09.01.2009- On my way to Vietnam! Feeling excited and scared at the same time. Come on, Vietnam doesn't have a very clean reputation after all, you know.

My first time using the budget terminal. Really very budgeted.


Even the car parks are not sheltered. They really know how to scrimp.


The four brave souls entering the land of drugs crazy traffic and dodgy roadside food.


Yes, yes.. we are going on our very own tiger airways private jet. We actually have to walk on the tarmac ground-.-


And after about 2 hours flight, we are there! Ok, to their credit, the airport is really nice. It should be. It's new!


Everybody rush to the toilets!


I feel like a rockstar! Apparently, there is only one exit so all the family and friends will wait in ONE place.


The taxi looks good too. Vietnam seems like a nice place already!


I guess they are still working on developing the country though...


Yong Sheng reckons the motorists are all ready to CHIONG upon the green light!


Oh! Our hotel! Uncle Derek:'It's the one next to it.' -.-"


It's not that bad. As long as it is clean, I'm cool with anything.


Newurbanmale! Were you surprised? And the Vietnamese do love Singapore too!


Dinner time!




We didn't know what it was... But Yong Sheng and I ate it anyway. Super dodgy!



Meeting up with one of our church believers there.


Vietnamese Coca cola


Family service


And we were hungry again. Actually, just Yong Sheng and me^^


What is Singapore Smell?!


Night market but I didn't even have the chance to shop:(


Food! What are they pointing at?


10.01.2009- Morning at Vietnam



The only safe haven where bicycles and motorcycles don't zoom around.


Road crossing! I almost thought I was in China again. Crossing these teacherous roads is some sort of skill!


Breakfast. We were kind of worried for our stomachs. Can we handle roadside food?


Vietnamese coffee. I like it although I'm not a fan of coffee because it's super sweet!




Pre coffee faces


Avocado milkshakes. We had a mini debate about sour sop and custard apple.


Time to do actual work!


2 heads are better than one:)


Our first stop... Yeah, I know you can't read Viet.


There, can you see it? Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh.


Printing more pamphlets and Yong Sheng trying to communicate with the Vietnamese dude. It was really funny:)


A Vietnamese tract.


One place down, 2 more to go:)

There's even a Vietnamese version of Twilight!


Walking past the embassies...


Diamond plaza


See, it's not that bad. They are pretty modern except I think the bowling alley is a bit shorter than normal.


KFC for lunch. Mmm, bird flu?


I always wonder how they fit;)



Notre Dame Cathedral, there were sunflowers there. So pretty!


I seriously don't know what this place is called.


Back to work again. At another university. Yong Sheng pointed out to me that the motorcycles are parked a little too orderly.


A roadside shop.


Look at them! Working very hard for the Lord:)


Look at the cute doggies:)


Old architecture but I like:)


Extremely intrigued by how they transport BULKY stuff using motorcycles.


Dinner! Hmm, why was I taking photo when they are saying grace?


Visiting a truth seeker...


And then after visiting, Yong Sheng and I got hungry again. Uncle Derek looked at us with disbelief. Well,we are growing kids isn't it normal to be hungry after 2 hours?


Yums:)


Si Zhen jie jie thinks this is disturbing. Ok, it is. It's a string of frogs if you are wondering.


Yong sheng was like 'the lady is wearing ge tai clothes!' I nearly died laughing. I know that it's not nice to laugh at people but that was SUPER shiny purple there!


Went home and watch Disney channel with Si Zhen jie jie till 1am again:) This is becoming our habit at night O.o

11.01.2009- First meal of the day is extremely important!



Then time flies and we are having lunch:) Don't judge the chili by its looks. It didn't look that spicy but boy, I nearly died.


Need a haircut?


Meeting up with the church members to have coffee. My beloved extra sweet coffee:)




I never quite figure how to work my hotel's lift.


Mekong river.


Hey! They have these trucks here too! I saw them in Thailand:)


An hour plus ride later.. Taiwanese betel nuts?!


Meeting with another church member:)


I feel so 'high class'!


Dinner!



This is veryyy disturbing.


Then off to visit another truthseeker. Saw her wedding photos. She is so pretty!


Hello doggie:) See, I make friends with them.


This looks grand but I have no idea what it is:/


Guess what we are looking for:)


My precious! But they refused to sell it to us:( Got the spring rolls in the end. I decided I like them although they smell dodgy initially.)


As long as it is food, Yong sheng is happy:)


12.01.2009- Breakfast at the same place as day 2. Uncle Derek wanted me to preach to the Uncle there in CANTONESE! Have you heard my Cantonese? It is as mediocre as it can get. But thank God we managed to get the message across:)

Getting our fix of French bread.


The first male I saw there to actually do work. Most of them sits around while the females go around working. I guess it would be awesome to be a guy here. The women are the breadwinners. Power women!


Visiting a female pastor from another church to discuss our faith. Unfortunately, she refused to accept that Saturday is Sabbath day. I wish I have the eloquence of Paul to convince her. *sighs*


Well, at least I have my avocado milkshake:)


Hey cutie!


Doing a little shopping on our last day:)


Map of Vietnam


I feel like an auntie, buying fruits back but then, I know my Mom will love it so I'll just tough it out. In the end, Yong Sheng was the real gentleman and carried our fruits for us when we took our flight:)



Photo galore!



Ok, hungry again. It has been a long morning!


It's time to go home...


I am really thankful to be able to go on this trip. I don't think that after I enter the workforce, I'll have another opportunity like this. In this trip, I have learnt a lot, not only do I have to actually go out to preach but I also have to overcome the language barrier. Furthermore, I got to know Uncle Derek, Si Zhen Jie jie and Yong Sheng better. I do hope that I would have another opportunity to work with them again:)


And just when you I think I am about to finish my blog entry, this is a special video I made along with Uncle Derek, Si Zhen Jie Jie and Yong Sheng. Yong Sheng claims that the locals stare at me alot and my conclusion is that I am probably the only insane one who risk her life to take such a weird video. Many thanks to Si Zhen Jie Jie and Yong Sheng who watched my back while I was doing this treacherous assignment:) I almost thought I was back in China for a moment the first time we attempted to cross the road. In the end, we figure that if there is a local, we follow them! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the video!




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