Long since I came back from Vietnam, long since I felt the little sense of love. If there's something I can blame, I would definitely blame it to "
Love at first sight".
It wouldn't have been made possible without Chi really. If not for her wedding, I would really have put off this trip till the next century. Vietnam has always been a country that I've wanted to go so badly. For the fact is, I've always wanted to comb the whole of Asia. Now with this trip, I'm a step closer to this dream.
Being a
super sweet friend, I went through thousands of photos in search of an old one.. it was taken way back in the late 2003 when we embarked on our FYP just to get our ass out of Temasek.
Behold.. Time for our "
Now and Then.."
Eeeek!
Awwww~~~~ so sweet..
Anyway, this time, we began the tour in an odd number, which is something I don't do frequently.. Its just not right.
And other than with handphones, its really been a long time since I last "Zi Pai" (self-taken shot). Haa~
Guess what? I think this is Baby Alpha's first overseas expedition too!
Sorry baby, it really took me that long before I took you on your first flight since your birth in this blog.
So we finally arrived at Ho Chi Minh City on 31st Dec 2008. Just in time for New Year Party!! We did a quick check-in to our accommodation for the week, An An Hotel.
Hidden in our comfy bedroom, we started indulging in the illusion that we are all millionaire! And yes, we shopped with millions of Dongs in our pocket! 
It isn't so illusive afterall. Here's my worth of Dongs!
Wasting no time, we headed straight to the streets, wanting to catch the best deals in town and of course, looking out for the biggest party in town. Afterall, we are SINGLE IN VIETNAM!
Here's one of the party spots. Looks like we are in for a big big party~
But before that, we headed to the Ben Thanh Market for "Round 1"..
and there we found ourselves succumbing to the aromatic ca phe phin, Vietnamese drip coffee.
And the stall which got my Million Dong Deal! I seriously didn't know I can be so mad about ca phe!! Its a Vietnamese culture that they will make you sit on little stools right outside their stalls while they talk terms out with you. It just reminds me of my work back home, every sit-in is a chance to close a deal. Haa~
After so much bargainning, don't you think I deserve a free pack of tea or something?!? *Hint Hint*
Some little porcupine pastry I found just beside my favourite ca phe shop.
Ben Thanh holds quite abit of interesting stuff, but beware, there are lots of "Rippers" around! But if you are a seasoned shopper of such market, you should do fine. I always try to stick to my 50 cents +/- principle. So if you are in a hurry, or not somewhat in the mood for shopping, then its best you should just leave me to shop on my own. 
Here's a shot of one of the stall owner in the corner. She seems alittle tad familiar somewhat. By the time I'm done with the shot, this ah mah already seemed egdy, and the next best thing to do is to scot off lah~
Heading for our first good meal in HCM, we went for nothing less than their "National Food".. Pho (Rice Noodles)! And for a start, do try it out at Pho 24!
Its almost a "Macdonalds-equivalent" over in Vietnam. Operates like a fast food chain, everywhere, anywhere.
So happy with my first Happy Pho Meal in HCM, Vietnam!
Here's a platter of everything to spice up your pipping hot pho. and little side dishes to make your meal complete.
It's just like how a large fries would go well with your Big Mac.
*Owl howls~~*As night falls.. you can really hear the foot steps of 2009 drawing closer and closer.. Haahaa, that was alittle too descriptive. What I meant to say is just how we did our count down at a local pub.
Guess what we found!! Its our Tiger Beer!
Because of time zone differences, we did a round a of count down in GMT +8:00, and scot off. The pub was getting alittle too warm for my liking as well. Grabbing on to my last few sips of Tiger, I staggered back to my hotel room..
Oh pls.. don't think I'm really that drunk. Its just posing. Bin.. you are not suppose to laugh!! You are suppose to look drunk too.
And back at the hotel, I was alittle happier than my usual self, so here's another candid shot. I shall proudly name this.. "Tipsy Vietnamese"
"Gd Morning Saigon!" that's how my tour guide would put it as.. and it will be followed by a 5 seconds worth of quirky smile on his face. Beginning Day 2 with a day tour round Mekong Delta at just USD$10 was a pretty good deal. But of course, price to pay.. you got to wake up really early and wait really long. Haahaa
Rise and shine, with a cuppa from Mimi's Rest House! Nothing like waking up to a cool cuppa authentic Vietnamese ca phe.
So we began our tour down Mekong. And here's one more of me happily localising myself there..
Once more. The Little Vietnamese.
All ready to setup my own fruit plantation in Vietnam! Think most Vietnamese are pretty slim etc, so I don't really fit into the picture of a farmer in Vietnam, I look more like their fruit?? A coconut maybe?
Sitting back, relaxing with some tea after all that posing..
Up next, my encounter with the wilderness. This baby can weigh a tonne! But no fret, I'm quite experienced in this. You will safe with me..
And this is Kina, my new friend from Vietnam! This really sweet girl was part of our day trip's group.
And for dinner that night, we went to Pho 2000! Its there we had our encounter with Vietnamese curry. Yummy Yummy!
Next morning, I was greeted by a very localized version of "hello!".. and that's "Yaallow"!
And its none other than the old lady who makes Banh Mi Thit just beside my hotel. She can't really understand english, so we communicate in "Dongs" instead, haahaa, pure transactional dealings. By then, Mimi already knew what I wanted to drink first thing in the morning... and that's my ca phe.
Seated at Mimi's Rest House again, enjoying my breakfast. Its quite a big Banh Mi Thit, or simply, French Loaf with fillings.
Then we proceed to another half day tour to Cu Cui Tunnel... where we were brought back to the war days.
Men dissappearing into little holes once again.
Men in Burberry Scarf. So now we know, Burberry is of a Vietnamese origin.
Seriously man, I don't know how men find their way into such DEEP DARK HOLES! And they can go really really really deep down under. *Sniggers*
Here's myself, emerging from the tunnel.
After a long morning running through holes.. we treated ourselves to fastfood. Ahhh~~ KFC~~ heehee I think they call it "Lotteria" or something like that.
She's all smiles! Such good service! 2 thumbs up for her!
And here's me again, sending sms back home to some coconut-head back home. If you have somehow received an sms during one of the days I'm at Vietnam, prolly you might be the coconut-head I'm referring to.
Then we headed for the Chinatown of HCM, that was pretty far away actually. After going all the wrong ways, we finally reach our destination, An Dong Market. Well, we got there alittle too late for shopping.. but things there are about the same price as compared to Ben Thant Market. The only difference at An Dong is, they do more of a wholesale biz, so it can get slightly cheaper provided you buy in bulk. This is also a good place for you to pick up some gifts for friends.. perhaps adding on to their international keychain collections? Heehee
So I decided to reward myself with some local snacks at the market just before everyone packs up and head home.
Some Vietnamese Satays. Eh, I'm impressed alright! Its really very tasty.
And this is Viet version of Chendol. Don't really know what they call it thou.
Some really huge prawns.. but too huge for my liking. Not cheap too!
So it finally comes to the day of our main business here in Ho Chi Minh. Chi's Big Day, 3 Jan 09!
Really very touching to see my "old" friend getting married. It's been long since I last felt that I wanted to get married too. Don't worry folks, not too soon!
The bride and the happy Mom! Guess what, I met Chi's Mommy 5 years ago in Singapore. 5 years later, she didn't even change a single bit. I think she uses SK II.
Here's the bride getting ready for the moment.
And her bridesmaids wasting no time to get infront of the camera.
So nice hor... photobucket now comes with photo-editing function.
Chi's sis and me.
After much discussion, I've decided to adopt a "Chi" for my name too. For her family, it runs like "Diem Chi, Quyen Chi, Doan Chi" and I shall now officially become "Dep Chi" (which means pretty)
And heres all the 8 of us
The gang of 8 brothers...
And our happy newly weds.
After the ceremony, we went for a good lunch reception, when we got our first hand encounter with drunk uncles. They are really funny folks.. although we don't have a common language, we only have a common word. And that's Bia (beer in Viet)
No time to spare, no beer to waste
The rest of the day were spent on shopping, mani + pedi then followed by dinner at a really crowded restaurant and.. the highlight of the night... massage at Salon 137! Its a pretty comprehensive set of massage where they would really go from head to toe @ about $18 or less in SGD. Just watch your bum. They will place hot stones on mine and I thot they almost burnt my bum.
Spent the next morning doing some last minute shopping and the other "touristy" stuff like photo taking of the landmarks.
The Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. A very common place for taking wedding shots
The Saigon Opera House
Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Post Office
And here's a very classy shot of a young lady sitting by the roadside of a really busy street holding on to a bunch of balloons.
And we went back to prepare for the moment we have all been waiting for. Its the wedding dinner! It was at a very grand place called the White Palace. Omg.. really very grand.
A nice one before our drinking adventure starts
Time to kiss the bride! Its the 3 of us again...
The uncle who tried to make us all drunk. We made him the Star of the night.. by taking photos with him. Haahaa..
And for some REAL fun.....
Eh, why the shocked look?? Don't worry, its not going to hurt too much.. Haahaa
This is like those usual shots we get in wedding dinners..
Ahhh.. now we see the other side of the bride... a wilder side..
Ok.. this is not too normal..
And the 2 guys who tried to squeeze into our picture.
In Vietnamese culture, we are allowed to pick a bride/bridegroom when you get drunk during Wedding Dinners. And so we did. Duy and I made our decision that night. With him, I'll never be "Single in Vietnam" ever again...
The whole bunch of us. Some drunk, some partially drunk, some dead drunk. All in the name of fun.
Better get back to rest soon folks, early flight to catch the next morning!
It was certainly a trip I will never forget. Till the next time I get back to HCM to start off again from where I left before.. Take care..
I love Vietnam! Woo~
