I hate shopping for appliances. We're moving into our condo next month. As a result, we really needed to buy our appliances. We beat a record. We bought: fridge, stove, dishwasher, over-the-range microwave, washer, and dryer in fifteen minutes. It still wasn't fast enough for my taste.
The End.
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. It turned out to be my favourite country. It's unbelievable that people can still smile after the events they went through. Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge killed 3 million Cambodians. It was one of the worse genocide in history. We visited one of the killing field. You could see bones and teeth in the ground. We also visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Our local guide, whose father was killed during the genocide, made the event even more real. It was a very emotional day.
Recommendations:I loved, loved, loved Saigon. Cosmopolitan with an asian touch. Moccacino, suishi, hot water, that's how I like it! We visited the War Crime Museum (very disturbing) and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
We drove to Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh to join the noon day prayer. This was just bizarre. Cao Dai is a religion created in 1926. It combines all big religions into one, has Victor Hugo as a Saint, and a governing body similar to the US. Très bizarre. If anyone is interested: Information.
Recommendations:Hoi An is a 5 hours scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages (the Pass of Ocean Clouds) from Hué. We stopped by the South China sea. Too bad the weather was aweful! I am willing to bet that Vietnam will be the next big beach destination in Asia. They have beautiful beaches and are starting to build resorts.
Making spring rolls.
We took the overnight train ("Reunification Express") from Hanoi to Hué. This train connects the North of Vietnam to the South of Vietnam.
The monks are back!
Ha Long Bay ("where the dragon descends to the sea’ in the Gulf of Tonkin") is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, 4 hrs drive from Hanoi. We did a 5 hours cruise around the islands.
Here we are, on Christmas Day, in Vietnam. Hanoi is another world. I had never seen so many motorbikes all at once. No rules, no traffic lights. It's controlled chaos. The only way to cross the street is to take a deep breath and go. Walk slowly, straight, and most importantly never stop. Motorbikes will go around you.
