06 November, 2012

A day in Ho Chi Minh City...

We woke this morning, early (or 'normal' time for being back at home in Australia), and managed to do some editing and posting of photos. We even got an 'interesting' email from home, from 'M's' brother and his girlfriend... It went a little like this...

J to M - That's good!! The traffic looks crazy!! Glad ur safe! Me and J locked ourselves out already... Well we locked ourselves in the room between the screen door and the wooden door!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha LC is coming to save us haha and we are locked in with the cat!! I am scared of Cats!!!!!!! Haha all good though :) Hope ur having fun!

M to J - How did you lock yourself in??? What time were you locked in there??? D and L next door would have heard you yell!!!

J to M - Haha well I picked up a set of keys as I was leaving work and said to James are these the ones and shower him and he was like yeh. So I go out and I'm trying to open the screen door and I was like which key is it? So he came out to show me and the big door shut behind him. Then we realised that the keys we had weren't the ounces Bernie gave us. Not sure what they are haha so we were stuck! Haha so we called Luke! And he saved us. We were stuck for like 1 hour maybe.. All good :) safe to say we Won't make that mistake again!! Haha

All harmless and pretty good fun really, but the 'up side' to the story is that J has a mate who is a locksmith, who came and let them out and changed the screen door's lock so it is keyed the same as my front door!!! Thanks J&J!! So after this, we went down and got some breakfast, and a coffee, and then we thought we'd check out the hotel's mini golf! Yes, it has a green, and two cups to putt on!! Its also on the 7th floor!!! After we had a look, we then ventured to the tenth floor, for the pool and spa, and we were not disappointed at all! It looks out over the surrounding buildings, and if clear, would also be spectacular! A good swim/cool down was very refreshing...

So now, it was time to venture out of the hotel, all of the above was done by 9am, so it was still early enough to learn how to cross the road! this may seem strange, but in a city that has no (apparent) road rules, crossing a road could be problematic. So we got to the first road, and literally watched a couple of people cross, and remember the hint from home, cross and make it look like you know what you're doing!! We have now mastered this art, however, I do wonder why I am always placed in a position closest to oncoming traffic...

We soon arrived at the Ben Thanh Market, which is huge, but at one end, is the 'wet market' which was a little off putting...

Ben Thanh Market Wet Market (meat)Ho Chi Minh Fruit Stall

We walked through the market, I got a small something for me, whilst M got some things as well... I also grabbed a cheap pair of sunglasses due to the glare about!! I was all but about to purchased a shirt, possibly more, but when the price got more expensive for multiples (even after an agreed price) everything went pear shaped and I simply walked away...

We soon started walking about, and the Melbourne Cup slipped into our heads, and luckily for us, and another Aussie couple we met at breakfast, we managed to find a bar to stand and watch the race (not to mention a FREE glass of Champagne as well! After the race, we crossed the road and had lunch, before starting to head back to the hotel. Along the way, we spotted a store that was selling a wide angled lens for my camera. I had been longing for one, and would have really loved an 8-16, but for the price, I could not let this 10-20mm lens go by... (I later in the evening went back and exchanged $6.683M for the said lens!)

Ho Chi Minh Phatty's Melbourne Cup

The only other thing we did today, was visit the War Museum. I had not really followed or read much about the Vietnam War, but what we saw (aside from the preserved aircraft and tanks outside) was really quite oppressive in its nature. Some of the many images were even quite graphic, and if you'd like to see them, then click on any of the pics in this post (land at my flickr page, and then have a look for yourself)

Ho Chi Minh War MuseumHo Chi Minh War MuseumHo Chi Minh War MuseumHo Chi Minh War MuseumHo Chi Minh War MuseumHo Chi Minh War Museum
So now, after dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, we are now back at the hotel. We had a quick swim (although closed 30 minutes prior to us arriving), and showered and in bed... Both J and M are asleep, whilst I am typing this post!!! Although, I shall not be far behind them, as tomorrow is promising to be as big as today!!

Hoo roo for now...

------

05 November, 2012

Well, we're in Vietnam!!

Well, for me, that day started early - 4am I woke... Not sure why, I was packed and ready, and I had only gone to bed at 1am... Anyway, we got ourselves ready and headed to the airport for check-in (we ALL wanted window seats).

Waiting Traffic 34LSydney Olympic ParkRAAF Richmond

Flying Vietnam Airlines was a pleasant experience; crew were wonderful and the meals I had were tasty (and BOY, do they know how to make a scotch)!!

Coke and ScotchVN LunchAustralian OutbackAustralian OutbackCrossing the equatorCloudsPork (spicy)Descending into Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh outskirts

When we arrived, immigration was SO easy, and we were greeted by our guide (and driver)... Could barely understand him he was talking SO fast, but introduced himself as Bruce Lee and the driver as Jackie Chan! Traffic, was bedlam to say the least, but amongst all of the hustle and bustle, we saw a mate of ours doppelganger!! Soon enough, we were at some restaurant somewhere, and sitting down to dinner...
Menu (English)

After dinner, it was time to 're-join' the hustle and bustle on our way to the hotel, which I might add, is a very nice hotel...

Long day, very tired... Good Night!!

Hoo roo for now...

------

Farewell from Sydney (test post email)

This is a test, but off to Vietnam this morning...
Kind regards
-------------
Bernie
Sent from my iPhone

01 November, 2012

Thursday Thirteen #19 Blind Photography

Over the last couple of days, I have been 'entertaining' a friend of a friend of mine, who had come up from Melbourne, as a photo of his was being exhibited in a competition, Arts Access Australia - Art for people with disabilities. He took out the inaugural, Peoples Choice Award!!

Andrew is vision impaired, and is legally blind. The way he explained it to me was, he has zero sight in his left eye, so close your left eye, now 'squint' your right eye, so as you can only JUST see something about a meter in front of you... that is all the sight he has! Bad hey! So with that in mind, I showed him around, as best we could, some of the Sydney spots for his upcoming work, 'Day is Night' which will be exhibited in August 2013, and here is some of my shots from the two days in Sydney...
  1. Woolloomooloo Gate - The Royal Botanic Gardens
    Woolloomooloo Gate - Royal Botanic Gardens
  2. Fort Denison - Sydney harbour
    Fort Denison
  3. Kangaroo Paw - Mrs Macquaries Point
    Kangaroo Paw
  4. Photographer and his Guide Dog
    Andrew and his guide dog, Eamon
  5. Sailing Ship
    Sailing Ship
  6. 'Talent'
    Sailing Boat - TALENT
  7. Sydney Ferries
    Friendship and Scarborough
  8. Water over Rocks
    Water over Rocks
  9. Opera House, Harbour Bridge (and a Ferry)
    Opera House and Harbour Bridge
  10. Light Painting a Photographer
    Andrew (blind Photographer) being 'Light Painted'
  11. Sydney CBD by night
    Sydney CBD
  12. 'Andrew' and the CBD by night
    Andrew (blind photographer) with Sydney CBD
  13. Sydney Olympic Park - Boulevard
    Olympic Boulevard - Sydney olympic Park
Hoo roo for now...
------

31 October, 2012

Wordless Wednesday No. 66 - A night at Harry's


Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Hoo roo for now...

------

27 October, 2012

Saturday happenings...

By looking at my Friday Fill-Ins, you'd think I would have had an easy day... Far from it!!!

The day started with an early 'wake-up call thanks to a neighbours rooster! And yes, they're NOT allowed in a residential area within my LGA! You are allowed to have up to 20 birds, but zero roosters! But I wasn't going to let it get in the way of what had to be done. So I got up, got ready and got madam (Bronty) into the car to head into the city for the 'Bark in the Park'! However, we didn't stay long as my hay-fever started to hit, so we just headed to the beach for a swim (after a brief bit of spotting).

Bronty Plane Spotting

Once home though, I took an anti-histamine and got stuck into doing the lawns. I got my brushcutter out and did the edges, and then the mower... Fueled her up (she's been on her last legs for some time), primed her, and pulled the chord, and that was it, she didn't start nor will she start again! So it was off to Bunnings, with my gift cards ($170) and I got me a brand spanking new Masport 4-stroke mulch mower! AND, a bag of chook manure!

When I got home, I had to fill with oil, easy as, filled it with fuel and it was the easiest mower I have ever started in my 30 years of green keeping!

Lawns done, I got my Karcher pressure cleaner and then cleaned the back veranda which was in dire need of being done! Not content with just that, I then got to doing the spa house, both concrete and the roof!!! It looks as good as new!!!

And finally, look whats in flower again, it my Dracunculus vulgaris!!!

Dracunculus vulgaris

Hoo roo for now...
------

26 October, 2012

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins; here we go! 
  1. Oh, that cat fight this morning, at 1.20am, IN MY BEDROOM, was not at all fun... Stray cat, stop hanging around here, Jasmine doesn't want to be out at night playing and guarding her territory, and nor do I at that time! 
  2. It's a sure sign of a hot summer ahead, when yesterday's temperatures (mid 30's), which is uncommon for this time of year...  When it happened, it means we have already had more hot days (so far in October) than ALL of last summer. 
  3. Are we having another wet weekend again?? Forecast says no, but, we'll see how it pans out...
  4. My heart skipped more than a beat the other day, after driving over the Harbour Bridge and heading for the Gore Hill Freeway, about 80klm, and this car on the exit ramp lane decided to change lanes, I broke (HARD) swerved (thankfully the car next lane, behind, saw what was happening, and I missed the car by millimetres... It would have been a very hard hit, and I would have forced her into the car in-font that she was going around... it would have been very bad! 
  5. Do you believe in the saying, 'Good things come to those who wait'? I do, and as I am still waiting, there must be LOTS of good things coming my way
  6. I'm a semi-reasonable cook, and I love to do a roast... Maybe, a Sunday roast this weekend? 
  7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an early night given lack of sleep from 1.20am and attending a funeral this morning, tomorrow my plans include going to 'Bark in the Park' with Bronty, and maybe down to the beach afterwards for a swim and Sunday, I want to get the lawns done again, boring I hear you say and yes, I agree, but I enjoy doing them... There is also the Motor Bike Race from Phillip Island to watch/listen to!

Hoo roo for now...
------

24 October, 2012

Wordless Wednesday No. 65 - A Movable Feast!

Just a few words to explain - if I can? George St here in Sydney, is one of the busiest streets in the CBD. It was closed on Saturday night, for the 'Food Trucks' to be stationed, for the 'Movable Feast'! this was a great concept, but it was far from 'movable' as there was far too many people, it was gridlocked! BUT, it was a great thing to do on a Saturday evening... Now, onto the wordless...




Sydney Food Trucks

Sydney Food Trucks

Sydney Food Trucks

Sydney Food Trucks

Sydney Food Trucks


Sydney Food Trucks


Movable Feast - Crowd


Movable Feast - DJ


Movable Feast - Movie Screening

Hoo roo for now...

------

19 October, 2012

Friday Fill-Ins!!

Friday Fill-Ins!
And...here we go!
  1. I hope I can get all of the 'odd jobs' done around the house on Saturday, as Sunday its the 'Sculptures by the Sea'!
  2. What to do when you have to much to do? Head down, bum up and get it done - and this will be my motto for Saturday!
  3. Boy I sure did enjoy walking OUT of the office a little while ago for lunch... Its not long NOW until the weekend hits!!! 
  4. Remind me to call the Vet's before going away, (touch wood) just in case something happens whilst I am away! 
  5. What does the price of fuel have to be, before you 'FILL UP' rather than 'TOP UP'? For me, its all swings and roundabouts, in that I dont wait too much... I will always try and fill up at the bottom of the cycle, but a few times I've been caught out, and its gone up either overnight, or whilst at work! Currently, in Sydney, is it c. $1.55cpl 
  6. It makes me happy, hearing about achievements by family and friends, especially those who are turing 3yo over the next month...  
  7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an old boys reunion, tomorrow my plans include mowing lawns, washing Bronty, at least two loads of washing/hang on line, dusting, vacuuming, mopping  the house, weeding Rose Garden (Onion Weed) and fertilising the gardens out the front. Weeding/pruning rear garden beds and fertilisng both the Wisteria and Gardenias as with the Murraya hedge and the Clivia's and Sunday, I want to chill out and relax, but alas, would like to go to the 'Sculptures by the Sea' at Bondi and Tamarama Beach!
Hoo roo for now...
------