Chu Chi Visitors' Tunnel (Jan 2007)

Entrance fee is 75000 dong, about USD 4.6.

Joined a short half-day trip which cost USD 11. Our travel guide was come from a South Vietnam Soldier's family, but he tried not to side any parties for the history story telling - Viet-Kong and South Vietnam Soldier. On the way to Chu Chi, we stopped by a painting factory (egg shell or shell drawing). According to the guide, those people are the descendant of "Orange" victims. A medium size painting sold for USD30-40 (we found the same painting in An Dong market for USD 1.8).

At Chu Chi, I tried the visitor's tunnel, it is about 15m long. Pregnant woman, please don't try. Also, if you daring enough, try it on your own. I followed a group of visitors, crawling in the darkness. There are some guide dim light served as guide a long the way. But you still won't know whether the tunnel is heading down and up, until you knock your head or slipped down.

Really an unforgettable experience, must try.

HCM City Chinatown: Binh Tay Market at Cholon, District 5 (Jan 2007)

From Bui Vein street (backpacker area), we took a cab down to Binh Tay (refer to picture), with full of expectation to get cheaper goods than Ben Thanh Market. It costs us 46000 dong (about USD 3). According to the taxi driver, it is the biggest market in Ho Chi Minh.

Yes, it is big, but it is not a good place for you if you intend to buy only small volume.

Basically it sells all items except souvenirs (which were what we looked for). We were looking for key chains, egg shell lacquer paintings and wood carving. They do not have that.

You can see people carrying boxes of goods running around. I think this place is a reseller center rather than normal open market.

Address: Cholon, District 5 (Chinatown)

Directions: Take a metered cab. From Bui Vuin / Pham Ngu Lao, it cost about 46000 dong (abt USD 3)

Ho Chi Minh City, Good and Cheap Place to Stay (Jan 2007)

Thien Hong (Room For Rent)

Family-run. Quite, clean and friendly owner. We stayed at the highiest floor, 5th floor.No lift. No Internet Access (Internet access can be found easily at De Tham St or Bui Vein St). Bad thing is owner not good in English. Must practice your body language more often.

Total: 12 rooms. 2 types of rooms, USD 12/night and USD 15/night. Check-out time, 12:00pm.

Attached bath room with heater. Air conditioner.

Recommended. Take a look at the picture. Unique Qualities: Everything is new. I believe it has been built/renovated not long back.

Backpacker area. Easy access from De Tham Street, Bui Vein Street or Pham Ngu Lao Street. At the heart of the City. Very convenience.

Phone: 08.9206078

Mobile: 0902 804 053

Address: 241/34 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Dist. 1, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Directions: Tell the taxi driver An An Hotel at Bui Vien street. Once you get there, take the Alley 104. Within 5 minutes walk.

Other Contact: thienhonggiau@yahoo.com.vn

Taxi Fare from Ho Chi Minh Airport to Backpacker Area (Jan 2007)

I did a search before i go Ho Chi Minh City. Base on tips from the internet, reasonable taxi fare to town area from Airport is US$5 or it can bo as low as US$4.There are many cabs waiting outside the airport. First, I tried to look for a cab that uses meter (the taxi always shows "Metered Taxi"). After i spent 10 mins looking for a cab that really use meter, i can't find any. They offer me fixed price, which is US$10 or US$8.

There was one taxi driver said he would follow meter and asked us to get into hir car, i doubted and reconfirmed before i put my luggage inside. Again, he said he won't follow meter. So dissappointed. I rejected him immediately.

We give up. Finally, we took another cab by paying US$6 (to Pham Ngu Lao area, Bui Vein street).

Kinabalu Park (July 2006)

There are a few type of chalets available in KK park. Do a Google search for Kinabalu park, you'll see all those. There are run by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges. For my Sabah trip, we stayed in Hill Lodge, which is RM110 per night. Price is cheaper than the price stated on their web site. You can call their number to do reservation (+60-88 889 086).

Staffs are very friendly and helpful. We reached there late, around 7pm. You just need to inform them you need late check-in. One thing to highlight about Hill lodge,it is tidy, clean, come with water heater in wash room. It is all time cool as you areat 3000m above sea level. Air is fresh. For food, we walked to the nearest 'restaurant' to have our dinner. You will find limited kinds of western food available. Environment is peaceful and staffs are friendly.

Road side are equipped with lamp post (working condition). We had a night walk along the road. It is safe.

The next morning, we tried the trail, Silau Silau trail and Bukit Tupai trail. There are not so long, we managed to climbup to the 'peak' of Bukit Tupai and witnessed the uncovered 'face' of Low's peak. Low's peak is not visiblemost of the time as it always covered by thick clouds. The whole walks takes less than 1 hour as we took short cut and did not finish the whole Silau Silau trail.

Where was our next destination? Poring Hot Spring. How to go from Kinabalu park? A tip, share van with whoever,wait at the reception after check out. There will be someone going to the same place. Trip cost by van isRM70. It will be time consuming to take bus as you need to walk out to the main road (quite a distance) and takebus to Ranau.

What's interesting things in Poring Hot Spring? There are ready built cubical and each cubical can accomodates 2 persons. You can take hot spring bath at any of the cubical as long as it is not occupied it.

1 more interesting place at Poring Hot Spring is the canopy walk (hanging wooden walkway that is hang on the tree). And I estimate the height from the ground is about 8 storeys!

To Kinabalu Park: Take a cab from KK town, RM100

Short Stay at Hyatt, Kota Kinabalu (July 2006)

We stayed there for a night during my short trip to KK last July 06. Not a please experience! We had a late check it at around 9pm. I booked King size bed rooms, and the receptionist told me all fully taken. What for is my booking then? Instead, they offered me twin beds room. No choice, we have to take it.

Came to the room and it can't give me a feel that it is "star" rated hotel. Things are old, e.g. furniture, cabinet, etc. This reminded me on the high price that i paid, RM3xx per night. Not worth it.

Location wise, it is good. We walked to Jesselton point (departure point to marine park) and it takes only 8 minutes. Furthermore, it is very near to Sunday market (<> walk).

Phone: 60-88-221234
Address: Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong 88991 Kota Kinabalu
Directions: Take a cab from airport, cost RM20.

Budget Hotel - First House Hotel (Dec 2005)

Located at Petchburi Road Soi 19 (14/20-29 Petchburi 19 Road, Soi Juldis, Phyathai D). It is hard to see from the main road, Petchburi Road. Even the local taxi driver found it hard to locate this place. Must tell the taxi driver, 'First House', not 'First', as there is a bigger hotel with the similar name on the same road.

USD20, cheap, worth it. Lobby is acceptable. Room is not new but clean. Staffs are friendly. Food are standard everyday, American breakfast. The lowest price you can get from http://www.wireddestinations.com/.

If you need the power socket in room, be careful. The first room they gave me has a spoilt power socket. Check it before confirm the room.

Nearest train station, Rajthevee, 10 mins walk, not so bad.

Near to World Trade Center, a shopping complex.

Further walk (total 15 mins), you will reach the famous '4 face' buddha.

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We are consolidating all our travel related posts or tips into this newly created blog.

Our Macau Trip

6-Jun-2008
Stay : Royal Hotel
Trip: 4 days (first day at Royal Hotel, the rest of the day moved to other hotel)
Rainy season in Jun, no advisable to go at this time as you will get wet easily.