Today, I will get back to Saigon for another two nights but not without catching a glimpse of the famous Tonlé Sap (Great Lake), linked to the Mekong River at Phnom Penh by a 100km-long channel known as Tonlé Sap river. The lake which swells from 3000 sq km to over 7500 sq km and its depth increases from 2.2m to more than 10 meter during the rainy season between June to October.
When the water level of the Mekong falls during the dry season, the Tonlé Sap river reverses its flow, draining the waters of the lake back into the Mekong. This extraordinary process makes the Tonlé Sap lake one of the world's richest sources of freshwater fish. it is estimated that the lake provides a livelihood for about 40% of the Cambodian population.
The reason why I want to visit the lake however is because of the floating village.
Although the boat on the Tonlé Sap through the village disappointed me a little bit, probably because I've been comparing with other floating villages I've been visiting in the past, the area is perfect to take some great pictures.
Their are floating shops, a floating school and I even noticed a floating wooden church. The most spectacular floating establishment was undoubtedly a floating bar which includes a billiard ! Imagine that... people playing pool on a large floating raft. I have no idea how they managed to keep the balls away from rolling as the waves were quite going up and down due the water traffic.

Once away from temples and Angkor monuments, you should include a country side trip. Just hop on a motorbike taxi or rent a bicycle and go outside. I met children playing in a river, farmers with oxcarts and fishermen throwing their nets in the lake. Just simple daily sights are great picture opportunities (see picture).
Because I had been drinking lots of water I needed to waste it urgently, I forgot about the landmines and placed my message somewhat away from the road in the fields, I noticed a signboard a bit further warning "Danger Landmines". Although I have been warned a couple of times before, I had forgotten to stay on the paths. Fortunately I still got both legs.

On the way back to the airport you will pass by the Siem Reap War museum which holds numerous types of weapons and landmines, used during the Pol Pot regime. A guide will lead you around the outside museum while giving detailed explanation. Although the guide has lost one leg by stepping on a landmine, he was still more lucky than his parents who were shot dead in the massacre of the seventies.
The museum is'nt as interesting as the war museum in Saigon. Perhaps Phnom Penh is a better place to visit if you're interested in war history.

It was about noon when the propeller flight back to Saigon landed at Tan Son Nhat airport. It seemed to be a convenient and quick walk-through the airport terminal until I ended up at the Vietnamese border control...
"You have no visa to enter Vietnam sir." said the custom agent. I replied "I paid for a multiple-entry visa at your embassy in Brussels!" -- "Sorry sir, please proceed to the custom-office" -- As I moved to a small desk in the corner of the terminal, there was another problem-kid in front of me shouting to the custom-agent anything which is not really nice to write down here. Although he was allowed from Malaysian authorities to enter Vietnam, he had no right to enter Vietnam because he had no visa.
The passenger, a young guy with a German accent in his English, who kept complaining was seriously working on the agent's nerves. The last thing you should ever do when your passport is not ok in a communist country as Vietnam, is making the authorities upset. It is the best way NOT being able to enter the country. After a long noisy discussion, the German passenger was told that he had no visa and therefore should return to Kuala Lumpur! The guy kept shouting until some moments later, two Malaysian Airlines' officials appeared on the scene. The poor guy had no other choice than follow the officials back to the plane to Kuala Lumpur.

"Next" yelled the custom-agent. I saw the thunder already in the sky and kindly gave my passport to the official who's face was about to explode. "You no visa!...you go back to Cambodia" he screamed. I remained calm and tried to explain the guy that during my departure out of Vietnam, an unattended custom agent has accidentally stamped 'USED' on my visa. This was indeed what actually happened. Of course, the fault was with the Vietnamese customs - not with me! However, the guy who completely lost control because of the previous affair, would'nt understand it that way and kept repeating to me that I have no other option than returning to Cambodia.
My visa, given by the Vietnamese Embassy in Brussels was originally a multi-entry type, so I was allowed to re-enter the country. If not enough, I had paid for an official document given by Vietnamese authorities (!), which outlined that I was offered to enter Vietnam multiple times. This document actually is'nt needed to get a visa, but it simplifies the procedure to get one.
After three hours of sightseeing in the custom's terminal, my name was finally announced to return to the custom's official office. Huong had faxed this document to the agent who then simply added some typex to cover 'USED' away from my visa and I was able to proceed through the border control. Welcome back to Vietnam !!!
That night I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Blue Ginger (picture) with the great company of Huong's fantastic relatives and herself of course. Many thanks for a memorable night.

My last full day again on Vietnamese grounds was spent with some activity which until now I still don't understand how I dare to manage it. Saigon has over 4 million motorbike moving around from one place to another.
Today I was one of them. Try to imagine a traffic where everything is possible, red traffic light illuminated or not - just go for it ! Travelling by motorbike in Saigon can be good fun, but it can also be a near-death experience ( or worse ). However, myself I can claim a I survived Saigon T-shirt, it's not recommended.
It is in any way a fantastic experience to be right in the middle between literally hundreds of fellow-bikers and moving further between other noisy Chinese two-wheelers.

My flight from Saigon today, will connects me in Bangkok immediately to my next destination: Phuket. Although, I have been numerous times to this tropical gem in Southern Thailand, I simply can't go home without making a stop here.
The island has everything to offer for a perfect holiday. No matter what you like, it's here and available. Game fishing, Sea canoeing, Rock climbing (Krabi), Island hopping, outstanding nightlife, delicious food ... I can go on for a while. Ad the sunshine who is never to far away, tropical temperatures and gorgeous Asian chicks, and you might understand the reason why you'll find me here at least once a year and definitely during our cold winter.

So, this time was no different as I planned to stay here until Jan 10 before I would continue to Bangkok.

It was already getting dark when I left the airport terminal. I had booked the Patong Villa by internet from my convenient chair back home and as all the other parts of this trip, also here in Phuket, someone was waiting to give me a ride to the hotel.
Perhaps because it was already a year ago since I went here previously, I felt very happy to be back here and the drive in the darkness, passing by the rubber trees, made me dreaming about past and present.
I was folding page by page from my many earlier Phuket-visits while I was staring outside. The 45-minute ride to Patong Beach could'nt be fast enough for me. I was excited to see Patong Beach again.
At the Patong Villa hotel, I was offered a splendid bungalow located on ground level around the small inner court. It is the perfect setting ! The hotel is located right in the heart of lively Patong Beach, just steps away from famous Bangla Road but nicely hidden from the rumour and crowds.
Before, I stayed in a number of different resorts big and small throughout Patong Beach. Now, I found the perfect spot. The always friendly hotel staff, have been doing there best to please this guest.
I am not going into detail but Patong has some of the greatest nightlife to offer on our planet. Always big fun and pleasure.
After the first few days, I was already considering to change my on-going bookings to Bangkok and stay here until the last day instead of just six nights. Life is simply perfect here, and I did'nt want to go back to Bangkok. Not that I hate Bangkok, which has its own charms to my opinion, but I was having a good time here. The final three nights in Bangkok, I had already booked as well my domestic Thai Airways flight.

I have never experienced any inconveniences with Thai Airways to change my flight, neither domestic, international or even intercontinental. They always willing to help. As days went on, I changed my flight back to Bangkok 2 days later, giving me the possibility to celebrate my birthday in Phuket and more important, spend two more nights in this paradise.

On Jan 10, the hotel staff has'nt forgotten me when a fruit & flower basket decorated my room, with happy birthday wishes (picture). I wish to thank the Patong Villa hotel staff, for a memorable stay between Jan 4 and 12, 2003.
 

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