Vietnam Trip Day 2 & 3

Previously in Vietnam: DAY 1

Hello lovelies!

I don’t know what took me so long to post this up, but anyways here it is!

The second day of my Vietnam adventure started very early, as early as 5.30AM. The reason is because my friend, Lan, booked a weekend trip to another city called Phan Thiet with a tour so we needed to gather at the travel office that early. The trip itself took us about 6 hours! The highway is like a normal road, which explains the 6-hour road trip.

The travel company was Vietravel and overall the service was good. Probably a couple things that they could improve is to get their tour guides speak English aside from Vietnamese (I was pretty much sleeping during the entire trip since I didn’t understand a single word the tour guide said) and to acquire better mini-buses (the seats were too narrow and it was hard to be comfortable for such a long trip).

We stopped at a restaurant for pho noodles and Vietnamese coffee breakfast! The pho was descent, but the coffee was really good. It was strong but not espresso-type of strong and FYI I dislike espresso. It was thick and they filled a quarter of the cup just enough to make us awake in the morning.

Pretty much what my view was during the trip – dragonfruit trees and palm trees! And cute little houses.

After 6 hours of snoozes, snacking and chatting, we finally arrived Phan Thiet! Wine Castle was our first stop.

This place is the official replica of the original Napa Valley winery. The wines are sold with factory price. Pretty good deal but instead Lan and I bought beers and snacks lol. I guess we’re not that fancy haha. Overall, it’s a pretty cool place.

Afterwards, we went to have lunch and checked in at Ocean Star Resort which is just at the Mui Ne Beach and… took a nap lol.

Recharged and we went off to Red Sand Dunes.

Sliding off the top of the dunes!!

FAILED. LOL

Your hair and entire body will be so sandy even if you just walk around. The wind was so strong! You’ll get that beach hair volume that feels yucky, but it’s all worth it :)

Dinner at Hoa Vien (Beer Garden?).

The next day we just chilled and swam at the beach before heading back to Ho Chi Minh.

HAHA! I love this picture :’D

Goodbye Mui Ne! Goodbye Phan Thiet!

We spent the rest of the day on the road and when we finally reached Ho Chi Minh, we went to a fabulous pho restaurant nearby our apartment for dinner. Too bad I didn’t bring any photo taking devices as we were riding motorbikes! Felt like a true Vietnamese haha. After dinner, we walked around to see the flower outdoor exhibition to see the pretty flowers and orange trees ready for Chinese New Year celebration.

Next: DAY 4!

 
xo, Jo

Save Your Love (#TT137)

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” -Maya Angelou

Hello lovelies!

It’s time to update your music list again. This week is all about good beats that put you into dancing mood. Enjoy!

This is probably my favorite of this playlist! Love Ivy’s voice and the way she uses black-and-white as her theme for most of her music vids is pretty cool.

 

 

 

 

Favorite parts of the lyrics below:

You don’t know what you got so you just give it away.
To anyone who’s looking.
Makes your heart want to stop.
When he refuses to stay.

So save your love for somebody who earns it.
Don’t cave because all the wait’ll be worth it.
Don’t be something you’re not 'cause you’ll be running in place.

Feel like you might come undone.
Well, you’re not the only one.

Cause we all just want to be wanted. Want to be all somebody needs.
Yeah we're all just looking for something. That gives us a reason to believe.

I’m pretty excited for this weekend. I have a surprise for my friend. Hopefully it turns out well!

Have a nice week ahead!

xo, Jo

Burn My Bridges Down (#TT136)

Hello lovelies!

Just a quick post of the latest songs I’ve been listening to. Enjoy!

OneRepublic has never made a bad song before, like seriously! I can totally relate to this particular song.

One of my favorite songs of their latest album! So glad they chose this to make a music video.

Too steamy! Wise choice to pick Rihanna to collaborate in this song as she’s got that reggae-latin kind of voice.

This one made me laugh! I personally like the tunes, it’s so Simple Plan/Good Charlotte-ish! Brings back memories. Oh teenage days.. This video explains well.

Have a nice day!

xo, Jo

Vietnam Trip Day 1

 

Hello lovelies!

Finally the first post of my Vietnam trip! Some of the pics were taken by phone – since someone was stupid enough for not charging the camera battery =.= so apologies in advance for the bad quality. Other than that, enjoy!

I arrived at Ho Chi Minh City around 2-3PM in the afternoon, since there was no morning flight that didn’t fly way too early. So my friend, Lan, picked me up in the airport (with her dad who works in the airport – such a nice welcome!) and we headed to her place first to put my luggage. Afterwards we straightway headed to our first stop, War Remnants Museum.

This museum is basically all the remnants left from the Vietnam War, including war equipments, replicas of the prisons and photos during & after the war. Some of them are quite scary and gruesome to see, which is why I don’t really recommend this place to those of you travelling with kids. But overall, it’s an interesting and educative place.

All the stories are explained in detail with pictures.

The replica of the prisons from above view. The background is actually just a painting but damn it looks so real!

One of the prisoner replicas that is not too creepy for my blog lol.

The main building has more pictures of how the American soldiers tortured the Vietnamese back then (insanely inhumane) and the post-war pics showing the descendants of those affected by the chemical gas massacre. Also, how Americans back home and other countries went on rallies against the war.

Ok, enough with the serious stuff! Next stop, shopping spree at Ben Thanh Market!

This market is one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, kind of reminds me of Jakarta’s Passer Baroe. You can find anything here from local handicrafts, fruits, clothes, and food. Make sure to bargain! I at least bargained 30,000 Dong first and worked from there, especially if you buy a lot from the same vendor.

Outside of the market’s main entrance. SO many motorbikes!

Afterwards, Lan and I continued our shopping at Saigon Square (walking distance from Ben Thanh Market) then met up with my college friend, Hannah, for dinner. We had dinner at this beautiful al-fresco Vietnamese BBQ restaurant called Barbecue Garden, which was around the same area. Highly recommended!

FOOODDDDD. And Vietnamese beer! Forgot what’s the name though lol. But it was very light and refreshing!

Meet my wonderful tour guides, Hannah and Lan =)

Seems like dinner was not enough for me, so when we walked around the city, my friend made me try this street food which is claimed to be Vietnamese pizza! It looks more like a crepe/taco to me though!

Main ingredients would be rice paper (grilled til it turns crispy), quail egg, spring onions, various kinds of dried prawns, fried shallots and mayo + chilli sauce to top it of.

YUM! I loved it! Loved the ambiance too. Very local =)

Oh! One important tip when travelling in the city, try not to wear a hand bag and wear a sling bag or a backpack, or anything that’s basically attached to your body that you have full control of it. Pickpockets and snatch thieves are always on the go. One of my friends has experienced this before, so be extra cautious. Also, try not to wear too flashy jewelries.

The Opera House!

Since I travelled just a week before Chinese New Year, which is the most important celebration in Vietnam, the city was decorated with pretty lights and decorations. Lucky me!

One of the perks of having a local friend as your tour guide is you get to experience those that are not listed in the Lonely Planet. Hannah brought us to a secret place that “local teenagers normally go” – direct quote from her LOL she makes us feel very old. Lan didn’t even know about this place! They only have it at night and it’s located just behind the Opera House, at the back corner of Highland Coffee cafe, surrounded by mega star hotels. Sounds suspicious, huh? No we didn’t buy drugs lol. Instead, we had a nice chill milk tea! See that happy face! =D

I then call this place “Secret Milk Tea”. And this is how to order and fully maximize your milk tea night experience:

1. Order the type of tea you want from the guy (they already fill the cups with milk) – strawberry, mint, peach. They may have more in the future. We tried all and they all were good.

2. Grab newspapers from wherever or whoever (with permission of course, and not from the garbage please). My friend got some from an old lady selling street snacks.

3. Find a good spot to sit, not too near with other milk tea-drinkers, unless… see #4.

4. If you’re lucky, find someone there with a guitar as he/she will serenade you for free. I was so lucky that time that next to me was a cute guy doing this. TEEHEE.

5. Enjoy the night view, laugh your ass off with your friends and roll on the floor (since you’re already on the floor, might as well you know).

6. Remember to clean up the mess created after your awesome milk tea night experience.

Happily stranded in the middle of Ho Chi Minh. Call me Hobo Jo.

That’s all for Day 1! Long post huh? Hope I didn’t bore you hehe.

Next: DAY 2 & 3!

xo, Jo

Happy Chinese New Year 2014!

Happy Horse Year!

Above pic is just the summary of what I did last night on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Since I didn’t have a reunion dinner, me and my dear cousin went to Chinatown and had our own “reunion dinner” It was soooo crowded! Didn’t even stay back for the countdown coz we knew we couldn’t go back home if we did haha.

My family is coming today for the long weekend! So for those of you who celebrate Chinese New Year, GONG XI FA CAI! May this horse year bring prosperity, health and happiness to you and your families. Enjoy the food!!!

Me posing at a CNY decoration in Ho Chi Minh city more pics to come!

xo, Jo