Saturday 19 February 2011

Last look at Saigon

Our last night with the group in Saigon was celebrated with another lovely meal, a bit more pricey than on our journey but very nice indeed. It was sad to say farewell to the group and to Thuy but we have all their e-mails and we hope to catch up with Louise when she goes to Leeds University. There are also four others who are going on to Siem Reap and we have arranged to meet them at the Blue Pumpkin restaurant there on Sunday night.


It was quite a relief to have a long lie the next morning, collect our laundry and have a good look around Saigon. Following hints from one of the guide books we set off down to the river, following the "Quiet American Tour". We had coffee on the 5th floor of the Majestic Hotel, a bit more than usual but well worth it for the view of the river. Massive development is going on here and to go back in 5 years will probably see enormous changes to the city. It has a real buzz and we found it an interesting place to walk around, despite all the warnings we had been given beforehand.

Some last minute shopping was done, a last meal then we set off on Saturday for the airport. It is very modern and a pleasant place to pass a couple of hours. We even found some Illy coffee - pure heaven. Our flight to Siem Reap was on time and even arrived early. We had to join the long queue for visa on entry then came through the nicest airport building we have been in to be met by our Cambodia guide.

2 comments:

Lou Moore said...

Good Evening from Australia Tom and Norma! Louise here from the Moore family, I was just going through the Vietnam pictures and I remember Norma talking about her blog when we were at the mud baths and I googled it and found you :) Hope you are all recovered from your travels and back into the swing of things at home, I know we all are! Though I have to admit that I'm planning my next holiday to New Zealand already! It was great reading your blog, loved the Australia section :D How is your teddy bear going? Definately think we should see the adventures of teddy in a blog soon! Best wishes all the way from Australia, From Louise and the rest of the Moore family

Tom and Norma Smith said...

Only just found your comment after we are about to set off on our travels again---this time to India. Yes William is coming with us again---will have to make an outfit to match. Hope you look at this more often than we do.
Regards to all the family.

Norma and Tom