SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

KL – Saigon – Mui Ne

 

One fine afternoon of mid June found us wandering outside the Tan Son Nhat airport looking for the shuttle bus to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, that is) and there it was, parked right at pillar no. 13.

 

The white and blue shuttle no. 152 to city center. The VND4000 fare is good enough for poor traveller like us, compared to the USD10 by cab.

 

The bus pulled off immediately as we hopped on, with a few passengers including us, which happen to be the only foreigner. Soon enough we were cruising the bustling streets of Vietnam’s largest city, and within minutes arrived at the iconic landmark of Ben Thanh Market.

 

We were dropped off at the bus terminal in front the market, and while figuring which way to go, we had our eyes fixed on the tallest building in the area. Did we saw Menara TM just now?

 

From Ben Thanh we walked to the Pham Ngu Lao street, looking for the tour agent  for the bus ride to Mui Ne. Pham Ngu Lao is famous for its budget hotels  and the many tour agencies, and is often considered at par with Khao San Road in Bangkok. 

 

A lone traffic policeman manned the crazy hordes of motorcycles. Crossing street in Vietnam is totally unhealthy; it’s bad for the heart!

 

We managed to locate our tour agent at Bui Vien street, and sorted out the booking. The bus to Mui Ne only departs at 8.00pm thus we were left with a few hours to idle. Since we will be arriving very late at night, food was a concern so we decided to fill up our stomach with pho and some takeaways from a halal stall near Ben Thanh. Guess what, halal food here cost a bomb, and that was just a stall. The pho tasted so-so, and the rice for takeaways was cold and hard. The eatery was crowded with fellow Malaysians on their short shopping trip,  of which we made friends with some of them, while a few others – well it’s better left unsaid.

 

Street scene at night in Saigon. Back at the tour agency after the quick dinner we were stuck with another hour to spare, so we killed the time wandering around and taking photos of the area.

  

Around 7.30pm we were called to the bus, and I being a tad excited as it was my first time riding a sleeper. The seat was a bit cramped, and I pity DH and those Americans who had to crouch within the tiny space. However this was much better rather than to sit up straight for 6 hours on normal buses. With pillow, blanket and all, it was a comfy ride; and I was pretty much sound asleep throughout the journey (although it started as a pretext to ignore the lovey-dovey local couple whose romancing in the seat in front of us) and was only awaken when we reached Phan Thiet for toilet break and supper.

  

From Phan Thiet it was just a couple of minutes drive to Mui Ne, and before long we were dispatched at a desolate street in front of our guest house. We were sort of alone in a middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night. Luckily the guest house keeper was aware of our coming, and after a few rings at the gate he opened the door, took us in and showed the room. It was basic, but enough for the night. The whole day was spent driving from our house to LCCT, boarding a plane to Saigon and taking the 6-hour bus to Mui Ne; it was hell exhausting that we jumped with joy at a sight of clean bed and hot shower. A quick bath and dinner follow suit; and then slipped onto the bed for a good night rest. Comes tomorrow a new day will dawn, and perhaps we will chance upon another adventure.