Writes of Passage

Củ Chi District
Hồ Chí Minh/Saigon, Vietnam

… more pix and video on Google Maps & TA

The tunnels at Củ Chi (Địa đạo Củ Chi) are a complex underground network. It was used by the Viet Cong. One of their operations was the Tết Offensive in 1968.

It had everything, from kitchens to bedrooms to hospitals. It also had happy rooms where 6,000+ babies were made and born.

We left hotel at 8am, spent two plus hours on site. The traffic is heavy both ways, two plus hours to and from the site, getting back to the hotel at 2:30pm. We could have returned a little early but some mates enjoyed the shooting of AK47, we all waited.

The site is shaded, part of the paths are slightly uneven.

The first exhibit is a bobbie trap: 11% of Americans, about 7,000 were killed by the bobbie traps during the war.

A park range demonstrates how to get into a tunnel. (Our tour manager took out his wallet and tipped him, and urged us to do so too. Our groups are mostly Americans and a few Canadians. I wonder if he would do so with a European or Chinese group?)

A tunnel rat – me following it, getting into the tunnel …

… more tunnels

By the shooting range (yes, it’s AK47), there is a rice paper making hut.

… the day trip

战壕入口
下面的地道错综复杂
几十年战争的生存空间
有医院 有厨房… 还有happy room where 6k babies were born 开心洞 六千娃出生

Ok more tunnel
… down the rabbit hole [偷笑]

他们那时只有早上做饭 供一天用 冒烟的地方经常换树叶 免被发现
现在是他们的冬天 下去几分钟已经热的不行 …

15 Đ. Tôn Đức Thắng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1,
Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

… more pix & vid on Google Maps & TA.

Will return.

The R hotel/Marriott has great views of the city, and River Saigon (Ho Chi Minh Can Gio) that empty out to South China Sea.

The semicircular, well maintained garden sits between the front of the hotel and the river. It has prince turned military leader Tran Hung Dao (1288-1300) statue, who is considered the most famous general in Vietnam.

This photo is from booking.com, showing from L to R: Bitexco tower to the left, the short building is Renaissance hotel, red Melinh Point Tower (21 storey grade A office building), the tall Hilton hotel that just opened in March, and Vietcom Bank is to the right.

The area is scenic. I made a mental note to walk on the river front but never found the chance. Crossing the busy street is one of the deterrent.

The hotel has two restaurants, Viet Kitchen on the ground level where we have our buffet breakfast, and all you can eat dim sum lunch on the second floor. Not sure if it opens for dinner – didn’t get to try it.

Two bars: one at the lobby and one by the pool on the roof top.

The roof top swimming pool has decent size, get my swimming in daily.

The room is nice, with two banks of charging outlet, one by the desk and one by the night stand. The windows show the age. We received two small white coconuts as welcome drink. They supply two bottles of water daily.

… nightcap

… looking out to the Ba Son Bridge (wiki), and the Melinh Point Tower, Hilton hotel Saigon that just opened in March 2024, and Vietcom Bank.

… the last  swim

… and the last supper

Long Xuyen, Vietnam

Will return.

… more pix & videos on Google Maps & TA

One of my favorite outings of the tour.

This floating market 水上市场/漂市, or more like village, spreads out along the eastern bank of Mekong River in Long Xuyen.

Long Xuyen (龙川; formally called Thủ Đông Xuyên) is the capital of An Giang province 安江省, in the Mekong Delta region of south-western Vietnam. The backdrop is newly built or in the process of building, low rise apartment buildings.

Ships need eyes -:)

Many boats look a like, which were built with the durable mahogany woods that they paint it with tar at the end of each year. Many of them live on their boat year around. Their children go to school on land, ferry to shore by small boat. People are very friendly.

The guide lives 40 miles (65 km) from here, who showed us some boats where he purchased, we also get to visit one of the boathome.

1. coconuts
2. yams
3. pineapples & two cute barking dogs
4. house visit

We also visited a boat, the owner has a 12 years old daughter who’s at school. The owner treated us to juicy watermelon. Our only question is, what do we do with the seeds and rind.

“It’s organic, throw into the water.” Buffalo said.

The guide served us coconuts and pineapple on the boat. He cut off a small piece to use as spoon, to scrape off the white flesh, which is very yummy.

After the market, we continued on the Mekong, passing by a Catholic Church Giáo Xứ Mỹ Thạnh/My Thanh, (Google Maps). Mỹ Thạnh is a commune (xã) / village of Long Xuyen: population 26,100 (2019); and the culvert bridge (涵洞桥?), a little over a mile down south.

Angkor Ban, Cambodia

Day 2: am Angkor Ban; sailing 65 miles (105km) from Angkor Ban to Koh Dach – Koh Chen.

The first morning, is also the first port of call is at Angkor Ban. The ship moored at the front gate of the village/complex.

Under the rule of Khmer Rouge, Angkor Ban was chosen to be their billet. The buildings in this village were used as housing and storage. Thus, while almost infrastructures in Cambodia were destroyed, the wooden houses in this village still exist until today.

Ângkôr Ban is a commune in northwestern Cambodia. The entrance from the river leads to the village, temples and pagoda, where the monks, young and old live and study.

In Cambodia, becoming monk is rather casual endeavor: anyone can become a monk at any age, under any circumstance, and can quit after any length of time: a week and or years.

We then turn left, onto the village. Many women and girls are selling scarfs on either side of the unpaved path. The last stop was at Angkor Ban Indigo Community where a few women are weaving. Each scarf or table runner (however you want to use it) is $10. I purchased one, just to support the community: revive and preserve their traditional skill – not sure it’s worth the effort: given the fact that things can be made much quicker and easier …

Is this some kind of burial?

We visit a family: shoes off and hat off before climbing up to the second floor, which is their living quarter. The floor is made with bamboo planks, and each plank has gaps. I walked gingerly. But the house seems strong, because when I got up there, there were at least dozen of tour mates. It has a kitchen, a tv, but no bathroom.

#171, Taphul Road, Svay Dangkum
Siem Reap 17252 KH Cambodia

We picked this hotel for one night, prior to join the tour, for its proximity to Sokha Angkor. Yes, many business names include Angkor, especially hotels.

This basic hotel is conveniently located, with a restaurant, a small pool. It also offers laundry service: they don’t have wash machines but farms out, costing $1.5 per kilo. The close returns neatly folded overnight. Breakfast is included, ala carte – perhaps they don’t get enough guests to offer buffet?

Off the NR6 in the town center, this modern, informal hotel is a 14-minute walk from Angkor National Museum and a 15-minute walk from the Old Market Bridge.

Warm, casual rooms with fashionable accents feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars, plus separate soaking tubs. Some rooms have balconies offering pool views.

A breakfast buffet is served in a straightforward restaurant/bar, which also offers other meals. Amenities include a polished, wood-paneled lobby, plus a walled courtyard featuring a saltwater infinity pool with a swim-up bar. Parking and an airport shuttle are free. Sightseeing tours can be arranged.

55 Wang Krachae, Sai Yok District, Chang Wat
Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand

… more pix & vid on Google Maps 

A few minutes upstream from River Kwai Resotel, is the hotel Float House and restaurant. The colorful chubby cushions made the open air restaurant very cozy and inviting, with the killer view.   

We stopped by for a drink after Lawa Cave. Iced coffee, coconut and Singha. 

Many redtail barb are swimming by the hotel.

55 Moo 5 Tambol Wangkrajae Amphur, Sai Yok District,
Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand

… more pix & videos on Google Maps

Will return.
Accessible by boat only.

The jungle resort is on the River Kwai, with lush gardens, two swimming pools provide tranquil escape. The room has windows on three side, framing the green surrounding nicely. The ceiling is beautiful. The bathroom is spacious. It has no closet but is fine with us, since we travel with a carry on only.

The resort is connected to Lawa Cave, one of Thailand national reserve.

Each room is issued one key, which means you can’t charge your device while out.

The staff is friendly and helpful. Food is ok, nothing to write home about.

Dinning at 71Above, on Nov 19, 2024, we’ve a wonderful view of the LA’s Inter Continental hotel @ 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

609 North Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL33019

The hotel is on N Ocean Drive and New York Street / Fillmore St. The compound is pretty substantial, 9 buildings and parking lots takes up the entire blocks on either side of New York St.

Building #7 and 8 are the closest to the beach. #3 is closest to the office. $12 for parking. They offer beach towels and chairs for free. Their office opens 8am-11pm. Daily maid service.

Our unit has a mid sized refrigerator and mini cooking top for simple need. Dish washing detergent is provided, with some pots pants and some tableware. One of the two wine glasses is dirty, unwashed.

Praça Sen. Salgado Filho, s/n – Centro,
Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 20021-340, Brazil

… more pix n videos on Google Maps

Santos Dumont Airport SDU is the 2nd airport in Rio de Janeiro, named after Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont (1873–1932). It opened in 1973; operates by Infraero since 1986.

Bossa Nova Mall is connected to it, that hosts many shops, eateries, Xian, WeWork, and a hotel. When we got there at 7:30pm for dinner, it was relatively calm. By the time we were leaving around 9:45, it came to live with music and crowds.