(28) CU CHI TUNNEL - LET'S GO TO RAMBO!

Ini tempat paling seru selama tour keliling Cu Chi tunnel. Gak pernah kebayang bisa megang and nyoba nembak pake AK4, M16 ataupun senjata dengan peluru berenteng panjangnya kayak rantai (gue lupa namanya). Welcome to the Rambo world … ha ha ha ha … exciting banget gue, meskipun tiap kali gue teriak kaget setiap ngedenger suara tembakan senjata yang keras banget. Gila! Gak kebayang gimana tentara-tentara itu bisa tahan dengernya. Gue disini beberapa menit aja udah tuli rasanya.

This is the most exciting place while in the Cu Chi tunnel tour. I could not ever imagine trying to hold and shoot disposable AK4, M16 and a weapon with a bullet such as long chain (I forgot the name). Welcome to the Rambo world ... ha ha ha ha ... I'm really exciting, although every time I shock and screaming every time I hear gunfire sounds which really harsh. Crazy! I can not imagine how the soldiers could stand to hear it. I just here for a few minutes it was already made my ear deaf.

(27) CU CHI TUNNEL – THE TUNNEL TOUR

Akhirnya kita berhiking ria juga. Sang guide membawa kita jalan masuk ke dalam hutan. Masih curious mau ngapain sebenernya di dalam hutan ini, tiba-tiba guide kita berhenti di suatu tempat yang dipenuhi oleh daun-daun kering yang berguguran dari atas. Ternyata di bawah dedaunan kering ada kotak penutup dari kayu kurang lebih berukuran 50 X 30 cm. Begitu kotak tersebut diangkat ternyata itu adalah pintu masuk sebuah terowongan bawah tanah. Kecil banget, pas seukuran badan doang ….. sempit dan serem bener kayaknya kalo masuk. Apalagi pada saat si guide newarin siapa yang mau coba masuk dan ngeliat ke dalam, ternyata nggak ada yang punya nyali … huahahahhaha …. Tapi bukan Liza kalo nggak nekat nyobain sesuatu yang exciting. Sambil ngatain chicken ke bule-bule yang dari tadi iseng ngegangguin gue, gue masuk ke lobang gelap gulita dan sempit. Huuuuaaaaaahhh … serem banget … sampai-sampai gue kagak bisa napas.

Finally we have hiking too. My guide took us way into the woods. Still curious what we are going to do in this forest. Our guide suddenly stopped in a place full of dead leaves that fall from above. It turns out there dry leaves under the cover of the wooden box measuring approximately 50 X 30 cm. Once the box is removed it turns out it is the entrance to an underground tunnel. Very small, fitting the size of the body ..... so scary and narrow if we entered. Especially when the guide offered us who would try to enter and seeing inside, it turns out nobody had the guts ... huahahahhaha .... But it was not Liza if not reckless to try something exciting. While I said chicken to the guys who had been teasing me since in the video room, I entered the dark and narrow hole. Huuuuaaaaaahhh ... really scary ... to the point that I couldn’t  breath.

Memasuki kompleks terowongan, ada beberapa patung prototype pejuang Vietcong menyambut kami. Dibuat persis seperti orang beneran. Dari jauh patung-patung itu memberi kesan benar-benar sesosok manusia. Dan entah kenapa, kesannya menyeramkan! Di depannya ada tank-tank Amerika, rumah tempat memajang jebakan-jebakan perang dan rumah terbuka yang menyimpan tumpukan selongsong bom-bom Amerika, termasuk tumpukan cluster bomb.

Entering the tunnel complex, there are three Vietcong fighters prototype statue greeted us. Made just like real people. From a distance the sculptures that give the impression of truly human figure. And somehow, it felt creepy! In front there are American war tanks, an open house for self made trap weapon and an open house that holds the pile sleeve American bombs, including cluster bombs pile.

Perjalanan terus dilanjutkan ke dalam hutan. Ternyata ada beberapa pintu masuk dan keluar terowongan yang saling berkaitan satu sama lain. Sang guide menawarkan apakah kita mau melihat semua atau hanya sebagian saja. Terowongan ini konon panjangnya lebih dari 200 km. Tapi kemudian dia bilang, kita coba dulu deh dengan terowongan yang paling pendek, kalo masih bertahan baru dilanjut ke terowongan berikutnya. Kita liat siapa yang bakal kalah perang katanya. Pertama kali masuk kita dibawa ke terowongan yang panjangnya hanya 20-an meter. Pintunya terbuka dan ada pelindung dari daun kelapa diatasnya. Setelah melalui tangga, kami langsung masuk ke dalam terowongan. Dan di depan kami ada sebuah terowongan yang hanya cukup untuk satu orang dengan berjalan membungkuk, ukurannya kira-kira lebar 75 cm dan tinggi kurang dari satu meter. Sempit sekali, dan gelap. Penerangan hanya dari sinar matahari yang masuk melalui ujung lorong sempit ini. Jalan membungkuk pun cukup sulit juga. Jadi membayangkan bagaimana pejuang Vietcong di tempat ini membawa senjata, dan dalam situasi perang dan dibombardir udara dari tentara Amerika dari udara dan darat. Serem banget!

The journey continued into the woods. Apparently there are several entrances and exits of tunnels interconnected with each other. My guide asked if we want to see all or only part of it. The tunnel is supposedly more than 200 km in length. But then he says, we try first with most short tunnel, if still survive we continued into the next tunnel. We will see who is become a war looser. The first time we brought to the tunnel entrance length is only 20-meter. The door opened and there are protective of palm leaves on top. After going through the stairs, we immediately get into the tunnel. And in front of us there is a tunnel which is only enough for one person to walk bent, its size is approximately 75 cm wide and less than one meter high. Very narrow and dark. Illumination only from the sun coming through the narrow channel of this. The road was quite difficult to bend, too. So imagine how the Vietcong fighters carrying weapons in this place, and in situations of war and air bombardment from U.S. forces from air and land. So scary!

Karena capek membungkuk, gue akhirnya jalan sambil jongkok. Sialnya bule di depan gue badannya lumayan gede stag kejepit karena saking sempitnya terowongan. Waduuuuhhh …. Rasanya lama banget dia nggak jalan-jalan. Gue dah panas dingin terjepit di dalem lubang yang nggak bisa maju ataupun mundur. Rasanya kayak dikubur hidup-hidup. Untungnya gue selalu bawa handphone yang ada senter kecil. Jadi gue nggak terlalu panic di dalam. Begitu gue liat pintu keluar pertama, gue langsung keluar nggak pengen ngelanjutin ke terowongan selanjutnya. Bodo amat deh gue dibilang looser … he he he he … ternyata nggak cuma gue yang jadi tentara kalah perang.

Because of tired of bending, I finally walk with squat. Unfortunately Caucasians in front of my body pretty big and stag because so narrowness of the tunnel. Aaaahhhh .... It was a long time he did not really walk. I was chills sandwiched in hole can not forward or backward. It was like being buried alive. Luckily I always carry a cell phone there is a small flashlight. So I'm not too panic on the inside. As soon as I exit the first clay, I do not want to continue straight out into the next tunnel. I don’t care become a looser ... he he he he ... It was not just me become the looser army.

Cu Chi Tunnel – Funny Story 4

Bukan Liza kalo nggak ngejailin orang. Begitu gue keluar dari lubang kecil dengan tutup kayu persegi empat, bule-bule yang lain penasaran juga pengen nyoba masuk. Apalagi gue katain chicken …. Huahahahaha … langsung harga diri cowok-cowok bule kesentil juga ternyata. Sayangnya mereka nggak ngeliat tanduk gue udah mulai keluar. Begitu salah satu bule yang ngejailin gue tadi masuk lubang dan ditutup, langsung aja gue berdiri di atas penutupnya. Semua orang ketawa ngakak ngeliat kejailan gue. Apalagi si bule udah mulai panic berusaha ngebuka penutup lobang …. Huahahahahaha … emang enak J

It’s not Liza if not teasing people. As soon as I get out of small holes with wooden lid rectangular, other Caucasians are getting curious also want to enter. Moreover, because I said chicken to them .... Huahahahaha …. It direct self-esteem to the boys. Unfortunately they do not seeing my horns have started out. As soon as one of the Caucasians who has teasing me before had entered and closed the hole, I was immediately standing up on the lid. Everyone was laughing seeing my mischief. Moreover, the Caucasians already started to panic trying to open the cover of hole ...  Huahahahahaha ... how nice.

(26) CU CHI TUNNEL - INTRODUCTION

Selesai berkeliling di tempat pembuatan handicraft, perjalanan berlanjut ke arah luar kota. Peman-dangan sepanjang jalan cukup menyenangkan meskipun rada bingung kok kita melewati hutan-hutan yang cukup luas dan ternyata kita juga berhenti di sebuah hutan. Terpikir di benak gue, kayaknya bakal diajak hiking ke dalem hutan nih. Tapi ternyata dugaan gue salah. Cu Chi Tunnel ternyata daerah terowongan bawah tanah tempat bersarangnya Vietcong di jaman perang melawan tentara Amerika. Waaahhh jadi inget film-film perang Ameriaka dengan Vietnam. Yeehhuuu … lets go to Rambo … he he he he….

Completed around the place making handicrafts, travel continues to the outside of the city. Scenery along the road quite fun though little bit confused why we pass through big forests and it turns out we also stopped in a forest. It occurred in my mind I think would be invited to hike into the forest. Apparently I was mistake. Cu Chi Tunnel is an underground tunnel where is the Vietcong hiding on the war against American soldiers. Aaahhh … make me remember American war movies with Vietnam. Yeehhuu ... lets go to Rambo ... he he he ....

Begitu masuk ke hutan perdu dengan pohon bambo dan pepohonan lainnya yang tumbuh agak rapat, kita diajak masuk ke sebuah banker yang berisi kursi-kursi kayu berjejer. Seorang staff yang bertugas disana mempersilahkan duduk dalam bahasa Vietnam yang gue yakin kagak ada satu tamu pun yang ngerti … he he he …. Si petugas itu kemudian memutar sebuah video dan meminta kita untuk menontonnya.

Once inside the shrubs forest with bamboo and other trees that grow rather tight, we are invited to enter into a banker containing wooden chairs lined. A duty staff there, asked us to take a sit in Vietnamese language that I'm sure there is no one guest understand ... he he he ....then the officer was plays a video and asked us to watch it.

Video hitam-putih dengan durasi kurang lebih 15 menit itu berceritera tentang Cu Chi yang tenang. Sebuah daerah penghasil padi yang subur dan juga buah-buahan. Kedamaian ini kemudian berantakan ketika Amerika datang dan membombardir gencar dengan bom. Ibarat semut yang diinjak pun melawan. Begitu jugalah rakyat Cu Chi pun melawan Amerika. Film dokumenter itu menggambarkan perlawanan semakin menghebat, ketika mereka mendapati Amerika sudah tidak pandang bulu. Patung-patung Budha digempur dan dihancurkan, rumah dibumi-hanguskan dan anak-anak kecil dibantai. Mereka pun menghimpun kekuatan, melawan Amerika. Suatu pertempuran yang tidak seimbang, tetapi mereka tidak surut. Gue jadi inget cerita dan pelajaran sejarah di sekolah tentang pahlawan-pahlaman bamboo runcing di jaman perang dulu. He he he he

Black and white video with approximately 15 minutes duration was telling about the quiet and peace Cu Chi. Fertile rice-producing areas and also fruits. The peace later then broken when the Americans came and bombarded heavily with bombs. Like ants which also trampled to fight. So the people of Cu Chi have to against America too. Documentary film that describes the resistance increasing in intensity, when they discovered America has been indiscriminate. Buddha statues destroyed and battered, house-to scorch the earth and small children were massacred. They also gather strength, against the Americans. A battle that is not balanced, but they do not subside. I so remember the stories and history lessons in school about the heroes of bamboo sharpened at the time of the war….. ha ha ha ha ha

Sementara video diputar, banyak peserta tour bosan dan keluar sebelum video selesai. Karena boring gue mulai iseng berfoto ria. Tapi ternyata bule-bule ganteng rombongan gue pada iseng ngikut berpose dibelakang gue.

While the video is playing, many tour participants get bored and get out before the video finished. Because of bored I started to take pictures for fun it was some handsome guys entourage on a whim I adherents posing behind me.

(25) VIETNAM HANDYCRAFT

Begitu keluar daerah perkotaan melewati jalan raya yang lumayan gede ternyata sopir bus masih santai banget jalannya, nggak lebih dari 40 kilometer per jam. So gue bisa nikmatin sightseeing sepanjang perjalanan. Gue jadi inget omongan Vu kemaren kalo peraturan di sini kendaraan memang nggak boleh lebih dari 40 km per jam. Nggak berapa lama kita berhenti di sebuah tempat yang penuh dengan bus-bus pariwisata. Tadinya gue pikir ini tempat yang namanya Cu Chi Tunnel, ternyata merupakan tempat pembuatan kerajinan tangan dan show room-nya. Biasalah … kalo ngikut paket tour pasti mampir ke tempat-tempat shopping. Tapi nggak ada ruginya lihat-lihat siapa tahu ada yang menarik untuk dibawa pulang ke Indonesia.

Once out of urban areas through a pretty big highway bus driver was still very relaxed way, not more than 40 kilometers per hour. So I can enjoy sightseeing along the journey. I also remember when Vu told me the rules here yesterday if the vehicle does not exceed 40 miles per hour. Several minute later we stopped at a place filled with tourist buses. At first I thought this place called Cu Chi Tunnel, proved to be a place of manufacture of handicrafts and its show room. As usual ... if we joint a tour packages always stop to places of shopping. But I think it does not hurt to look around, may be there is an interesting case to take home to Indonesia.

(24) SAIGON CITY

THIRD DAY, NOVEMBER 04^TH, 2009

Rasanya masih malas banget mau bangun. Tapi hari ini udah janjian mau jalan bareng sama Dedy ke Cu Chi Tunnel. Sebenernya gue pengen jalan kaki sight seeing kota Saigon ngikutin itinerary Lonely Planet. Tapi karena setiap orang selalu bilang gue musti ke tempat ini kalo ke Saigon, so rasa penasaran gue ngalahin itinerary yang udah gue susun sebelum berangkat ke Vietnam. Gue sama Dedy ambil paket tour setengah hari lewat hotel dan harganya cuma US$6. PPfffuiihh … murah banget … gak ada ruginya lah kalaupun tempatnya gak seru … he he he he …

It was still really lazy to wake up. But today already have a plan would go out together with Dedy to Cu Chi Tunnel. Actually I wanted to walk around the city of Saigon following sight seeing itinerary of Lonely Planet. But because everyone always says I must go to this place while I am in Saigon, so my curiosity more strong than the itinerary which I've made before leaving to Vietnam. Dedy and I took a half-day package tour to Cu Chi Tunnel through the hotel and the price is only U.S. $ 6. PPfffuiihh ... so cheap ... I will not really loss even if the place is not fun ... he he he he ...

Ternyata kita dijemput sebuah bus yang di dalamnya sudah ada beberapa peserta tour. Ini yang paling menyenangkan kalo ngikut tour, jadi banyak teman … he he he he … Sebelum berangkat ke tempat tujuan, kita masih menjemput beberapa peserta di beberapa hotel sekitar daerah Pham Ngu Lao. Menurut guide yang memandu kita, perjalanan akan ditempuh kurang lebih 1,5 jam sekitar 60 km kearah utara keluar kota Saigon. Walah jauh amat … sampai jam berapa nih nanti, bisa-bisa gue ketinggalan pesawat pulang ke Indonesia. Tapi waktu gue tanya sang guide guarantee jam makan siang sudah balik ke hotel. Aaahhh … mudah-mudahan gak ada halangan.

It turns out we picked up by bus which there already some tour participants. It's the most fun if adherents tour, so many friends ... he he he he ... Before leaving for the destination, we still pick up some of the participants in several hotels around the area of ​​Pham Ngu Lao. According to the guide that guides us, the trip will be approximately 1.5 hours about 60 km towards the north out of Saigon. Wow … so far ... until what time later, may be I might miss my flight back to Indonesia. But when I asked the guides guarantee hour lunch is back to the hotel. Aaahhh ... hopefully there are not obstacles.

Suasana jalan-jalan di kota Saigon lumayan padat dan ramai oleh klakson. Gue serasa berada di kota Yogyakarta sekitar tahun 90-an. Jalan-jalan penuh sepeda motor yang kadang-kadang sang sopir seenaknya di jalanan. Bangunan-bangunan kebanyakan merupakan bangunan lama atau kuno. Pasar-pasar masih tradisional dan salah satu yang menarik perhatian gue Cho Ben Tahnh traditional market yang sangat sibuk di pagi hari. Gue serasa berada di jalan Malioboro dengan pasar Bringharjonya. Di depan pasar ini tepat ditengah persimpangan jalan, ada patung Tran Nguyen Hai di atas seekor kuda. Persis seperti yang tertulis dalam itinerary Lonely Planet. Hhhmmm… ternyata gue masih dapet sight seeing juga meskipun nggak ngikutin itinerary dan gue cukup menikmatinya dari dalam bus.

The atmosphere of the streets in the city of Saigon is quite dense and crowded by the horns. I feel like in the city of Yogyakarta, around the late '90s. The streets were full of motorcycles that sometimes the driver casually on the street. The buildings are mostly old or ancient buildings. The markets are still traditional, and one that draw my attention to Cho Ben Tahnh, a very busy traditional market in the morning. I feel like walk on the Malioboro’s street in front of Bringharjo traditional market. In front of this market right middle fork in the road, there is a statue of Tran Nguyen Hai on a horse. It’s exactly same as written in the Lonely Planet itinerary. Hhhmmm ... turns out I still get sight seeing as well though not follow itinerary and I quite enjoy it from in the bus.

(23) FLY BACK TO SAIGON - BAD EXPERIENCE

Akhirnya tiba juga saatnya terbang kembali ke Saigon. Gak terasa waktu cepet banget berlalu. Rasa happy and fun setelah seharian ngukur jalan ke tiga kota ngalahin rasa capek dan kurang tidur gue. Sampai di airport ternyata pesawat gue delay 1 jam. Lumayan ada tambahan waktu bisa ngobrol and ngopi sama Mey and Vu … he he he he … Perasaan gue mulai was-was waktu diumumin pesawat delay lagi 1 jam … waduh gimana kalo pesawatnya cancel gak terbang malem ini … deg-deg-an juga neh …

Finally time to fly back to Saigon comes. Times passed very quickest. My happy and fun feeling after a day of road to three cities defeated my tiredness and lack of sleep. When I arriving at the airport it turn out that my flight was 1 hour delay. But it’s ok there is additional time can chat and coffee with Mey and Vu ... he he he he ... I started feeling anxious when there was another announcement that my flight again 1 hour delays ... Oh no … how if the flight will not flying tonight ... so nervous ...

Ternyata berangkat juga pesawat gue setelah 2 kali delay karena ada badai. Sebenernya gue agak takut juga untuk terbang tapi apa boleh buat nggak ada pilihan. Untungnya begitu duduk di dalam pesawat gue langsung tidur pulas sampai mendarat di Saigon karena kecapekan. Itu pun karena dibangunin pramugarinya … he he he he …. Karena sudah pengalaman dengan transport di bandara di hari pertama so gue langsung keluar terminal dan nyari taxi. Sayangnya kali ini gue dapet sopir taxi yang nggak bisa bahasa Inggris. Tapi untung gue sudah nyiapin strategi untuk menghadapi situasi kendala bahasa. Gue tunjukin kartu nama hotel tempat gue nginap dan uang sejumlah VDN 80,000. Tadinya dia nggak mau tapi gue tetep kekeuh nggak mau nyerah. Finally gue dapet taxi juga. Sayangnya gue dapet pengalaman nggak bagus, pas mau bayar semua uang di tangan gue dirampas dengan kasar dan gue diusir keluar dari taxi. Sial bener !! Gue teriak dan marah tapi urung karena sadar gue liat situasi di depan hotel sepi dan nggak ada orang.. So gue langsung masuk ke hotel dan menuju kamar. Duuuhh puji Tuhan yang penting gue selamet gak diapa-apain. Gue lihat Dedy udah tidur nyenyak so abis mandi gue langsung masuk bed gue dan tidur. Hhhmmm …enaknya bau bantal … he he he he ...

It turned out that my plane is leaving after 2 times the delay due to a storm. Actually I was a little scared to fly but also I have no choice. Fortunately, when seated in the plane I directly to sleep soundly until I landed in Saigon because of exhaustion. That’s also because of the stewardess woke me up ... he he he he .... Due to I had been experience with transport at the airport on the first day so I'm straight out the terminal and look for a taxi to hotel. Unfortunately this time I get a taxi driver who did not speak English. But I've been prepared a strategy to deal with the language barrier situation. I saw him my hotel business card where I was staying and VDN 80.000. At first he did not want to but I do not want to give up increase the price. Finally I get a taxi as well. Unfortunately I do not gain experience for a nice, when I would pay him, he rob all the money on my hand and expelled me out from the taxi. Damn! I was screaming and angry but frustrated because I consciously see the situation in front of the hotel very quiet and no one there. So I went straight inside to the hotel and headed for the room. Aaahhh … thanks God, he did not anything to me while on the way to hotel. I seen Dedy was sleeping soundly so after took a shower I went straight to my bed. Hhhmmm ... pillow is always smell good... he he he he ...

(22) HOI AN - VIETNAM PAINTINGS & LAMPS

Jembatan Jepang Hoi An melintasi terusan kecil di ujung barat Kota Tua, menghubungkan Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street dengan Tran Phu Street - jalan utama di sepanjang sungai. Galeri-galeri seni dan kafe-kafe di kedua sisi sepanjang jalan yang sangat damai. Gue sangat menikmati banget jalan di sepanjang jalan ini, keluar masuk galeri seni buat nyari lukisan dan lampu khas Vietnam.

The Hoi An Japanese Bridge crosses a small canal on the west end of the Old Town, connecting Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street to Tran

Ph

u Street - the main thoroughfare along the river. Art galleries and cafes line both s ides of the peaceful street beyond. I really enjoyed walk a way along this road, went and out art galleries look for typical paintings and lamps of Vietnam .

(21) HOI AN - JAPANESE BRIDGE

Jembatan Jepang Hoi An dikenal dengan berbagai nama di masa lalu seperti: Vien Lai Kieu "Pagoda di Jepang"; Chua Cau "Jembatan Tertutup", dan Cau Nhat Ban "Jembatan Jepang". Jembatan tua yang merupakan simbol kebanggaan Hoi An ini dibangun pada awal abad ke-17. Meskipun jembatan ini dipugar kembali pada tahun 1986, jembatan kayu masih menggunakan balok-balok tua dan berkarakter. Ada sebuah kuil kecil di dalam jembatan serta patung-patung suci dari anjing dan babi yang menjaga setiap ujung jembatan. Sampai sekarang alasan diletakan patung anjing dan moyet di sisi berlawanan dari jembatan ini masih jadi bahan perdebatan. Ada yang berpendapat bahwa pembangunan jembatan Jepang dimulai pada tahun anjing dan selesai pada tahun monyet. Sedangkan yang lainnya mengatakan dua hewan dipilih untuk menjaga jembatan karena kaisar Jepang banyak lahir baik di tahun anjing atau monyet. Kebanyakan pendapat-pendapat tersebut keliatannya berhubungan tapi sampai sekarang nggak tahu mana yang merupakan alas an sebenarnya.

The Hoi An Japanese Bridge has been known by various names throughout the past including: Lai Vien Kieu "Pagoda in Japan"; Chua Cau "Covered Bridge"; and Cau Nhat Ban "Japanese Bridge". The old Japanese Bridge is a symbol of pride in Hoi An was constructed early in the 17th century. Although it was restored in 1986, the wooden bridge still beams with age and character. There is a small shrine inside the bridge as well as sacred statues of a dog and pig that guard each end of the span. Reasoning for the conspicuous statues of a dog and a monkey on opposing sides of the bridge is disputed until now. Anyone said that construction of the Japanese bridge began in the year of the dog and was completed in the year of the monkey. Others say the two animals were chosen to guard the bridge because many Japanese emperors were born either in the year of the dog or monkey. Mostly was significant issues but no body knows which one the right reason.

(20) HOI AN - FANTASTIC DINNER

Makan malam kali ini, gue dibawa ke local restaurant sama Mey. Penuh dan rame banget orang-orang makan di restaurant ini. Orang-orang sampai rela ngantri untuk dapetin meja. Waaahhh … seru banget kita berebut tempat sama orang-orang local … he he he he … lagian nggak ada yang tahu kalo kita bukan orang Vietnam. Terbukti waktu order makanan, pelayannya nanya pake bahasa Vietnam yang nggak gue ngerti. Yang ada gue cuma nyengir, sedangkan Mey dengan bahasa Vietnam ala kadarnya dan bahasa tubuh menunjuk makanan di meja tetangga mencoba order makanan … ha ha ha ha … hhhmmm … nyam nyam … makanan di sini bener-bener enak banget … yumie …

Dinner at this time, Mey was taken me to a local restaurant. Full and very crowded people eat at this restaurant. People are willing to queue to get a table. Woooww… really fun ... we fought for a table with local people ... he he he he ... anyways no one knows if we are not the Vietnamese. Proven time when we order food, when the waiter asked our order, he used Vietnam language which I don’t understand. So I just smile, while Mey tried to order food with a limit of Vietnamese language and body language pointed to the foods of neighbor table ... ha ha ha ha ... hhhmmm ... nyum nyum ... food here was really awful ... yumie ...

(19) HOI AN - THE EXOTIC ROMANS OF OLD TOWN

Sampai di kota Da Nang kita langsung menuju rumah sahabat gue Mey. Waahhh … ternyata hidup teman gue cukup makmur di sini … pantesan nggak mau balik ke Indonesia …. he he he he. Puas inspection di rumah mewah sahabat gue ini, dia ajak gue ke Hoi An. Kota tua yang dilindungi oleh Unesco sebagai warisan dunia ini diatur Undang-Undang Pelestarian dengan sangat baik. Beberapa bangunan bersejarah dan budaya terbuka untuk umum, sejumlah jalan-jalan di pusat kota tidak boleh dilalui oleh mobil, dan perbaikan dan pembatasan tinggi bangunan sangat diatur dengan baik.

Up in Da Nang city we went straight to my friend Mey house. Wooww ... my friend was quite prosperous life here ...that’s why he do not want to return back to Indonesia .... he he he he. Satisfied inspection at the mansion of my friend, he brings me to Hoi An town. The Unesco World Heritage Hoi An Old Town is governed by preservation laws that are well up to speed. Several buildings of historical and cultural significance are open for public viewing, a number of streets in the centre of town are off-limits to cars, and building alterations and height restrictions are well enforced.

Pesona dan erotic nyata kota tua ini keluar pada malam hari ketika jalan-jalan berbatu yang remang-remang oleh lentera merah di setiap bangunan, lilin-lilin terapung sepanjang sungai yang sangat tenang membuat orang merasa terdorong untuk berbicara dengan suara berbisik. Ini kedua kalinya gue merasakan berada di dunia yang sangat kuno. Gue jadi ingat pengalaman traveling ke kota kuno Xitang di China. Amazing !! O’ya … masyarakat kota Hoi An ini sangat terkenal dengan keahliannya menjahit pakaian terutama mantel-mantel musim dingin. Sebagian besar penduduk di sini bekerja sebagai penjahit dan designer. Kalau kita memesan baju siang hari, malamnya baju sudah selesai dijahit dan bisa dibawa pulang.

Old Town's real charm and exotic comes out at night when the cobbled streets are dimly lit by lantern. The floating candle setting along the river is so tranquil that people feel compelled to speak in hushed voices. This is the second time that I was feeling in very ancient world. I remember the experience of traveling to the ancient town Xitang in China. Amazing! Ah'ya ... Hoi An urban community is very famous for their expertise in sew clothing especially winter coats. Most of the residents here work as a seamstress and designer. If we order a cloth at the afternoon, the cloth will be done at evening.

(18) THE CITADEL – AROUND THE FORTES

Ada untungnya juga ngelilingin sekitar benteng. Ternyata Vu meskipun cuma supir becak dengan bahasa Inggris yang kacau balau tapi dia seorang guide yang baik, pintar, lucu dan menyenangkan. So akhirnya gue enjoy sendiri dan lupa kalo gue mesti ngejar waktu. Vu tahu mesti bawa gue kemana. Banyak sekali tempat–tempat bersejarah, kendaraan dan senjata berat peninggalan perang tentara Amerika. Gue masih gak habis pikir gimana sih bangsa Vietnam kok bisa ngalahin tentara Amerika yang punya peralatan dan kendaraan perang super-duper canggih. Yaahh … memang bukan hal yang mustahil kalo mereka menang perang dan merdeka. Buktinya gue sebagai bangsa Indonesia pun bisa bangga negara gue merdeka meskipun para pahlawan-pahlawan bangsa berperang dan menang hanya dengan bersenjatakan bamboo runcing. Kalo dipikir-pikir kan kayaknya impossible ya ….

There is fortunately also going around the fort. Vu Apparently even if just a rickshaw driver with the English language of turmoil, but he's a good guide, smart, funny and fun. So finally I enjoy myself and forget that I had to chase time. Vu knew where I had to take it anywhere. There are lots of historic places, vehicles and heavy weapons of war American troops. I still do not understand how Vietnamese could defeat American soldiers who have the super-duper sophisticated war equipment and vehicles. Yeeaahh ... it's not impossible if they win the war and independence. The proof, I as the Indonesian people can be proud of that my country can be independent even though the nation's war heroes won only armed with bamboo spears. If you think about it, seems impossible, isn’t it?!

Akhirnya kita sampai juga ke tempat Vu nunggu dengan selamat dan happy … he he he he … sebenernya Vu Cuma minta tambahan ongkos yang semula US$2 jadi US$3 untuk nganterin keliling Citadel dan sekitarnya, tapi gue pikir tadi itu lumayan jauh sekali dan gue juga happy selama dianter keliling sama dia so gue kasih dia US$10. Waaahhh … senangnya dia ….. sampai jingkrak-jingkakkegirangan and bilang thank you berulang-ulang. Sedangkan Vu sopir gue senyum-senyum ngeliatnya.

Finally we reached the place where Vu wait with safely and happy ... he he he he ... actually Vu just ask for extra charges originally US$ 2 to US$ 3 for bringing around the Citadel and the surrounding area, but I thought that was pretty far away and I'm also happy during around with him so I give him a US$ 10. Waaahhh ... he was so glad ... .. so he jumps and say thank you again and again. While my driver Vu looked him with smiles.

Karena waktunya sudah nggak memungkinkan so kita lewatin itinerary ke Gunung Marble dan langsung kembali ke Da Nang. Agak kecewa juga sih … apalagi ngeliat Vu nyetirnya pelan banget cuma 30km per jam. Sempet gue bilang sama Vu gimana kalo gue yang nyetir biar cepet … tapi ternyata emang peraturan di situ nggak boleh nyetir lebih dari 40km per jam dan Vu sudah 2 kali kena tilang karena ngelanggar kecepatan. Busyeeett … pantes aja gak nyampe-nyampe.

Because the time is not possible so we passed itinerary into the Marble Mountain and immediately returned to Da Nang. Somewhat disappointed ... moreover look in Vu driving very slowly just 30km per hour. I asked Vu to let me drive to make it faster ... but there was regulations may not drive more than 40km per hour and Vu are 2 times got a ticket because of break the speed. Wow ... No wonder if not quick to get the direction.

(17) THE CITADEL - FUNNY STORY 3

Kejadian lucu yang satu ini bakal gue inget seumur hidup. Keluar dari Benteng Thanh Hoang ternyata Vu sopir Chilo masih setia nunggu gue. Begitu ngeliat gue nongol dari dalem benteng dia langsung lari menghampiri gue. Dia berusaha nawarin gue untuk ngelilingi benteng dengan Chilo. Sebenernya gue sudah berusaha dengan berbagai cara bilang nggak usah langsung kembali aja ke tempat parkir mobil dimana Vu guide gue nunggu. Soalnya udah kelamaan di dalem benteng dan takut nggak keburu pergi ke Gunung Marble. Tapi ternyata dia nggak ngerti maksud gue, so alhasil gue terpaksa pasrah dibawa muter-muter keliling benteng. Sepanjang perjalanan Vu berusaha menjadi guide yang baik dengan bahasa Inggrisnya yang amburadul kagak karuan tapi bikin gue enjoy dan ketawa ngakak sepanjang jalan. Bayangin aja semua kalimat dia awali dengan kata “My name is … “. Salah satunya dia bilang, “Madam, my name is five kilometers” sambil tangannya memperagakan luasnya Benteng Kerajaan. Gue ketawa ngakak nggak berhenti sepanjang jalan. Lucu sekali dia :)

Funny scandal on this one I will remember for a lifetime. Out of the Fortress Thanh Hoang Vu the Chilo driver was still waiting for my loyal. He immediately ran over to me, when he saw me came out from the Royal Citadel. He tried offering me for around a castle with Chilo. Actually I've tried in many ways told him that I need to go back to the car park immediately where Vu my guide was waiting me. Because I have stay around in the palace fortress very long and he worry that we could not to go to Marble Mountain. But it turns out he did not understand my intent, so consequently I was forced to surrender brought around the fort. Along journey Vu trying to be a good guide with his chaotic English known but makes me enjoy and laugh out loud along the road. Imagine wrote all his sentences start with the words "My name is ...". One of them he said, "Madam, my name is five kilometers" with his arms in demonstrating the breadth of Fort Royal. I laughed out loud do not stop along the road. So funny of him :)

(16) THE CITADEL - FUNNY STORY 2

Lagi asyik-asyiknya berphoto ria di depan istana sang kaisar, tiba-tiba 2 cewek bule dari German sepantaran gue minta photo bareng. Udah gitu dia juga yang jadi penata gaya …. Walah permintaannya macem-macem … he he he he … tapi seru juga sih. Begitu selesai photo, dia nanya gue dari Vietnam sebelah mana. Oooaallaaahhh … jadi gue ini dari tadi dikira orang asli Vietnam. Ampun deh … ini udah ketiga kalinya gue dikira orang Vietnam asli dan orang bule lagi …

While I am enjoy taking pictures in front of the palace of the emperors, all of a sudden two Caucasian girls from Germany asked for a photo together. She is also become photo stylist and tried to set up our photo style. .... hhuaahhh … she was requesting many kind of styles ... he he he he ... but really fun actually. Once finished photo, she asked me which side of Vietnam that I came from. Hhuuuuaahhh ... so She has been thought that I am a Vietnamese. My God ... It’s already third times thought that I am the original Vietnamese and now, it’s come from Caucasian. ...

(15) THE CITADEL - THE SECRET OF HUE CITY

Tempat ini adalah salah satu alasan gue travel ke Hue. Ternyata nggak cuma Negeri Tirai Bambu aja yang punya Forbidden City atau Kota Terlarang seperti di Beijing. Benteng Kompleks kota Hue yang didirikan pada masa Dinasti Nguyen 1805-1945 ini merupakan salah satu di antara peninggalan bersejarah kota kuno Hue yang menjadi Warisan Budaya Dunia. Kompleks istana Citadel di kota Hue ini terletak di tepi sebelah utara Sungai Huong (Sungai Perfume) diantara dua bukit pasir sebagai pelindungnya. Bukit Con Hen di sebelah kiri sebagai naga dan Bukit Con Da Vien sebagai harimau di sebelah kanan.

This place is one of the reasons of my travel to Hue. It turn out that is not only The Bamboo Curtain country China has a Forbidden City like in Beijing. The Citadel Complex of Hue which set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945 is one amongst the relics of the Hue ancient capital town which become the World Cultural Heritage. The citadel palace complex in the Hue city is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River) in the middle of two sand dunes as a patron. The Con Hen is on the left as a “dragon” and The Con Da Vien as a “Tiger” is on the right.

Dari tempat parkir mobil ke area kompleks lumayan jauh, apalagi luas kompleks ini 520 hektar dan terdiri atas tiga lingkaran benteng yaitu Kinh Thanh Hue (Benteng kota Hue), Hoang Thanh (Benteng Kerajaan) dan Tu Cam Thanh (Benteng Terlarang). So untuk menghemat waktu gue ikutin saran Vu untuk naik Chilo, sejenis becak kalau di Indonesia … he he he he he ... surprise ternyata di Vietnam ada becak juga. Lebih surprise lagi nih tukang becak kagak mau dibayar pake “Dong”, maunya dollar. Sempat terpikir pasti nih tukang becak mau malakin gue … ternyata dari hasil tawar-menawar Vu, dia cuma minta ongkos 2 dollar doang … walah murah bener :) Well … ayuk deh kita masuk ngejelajahi istana feodal yang indah ini, yang selalu selalu memberikan inspirasi bagi banyak seniman.

From the car park to the palace complex area is pretty much far, moreover the complex is covering 520 ha and consists of the three citadel circles namely Kinh Thanh Hue (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). So to save time I follow the advice from Vu to ride Chilo, called becak if in Indonesia ... he he he he he ... surprise was in Vietnam there are becak as well. More surprised that the chilo driver didn’t want to receive “Dong” payment, he wants “dollar”. I thought he wants cheat me because of I am foreigner. But turn out from Vu bargained, he wants 2 dollars only … wow so cheap! Ok guys … let’s go stepping inside to exploring the beautiful feudal palace which is always giving the inspiration for numerous artists!

Lingkaran eksterior yang pertama kita lewati adalah Benteng Kinh Thanh Hue (Benteng Kota Hue), yang mulai dibangun tahun 1805 di bawah pemerintahan Kaisar Gia Long dan selesai pada tahun 1832 dibawah kekuasaan Kaisar Ming Mang. Selama 200 tahun terakhir, bangunan ini masih dipertahankan asli dengan hampir 140 konstruksi besar berbentuk persegi, melingkari kompleks sepanjang hampir 10 km, tinggi 6 meter, tebal 21 meter dan memiliki 10 pintu masuk. Di bagian atas dinding didirikan 24 benteng untuk tujuan pertahanan. Selain itu, Benteng memiliki gerbang yang menghubungkan pendukung Tran Binh Bastion disebut Tran Binh Mon (Gerbang Pelindung Perdamaian).

The first circle exterior we passed was Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), which began construction in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and was completed in 1832 under the rule of Emperor Ming Mang. Over the last 200 years, it still retained the original building with nearly 140 square-shaped construction of large, complex circling along nearly 10 km, height of 6 meters, 21 meters thick and has 10 entrances. On the top of the walls are established 24 bastions for defensive purposes. In addition, Fortress has an ancillary gate connecting the Tran Binh Bastion called the Tran Binh Mon (Peaceful Protector Gate).

Jarak antara lingkaran benteng pertama ke benteng kedua cukup jauh. Sepanjang perjalanan kita ngelewati senjata-senjata berat peninggalan pada masa perang. Vu, sopir Chilo yang ternyata punya nama sama dengan guide gue, berusaha menjadi guide yang baik dengan bahasa Inggris yang nggak gue mengerti alias hancur banget … he he he he he … Sampai di depan gerbang lingkaran benteng kedua, Vu menghentikan chilo-nya. Dari sini gue musti jalan kaki karena sekarang kita masuk lebih jauh ke dalam Thanh Hoang (Benteng Kerajaan). Wow … keren banget nih tempat!! Classic dan kuno banget. Gue merasa berada di jaman kerajaan Ming Mang.

The distance between the circles of the first fort to second fort is quite distant. Along the way we passed the legacy of heavy weapons in war time. Vu, the Chilo driver who turned out to have the same name as my guide, tried to be a good guide which I did not really understand his English alias very worse ... he he he he he ... Up to the front gate of the second circle fort, Vu stop stop his chilo. From here I got to walk because now we go further into the Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel). Wow … so cool this place!! It’s very classic and ancient palace. I was feeling like in the period of the reign of King Ming Mang.

Dari informasi internet yang gue dapet benteng ini ternyata dibangun pada 1804 dan baru benar-benar selesai pada tahun 1833, di bawah pemerintahan Raja Ming Mang. Benteng, yang lebih dari 600 meter panjang untuk setiap sisi, dibangun dengan batu bata 4m tinggi, dan 1m tebal. Sekitar benteng dilindungi oleh sistem palung. Kita bisa mendapatkan akses ke Benteng kerajaan melalui empat pintu masuk. Di masa lalu, Ngo Mon Gate hanya diperuntukkan bagi Raja. Benteng kerajaan ini terdiri atas lebih dari 100 karya arsitektur yang dibagi menjadi berbagai bagian:

¨ Bagian dari Gerbang Ngo Mon dan Istana Thai Hoa: digunakan untuk berbagai upacara kerajaan.

¨ Bagian untuk menempatkan kuil Para Raja di bawah Dinasti Nguyen: kuil Trieu Mieu, Thai Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu dan Phung Tien.

¨ Bagian dari kantor urusan internal: Gudang untuk benda berharga, workshop untuk pembuatan berbagai artikel yang bermanfaat.

¨ Bagian dari Istana Kham Van dan Taman Co Ha: adalah tempat dimana para pangeran belajar atau santai.

From the internet information the fort was built in 1804 and only really completed in 1833, under the reign of King Ming Mang. The Citadel, which is more than 600 meters in long for each side, was built with bricks of 4 meters high, and 1 meter thick. Around the citadel is a protecting trench system. We can get access to the Imperial Citadel through four entrance gates. In the past, Ngo Mon Gate was only for the King. Royal Citadel consists of more than 100 fascinating architectural works divided into numerous sections:

¨ Section of the Ngo Mon Gate and the Thai Hoa Palace: used for various grand ceremonies.

¨ Section for placing shrines of the Kings under Nguyen Dynasty: Trieu Mieu, Thai Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu and Phung Tien Temples.

¨ Section of internal affairs office: Storehouse for precious objects, workshop for manufacturing various useful articles.

¨ Section of the Kham Van Palace and Co Ha Garden: is where the princes studied or relaxed.

Tadinya gue udah mau balik ke tempat Vu karena gue liat jalan yang menuju ke bangunan berikutnya cukup jauh. Apalagi gue udah mulai betah di dalem istana … he he he he … Tapi kok ngeliatin banyaknya turis yang berdatangan dari arah jalan ini, bikin gue makin penasaran. Dengan agak sedikit lari karena takut kehabisan waktu gue akhirnya jalan juga menuju ke bangunan selanjutnya. Lucky me! Untung gue gak jadi ngelewatin nih tempat. Ternyata ini adalah lingkaran benteng ketiga yaitu Tu Cam Thanh (Benteng Terlarang). Benteng unik dan tua berwarna ungu ini merupakan tempat tinggal Kaisar dan keluarganya. Dibangun pada awal 1803 di bawah pemerintahan Kaisar Gia Long, yang awalnya bernama Cung Thanh. Kemudian pada tahun 1821, berubah namanya menjadi Tu Cam Thanh. Bagian benteng dibangun dengan dinding bata setinggi 3,72 meters, tebal 0,72 meters, dan melingkar sepanjang 1.230 meters. Sisi depan dan belakang benteng masing-masing sepanjang 324 meters, sedangkan sisi kiri dan kanan kedua lebih dari 290 meters panjang. Seluruh bagian terdiri atas 50 konstruksi arsitektur dari berbagai ukuran dan 7 gerbang untuk keluar masuk benteng. Gerbang Dai Cung Sen (Gerbang Istana Agung) yang berada di sisi depan hanya diperuntukkan bagi para Raja. Istana Can Chanh (Istana Pribadi Kerajaan) adalah tempat kaisar bekerja sehari-hari. Khon Thai Residence (Tempat Kediaman para Ratu) disediakan untuk untuk para ratu. Masih ada banyak lagi bagian-bagian lainnya seoerti, rumah Duyet Thi Duong (Gedung Theatre Kerajaan), Thuong Thien (dapur untuk makanan raja), Thai Binh Lau (ruang baca raja), yang semuanya memiliki nilai arsitektur tinggi.

At first I've come back to where Vu was waiting me because I see the road leading to the next building far enough. Moreover, I've started to feel at home inside the palace ... he he he he ... But I saw many of tourists who arrive from the direction of this road, makes me more curious. With a little bit run away for fear of running out of time I end up building roads leading to the next. Lucky me! I was not leaving the place. Apparently this is the third fort circle of Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). Unique and old purple citadel is a place to live the Emperor and his family. Built in the early 1803 under reign of Emperor Gia Long, it was initially named Cung Thanh. In 1821, it was renamed to be Tu Cam Thanh. This citadel part was built with brick walls of 3,72 meters high, 0,72 meter thick, and about 1.230 meters in circumference. The front and back sides are 324 meter long respectively, while the left and right side share both more than 290 meters long. The whole site consists of 50 architectural constructions of different sizes and 7 gates for facilitating the entrance and exit. Dai Cung Mon (the Great Palace Gate) is in the front side, only reserved for the Kings. Can Chanh Palace was the place for daily working of Emperors. Can Thanh (Emperor's Private Palace), Khon Thai Residence (Queen's Private Apartment) was reserved for the Queens. There are still many other sections, for instance, Duyet Thi Duong house (Royal Theatre), Thuong Thien (the kitchen for the Kings' food), Thai Binh Lau (King's reading room), all of which are of great architectural value.

Should you ever come inside the citadel, taking a look into the special feudal relics of immense architectural and cultural values, you will surely more or less love the traditional and classical side of Vietnam.