which was quite small. Traditional games were taught. We taught them how to play "chapteh" (sp?) had a few demonstrations then they had a mini competition where a champion was crowned. After our teaching of the game was over, it was their turn. A rope was taken out and what looked like was a piggy bank was left hanging in the middle. Jared was then volunteered and was blind folded while holding a stick in his hand. The aim of the game was to break the pig with the stick while blind folded with instructions given by a friend. It proved to be quite hard but in the end he managed to do it.

Had lunch at some Vietnamese restaurant. (Shall state this to save time. All our lunch and dinners were eaten at various Vietnamese restaurants) I can say that most of the lunches and dinners ingredients were 75% meat. Therefore most of the time I was eating rice and seafood if there was. After lunch we went to the war remnant museum. There was the usual pictures and war machines. Vietnam is a communist country which is quite obvious. There was Russia and their countries flags everywhere. Watched some videos about the war and you could tell by the tone that they were really proud of their country and seemed to portray themselves as the best country on the earth and all other practices were wrong. But I admire that to a certain extent and feel that Singapore lacks being proud of our own country. In the museum there was this area where they showed water puppet shows. It was well done but a little hot and stuffy as the fan above where I was sitting was not working but the others were.

Next installed was a cycle tour. We were sitting on these little "tri-shaws" where you had to sit in front while the cyclist was sitting behind you. The tour was good but the air pollution was really making it hard to breathe. It was interesting as we weaved in and out of traffic too like mentioned above and how the vehicles were so close to you. After the trip was over there was an unpleasant experience. The guy was practically forcing me to give him like tips. Even though I gave him a little he still insisted on more. Although $3 was not much to us compared to them, it wasn't nice.

Had dinner afterward. It was quite annoying that wherever we went people followed our bus on motorcycles and tried to sell us things. They were aggressive and pushy. There was this instance where someone was conned of $50 when the thing was only $3. She expected change and the guy just ran away. They also tended to snatch money from you when you were busily trying to count your money and pay them. Even in the hotel there was incidences of scams and false claims.

In the night had some kind of mini party. Went to peoples rooms and talked crap throughout the night while playing cards.

Day 3 (3/10/07)
Visited the Cu Chi Tunnel for a tour. Had to crawl through this little tunnel which was underground where the Vietnamese stayed during the war. I heard that it was enlarged already but the hole was still so small! You had to duck walk to get from one place to another. I waddled for like 60m I think and my thighs were almost cramping up.

Later that day went to the Cai Dai temple. Which consisted of like different religions merged together.

At night was the long awaited NIGHT SHOPPING :D
A lot of road side stalls selling different things but mostly shirts. The prices were sky high but you are allowed to bargain. Managed to get shirts for like sg $5 plus. A few shops even quoted me like sg $15 for a single shirt.

If your still with me, thank you. We are half way done.

Day 4 (4/10/07)
Vietnam-Singapore Industrial park. Nothing much there. Followed by Chocolate factory!

Visited 2 orphanages then. Was really touching to see the children there. Makes me realize how fortunate we are in Singapore. They just barely had the bare essentials and still somehow managed to have a great time and get by. There were 2 orphanages. The first one was filled with people so decided to help out the second one.. Delivered the gifts that we had packed from them there. When we arrived there wasn't any children there as they were at school. The second one was more of a daycare rather than an orphanage. Night shopping again!

Day 5 (5/10/07)
Had a river tour in Mekong river. Got to visit the place where they made coconut candy and bee keeping farm. Then got to sit in mini boats where 4 of us would share and be rowed down a certain area. The second last day of the trip was really fun as it was mostly free and easy. Got to do lots of shopping and hanging out with friends. Shopped at Ben Thanh Market. Darren and Cleo was really good at cutting the prices. She reduced a wallet from 250,000 dong ($25) to 50,000 dong($5). Darren reduced like items to slightly more then half the original prices making things really worthwhile to get. It was quite funny that Freeman kept getting groped by people. (I heard that was how they check if your wallet is in your pocket and then try to steal it.) Luckily nothing like that happened to me or the girls. But only to poor Freeman. I think it was at least 10times he kept complaining.

Day 6 (6/10/07)
Woke up and then took off for the airport. Tons of photos were taken. The flight back was as bad as the flight there as it was really bumpy and the service sucked. Got back to Singapore and did duty free shopping :D

Took cab back with Jason, Yufeng and Freeman. Realized that we stay almost opposite each other! Had a big nap when I got home from like 3-9plus. I am so glad to be back in Singapore.

Well a part that I forgot to mention was that during the bus rides it was always full of fun and laughter. Cracking jokes, taking pictures, laughing at people, doing stupid things. Just to tell those who went on the trip and read my blog, a big thanks for making this trip a super fun filled one! It wouldn't be the same if it was a different group of people. Keep in touch and see you all in school.
"adrieladrieladriel It's always about me isn't it."