Travelling in Vietnam Two cities in 1

Just to link to my other blog, i will do a write up on what, where, how you can move around Ho Chi Minh(HCM) and Hanoi in 3 or 4 days.

Usually Malaysians fly to Ho Chi Minh by Vietnam Airlines and continue from there to Hanoi using the same airline since it is a domestic destination.

But luckily now, we have AirAsia to the rescue, we can fly to HCM by AA and back by AA from Hanoi. See, now these two places are within our reach, Thanks to AA.

Accomodation is around USD35 to USD40 a night at HCM and around USD20 in Hanoi. You will get good rooms at these prices. Pictures here will show what I mean. Complimentary breakfasts are given and you get to surf for free at the lobby. Wifi is also provided if you bring your laptop along. Imagine the luxury you get and the convenience that goes with it. You won't feel that you are in Vietnam, I can assure you. Hotels are in convenient locations,both in HCM and Hanoi. You can walkabout and go shopping, whatsoever without needing a taxi. Unless, of course, you want to go places like Halong Bay (180 km from Hanoi), etc, etc

Travelling around is by bikes. A person having a bike is considered as good as a person here in Malaysia with a car. Cars are not so convenient to go around town as parking will be a hassle. Bikers are all over the place. Just walk slowly and they will avoid you. Don't run and don't stop walking halfway.They will knock you down,unintentionally.

Food here is also not a problem A bowl of mihun or their kuey teow is around RM1.60. But, honestly, you have to acquire a taste for their food, a bit on the sweet side and not so spicy. However,coffee is nice. Try them and see...it has the oomph.

Shopping is not so good as here. It depends on what you want. Shoes, small purses are aplenty.Tidbits are also sold here, famous will be the fruits chips eg nangka etc.
Most people buy chopsticks. A lot of varieties are sold and a lot of designs to choose from. So choose carefuly.

Touring around is not a problem. There are guides to take you around. If you need any, I can ask a friend in Vietnam for you if you email me.

So, here are some of the photos in HCM and Hanoi...take a look

Shopping mall, Viet style



Chopsticks, anyone???



The tree that the French planted, long time ago are still standing on Viet soil ....good good!!



My favorite haunting ground ~~~ My space ...



This building is 10 stories high, see how tall the trees are.....taller then some....all over town, sytsematically planted...



One small corner of HCM airport, small part only



Traffic, traffic and more traffic......crazy~~~~






See the rubbish ~~~ shhhhh....


Nice eating place ~~



Hotel ~~ narrow building but going upwards .....keke~~ Tall and thin



Streets when you can shop....but cannot drop....



Nice big beds to zzzzZZZZZzzzzzz......









A place where all must go, famous eating place.....just say the name.....



At the intersection....



That's all for the time being...hope you enjoyed the pictorial journey as much as I do....

Continuing my introduction to Penang

After walking, it is better now to go by bus or car to Air Itam, the location of the famous Kek Lok Si. The photos will give you an idea on what you should be able to see.






A view from the top of Kek Lok Si.....


It was so tempting to look at Penang from the top that we had to get down and cross over to the mainland. We drove across using the bridge and came back by the ferry. We did just that because there was no time and all of us was so very very tired.





It has been a long long day, but alas we really enjoyed the tour of Penang even though it was a short one. Come and visit Penang when you are free. By the way, it is not only sight seeing, but along the way, there were so many things to eat until we had to stop eating the next day. Penang food is really nice, but please do your homework before you come. There are different stalls for different good food. So, don't blame me if you are in the wrong place. I did warn you...haha.

A guide to travelling in Penang

Today I will be writing on a guide to going around Penang island...the place where I come from. But I need to upload photos for all 2 see because pictures tell a thousand words.

First and foremost I would like to bring all of you on a walking tour around the inner city. There are a lot of places there where u can visit by walking around this place. Once you reached there, you have to just walk around. Wear proper walking shoes and attire because you will visit some religious places of worship.

Ok, ready??Let's start walking. First let us enter the famous Kapitan Kling mosque. It was started by this man Kapitan Kling for his comrades whom he brought from India. You can enter the mosque(even if you are a lady, you will be given a robe by the mosque authorities.

( Tell u this, I prefer to block out my friends' photos, k??)


Walk across the street to the next road at Chulia street, before turning into Penang Street, you will see a Teowchew association. This represents the Teowchew people who came over to Penang. The place has been renovated at a huge price, with donations from Teowchew and the place really look ver nice. Look at the carvings closely and you will know what I say.


Teowchew association members practise singing Teowchew songs, karaoke style....wanna join?



Walk across the street to Penang street and you will see the Indian temple. This temple is a very famous Indian temple where the diety is transported from here to the Waterfall gardens during every Thaipusam.





Walk down the street, you will now be at the place where all things, Indian, can ne bought. This place is called Little India. I didnt manage to get any pictures because all the pictures are filled with too many faces of my friends,,,haha...lazy to edit.

Turn down the round and you will reach a Chinese temple, Temple of the Goddess of Mercy. Most Penang people will know this place because they believe in this Goddess.
Usually there will be more people praying during the first and fifteenth of the Chinese month. In the evenings, outside this temple, you will find Samritans giving free food to homeless and needy folks. May God bless them.




Coming out from the temple, going towards your left you will see a church, but we did
not go there. My friends were not so keen and wanted to hurry to the famous Khoo Kongsi before it closes. So, we turned right and walked until the end of Kapitan Kling street until we reached Canon square. Khoo Kongsi is right there. So, take a good look.















There are too many photos to post, so I leave all to you to go there see for yourself...There are another 2 more that kongsis nearby, the Yap kongsi and the Cheah kongsi. Please pop in there to have a look. Their structures are slightly different.

Lastly you will also find the residence of Dr Sun Yat Sen here



This picture was taken during the shooting of a film on Dr. Sun.

Ok, better take a rest now. This is the end of my short walking tour. Very tired to move another kilometer.Haha.