Sep 2012 : In-laws & relatives' visit

Our very first visitors - my parents-in-law and relatives!

Being a homemaker, naturally I had all the time in planning their itinerary...hehe...Hubby recommended a reputable & professional travel agency in Ho Chi Minh - Sinh Tourist which organised various local tours in Saigon and other cities in Vietnam.

Cuchi Tunnel & Mekong Delta are considered 2 of the must-go places of interest for first-time visitors. As we had already engaged a driver for the first day, hence I just bought the tour package which cost VND209,000 (S$12.60) per person for the Mekong day trip on the 2nd day. For a full day guided tour, this price is definitely very economical!

Cuchi Tunnel half day tour - just had to pay an entrance fee of VND90K (S$5.40) which is considered cheap since there were snacks (steamed tapioca & hot tea)  provided after the whole tour. Basically, we were brought around the forest seeing how the Viet Cong soldiers made full use of the tunnels as their hiding grounds during the Vietnam War. That also included a 'walk' (or should I say, 'squat walk') inside the cramp and narrow tunnel. Those people with claustrophobia are strongly advised not to risk going in! I didn't try anyway, hehe..Oh yes, I just realised I did not take any photos while on the tour! Probably due to the fact that I was busy 'swapping' away the mosquitoes along the way! LOL

Mekong Delta full day tour - took a lot of photos on this trip as seen in below collages..visited the small factory making rice paper and coconut candy and the only stuff I bought was a bottle of honey (not sure why I bought that when the supermarket should be selling the same quality of honey, probably at the same price...haha)...Anyway, the highlight of this tour should be the provided lunch with the Vietnamese spring rolls and 'elephant fish' being the most popular dishes. But please don't expect too much on the taste as I heard the fish was caught from the muddy pond! Eeks! haha...

My gym regime - Saigon River Club

Ok, I know this is a bit absurd...to continue my next post only after 11 months! keke...I am not going to find myself any excuse cuz' there aren't any for me since I am not working....I am just plain lazy and did not find any momentum to start where I left previously....Please pardon me! hee

Anyhow, I would like to bring all of you back to last year where I had finally settled down in my Saigon apartment and the next step, was to begin my exercise regime.

Actually way before I arrived Saigon, my hubby had already submitted my photo to the gym administrator in Saigon River Club located near Ruby Tower. Hence, I was able to kick off my gym session quite immediately.

My membership card

This club can be considered one of the biggest in Saigon and it is an independent one, meaning it caters not only to the residents in Saigon Pearl (yeah, we will have to pay for the membership), outsiders can also make use of their facilities as long as they can afford their fees. In summary, Saigon River Club has all the various essential equipment and facilities (olympic-sized swimming pool with lifeguards, comparably-big female changing room with lockers & a small but well-maintained sauna).