Markets, mopeds and madness

Not seen any white rabbits today but plenty of toads, koi carp and dried shrimps. 

We've visited Ben Thanh market and Binh Tay wholesale market where people watching has been fascinating... Money counting, eating, talking, negotiating and moving goods. It's all go and it's all loud. 

We had a peaceful and delicious lunch at The Mandarin restaurant. Amazingly, a floor up and behind a little bit of foliage, life is very different.

The best part of the day for both of us was a rickshaw journey amongst the thronging traffic, stopping off at a  Catholic church and Chinese pagoda. It gave a real feel of Saigon culture and a glimpse of life on the road in a city with 6 million mopeds.

Saigon is busy, seriously busy! I wouldn't choose to drive and I certainly wouldn't get on my bike.

This evening felt calmer... After a drink on the 52nd floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, we had a little rest up, followed by dinner at SH Gardens. We accessed it via a petite and very old fashioned metal cage lift up to a roof terrace. We walked back along the old canal that is now a pedestrianised walkway and took in the colourful lights of the water fountains in front of the City Hall as we wandered home.