cao dai great temple

we did a day trip to the cao dai temple, about 95 km out of hcmc (about a 2 hr drive)
the temple is done out in hues of pink and blues, with a brilliant and very colourful interior - eight massive pillars wrapped with dragons, and the temple roof is painted a clouded pastel blue sky !

female only entrance

front view of the temple

the 'cloud roof' , dragon pillars and hectic busy floor pattern - but it all works x

the yellow represents buddhism, blue taoism and red christianity
everyone wears a 'fabric band' around their upper arm with the 3 colours

the temple is dominated by the divine eye which is the religion's representation of God

we were in time for the noon ceremony at the temple.
(it is a bit odd, but i am not complaining, tourists can stand on the balcony at watch the ceremony)
is was amazing to look at the 'sea' of worshippers dressed in flowing robes and sitting in orderly rows during a ceremony.
men on the right and women on the left

the priests and men with rank wear coloured robes

the shoes and hats outside the temple


one of many other temples on the grounds





stunning gates with dragons
the vietnamese dragon is the symbol representing the universe, life, existence, and growth

cu chi tunnels

the underground tunnel network used by soldiers during the conflict with both the french and the americans.
a guide showing the tiny entrance to the tunnels

they showed us about 10 different kinds of 'booby' traps that were used during the war
hectic ! everything and more that you see in hollywood films !


check the oaf on the tank !

walkabout in Ho Chi Minh City

we started our city walk at the ben thanh market
you can buy anything here, from fresh herbs to hello kitty clips to getting a suit made in one day to
lotto tickets..

fresh fish !

the red one with 'spikes' s called dragon fruit

look how hot dionne is, it is 10 o'clock in the morning !

look how crafty this man cuts the pineapple in less than a minute !



voila !

cafe in the market


street vendors


shame, these woman really work hard ! imagine this load all day on your shoulders walking around selling stuff
no wonder she needs a nap !

the very strong french influence...

HCMC art museum is in a beautiful old colonial building

la opera


notre dame cathedral

hotel de ville

the central post office was designed by the one and only gustave eiffel
i mean how french can you get ???


inside the post office - it is remarkable

we end our day with cocktails at the sheraton hotel's rooftop bar, my dear !


stunning panoramic views of the city X

dionne arrives !!!!

me and the crowds at HCMC waiting for dionne :))


the plane arrived ...always a good sign !


and in the flesh !
i told dionne i am taking this picture because this is the most glamorous (after 24 hours of flying) she is going to look for the next 2 1/2 weeks !
she soon found out i was not kidding. it is still 30 degrees plus, on a good day
(about 10 degrees cooler than hanoi was)

view from our hotel room !
a little different from sir george grey road ...


dionne's first vietnamese meal - prawn curry !


my new frames :))))))