Ho Chi Minh City Off The Beaten Path Tips by bpacker Top 5 Page for this destination

Snugglin' up to a 2m long Python Mekong Review

I got up and close and personal to a new Vietnamese friend. Yes, all 2 metres of a HELLUVABIG PYTHON SNAKE!

This female python, whom I'll call Penelope was put on my shoulders when I visited a honey bee farm in Mekong Delta. Of course, the first sight of Penelope was shocking. I mean, how often do you encounter a 2m long creature with a slithery tongue in Singapore? The only wildlife we'd encounter in the S'pore heartlands are probably cats in heat and the occasional lost poodle.
Other than staggering around with her weight and knowing darn well I don't have a phobia for snakes anymore, I found out that creatures like Penelope are kept as pets in this region. Mainly for luck and for keeping the rat population down.
If you're keen to share this lurverly experience, go for an excursion to Mekong Delta. Sinh Cafe tours are pretty well - organised

For more wierd stories and pictures, visit b'packer's hcmc page

Website: http://www.sinhcafevn.com

Of Ghosts and Garages in ol' Rex Hotel Mekong Review

I've heard of this grand dame even before I went to HCMC, thanks to my hubby's spooked suppliers.

These poor sods were the early investors in VN and the only decent (but expensive) hotel at that time was this 4-star joint.

I guess sacrificing all their children's college funds for the dinghy corridors and the musty carpets must have driven crazy. They reportedly saw strange things at night after checking in.

I won't elaborate what they were but will go on to say that Rex Hotel has a long history. Do you know it was originally a French garage? It later became a hotel and then the BOQ for American soldiers during the Vietnam War . Its conference room was the scene of the daily press briefings to journalists and by 1976, the announcement by the former North Vietnam of the unification with South Vietnam was announced in the same room.

Well, I didn't see anything extraordinary when I was there. How can ghosts remain when there is a crazy onslaught of merry makers at the roof top?

For more wierd stories and pictures, visit b'packer's hcmc page

Ooh La La ! Reptilian Viagra Mekong Review

If you look at the picture carefully, you'll see a baby COBRA grinning at you and swimming in a concoction of yellow wolfberry (chinese herb) wine. Yes, it's drinkable and it's Vietnam's answer to Viagra. And I'll say this for the record, the recipe has not been bought over by Pfizer yet! The locals sip a little of this for after dinner for a little ooh-la-la.
And when the delicious wine runs out , they'll run to the shop together with their preserved pet snake for more juice.
Does this appeal to you?
If it does, you can get a bottle for yourself in Ben Tanh market or during your Mekong Delta excursion. It's guaranteed to bring in a few ooh-la-las.

For more wierd stories and pictures, visit b'packer's hcmc page

Buying good fortune in Chinese temples

Followers of Buddhism anywhere in the world are bound by duty to save any animal in captivity . So it's no surprise to find out that the Chinese Vietnamese have adopted this practice of buying, then freeing fish, birds and turtles in the belief it can bring good fortune.
You can buy yourself some fortune in the Pagoda of the Jade Emperor. Rows of caged birds and turtles wait by the side of temple, waiting to be freed...
For more stories and pictures, visit b'packer's hcmc page

Street Scenes in HCMC Mekong Review

The most interesting thing about HCMC is the contrasts in cultures. One moment you'll see a cyclo rider in a conical peaked hat, in another you'll see a wedding couple, all decked out in their Western finery, posing by the Cathedral.

To see more pictures on HCMC's street scenes, check out b'packer's hcmc page

Taste Raw Litchi-Scented Honey Mekong Review

How would you like to dip your finger into a gooey honeycomb, complete with swarming bees? This chappie did that to me before way before I could say , " holy mother of all bees.."
Well, the good news is that I still have my finger and the bees were too engrossed in their sticky dance to bother about a fat projectile destroying their dancefloor.
Raw, Litchi-scented honey stuck to my fingers and they tasted oh-so-heavenly...The month of May or late April is Litchi-flower bloomin' season and the bees would carry the scent of the flowers to the honey. Hmm, I bought a bottle of this honey later for $2. How could I resist?
Well if this experience appeals to you, go insure your finger first and sign up for a Mekong Delta trip that includes a visit to a bee farm.

For more wierd stories and pictures, visit b'packer's hcmc page

Website: http://www.sinhcafevn.com