Pilot Honeymoon

4 to 8 October 2019.

G and I really need a break from reality. Instead of going back to Da Lat like we always had, we wanted to give Saigon some love. This time, we made it a point to explore the city.

We stayed in Cozrum Home - Premier Residence in Bình Thạnh, which was about 6 mins from District 1. For only ~ S$100 for 5 nights, the place was a steal. It had a huge balcony and a really clean toilet. My only regret was not taking more pictures during this whole trip, so these pics are from online. Beautiful place, but semi-nightmarish story.

Here's a little rant about the place:

When G and I turned up to check-in, the receptionist told us our room was 504, but promptly gave us the card to room 503. Then, she told us that our password was 1234*, and that they change the passwords to the room after every reservation. When we asked if we could change the password for the safety of our items, they said we couldn't... But... we changed it anyway (because we had valuables, and the place had a review that someone had their items stolen from inside their room before). Fast-forward past day one, G and I returned to our room at 1am, only to find that we were locked out. We tried both passwords which didn't work, and we had to bother the dear security guard to help us. After a gruelling half-hour, a hotel staff came by and finally gave us the right key to our room. The experience was absolutely terrible, but the room was amazing, so we stayed.

Okay, getting on to the trip...

Places

Deciding to do some retail therapy, we headed to Ben Thanh Market and then got stuck there when it started pouring out. (Were we really stuck if we were having fun shopping?) More retail therapy came from a students' flea market, Saigon Square, Takashimaya, Junie House and The New Playground.

Food and Drinks

Of course, we had the usual Pho, Bun Bo Hue, Bo Ne and more Banh Mi. But this time, we also had Banh Xeo, Xin Fu Tang, De Salita, 4P's Pizza and finally got to experience what's good at Chill Skybar. (In an earlier blogpost, I mentioned how we got turned away due to inappropriate dressing). Had some other food that was absolutely mouth-watering, but too bad I don't know the name of them. Oh, we also went to Broma: Not a Bar and the ambience with great. Always a good night with drinks, and especially with G.

Others

We met up with T, who was an angel (as usual), and brought us to have food, drinks, manicures and massages. She even introduced me to her hairdresser who was so so so detailed in giving me a good cut.

Other honourable mentions of the trip were:

• Witnessing a really flamboyant guy in Mini Stop who wanted his Banh Mi heated up. After a good two minutes of waiting for the staff to heat it up, he sung "Honey, I think the Banh Mi's been in there for too long" and started dancing and shaking his butt
• Getting to do my touch up
• Free desserts for us at 4P's
• The BEST avocado milkshake I ever had, over in Phu Nhuan District
• Visiting random road side stores like true locals and not having to find the "best" food places
• Catching up and having a genuinely good time with G and T

It really is always a good time.