Vietnam
Vietnam is one of those places I have been wanting to travel to for some years. And here I was, with two kids in tow, plus my brother's family with his two....was I crazy? As it turned out not at all. We all had a ball and it was fantastic seeing the kids trying different foods, meeting local kids and immersing themselves in a totally different culture.
We started our trip in Ho Chi Minh City where our guide and bus driver braved the congested traffic to get us around to wherever we wanted to go. The markets and shopping were amazing, but you had to have done your homework and it was good to know what you were after. The little carts selling the most delicious Vietnamese rolls full of fresh herbs and roasted pork, steaming bowls of pho (pronounced fur) and noodles, and freshly made ricepaper rolls...yum! All the kids were encouraged to say hello, thank you and goodbye in the local language and happily complied making a game of it.
Whilst in Ho Chi Minh we visited the main city sights as well as venturing to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Wow, that was amazing and made me feel just a little ill when I saw the booby traps that the Vietcong set and the damage that they did. Violent times and very sad for all involved. Both educational and upsetting but a history that I think needs to be told. While the kids and I were quite comfortable in the tunnels, most adults find it hard to go in, mostly because of the feelings of claustrophobia. The tunnels open to the public have been widened substantially to those that were in use during the war, and when you see the authentic ones, you have to wonder at the desparation an ingenuity of the locals.
Getting away from the city we did an overnight cruise on the Mekong Delta in our own little sampan. It was luxurious and relaxing and we all had a ball gliding through canals and between larger vessels all busily shunting here and there in the throes of commerce. Floating markets, fishermen, merchants all sharing the Mekong and getting along harmoniously. While floating down the village canals, the locals ran or rode their bikes on paths alongside shouting out "hello" and on realising we were Australians, the ubiquitous "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" to which we all replied in chorus.
From Ho Chi Minh we headed north on an overnight train to Danang. We wanted to mix with the locals and experience more than just a watered down tourist experience. It was great fun and the kids loved playing with the locals on the train. Amazing how a lack of language really provides no barrier to having a conversation and my blue eyed, blonde haired kids seemed to win the locals over very easily. Candies and other local delights seemed to make their way into the kids hands as if by magic.
Passing through Danang, we headed south to Hoi An which was stunningly beautiful. A French colonial town, the buildings were gorgeous and the lanterns shining brightly at night time made the place come alive. We came across a local bingo game in the city square which was interesting to watch and walked around eating French pastries and ice cream as if they were going out of fashion. Finding a local tailor that had a good reputation, I had a beautiful silk jacket made while my brother, a real estate agent, had cashmere suits with silk shirts tailored just for him. The results were amazing and the price was too good to be true. Yoli was the name of the tailor. Don't forget it!
From Hoi An we visited the Cham ruins and Marble Mountains, both worth the time and both very special in their own way. China beach was just up the road and the sparkling blue waters were very tempting. The kids came across coracles on the beach, the round shaped, reed boats preferred by the local fisherman and they were entranced. Watching a fisherman going out in one had them spellbound.
Hue was our next stop with it's citidel and imperial tombs. It was amazing and made you realise the complexity of the history of Vietnam. So many different ethnic groups had been through at different times, each leaving their mark via food, architechture, language or culture.
We thoroughly loved our taste of Vietnam and next trip will be up North to Hanoi, into the Sapa region and Halong Bay. o much to see and do in one diverse country.