Built in 1925, and added on to, and renovated, it has kept it's French Colonial style. Our room was gorgeous. Not a river view, which I had requested, but a quieter room looking over the central court yard (so French) that has a pool and bar. So you look down 5 stories, to this lovely aquamarine water and palm trees. Out off a wrought iron balcony. Lovely.
The room was all antiques. Rooms. A sitting room, and a bedroom, huge, and a monster bathroom with polished brass fixtures. Not lacquered, but hand polished!
We arranged with the front desk for a city tour, with a car, driver, and guide. The tour was fascinating. We went to the War Museum. It was unbelievable. They warn that it could be upsetting. I was to the point of nausea. They show the atrocities of war. On both sides. It was truly grizzly. I thought it would be very anti-American. Of course they call it the American War, as we call it the Viet Nam war. Viet Nam has been fought over since time immemorial, I think. Being tiny, vulnerable, sea coast, Chinese, Japanese, French, American have vied over control of this tiny "S" shaped coast. And yet they seem a happy people. The American war jump-started their economy, for sure.
Some how pics ended up mid entry....
The pool in our court yard 5 stories down:
Entertainment on the boat- Viet Namese beauties playing music and teaching us to click teacups to accompany them. The girls were exquisite. The food was good too.
You certainly know you are not in Singapore. (No other city in Asia is like Singapore.) The streets were dirty, filled with street hawkers, beggars with indescribable disabilities, women on bicycles balancing a pole with a huge pot of steaming soup on each end, riding on streets of unbelievable chaos. But it seems to work. The sidewalks are almost non-existent, with mud everywhere. (It was raining).
We went for a dinner across the street from the hotel, on a river cruise. They said they would send someone to help us cross the street. !!! Well, you could see why. 10 lanes of chaos. Motorbikes, bicycles, cars, trucks, ALL honking and weaving in and out. No stop lights, no break in the flow. It was daunting. They sent this little pint-size waiter to take us across. I took his arm. I figured we were safe because we were paying customers, and were about to spend our money at their restaurant. And bad for business if we don't make it safely. Well, Tim said "no, I can't do it" "You mean you can't cross for dinner" "No I can't". "You mean you are not coming for dinner" "No".I thought we were going to have to cancel our dinner plans. I said "just hold on to him", which he did, and we got across. I lived in Manhattan for a year. I know about j-walking. Tim never j-walks. You have to set out, not stop, just keep going, finding the little breaks, and do nothing suddenly. We are here to tell the story. There just about was no story to tell. They escorted us home after dinner-which was great fun. Viet Namese food, entertainment, and on an old wooden Viet Namese ship.
We love to visit Art Galleries. We went to a big private gallery "Apricot"!!! There was a photo of Bill Clinton, who had bought a painting. He is a hero there, because he lifted the trade embargo that kick started VN economy. We could have bought several paintings, but luckily, they were huge, so no where to hang them. I did buy a designer top. A VN woman, who escaped by boat to Australia as a child. Mai Lam. Is back now in Saigon, a very successful designer. The piece is a lovely variation on the top that the VN woman wear.
Tim would go back in a minute. I think there are too many other cities in Asia to visit.
A blank palette is starting to get some colours!
Sounds like more 'out of the box' moments. What a trip! (I seem to keep saying this in my comments.) I have a request: you are going to have to scout out and stay in some cheaper hotels to recommend for Brian and me! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying yourselves. You look great!!