I went to visit the Notre Dame cathedral in Saigon today. I can’t believe I have lived my life without realising Notre Dame means ‘Our Lady’ in French referring to the Virgin Mary. Lacking culture I always think of the hunchback! The cathedral was built between 1863 and 1880 by the French colonialists.
As impressive as it was the adjacent Post Office held my attention as a lovely building with its expansive open ceiling.
I walked back through a rare,pedestrians only, sun protected street to the Majestic Hotel. It is an old (1920) colonial style hotel with a small but shaded courtyard swimming pool and I spent the afternoon relaxing there.
I had a really interesting meal tonight. The starter was crab spring rolls and the main course was frogs. There were various options so I asked the waiter for a recommendation. He told me if I liked crispy skin go for the frogs in oyster sauce. Not sure I was prepared for frogs hacked into quarters with the rib-cage showing on one side and charred mottled skin on the other but I have to say after I pushed that to the back of my mind I found it it delicious.
Alan's Retirement 