Cycling adventures with Mike and Is

One of our passions is cycling - well, perhaps I should clarify that - one of Mike's passions is cycling, and one of Isabel's pass-times is joining him on mystery bike tours to explore the surroundings and have a change of scene.  Today we decided to find our way over to an area of green we could see from our apartment window - it seemed to be beckoning today as we discussed our plans, and we dragged out the well-used map to try and determine just how we were going to get there.

The first part of the journey was straight forward - but required crossing the bridge over the Saigon river that is taken by anyone from district 2 who is heading towards any other district in the city practically - so it is pretty busy most days. Once over this bridge, we turned right and followed our noses until we got to another bridge and decided to veer right and avoid going over it as we calculated that we'd overshot the distance. The right turn led to our first surprise discovery - a lovely park beside the river complete with sweet-smelling frangipane trees.

We then made our way towards the bridge to get over to the Binh Quoi area, negotiated our way amongst the traffic (not too busy as it was Saturday morning) and then explored for the day. First stop was down on the riverside where 2 branches of the Saigon river converge, and we enjoyed a refreshing drink while watching the boats pass by and the catfish jump. Our friendly waiter told us the fish are better on this side as they move across when the ships go past. Ships - yes - we watched a barge with 32 containers go past. The river is a big, wide, smooth flowing river so it is used for transportation of freight - kept the equivalent of 8 trucks off the road with one large container barge.

Once re-hydrated, it was off to meander around and try and find the green spaces. We were a bit of a curiosity to the locals as we rode past, some calling out 'Hello!', 'what's your name?', or, surprisingly cheerfully 'f*#@ off'!!! Yes. Seriously. I wondered whether that particular group of young males knew about the meaning of that particular phrase...bound to have heard it before, but it was a bit surprising to have it called out at us in such a friendly manner!!!

We made our way towards the top end of this island where the river looped around to find the side roads which led to the green space we had seen from our apartment window. Finally! The real cycling adventure we were after could begin. We enjoyed veering off roads, down side roads, in and out of tracks leading to people's homes and gardens...avoiding dogs, saying hello to locals (who didn't reply using any form of profanity!!) and enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the countryside, so close to the city.

I've made a 'photobucket story' with a selection of images from the day. Check out the pink eggs on the aloe-style plant beside the duck pond - I'm guessing frogs or beetles but...? Not sure!

Found

It always feels great to find things.

Finding things is part of the ex-pat experience, and once we find things, we tend to share the information with others who are part of the wider circles in which we live and move. Mostly because of our shared need, but also that deep, inner sense of having just 'discovered' something - that wonderful elation of finding the 'buried treasure'!!

Some buried treasure comes on a map with an 'x' to mark the spot where it is worth trying a dig or two. Some buried treasure is shrouded in mystery and myth - so you wade through the stories and try to glean the truth embedded in the tales.

Citric acid may not sound like treasure to you, but to me it represents one of the very few items of treasure that remained elusive. I use it when I make cordial - usually lemon cordial. I really prefer home-made lemon cordial as I know what is in it - and it's delicious too, of course. However, it does require some citric acid to finish it off, and help it to keep. This item became part of my 'find the buried treasure' game that we ex-pats play.

Excitement - the moment you find it on a shelf in a shop whilst looking for other things! Our 'go-to' shops are in district 1 and seem to stock everything an ex-pat would ever want or need. I've found lots of exciting treasures there, from good quality rolled oats to mixed spice, from stone-ground unbleached flour, to vegemite. A certified 'Aladdin's cave'.

Tailors are also treasures - but a great tailor becomes the prized jewel that is sometimes jealously guarded. This type of treasure is revealed via the afore-mentioned 'map with the X'....if you dare....you need to step confidently into the taxi, show the address, and then sit back for one of the more adventuresome taxi-rides as you take turn after turn into more and more traffic. The prize at the end is well worth the hairy ride....this tailor is one of the best, and can create a wardrobe that will be certain to fit you perfectly at a fraction of the cost back in your (western!) home country.  I am now the proud owner of 7 new skirts, all based on my favourite Wild South one from a few years back, but made in so many different patterns that the similarity of style doesn't matter at all. Along with the skirts are a selection of tops that could be made with the left-over fabric - all perfectly fitted, and looking fantastic.

 Another great find is the flower market - not that I am 'in the market' for flowers, it is just a feast for the eyes and nose, even on a wet Saigon morning. These beautiful bunches of roses went for about $3NZD - $5 - with about 50 in each bunch, I can't figure how on earth the rose growers make any money.  One of the mysteries of life in Vietnam...

 Ho Chi Minh is a city of hide-away-places, and one of the other joys is finding the wonderful cafes, restaurants, shops etc, which can sometimes be missed when driving around as they exist down side-streets, behind alleyways, upstairs above other less interesting looking businesses. Recommendations from colleagues are worth their weight in gold, but finding places still can take a bit of patience and fortitude as the signs are sometimes obscured, and easily missed. Some new favourites have taken the place from where our first discoveries once stood. 

Nha Hang Ngon is one of those recommended places, where it is safe for foreigners to try local street food - in a environment where food safety is a consideration, and personal comfort (aka bathrooms) is catered for.  A great place to try some of the local delicacies, and at a pretty good price. Dinner for two with a drink - about $30-40.


Finding newness in everyday activites like eating, shopping, and simply getting around helps to make the everyday life in a different place more exciting. Settling into patterns happens soon enough, and before long we will become 'regulars' at some of the places we have discovered. With our current dispostition of 'wanderlust' I'm sure we will continue finding treasures for many months, perhaps years, to come.

As I dip my carrot stick into the hummus dip made at home using the prized garbanzo beans and tahini paste procured on an earlier food expedition, I am amazed once again at home the world is really quite an amazing place, with so many different people groups being able to live side by side. Here's to travel, multi-culturalism, and peace!