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Vietnam and Cambodia 2018
  • We are Living the Dream
  • We are Living the Dream

Vietnam and Cambodia 2018

August 2018 - September 2018 Läs mer
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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    The Emperor and Empress waiting for the Royal meal to commence.
    Let the first course be served.We are the only ones on the cruise tonight perhaps there is something we do not know.Dancing on the upper deck after the meal.Settling the bill. "What do you mean you do not take credit card, I have no cash".

    Emperor Dragon Boat

    3 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Tonight was so much fun. We dressed up like and Emperor and Empress for dinner on a Dragon Boat. During the 10 course dinner the Dragon Boat cruised up and down the Perfume River.

    We were picked up from the hotel and taken to the river in a rickshaw. Once on the Dragon Boat we slipped into our outfits for our 90min dinner and cruise. As soon as we sat down the staff started serving us dinner and as soon as we finished a plate of food the next one immediately arrived. We ate for about 1 hour solid no breaks I was getting really full.

    Thank you Melissa and Luke for this wonderful experience for my Birthday and dad's Father's day.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär

    Full Day Tour to DMZ

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Today was another early start as we are going on a full day tour to the DMZ of Vietnam.

    The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was a demilitarized zone established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.

    During the Vietnam War it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North from South Vietnamese territories.

    The zone ceased to exist with the reunification of Vietnam though the area remains dangerous due to the numerous undetonated explosives it contains.

    The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone ran from east-west near the centre of present day Vietnam spanning more than a 100 kilometres. It was a couple of kilometres wide about a hundred kilometres north of the city of Hue.

     It ran along the Ben Hai River for much of its length, and an island nearby was controlled by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Although it was nominally described as being at "the 17th parallel," almost all of the zone lies to the south of the parallel, with only a small portion of the zone near the eastern end actually including the parallel.

    Our guide was incredible he actualy fought for South Vietnam but was very objective telling us about the war. John and I now have a much better idea of what happened here and why.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär

    Highway of Horror

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    There was only one exit out of the local war battles and that was National Highway No. 1. On this day, the local militia fled the city and abandoned their posts. Thousands of innocent people who had also been abandoned found their escape in the same line as soldiers.

    Unfortunately, the bridge Truong Phuoc in front of them had been blown up. And the bridge Ben Da behind them had also been knocked down by the VC. Finally, countless amount of shells and mortars exploded right on the civilians' heads.

    A CNN reporter who was there 60 days after the bombs dropped named this area as "THE STREET OF HORROR" because of what he saw. I am not going to go into any detail as I do not feel that it is necessary.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    The Rockpile.
    Firebase Fuller.

    The Rockpile and Firebase Fuller

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We stopped by the roadside to learn the importance of both The Rockpile and Firebase Fuller.

    The Rockpile and known in Vietnamese as Thon Khe Tri, is a solitary karst rock outcropping north of Route 9 and south of the former Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone. Its relatively inaccessible location, reached only by helicopter, made it an important United States Army and Marine Corps observation post and artillery base from 1966 to 1969.

    Firebase Fuller also known as Dong Ha Mountain or Hill 549 is a former U.S. Marine Corps, Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase in central Vietnam.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär

    Khe Sanh Combat Base

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Next we visited the Khe Sanh Combat base the planes, helicopter's and some artillery where left when the Americans pulled out.

    Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) used during the Vietnam War.

    This is the site of the most famous siege of the American War, the USA’s Khe Sanh Combat Base was never overrun, but saw the bloodiest battle of the war. About 500 Americans, 10,000 North Vietnamese troops and uncounted civilian bystanders died around this remote highland base.

    The 75-day siege of Khe Sanh began on 21 January 1968 with a small-scale assault on the base’s perimeter. As the marines and South Vietnamese rangers braced for a fullscale ground attack, Khe Sanh became the focus of global media attention. It was the cover story for both Newsweek and Life magazines, and made the front pages of countless newspapers around the world. During the next two months the base was subjected to continuous ground attacks and artillery fire, and US aircraft dropped 100,000 tonnes of explosives in its vicinity.

    But the expected attempt to overrun the base never came.

    On 7 April 1968, after heavy fighting, US troops reopened Hwy 9 and linked up with the marines, ending the siege.

    It now seems clear that the siege was an enormous diversion to draw US attention away from the South Vietnamese population centres in preparation for the Tet Offensive, which began a week after the siege started and resulted in the North Vietnamese winning significant ground right around South Vietnam.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    The HCM Trail extends 249km in one direction and 824km in the other.

    Dakrong Bridge Vietnam

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    The current Dakrong Bridge was built in 1975 after reunification. Just west of the main DMZ zone, the bridge was considered the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh Trail network and during the years of conflict with the United States, this access point was hotly contested. The Dakrong Bridge fell many times.

    On the edge of the bridge the HCM trail is marked.

    The Ho Chi Minh Trail is a concept, not a road. The trail was a vast network, spread across hundreds of miles of terrain extending far into the interior of Laos, a broad avenue of hundreds of kilometres of trails that brought supplies to North Vietnamese troops, usually on the backs of porters or with giant loads precariously perched on overlaid bicycles. You might call it "the path of least resistance," or the "road less bombed or occupied," really. The trail starts in Quang Tri Province, basically anything from the Dakrong Bridge south.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Tower of loudspeakers broadcasting propaganda to those on the other side of the river.Another bnk of speakers.What did you say?These provided a broadcast of any person crossing nearby allowing US army to know where VC were.

    Hien Luong Bridge and Museum

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    I mentioned it was a long day so much to see and learn about and we are still learning.

    The Hien Luong Bridge is a bridge across the Ben Hai river, which was part of the border between North and South Vietnam from 1954 until the reunification in 1976. The bridge is an important national monument to the reunification of Vietnam.

    The bridge is now just a pedestrian bridge. You can walk across the old bridge over the entire length 165 metres. We did not walk across as it was quite hot today.

    We then visited the museum which is near the bridge which houses propaganda war remnants and two memorials.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Life in the tunnels.
    Gallery of images of life in the 250km of tunnels.At last i found the exit.

    Vinh Moc Tunnels

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Last stop was the Vinh Moc tunnels. Our guide through the tunnels grandparents helped build the tunnel complex and lived in these tunnels, the family still live in the Vinh Moc village.

    During the Vietnam War it was strategically located on the border of North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county of Quảng Trị Province in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone.

    The American forces believed the villagers of Vinh Moc were supplying food and armaments to the North Vietnamese garrison on the island of Con Co which was in turn hindering the American bombers on their way to bomb Hanoi. The idea was to force the villagers of Vinh Moc to leave the area but as is typical in Vietnam there was nowhere else to go.

    The villagers initially dug the tunnels to move their village 10 metres underground but the American forces designed bombs that burrowed down 10 metres.

    Eventually, against the odds the villagers moved the village to a depth of 30 metres. It was constructed in several stages beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972. The complex grew to include wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and spaces for healthcare.

    Around sixty families lived in the tunnels and 17 children were born inside the tunnels.

    The tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives. The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode the resulting hole was utilized as a ventilation shaft.

    Three levels of tunnels were eventually built.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    After this target practice I'm gunner tour the tunnels.Steps to the tunnel entrance.

    Vinh Moc Tunnels

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Vinh Moc tunnels are less claustrophobic than the tunnels of Cu Chi. This is because the climate of the area is not so damp so the tunnel corridors are higher 0.9 metres wide and 1.8 metres high, allowing you to walk almost straight up for the greater part of the journey. The main corridor is 780 meters long and has been reinforced with wood.

    We were very surprised when we came out of the tunnels to see that we were on the beach.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Looks yummy. But what is that in the background?
    In case you have to go while you order the meal.A good place for the locals to have their shower teas.

    But Why?

    4 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    We decided we would walk to the local shopping centre for ice cream tonight as when we walked past the other day it looked different to most ice cream places.

     I will let you make you your mind?

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Incense for sale on display.
    Drying rice on the road.Very small traffics lights. We think that this is for the motor cyclists.

    Tomb Riders

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Today we are going to visit 1 Pagoda and 3 Tombs so we hired a driver for the morning. The pagoda and tombs are fairly close to Hue so we will be riding around only for the morning. We will be up and down stairs and in and out of the heat.

    Along the way we drove through some small villages.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär

    Thien Mu Pagoda

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest the Thien Mu Pagoda "Heavenly Lady Pagoda" is one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in the country.

    The Thien Mu Pagoda has its roots in a local legend. An old woman once appeared on the hill and said that a Lord would come and build a Buddhist pagoda for the country's prosperity. Hearing of this, Lord Nguyen Hoang ordered the construction of the pagoda of the "Heavenly Lady" Thien Mu.

    The pagoda was heavily damaged in the war in 1943, but was then fully renovated.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    The emperors had a closed door policy. I tried but couldn't unlock the door.Carol having a relaxing day.

    Tomb of Minh Mang

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Next stop was the first tomb for the day.

    The tomb is renowned for its architecture and the forest setting. The tomb was planned during Minh Mang’s reign (1820–40) but built by his successor, Thieu Tri.

    Minh Mang's tomb is in An Bang village, on the west bank of the Perfume River, 12km from Hue.

    The Honour Courtyard is reached via three gates on the eastern side of the wall. Three granite staircases lead from the courtyard to the square Pavilion Dinh Vuong.

    Sung An Temple, which is dedicated to Minh Mang and his empress, is reached via three terraces and the rebuilt Hien Duc Gate. On the other side of the temple, three stone bridges span Trung Minh Ho "Lake of Impeccable Clarity". The central bridge was for the emperor’s use only. Minh Lau Pavilion "Pavilion of Light" stands on the top of three superimposed terraces that represent the ‘three powers’: the heavens, the earth and water. To the left is the Fresh Air Pavilion, to the right, the Angling Pavilion.

    From the stone bridge across crescent shaped Tan Nguyet Lake "Lake of the New Moon", a monumental staircase with dragon banisters leads to Minh Mang’s sepulchre.

     The gate to the tomb is opened only once a year on the anniversary of the emperor’s death.

    They are currently undertaking a refurbishment so some parts of the grounds we could not see unfortuneately.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Carol horsing around.Where's John?Ahh there he is!

    Tomb of Khai Dinh

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    The Tomb of Khai Dinh is located in Chau Chu on a steep hill outside of the capital city of Hue. It was built for Khai Dinh, the twelfth Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. It was built from 1920 to 1931 taking 11 years to complete. The tomb is a blend of Western and Eastern architecture. It is located
    Khai Dinh’s tomb is different to the other tombs around Hue because of it's architectural fusion of Chinese, Vietnamese, and European Gothic elements. There are fierce dragons guarding the steps, stone elephants and warriors outside and the wrought iron gates at the entrance.

    As the exterior is iron and stone you get a surprise when you walk inside which has some of the Emperor’s personal effects and gifts, as well as incredibly intricate patterns of ceramic and glass decorating the walls.

    The tomb is less a monument to the Emperor himself but more a monument to his excessive wealth and disconnect from the ordinary man.

    Khai Dinh was reputed to be a pawn of the colonial French so much so he was mocked as a salaried employee of the French government. He taxed his people heavily to finance the building.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Lady collecting water lily pods inthe moat around the tomb.

    Tomb of Tu Duc

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Tomb of Tu Duc which is located 6km from Hue was built for the Nguyen Emperor Tu Duc and took three years to build from 1864–1867. It is divided into a Temple Area and a Tomb Area. The architectural complex covers 12 hectares and contains 50 palaces and pavilions.

    Emperor Tu Duc designed it himself to use before and after his death. The enormous expense of the tomb and the forced labour used in its construction spawned a coup plot that was discovered and suppressed.

    The imperial tomb of Tu Duc is considered to be the most beautiful Imperial tomb in and around Hue. The tomb is surounded by trees and a large lake .    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    There has not been a gas attack on the city just the locals having a midday siesta.
    It is lunch time. Where are all the people?A sole lady looking for someone to buy her fruit.Two people having lunch at the street food stalls.Bougainvillea in bloom above an empty shop.Looks like an original building amongst the more recent concrete shops.

    Tomb Riders are back in Hue

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    We are now back in Hue.It seems like the hottest day so far, at lunchtime hardly any one around on the roads, just seems a little weird, I would have thought they would be used to the heat.

    To cool down we went for a swim before lunch and walk around the local streets to find cafe.Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    On the way home we noticed that there was still not that many people about

    Eating like the Locals

    5 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Tonight we tried the local street food of Hue, Bun Bo. It is Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli and beef .Hue is associated with the cooking style of the former royal court. The dish is greatly admired for its balance of spicy, sour, salty and umami flavors. The predominant flavor is that of lemongrass.Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Having to face breakfast again.
    Not many people around but there are bikes everywhere, in this case blocking the path.

    Out and About

    6 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Today is an easy day we are staying close to the hotel as we have visited the places in Hue in our agenda.

    The morning started like every other shower and breakfast again extremley hot outside, again no-one walking just us, everybody else on bikes and in cars. We must be the crazy tourists walking the streets.Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Alone again. Where are the tourists?

    Dragon Boat on the Perfume River

    6 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    John did his usual thing of bargaining for the boat on the river, we did not need an hour as we had already seen the river by night , we just wanted a short ride to the nearby fishing village and back.

    It seems we are the only ones again on a boat that can take 15. The ride on the dragon boat is pleasant looking at the city from the river but the water is a bit dirty and certainly we will not be swimming here today.    Läs mer

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  • We are Living the DreamVietnam and Cambodia 2018Resenär
    Carol is not near a park, just in a shopping centre display.Mouse cake anyone?

    Last walk around Hue

    6 september 2018, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 37 °C

    Back to the Hotel for a drink and freshen up and then our last walk around Hue is to the shopping centre for a few snacks for the cruise which is 1.5km return walk from the hotel.

    We just love walking in the heat we must be the mad tourists trying to see everything.

    The supermarket was like a Kmart with Coles in the one store.

    We like looking at the weird stuff they sell but only took photo's of a few cakes, one which is weirdly decorated and one which is pretty.

    Now resting and dowloading some movies for the cruise as the TV is not the best.    Läs mer

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