Saigon, Vung Tau, Mui Ne

Well, my dreams of diary keeping and interesting blogs got away from me. Having fun outweighing my desire to cram myself into a hot, sweaty internet café that crashes every 15 minutes.

Saigon has been great. We took a car and stayed over night in the old American R&R beach of Vung Tau. There we stayed in a hotel where the employees were as friendly as immigration staff and would probably kill themselves if they could be bothered moving. We then found out it was owned by the government, Ah. Public servants.

We found a great beachy bar next door, just like out of Cocktail. We played pool and drank nice beer; the unforgiving sounds of Saigon traffic replaced with consistent waves crashing. I feel asleep on a couch outside and woke at four in the moving, covered in sweat and insect bites.

The next day, I nursed my brain in the traffic jam home.

Our typical day here in Saigon starts with meeting for an iced coffee in the little café outside. Then lunch, or as we call it “breakfast”. Then we usually drink into the night at the place across the road. Cheap been, no English and smiley waiters.

On Saturday we took the van to Mui Ne. A beachy resort fishing village now filled with middle-aged couples. We were booked into a hotel by a friend which turned out to be straight out of a sit-com. The hot water was cold, the fridge was hot, the pool empty; door knobs fall off if you turn them enough, looked like abandon ruins. But had character in a camping sort of way.

The best night we had in Mui Ne was in a pub owned by an American. Outside on nice lawn, with grass mats and bean bags, sitting around drinking all night looking like hippies, being served by a boy who had a bar in the bar of a Kombi Van, until we racked up a million Dong worth of Tiger.

Coming back to Saigon again felt like home and we sunk into our old ways.

I miss Saigon

Touched down in Saigon yesterday. Great to be here again, this place always makes me feel good. We are staying out of the city a bit, in residentual are. It's great to have a few beers in the tourist strip then pop on our motorbikes and go home; quieter and more Vietnmesey. The food here is fantastic. Well, must be off.

Arrived at Thao's house, Saigon.

Vietnamese breakfast.

Morning cafe for coffee outside our hotel.

Thao's step father and dog.

Ice man.

One Night In Bedrock

Well, another epic night in the history books. Had a great healthy day so we treated our bodies to an abuse of beer and gin.
We were the first to arrive in Bedrock at eight o’clock. Bedrock has a Dinosaur mural, roots on the walls and tables made from crude trees.
There is two bands a night at Bedrock, both seven piece. They played some great classic rock songs, the beers kept flowing and we started to sink deep into our warn-out seats.
I request “Rock Lobster”, as I always do, and once again they don’t know it.
The second band starts and I invite the singer to join us. Ivy is a voluptuous lady, the face of a Diva, long permed hair and great singer. I mention I’m in a band and before I know it I’m on stage,
“What you play, guitar, drums?”
“Well I think I’m too drunk for guitar, so I’ll give drums ago.”
“OK, what you play?"
"know any Red Hot Chili Peppers?"
"No... How about Sweet Child O' Mine"
"I haven't played it before and I'm quiet drunk, OK."

Sweet Child O’ Mine starts and I stumble over an excruciating version of the drums. But they are very polite.
Before long we are dancing on the stage, trying to lose our self-consciousness, to no avail. A great time had by all. No chance on chiseling the smiles off our faces.

Trip begun - Manila

Adriatico Street, Koko's nest bar

(now changed name to something else, can't remember)

First leg of our journey has begun. After thirty hours of travelling we finally arrived to the little outside bar next to our hotel in Manila.
Over night in Melbourne was boring but necessary. Staying at an airport hotel we got up at six o'clock and sat on a plane until it somehow took us to The Philippines.
The feeling of our first beer after throwing our bags inside was euphoric. We couldn't drink them fast enough, resulting in a painful next day, one which we shall not repeat.
The Matrix is a popular bar in Makati, the only viable spot to sit being outside, inside was many used for staff to get the drinks and food. Spider webs, witchy paraphernalia, pumpkins and devil horns litter the city as they follow the tradition of Halloween, resulting in a great festive atmosphere.
There we sat with big grins and wide blood shot eyes, watching the busy street go about it's business. Beggars, homeless children, prostitutes, ladyboys, a few expatriate Americans and one crazy lady who was in the same spot doing the same things two years ago. She wears the same clothes, draws shapes on the street with chalk, and interacts with characters only she can see. We wonder what her story is.
The next day I wake with a lack of water, sleep and vitamin B, check-out at exactly noon and join Mark for a coffee downstairs. We see the Saudi men we met the night before. Warm guys who enjoy coming to Manila. "In Saudi Arabia you cannot have beer and girls, this San Minguel Light would take me to gaol. In the evenings we sit by the road or cafe, smoke our Shashees, drink coffee and tea, play cards and talk while the women shop or do their duties".
We arraign a fare to our next spot, Malate. Malate is brighter and cheaper than Makati. Short buildings with many cafes, pubs, hotels, a casino and a large centre circle with children playing and men resting.
We go to the hotel we stayed before - Rainbow Pacific. Nice and clean and well priced. Apparently it is gay friendly as expressed in the title and the bright cheery colour scheme, and in the hopeful smiles of the reception staff. I wonder if gay people have problems checking in to hotels, I also hope they are straight friendly.
Across the road from the hotel is a great little bar, made from old palettes and grass; cheap, small and nice atmosphere. We eat at Adriatico cafe on the corner, a classic classy cafe with interesting pictures and the feel of a timeless establishment.
On our last legs we sit and stare, every now and then saying something short to each other. Happy and drained, I finish my Gin and Tonic and we pop into Bedrock, a dark groovy bar with bands every night. Seven piece band, decked out in alternating Halloween costumes. We force down two beers and watch the band play Jealous Guy, Smooth Criminal, and Heartbreak Hotel; I always have a soft spot for an Asian Elvis impersonator.
This morning I wake to the unmistakable feeling of no hangover, bright and (relatively) early we sit at Adriatico Cafe and sit our coffee and fake cream.

Makati City, Manila.