We departed very early from the house as we took the skybus from One Utama. This was our last time flying out from LCCT as it would soon be moving to the new hub of KLIA2.
We had to do self tagging for the check in luggage. As we was waiting in line to drop our luggages and get the documents checked, we saw that the next counter was close but it's weighting machine function was activated, so we decided to get our check in luggages weighted before we reach our turn. to our surprise, the luggage was overweight by about 5-6kg. We quickily went aside and open one of the luggage to transfer some of the items to our carry on which was relatively empty. After the luggage was dropped, we pop by McD to have our 'big' brunch, as we would arrive at the destination well pass lunch time and we didn't book any on-board meal.
Once the place was pulled back, the taxi way was like KL city traffic jam during peak hours, just that in this case, it was filled with planes waiting for clearance to take off. There was at least 15 planes waiting along the several taxi ways. If from ariel view, i think it would be like a major traffic light junction in KL city centre. On the announcement that the plane would need to wait about 45 minutes before it's our plane's turn to take off, people began walking up and down the aisle like it was a walkway for them to model. Since the flight is experiencing long delay, we quickily shoot an email to inform our ride that we would be late, and they need not arrive so early at the airport. Finally it came our turn to take off and off we go to Saigon City, Vietnam.
We landed about one hour later than scheduled, but it was all good as things was quite smooth.
The first purchase we made was a pre-paid sim card. The lady wasn't friendly at all, as she shouted that all was the same, except that each telco had a different selling price. It was quite easy to spot the driver that came to pick us as he was at the front line holding a card with our name and hotel name.
The city is filled with lots and lots of Motorcycle. We was told there is around 9 million motorcycle out of the population of 11 million in Saigon alone. The ride took about 30 minutes to arrive at our hotel as the road is quite jammed up. I notice that although the traffic light is red, but people will still cross and turn, it's as good as no traffic lights. After crossing numerous traffic lights during this trip, i still can't understand how it works.
The first task we had to do when we arrive near the hotel is to cross the road. Motocycles and Cars will just keep coming non-stop and you will just have to figure a way how to cross the street. I was told by a friend who often travels to Vietnam for business, that all you need to do is to have the courage and just cross the street slowly and steadily and they will make their own judgement to pass in front or behind of you, slow and steady that is.
During the check-in, we was given a map and told of the place of interest nearby, a guide book and explanation of the tours that we have booked (and those that we can book) which includes those for Hanoi. Since there are no escalator, we had to carry our luggages up two flight of stairs, which they said is first floor. The room was clean, tidy and decent. It consist of the basic things and the width of the toilet is just slightly wider than my shoulders, not much place to manuver inside.
After some slight unpacking, we headed off to our first place, Ben Thanh market, which is located not far from the backpackers area. All we had with us was a bottle of water and a map that was provided by the hotel. After walking down few streets (rows of shops), and crossing a park, we came to a place that looks similar to what we have been seeing in pictures, we have arrive at our destination. One building that caught my attention is the building that looks so similar to TM tower along Federal Highway. I wonder who was the original designer of that building, they look so alike from side ways.
Ben Thanh market look like a “Pasar” and there was a lot of tourist inside. It was much like Chatuchak in Bangkok, but much narrow and reduced in size. As we was hungry, we looked around the food stores, which had a similar layout with Singapore that had the hawker centre with the market beside it (think Bugis).
We settled for a store where they had a variety of noodle soup and a store where they had variety of drinks, most importantly is the price is clearly displayed. We ordered a bowl of fish cake mee and a cup of BoBo Chacha, it look more like ice kacang and cendol, but more colourful. It was delicous and suit our taste bud. After filling our tummy, we tried to do some shopping since we was here. The prices there are rideculous, more to come in later part of this story. We walk around and thought of buying some t-shirts for a start, in the end we settled for a corner store that had huge variety and the price was acceptable to us. As we wanted to buy few, the bargaining started, luckily she agreed as she started to sound agitated. Ben Thanh market had some zones where the prices are fixed and it's written clearly, i am not sure if it's true, but when i tried to ask for reduction, they decline, but this could be due to my inability to negotiate for lower price. We decided to head back to the hotel and rest awhile before dinner. People have started to pack the streets as evening turns into night, by both the locals and foreigners. On our way back, we saw a store selling the French bread, which is a must try. The last time i ate it, was during my trip to Siem Reap in 2009. It hard bread with fillings of fatty pork (lean pork is not yummy), some veg and sauce. It's so good and a must try when you are at Indo-China. Also picked up on our way back to the hotel is a bottle of Saigon beer (local beers is always a must for me when traveling).
The short nap after a bath took us all the way to 9pm. We thought of sleeping all the way til next morning, but decided against it as it was our first night in the city and that our lodging is at a happening part of the city. So we went out to discover the nightlife of Saigon city, or at least the street that we was at. We notice there was many people who are sitted on the sidewalk, drinking their beers facing the street. This continoued down along the street in front of shops that are still open for business. For the first night, we choose a quieter shop that had few westerners dinning there. Of course we looked at the menu and it seems decent enough to attract us. The shop is Five Oysters. Although that was the shop name, but we didn't order any seafood instead we had Vietnam spring rolls (steamed) and pork chop rice. On our way back to the hotel, we bought a 5 liter bottle of water that is manufactured by Nestle (at least a global trusted brand), there was another brand that is produced by Coca-cola or Pepsi. It was more economical to buy the largest bottle since we would need alot of it. Do note that every Circle K (yes, the same name with Bali's), the pricing of their products are different even along the same street. We went to 3 outlets on the same street, and all had different prices.
We had to do self tagging for the check in luggage. As we was waiting in line to drop our luggages and get the documents checked, we saw that the next counter was close but it's weighting machine function was activated, so we decided to get our check in luggages weighted before we reach our turn. to our surprise, the luggage was overweight by about 5-6kg. We quickily went aside and open one of the luggage to transfer some of the items to our carry on which was relatively empty. After the luggage was dropped, we pop by McD to have our 'big' brunch, as we would arrive at the destination well pass lunch time and we didn't book any on-board meal.
Once the place was pulled back, the taxi way was like KL city traffic jam during peak hours, just that in this case, it was filled with planes waiting for clearance to take off. There was at least 15 planes waiting along the several taxi ways. If from ariel view, i think it would be like a major traffic light junction in KL city centre. On the announcement that the plane would need to wait about 45 minutes before it's our plane's turn to take off, people began walking up and down the aisle like it was a walkway for them to model. Since the flight is experiencing long delay, we quickily shoot an email to inform our ride that we would be late, and they need not arrive so early at the airport. Finally it came our turn to take off and off we go to Saigon City, Vietnam.
We landed about one hour later than scheduled, but it was all good as things was quite smooth.
The first purchase we made was a pre-paid sim card. The lady wasn't friendly at all, as she shouted that all was the same, except that each telco had a different selling price. It was quite easy to spot the driver that came to pick us as he was at the front line holding a card with our name and hotel name.
The city is filled with lots and lots of Motorcycle. We was told there is around 9 million motorcycle out of the population of 11 million in Saigon alone. The ride took about 30 minutes to arrive at our hotel as the road is quite jammed up. I notice that although the traffic light is red, but people will still cross and turn, it's as good as no traffic lights. After crossing numerous traffic lights during this trip, i still can't understand how it works.
The first task we had to do when we arrive near the hotel is to cross the road. Motocycles and Cars will just keep coming non-stop and you will just have to figure a way how to cross the street. I was told by a friend who often travels to Vietnam for business, that all you need to do is to have the courage and just cross the street slowly and steadily and they will make their own judgement to pass in front or behind of you, slow and steady that is.
During the check-in, we was given a map and told of the place of interest nearby, a guide book and explanation of the tours that we have booked (and those that we can book) which includes those for Hanoi. Since there are no escalator, we had to carry our luggages up two flight of stairs, which they said is first floor. The room was clean, tidy and decent. It consist of the basic things and the width of the toilet is just slightly wider than my shoulders, not much place to manuver inside.
After some slight unpacking, we headed off to our first place, Ben Thanh market, which is located not far from the backpackers area. All we had with us was a bottle of water and a map that was provided by the hotel. After walking down few streets (rows of shops), and crossing a park, we came to a place that looks similar to what we have been seeing in pictures, we have arrive at our destination. One building that caught my attention is the building that looks so similar to TM tower along Federal Highway. I wonder who was the original designer of that building, they look so alike from side ways.
Ben Thanh market look like a “Pasar” and there was a lot of tourist inside. It was much like Chatuchak in Bangkok, but much narrow and reduced in size. As we was hungry, we looked around the food stores, which had a similar layout with Singapore that had the hawker centre with the market beside it (think Bugis).
We settled for a store where they had a variety of noodle soup and a store where they had variety of drinks, most importantly is the price is clearly displayed. We ordered a bowl of fish cake mee and a cup of BoBo Chacha, it look more like ice kacang and cendol, but more colourful. It was delicous and suit our taste bud. After filling our tummy, we tried to do some shopping since we was here. The prices there are rideculous, more to come in later part of this story. We walk around and thought of buying some t-shirts for a start, in the end we settled for a corner store that had huge variety and the price was acceptable to us. As we wanted to buy few, the bargaining started, luckily she agreed as she started to sound agitated. Ben Thanh market had some zones where the prices are fixed and it's written clearly, i am not sure if it's true, but when i tried to ask for reduction, they decline, but this could be due to my inability to negotiate for lower price. We decided to head back to the hotel and rest awhile before dinner. People have started to pack the streets as evening turns into night, by both the locals and foreigners. On our way back, we saw a store selling the French bread, which is a must try. The last time i ate it, was during my trip to Siem Reap in 2009. It hard bread with fillings of fatty pork (lean pork is not yummy), some veg and sauce. It's so good and a must try when you are at Indo-China. Also picked up on our way back to the hotel is a bottle of Saigon beer (local beers is always a must for me when traveling).
The short nap after a bath took us all the way to 9pm. We thought of sleeping all the way til next morning, but decided against it as it was our first night in the city and that our lodging is at a happening part of the city. So we went out to discover the nightlife of Saigon city, or at least the street that we was at. We notice there was many people who are sitted on the sidewalk, drinking their beers facing the street. This continoued down along the street in front of shops that are still open for business. For the first night, we choose a quieter shop that had few westerners dinning there. Of course we looked at the menu and it seems decent enough to attract us. The shop is Five Oysters. Although that was the shop name, but we didn't order any seafood instead we had Vietnam spring rolls (steamed) and pork chop rice. On our way back to the hotel, we bought a 5 liter bottle of water that is manufactured by Nestle (at least a global trusted brand), there was another brand that is produced by Coca-cola or Pepsi. It was more economical to buy the largest bottle since we would need alot of it. Do note that every Circle K (yes, the same name with Bali's), the pricing of their products are different even along the same street. We went to 3 outlets on the same street, and all had different prices.
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