14th February, 2017
Hello? Is there anybody there? I would not be surprised if there isn’t as once again I am apologising for the lack of posting. I can almost feel my dear Papa over my shoulder ‘suggesting’ in that wonderfully polite, but pointed way that definitely meant ‘you will do this’, that a post or, in his day, a letter, is decidedly overdue.
There are reasons but no real excuses, these being a restfulness descending over me that is one step away from all-out lethargy and basically having a lovely time not doing much in a fairly busy way. It doesn’t help if we don’t surface much before 9.30, but more on that when we get to the post on Bali. First up we need to finish Vietnam and specifically HCMC, so on with the show.
It was Valentine’s Day, but as Val and I love each all year round we didn’t make a song and dance about it. We had been scheduled to be driven out to the Cu Chi tunnels that the Vietcong dug to evade US detection, but we were a bit knackered and it was a long way, so we asked to see more of HCMC and Wing duly obliged.
First stop was the botanical gardens. We didn’t particularly want to visit the zoo, but it seems you can’t do one without the other, so in we went. It was reasonable, but still rather distressing to see animals doing that up, down and back again walk over and over again. Of the ones on display, the white tiger playing with the water was good and there is still something magical about animals you don’t see everyday. A selection…
It was off next to the Ben Thanh market (Val needed her fix!), where there was the usual produce on display. It was big, as you might expect, with stalls crammed in with narrow walkways in between. Lots of bustle as ever and colour and suggestions that particular garments would look wonderful on us and are a must-have. They take no with good grace, which is a blessing. We should have tried the weasel coffee, which, for the uninitiated is where the coffee bean passes through a weasel first and is then roasted (the bean, not the weasel!). I have heard of this with other animals in other countries, but am none too sure if it (a) is for real and (b) makes any difference! Anyway, enjoy the stuffed example! The prawns were so big I had to get Val to put her hand near them for perspective. And whilst there was much in the market that was still done in the traditional way, it was interesting to see that iPads are popular with the young and not so young!
More soon – assuming that there is anyone reading this. Hello? Hello?
John & Val's World Travels 
Do not fret; some of us are reading every word and enjoying it all. Occasionally I get a trifle ‘behind’ and have to have a lengthy ‘catch-up’ but am almost ‘caught-up’ now, only your next blog to read. And I am enjoying them. Your hard work and dedication is not in vain! This effort reminded me of the visit that AB and I paid to HCMC in February of 2000. We liked the city and I have a small – about 3 inches high – rose quartz Buddha on a shelf in my bedroom which I bought there to remind me of our trip. AB decided to sit and relax in one of the ‘french colonial squares’ while I went off to explore the small side streets and see what I could find. And I found my little Buddha. For some reason the visit that remains most strongly in my memory is of visiting a very active temple in the city. Compared to the Western European attitude to spiritual belief this was so vibrant and immediate. We are almost jaded in comparison.
Anyway, I must stop and get some supper – having had a long chat with Lucy who is recovering from a long and grisly bout of ‘flu (her first) and was lying on the sofa watching Planet Earth. Lots of food for discussion there. She loves programmes like those and loves learning ‘stuff’, as she puts it. In between bouts of coughing we discussed a lot of different things! She has had a temperature since last Monday evening and only today has it finally gone down to normal!
More tomorrow when I read the next ‘blog’ – they are appreciated! And love to you both!
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Hi Angie, thanks for the comment and great to hear from you as ever. We must compare photos when I get back, assuming you have any. And did AB do one of his write-ups?
It has been a great trip and Val’s Parkinson’s has been behaving really well, which is one of the main reasons for making the trip. We can’t decide if it is the warm weather, the lack of anything we HAVE to do or the numerous spa treatments that is making the difference, but I suspect it is a combination of all three.
Well, I on the other hand have lots to do with making sure we get to India next, planning our trip to Cody and catching up with my role as Chair of our local Parkinson’s branch – and, of course, writingnthe next chapter of the trip.
Lots of love and glad you are enjoying the blog.
John
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