Visit to Cao Bang, Northern Vietnam

On 14 and 15 Jun 2008, my foreign friends and myself made possibly the last visit out province before we finished our nine-month course. We left at about 0600H on Saturday morning. The group included Dima, Park, Cuờng, Mấn, Anan, Mee, Supra and myself. Also accompanying us for the trip were Huong and Phuong. Huong, who is the cousin of cô Yến, is a second-year French-language student at the Academy. Phuong is Huong’s close friend from her secondary school. Phuong is a second-year student at the University of Commerce.

The journey to Cao Bằng took us through Thái Nguyên and Bắn Kạn province. Before pushing off for Cao Bằng, we stopped at Sóc Son for breakfast. The first part of the journey took us through relatively flat terrain. Once we hit Bắn Kạn, the terrain became mountainous and we had to drive through a series of uphill climbs. As we entered Cao Bằng, the drive became more harrowing as some of the climbs took us through some serious swerving curves up the mountains. The view from the drive, I must admit is spectacular.

We reached Cao Bằng at about 1230H. We had lunch and checked into a relatively new hotel overlooking the river dividing Cao Bằng. In the afternoon, we headed for Bác Bó on a north westerly direction on route 203, the ride there took us about 2 hours as the road was not in perfect condition. Along the way, we saw widespread cultivation of tobacco plant. Located about 50km from Cao Bằng, Bác Bó is located just across the border between Việt Nam and Trung Quốc. It was the base for Hố Chì Minh when returned to Việt Nam after about 30 years abroad in 1941. It was here that he set out on his quest to liberate Việt Nam until 1944.

Sunday we set off for Thác Bản Giốc (Bản Giốc Waterfall) at 0600H. The journey took us about 3 hours this time on north easterly direction on route 204. Compared with the journey to Bác Bó, the scenery on the second journey was simply breathtaking. This was enhanced by the morning rain making the mountain shrouded in mist. The scene resembled possibly what Shangri-La might have looked like. The trip took us through many climbs and valleys cultivated with rice, maize and tobacco. The rice was cultivated on terraces.

Before heading for the waterfall, we went to a border checkpoint at Tà Lùng. After breakfast at Tà Lùng, we headed for our final destination. The sight at Bản Giốc was awesome. The wide waterfall is also located along the border, which brings to mind Niagara Falls at the US - Canadian border. From our location, we can see Chinese tourists across the river. We even met and spoke to some Chínese tourists who went on raft ride to see the waterfall close up.

At about 1100H, we left the place and made our slow journey back to Hà Nội. We reached the Academy at about 2100H. Although the journey was laborious, it was worth the effort as the scene at the waterfall was a sight to behold.

Motorcycle 101

For those who have visited Vietnam, you would know that the motorcyle forms an important mode of transport in this amazing country. Young and old alike can be seen riding these nibble "creatures" along the road, sometimes almost recklessly. It is surprising to see large amount of motorcycles taking up almost one lane.

In my earlier posting, I have highlighted that these people can really pack a lot on such a small vehicle besides piling up to even four people to a motorcycle. Besides transporting people, they also service as a cheaper version of the pickup truck. I would like to share two photos to illustrate what I mean.

Trip to Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, Vietnam - 2008

I and the rest of the foreign students went on a day trip to visit a Thai minority tribe in Mai Chau valley. Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh Province, a four-hour journey west of Ha Noi, about 130 km away.

We set off at about 7.30 in the morning in a 12-seater van. The journey took us in a south-western direction across Ha Tay Province before entering Hao Binh. The most striking sight in Hoa Binh is the large land allocated towards the cultivation of sugar cane. Another sight which caught my attention was the numerous stalls along the route selling the locally brewed wine Ruou Can (pronounced as z-out kern).

As we climbed the last ridge at the end of the four-hour trip, the driver stopped at the top of Cun Mountain for all to take photograph of Mai Chau located in the valley below us. Therefore, we proceed to Lac Village (Lang Lac in Vietnamese), the abode of the Thai minority. Contrary to what we thought, the villagers are able to speak only a smittering of Thai. This is a small village of not more than 50 houses, mostly stilt houses. Before lunch at noon, we went round the village to look at the handicrafts on offer and also take photographs of the padi fields and the surrounding area.

Lunch was served communal style with all of us sitting on the bamboo covered floor of the stilt house. We were served rice cooked in bamboo, steamed fresh water fish, grilled boar meat, chicken, buffulo meat and vegetables. The main spices used for the dishes are ginger and lemon grass. At the same time, we also arranged for one hour cultural dance show performed by the villagers to accompany our lunch. The meal for the 11 of us including the entertainment totaled about $20.

During our conversation with the female owner, a night’s stay at the stilt costs only S$5. A note of caution, it can get really cold during winter. Fortunately for us, the weather was sunny which is a changed from the chill in Ha Noi. Following lunch, some of us continued on our exploration of the village while the rest decided to take a rest in the stilt house. Shortly after 3pm, we departed the village for our trip back to Ha Noi.

Ninh Binh Province - 2008

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Some of the foreign students including myself made a day trip to Ninh Bình Province to see some of the tourist sights there. This is the holiday period as the nation celebration the 30 Apr 1975 liberation of the South and also May Day.


We left Hà Nội at about 7.30am. The route from the Academy took us through Nhốn before making our way through Hà Tây before hitting Highway 1 which leads to the South. The journey took us about 2½ hours before we reached our first destination Tam Cốc. This is a scenic place which visitors are taking on a boat ride through limestone caves. You could say that this is the freshwater or inland Vịnh Ha Long (Ha Long Bay). Not sure if it can be compared to Guilin in China as I have yet to see the place.


We boarded a small water craft at the quay which took us on a three km trip through three caves. The return trip took approximately 1½ hours. Our craft was helmed by a middle lady and her son. In the course of our conversation, I found that foreigners are restricted to two to a craft while the locals are allowed to sit up to four persons. It was also revealed that a new boat costs about 3 triệu (3m) Việt Nam đồng. There are an estimated one thousand craft at Tam Cốc.

On the journey through the slow moving river (could not figure why they call it a river as it is pretty small to me), I discovered that padi are planted on both flanks giving the landscape a wide patch of greenery which end abrupt against the limestone outcrop.


For lunch, we had mountain goat’s meat which is a specialty at Tam Cốc. The meat is cooked in several styles such as barbeque, hot plate, salad style. The meal for the 14 of us cost about 3m đồng (US$187/S$300). After lunch, we proceeded a short distance to visit Bích Động. This is a temple complex built into the limestone outcrop. It is said to be one of the most beautiful cave in Việt Nam.


On our way back, we stopped at the old capital Hoa Lu. It was the capital for 41 years from 968 - 1009 before Lý Thái Tổ established his capital at Thăng Long, which is present day Hà Nôi. As time was short, we only visited the two main temple complexes.


After a long day, we left Ninh Bình at 4pm and reached Hà Nội at 6.30.

Nephew - At 2

Just like to share a cute photo of my 2-year-old nephew.

Thịt Chó (Dog Meat)

Yes, most of us would not have thought of such a delicacy but in Vietnam, it seems that eating dog meat is “part and parcel” of their daily lives. I believe that it is the same for South Korea. Don’t get me wrong, I have second thought of eating dog meat. To the un-initiated, it is reverting. But part curiosity and part courtesy, I took up the courage and tried a few mouthful of the dish in the outskirt of Sóc Son.

I have not been all over Vietnam but in Hanoi, stalls selling dog meat is found almost everyway. At Chọ 12-19, located next to Melia Hotel in downtown Hanoi, I came across a row of stalls selling dog meat by the dozens. It is said that eating dog meat will heat up the body and believe me in winter, Hanoi can get rather chilly for a “Equatorian” like me.

A Bit of Singapore in Ha Noi

After staying in Ha Noi, to be exact the outskirt of Ha Noi near Nhon (Tu Liem
District), I was surprised when my friend introduced a Singapore street food joint to me recently. It was a relief as I had been eating mostly Vietnamese food for the four month since I arrived in Vietnam. Not that Vietnamese “cuisine” is not delicious, on the contrary, I discovered that most of the food are suitable to my palate. It is also good to have some Singaporean style varieties once in a while.

The shop Hai Su (Hải Sư), run by a Singaporean who had been in Vietnam for quite a while, is located along Pho (Street) Giang Vo (pronounced as Zang Vor-all). Two prominent landmarks in the vicinity are Hanoi Hotel and Horizon Hotel. What attracted me and I think to Hanoians is the selection of Singaporean desserts such as Bo-Bo Cha-Cha, Chendol etc.

Vietnam - Road Safety

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When in Ha Noi, one cannot help but be amazed by the number of motorcycles on the road. The roads are always packed with these little mobile “creatures”, small and agile weaving between the traffic. Sometimes almost recklessly but to me, they appear to be the “kings of the road“. I may be wrong, it appears to me that women motorcyclists form a majority of the users. Such is the importance of this means of transport that the government decided last year to implement compulsory safety helmets for all motorcycles, including pillion riders. The ruling took effect on 15 Dec 2007. Almost overnight, about 85 percent of the motorists compiled with the ruling, otherwise they risked being fine.

Motorcycle taxi (xe ôm, pronounced s’air om - literally vehicle embrace) is a common feature in Ha Noi. With Ha Noi many narrow streets, xe ôm is an indispensable form of transport in the city. Now safety helmet (mũ bảo hiểm) has become a fashion item with commuters. Those who frequently travel by xe ôm will carry one with them when they commute around town. Some of these helmets are really cute but I am not sure if they measure up to safety standards.

Visit to Sa Pa (28 - 30 Dec 2007

A group of friends and I made a short trip to Sapa prior to the New Year. As it was a last minute decision, we had some difficulty in getting train tickets to Lao Cai. We only managed to collect the tickets from Sinh Café on the day of departure on Friday evening (28 Dec). It was for a cabin of four (soft beds) departing from Ga Ha Noi (Hanoi Station) at 2305H. Tickets for the earlier trains between 2100H and 2200H were not available.

As I walked from Ho Hoan Kiem (Hoan Kiem Lake), I arrived at the main entrance of the station while my friends ended up at the departure gate on the opposite side. I had to make a detour across the railway yard to meet them. When we were walking along the train (LC7 - possibly Lao Cai 7), it dawned on me that the standard on the train is below par. As we entered our cabin, I felt that the price we paid for the one-way ticket (US$25) was too high. Nevertheless, that was the price to pay for late minute booking and it was a weekend trip.

The trip to Lao Cai was slow. It took us nine hours and we arrived at Lao Cai at 0800H 29 Dec. The weather was good at Lao Cai. We were met by the staff from the tour agency and were brought to the pick-up up at one of the café near the station. At about 0900H, we were herded onboard a chartered bus for the one-hour journey to Sa Pa. The staff told me that we had to use the bus as there were no other alternative as a lot of students had made the trip to Sa Pa during the New Year holidays.

The trip was surprising smooth as the road condition was good. The sights were equally good especially when we were more than half way up the mountain. The rice terraces in the valley were a sight to behold. Unfortunately as we neared Sa Pa, the weather turned and the town was covered by fog or possibly clouds. The atmosphere gave us a feeling that we had entered a valley town somewhere in Europe.

After breakfast, we were led for the slow stroll to the H’mong village of Cat Cat, located about 3 km away from town. Cat Cat village was not as populated as I thought. The houses in Cat Cat were spaced about several metres apart and were sited on the slopes. I was not quite impress but as we were led further down the slope, we came to a waterfall. Then, I felt that the journey was worth it as the sight at the waterfall was nice. After a short rest and enjoying kebab/satay (grill pork) and sweet potatoes, we continued our journey up the reverse slope of the waterfall. Along the way, we had to cross a valley using a wood plank bridge.

In the afternoon, we were taken to Ta Van of the Giay people. The tour guide decided at the last minute not to bring to another village as the weather was not good. The journey to Ta Van was quite hairy as visibility was probable less than five metres. The fear was heightened by the fact that the road to Ta Van was down hill and winding. Ta Van is a much different village as compared to Cat Cat. It is located near the valley close to a river and it is also much bigger. We had to cross a bridge to get to the village. Upon arrival, we were mopped by women and child selling handicraft. They were quite persistent and in fact some of them followed us for much of our trip at the village. The visit was worth as we could see the famed rice terraces found in tour brochures.

In the evening, the weather changed and it drizzled. We talked a stroll in the town after dinner but we could find that advertised love market. As I retired to bed, power in the town was cut off at 2300H and was only restored at 0700H the next day (30 Dec). We had to use candles to wash up and do our packing as we were leaving on the early train back to Hanoi. We left Sa Pa at 0700H. Before leaving town, we request for the van to stop at the church for some photographs as we could not get good pictures the previous day.

The train journey from Lao Cai departed at 0915H and we only arrived in Hanoi at 2030H. It was a slow journey of 11 hours and sights along the way was not really good for photography.

Accommodation at Ikebukuro

House Ikebukuro

This hotel, actually in my opinion much better than a guesthouse, is located in the northwest side of metropolitian Tokyo. Nevertheless, the massive railway network in the capital makes travelling in the large city very convenient.

It is about five minutes walk from the west entrance of the Ikebukuro station. If it rains, we can use the underground passage and exit at C1. The turnoff to the hotel is about 20 metres from the C1 exit.

That said, as there were many guests staying over when we were there, we only stayed at the actual location for a night. The following day, we have to make to another unit nearer to the rail station. The unit is located on the eighth floor of Orient Ikebukuro building. From our unit, we can see the station and Parco and Tobu Shopping Centres.

Compared to the unit we stayed on the first night, the facilities in this unit is not great. We do not the heated toilet seat and it gadgets. Moreover, the laptop in the unit is very slow. If you are a sound sleeper, the din made by the passing trains is not a great distraction. The consolation is that it is two minutes walk to the station's north entrance. The areas around this unit is packed with shops and food outlets.

Getting into Tokyo

Journey into Edo

The flight to Narita was bumpy due to Typhoon Seniang which hits the Philippines. The arrival was delayed by about ten minutes. After spending some time at Terminal One for the rest of the family to change into warmer clothing, we made our way to the Keisei terminal at the basement.

After overcoming the initial confusion on the use of the automatic ticketing machine, we purchase tickets for the Limited Express to Nippori, the transfer junction for our onwards journey to Ikebukuro.

As we wanted to avoid the morning rush hour in the city, we took the 0905H Keisei train out from Terminal One. The journey to Nippori took about 70 minutes and the train was not packed with passenger to our surprise. We have expected to see more passengers taking the train into the city.

Upon arrival at Nippori, I was again held up as I have to figure out how to transfer to the JR Yamanote line. I discovered that there is a need to exchange the Keisei ticket at the ticketing machine to a JR ticket. This is done by paying a transfer fee. In our case, it was 160 yen for the transfer to Ikebukuro. Child ticket is at 50% discount.

Holiday in Tokyo

PLANNING FOR THE TRIP

After a long year, I decided to bring my family for a holiday in Japan. The trip is part for me to recharge before the new year commences.

As we have two grown up children, my wife and I decided on a free and easy stay in Tokyo. Planning for the trip would have been easier if we had started earlier but the schedule of our elder daughter school holidays CCA put paid to the plan. Given the short reaction time, I had some problem securing cheaper airtickets for my family. This meant that we had to forego flying into Narita with SIA. Fortunately on the accommodation side, I managed to secure a relatively cheap rate for a family of four.

Yue Kai - 5th Month

Yue Kai - 5th Month
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

Amazing how children can always make you smile. Such a chubby kid.

My Family Tree

Hometown - Swatow

Paternal Grandfather
Sim Kwang Yang

Paternal Grandfather
(Yeo Gek Sen)

Father
Sim Mong Phong

Hometown - Kuching

Mother
Kho Lee Siang

Hometown - Singapore

Self
Sim Yong Hwee

Brothers
Sim Yong Poh
Sim Keng Hwee

Children
Sim Qian Hui, Brenda
Sim Zheng Han, Bryan

Nephews
Sim Boon Hee, Gabriel
Sim Yuen Yee

TK
Tk ,Tk is my school,
and it stands for Tanjong Katong Secondary School.
I have many friends in school
and I love my teachers too.
My school has very strict rules,
being a Tk student,
I must obey,
and abide the rules.
Tk,Tk,my secondary school,
Tk,Tk,I love you,
Tk,Tk,your the best......
SECONDARY SCHOOL!

My Baby Cousin
I have a very chubby baby cousin,
very chubby indeed,
Just like a cherub,
who has a round and plump face.
When he is asleep,
he is as harmless as a dove.
When he smiles,
his smile is as sweet as honey.
My baby cousin is very playful too,
very playful indeed,
Just like a kitten,
playing with mittens.

Yue Kai - Sleeping

Yue Kai - Sleeping
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

New Arrival - Little bundle of joy, our new nephew who arrived during the Lunar New Year. So blissful.

Botanic Garden - 30 Apr 2006

Botanic Garden - 30 Apr 2006
Originally uploaded by Sim Yong Hwee.

Spent a evening at the Botanic Garden listening to the SSO. The weather was clear but it was humid.

Blog List

Here are some Blogs done by my classmates:

Just Blog (Tan HC)
http://grisman.blogsome.com

Coleman The GREATEST! (Coleman Yee)
http://colemanthegreat.blogspot.com

HPilot (Kon SK)
http://honpilot.blogspot.com/

LiNkS

I would like to introduce you to some Wikis created by me and my fellow mates.

This is my class Wiki (Class B)
http://www.editthis.info/mid06/index.php/Class_B


This is my Wiki. Hope you like it!
http://www.editthis.info/mid06/index.php/User:Mid0625