Ho Chi Minh City or as its referred to by some; Saigon, is the first stop on my Vietnamese adventure.   

Journey

We booked our bus from our hostel in Phonm Penh. There was a pick up for the bus from the hostel which appears to be common in Asia and I personally think it should be a worldwide practice! After boarding the bus we were quickly given a bottle of water and a snack. Again, another practice which other bus companies should pay attention to! 

The bus journey itself, went without an issue. The border crossing seemed a breeze in comparison to previous. The only annoying part was that you have to take all your belongings with you. The bus company itself slowed the process down because they took all the passports, got them stamped then read out everybody's names. This was an ordeal within itself because the interpretations of names were interesting to say the least. Plus, there was no synchronicity of what names he would all-some would be by their last names, some their first and I was referred to by my middle name. This was all done whilst dying under the weight of my bag. Before anyone says anything, trying to pack your life for months at a time and keep under 20kg is a difficult task!

Anyway, border done and we were off. We were joined by a man who had been refused at the border. This was because he had failed to get a stamp in to Vietnam. Be careful when you are crossing borders to ensure that you have all your stamps eye in order because this man looked to be in a world of trouble. 

When we arrived in Ho Chi Minh/Saigon we were greeted by the usual mob of taxi drivers. Be sure to check your hostel directions because many taxi drivers will scam you. We were within walking distance, thus were able to get to our hostel stress free. 

Independence Palace

We decided to have a walk around and see what this city had to offer. With Reunification day coming up we thought we should take a visit to the independence palace. Outside the palace preparations for the holiday was in full swing. 

The palace itself is grand and despite not being the complete original is a real part of Vietnamese history. The museum inside is informative and it is interesting to see the rooms in all their glory. I felt slightly guilted due to my lack of knowledge regarding the Vietnam war but this just gave me the opportunity to research I guess.

Notredamn Cathedral

We had planned to visit the cathedral, even dressing conservatively in preparation. However, they only allow visitors before 11 and after 4. We arrived at 1. So do be warned, especially because the website contradicts this. 

Ben Thahn Market 

This market is well known within Saigon. There are multiple stores inside selling clothes, shoes, jewellery, trinkets and a lot of fake designer goods. Vendors here are relentless, if you approach their stores too closely they are over you like a rash. Unless you are really interested, keep a distance. 

We went around the food bits here and I treated myself to a very tasty mango smoothie. I must admit, the cheapness of the smoothies are just another thing that Asia manages to get so right! 

Pho 24

We stumbled across this place, which happens to be quite a popular chain across Vietnam. I had seen that pho had been recommended ok quite a few travel sites so thought I would give it a go. Pho is in simple terms a noodle soup with varying veg and meats. Pho 24 has a deal at lunch hour times to get a 'small' bowl of noodles with meat for 29 thousand dong;about one pound. What a bargain! 

I ordered the brisket pho. The pho itself was alright but it was quite bland and definitely needed the soy and chilli sauce. The meat was not the best but on overall it was not bad. However, we also decided to try sweet tarp which is similar to coconut rice pudding but at the same time very different. It is served differently across regions. I really liked the dessert though, I found it refreshing and they give you the perfect amount. 

We also ate at two other places but unfortunately the names were in Vietnamese and they have totally gone from my mind. However, the first one was on the main road where the bus drops you off and they are one of the only restaurants where you can eat comfortably for around 50dong each. They season their pork really well and give decent sized portions. 

The other restaurant is on the same road, it's  white and it's always busy. Due to already trying pho, I thought I would go for something different- in the shape of a Vustnsnese beef stew. However, it was very similar to pho. Although, the meat was tender it was very fatty and the rest of the meal was not great. I was disappointed because the place was always so busy. Maybe we just tried it on an off night who knows. 

Apologies for my lack of knowledge on names but when you go you will know what I mean. Until next time...  Love Imogen xoxo

Journey

We organised this through the hostel over the road from us because our hostel was useless. We were picked up from our hostel on a mini bus which then took us to the bus office. From here, we got on to the bus where we were provided with a bottle of water. The bus was old and the air con was poor. We travelled with Phnom Penh travel who were not great but we're not horrifically bad- welcome to asian bus travel! The stops we made were at horrible cafes, more flies than food with toilets that would turn your stomach. Also, as the journey went on we were picking more and more people to the extent that there was a man sat in the aisle. Apparently, this is common occurrence across buses in Asia. 

Once we finally arrived we were running over an hour late. Our complimentary hostel tuk tuk was nowhere to be seen...So picture the scene; two girls alone with their MASSIVE backpacks and the taxi men swarm over trying to 'help' us. In the end, we managed to use one of the bus company employee's phones to call them and they sent someone. Apparently they were not actually offering the service because of Khymer New Year however because they never told us this, how were we supposed to know!?

Killing Fields

This is a must see whilst you are in Phnom Penh. However, be aware that the day is quite heavy and the topics discussed are heart breaking. 

The Killing Fields or Choeung Ek is the mass grave site as a result of the horrific genocide of many Cambodians by the hands of the Khymer Rouge. 

I would recommend getting a tuk tuk for the day so that you can go to the fields and other main attractions. It's a cheap way to get around and means that you don't have to worry about transport throughout the day. The road there is quite bumpy and dusty so take a scarf to cover your mouth...be that sort of tourist for the day. Believe me, I never thought I would be but that or coughing and spluttering-I know which one I would rather be. 

Do not pay for a guide for the day. It is a waste of money. You can get an audio description for $6 which will tell you all about the Killing Fields, the Kymer Rouge and more. I listened to a tour guide for one of the stops and they didn't even share half the information the guide did. Plus, you get to hear real life stories from people that experienced what went on in Cambodia at that time.

The tour itself is heavy. Although some of the structures have been torn down now. You can imagine what it was like. There are mass grave sites that have now been made in to huts. Visitors have left bracelets and money for those who were lost. I warn you, you will still see clothing, bones and teeth on the ground of the fields. 

The structure in the middle of the site is the final destination on the tour. The building is beautiful and it was built to give the victims somewhere to finally rest. Their bones have been polished and analysed and they are now displayed within the structure. The sheer amount of skulls is numbing. 

There is a mini museum here which has interesting exhibitions and also a film to watch about the fields.

Dress conservatively as a sign of respect. As an establishment, they ask you to do this although some people have a disregard for this. This is especially important if you wish to go in to the building at the end. 

Despite this being a heavy day, I can only recommend the visit. It is well worth $6. 

Genocide Museum

The Genocide Museum or as it was called, S21. Similarities can be taken from this to the concentration camps in Nazi Germany. Individuals would be arrested and taken here whilst they were tortured in to confessing to crimes they did not commit or acts against the Khymer around. Often if a close family member was accused it was very likely that the family would end up dead too. It became the stop before the Killing Fields.

Now, the site of terror has been made in to a museum. This is again $6 to get in to. Although interesting, I think improvements do need to be made in the museum especially the first section. One aspect that was shocking is when you saw the cells of the prisoners. 

I thought the museum itself was alright, imorovements are needed though. However, it opens your eyes to see how badly the Cambodian people suffered. 

If you do only have time for one of the attractions, do the Killing Fields hands down. I would recommend going earlier in the day to avoid the sun and take lots of water! I knew I sound like a nagging mother but you won't regret it!

-Is it awkward that we look like Michael Jackson...maybe. 

Love Imogen xoxo

Phnom Penh Hostel Review

LOVELY JUBBLY VILLA

Facilities 

Wifi here was alright; It would go from being really bad and really good. However, it is still free so you can't complain too much! 

Security here is okay. It is not difficult to get in to the hostel but you do need a key to get in. There is a locker available for you but you can also see in to it, so I would not store valuables on show. You don't need your own lock for these lockers though. 

The swimming pool was nice, although the photos on hostel world are very deceiving! It is quite small and the surrounding area is small aswell; there is only two sun loungers. However, it is a great chiller for when you have come back from a full day. I would recommend always trying to get hostels with pools in Cambodia because the heat there is insane. 

Showers and Toilets 

We were in an ensuite and the toilet and shower were seperate and even had a seperate mirror and taps. I much prefer it this way because it's an easier way to cut down on queuing etc. The shower itself was powerful and there were plenty of hooks to hang clothes, towel etc. 

Value for Money 

This was quite cheap for a hostel especially with a pool. It had really good reviews on hostel world. Although, they will charge you slightly more for the bus and for food here. 

Staff

The staff here are alright. Due to the establishment being more of a hotel rather than a hostel there isn't the personal touch we have recently experienced. Plus, there was a language barrier which made booking excursions, ordering food and sorting transport more difficult. I found that there was always too many staff around doing nothing. 

Breakfast 

They do not include breakfast in the price of the room which was disappointing but we managed to find some bargains in the local supermarkets so this was not an issue. 

Dorms 

The dorms were spacious but very cold due to the air con. Every bed is provided with a plug which makes everything so much easier. All in all, not a bad room at all.

Location

The location was okay but we had been warned by several people both travellers and Cambodians that as a city Phnom Penh is not safe and that muggings happen frequently therefore we didn't really explore the city as we would have done previously. 

OVERALL, the hostel was alright but it just lacked personality. However, for two nights it did the job!

Love Imogen xoxo