Ooohhh...goody, a free willy inspection!

You don't suppose they mean the whale do you?

Myth Busted?

Well, maybe not.  I can tell you a fine example of Vietnamese honesty though.  Some times this city gets a bum wrap, and sometimes rightfully so.  In the interest of not opening up a can of worms, there are some people here who will rip you off blind.  Why?  Because you can afford it and usually they can't.  This tends to get a little frustrating when you live here as, well, you live here, and you should pay what the locals pay.  Yes, this is a pipe dream.  It is never going to happen in my lifetime or yours.  Having said all that, not everyone is out to fleece you.  Quite often I find that as I am traipsing around a market I am not hassled anywhere near as much as some due to the fact I am usually in work clothes and carrying my helmet.  It is fairly obvious I live here.  Today I was hunting around Ben Tanh for some Bok Choy.  As I could not find it I assumed it was out of season or something.  My eyes lit up when I finally found some.  I asked her in Vietnamese how much and in my excitement thought she said 50,000 VND ($2.50).  Expensive for here but not excessive I thought.  So as I rummage through my purse pulling out notes she is looking at me shaking her head.  As I thrust 50,000VND into her hands she gives me my bok choy and points to my purse shaking her head.  I thought she wanted more money.  Instead she is motioning me to show me what money I have in my purse.  She reaches over and takes out 5,000 dong as she is shoving the 50,000 back at me.  5,000 dong!  25 cents!  That woman, much to my shame, could have relieved me of an extra 45,000 dong and I would be none the wiser.  Needless to say I will be buying all of my greens from her in the future. So next time I feel like I am being over charged, and quite possibly am, I will remember with a smile that not everyone in this city wants to liberate me from my dong.  No matter where you come from, some people have good hearts, and some don't.

What a Payne.....

Just outside our place.  Nick and I have been trying to get this shot for ages!  It is actually quite a common sight.  I think a big mirror is a close second followed by the big screen tv.  As they say...where there is a will......there is a motorbike that can carry it!  What is the best thing you have seen fellow Saigonites?

Ummmm.....Huh?

I'm sure it is not just me.

While they trekked through the jungle....

We did this........Suckers.

Beach/poolside Cabanas at the Imperial Hotel

A fantastic way to spend a glorious morning.

She is obsessed with these goggles.  I have not idea why.  Sometimes, she is just a strange kid.

Mum getting used the the lifestyle

My beautiful babies.

They are never far from each others side.

Mum having Sex on the Beach.

A refreshing Pina Colada.

Vung Tau with the Family.

Crazy cats.

Our old Russian hydrofoil to Vung Tau.  Not pretty but a really great ride!

They almost got it right.

Scarlett on the river.

Imperial Hotel Vung Tau.  Very Nice!

Frescos at the Imperial

Lobby Bar

Nick baby sat while I took mum and dad out.  This is what I came home to.  One sleeping boy...and.........

This cheeky thing.  Quite a large bed really, but apparently........

not big enough to share with a 3 year old.

Battlefield tour around Vung Tau, Long Tan and Nui Dat.

While they were doing this mum and I were at the pool drinking Pina Colada's.  Suckers.  Will post pics later.

A sobering sight.  The battlefields of Long Tan.  Apparently the rain was so hard during the battle the red dust (mud) splashed up a couple of feet.

The air strip at Nui Dat.  It is now the main and only road through the Nui Da village.

Night stalls along the promenade.

Mum overcoming her morbid fear of heights.

Yes, housekeeping...mummy wants some champagne.

I had the BEST cheese gnocchi here.  I would come back to Vung Tau just for that!

Long Phat indeed.....

Mum wearing Alby (her dad, my grandfather and guardian angels)'s favourite flower, the frangipani.

Back on the hydrofoil to Saigon

Well...they've gone!

And just like that...their adventure was over.  I will mainly just post a heap of pics from mum and dads visit as they are much more eloquent than my words.  I just wanted to say, as I know they will be reading, how proud we were (are) of them.  This trip was a really big deal.  They went through the rigmarole of injections, booking agents, visa applications all with a great attitude.  They left behind some pretty serious commitments, both human and feline, to come and visit us.  They had never been to Asia and really never travelled on their own.  They came with exactly what we suggested, an open mind and a sense of humour (oh ok...and a bit of cash!). To be honest, I was fully expecting them to just "survive".  To our amazement and joy, they actually saw why we love this place (ok, sometimes loathe....but I digress).  They ventured out to markets, visited museums, ate some great food, drank some wonderful cocktails, did some touring, hoped on boats and in taxi's and revelled in what is the vibrancy of this town.  All of this was done with good humour and an open mind.  If you give this city a little bit of your heart you will be rewarded ten fold.  They were here one week and formed some lovely relationships with the staff here where we live and of course with the wonderful Quyen.  All of this not even mentioning how wonderful for us and the kids to see them.  Quiddy would hop into their bed each morning for a cuddle (I offered money for them to move in...we got to sleep).  It was great to see their relationship with the kids pick up exactly where it left off.  It was like they saw each other yesterday.  So I have just dropped them at the airport and hope they have a great flight.  I am sure the last week will hold some great memories for them.  We know it will for us.  Well done to you mum and dad.  Thank you for coming so far out of your comfort zone to visit.....we love you. XX

Mum  and dad waiting for the ferry to Vung Tau.