Taking Care of Business, Saigon

Back in Saigon, we decided that we had a few things to take care of before we left for Indonesia. I needed a new pair of glasses (I lost my pair in Ha Long Bay), I wanted to get my teeth cleaned and Alex wanted to buy some paintings.

We found an optometrist who completed an exam, frames and lenses for $12US...I'll take it! The dentist came recommended to us by our hotel clerk. I was a little weary of it at first, but decided to go in for a look. It was in a very modern clean office building. When you arrive at the entrance, you must take off your shoes. They provide slippers for everyone, a nice beginning. I saw the dentist who informed me that I had no cavities and that a simple cleaning would be a piece of cake. He wanted to know all about Obama and American politics. On the third floor, I awaited the nurse to get me. There was classical music on the overhead speakers, normal, I thought. She proceed to clean my teeth and did an excellent job. No pain and very clean instruments. I paid 140,000 Dong which is the equivalent of $8.75!! I could stay here forever!

The streets are lined with art shops. The artists specialize in reproductions (surprise, surprise!) Alex spotted a nice version on Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Iris Garden, Irises and Starry Night. He couldn't resist at $25 each for a quality replica with thick strokes of oil paints.He also had them create a painting of Picasso's Portrait of Sylvette (cubist version). Our house is going to be overflowing with great art if it ever arrives. (We shipped by sea) It'll be a nice surprise when it arrives on our doorstep in three months!














At the airport, we had to pay a little money under the table to the immigration officer on our way out of the country. He was convinced that we enjoyed Vietnam because we had overstayed our Visa by almost a week. Luckily, money talks. Only 1 Million Dong and we were on our way to Indonesia.

After arriving in Indonesia, we bribed a second immigration officer in the same day to hurry along the process for our Visa. More about that later...