You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2007.
3 deadlines welcomed me back from Vietnam. Though I had tried to complete at least 1 quarter of the work before I departed for Hanoi, there was still a considerable amount of work that needed completing and it was a tad draining to say the least. That said, that mini hell week is somewhat over. The deadlines of Monday, Tuesday and the presentation today has passed. And to tell you the truth I am actually loving this honours year. It has forced me to realise the value of sustained and intensive research when doing a paper or an assignment, something which I dont dare to say I came close to during my past 3 terms in NUS. Doing the bare minimum was the norm rather than the exception. Come to think of it, I do not know how I actually bamboozled my way through all this years, and at times I did wonder about the what ifs? What if I had put in a concerted effort in my studies? What if I did not get bogged down with all the external commitments that I dedicated myself too? Well, perhaps, I would have a cap in the 2nd upper range, but my life would have been dull I guess. Nothing else that I could learn to more holistically equip me in the question of life. Maybe I could have been committed to external entities and at the same time do much better in the studies department, something which I wholy concur that I could have done much much more in. I could get the best of both worlds. That said, its no use dwelling on the might have beens, and radiating regrets from choices made. It just pulls you down. The question of what ifs then just stops there.
On a different note, the trip to Vietnam, was great to say the least. Do you know that the Vietnamese military comprise of about 1 million personnel. Thats a whopping 3 times more as compared to Singapore’s own SAF. To add to that, they are considered the to have the best infantry in all of Southeast Asia. Of course this doesnt include firepower and equipments, which of course the SAF win hands down, eyes closed, legs tied, nipples pegged; …well you get my drift.
The battle site of Dien Bien Phu is indeed a massive area of mountainous terrain, coupled to that of unpredictable weather. While Hanoi was of course much more lively and colourful, Dien Bien Phu is just a quite town, which is gradually being developed as a tourist attraction.
In terms of the military aspects, we traversed and actually trekked up several of the defensive strongpoints erected by the French and learned further on how the Viet Minh approached this points and slowly encircled the French position. And I actually learn to admire the Vietnamese more. A land of stoical people, who had for centuries endured encroachment by its larger, more powerful neighbours, not to mention, the Western entities from the last century. From China, to the Mongols, the French and not to forget the Americans. They are a group of battle hardened people, slowly recuperating itself from the ravages of the Vietnam and Indochina War.
The stuffs there is much cheaper of course, but one of e negatives was the food that was actually prepared for us. First things first, without the general option of eating meat, and resorting to fish, rice and vegetables (not much Halal around), we had to endure the low quality stuffs that the hotel had for us. If the Non-Muslim Honours students were not enjoying theirs, what about us man. And to add fuel to the fire, I emailed the professor a week before going off on the possibility of finding halal food. The tour guide replied, and in the end did get contacts for halal food. The problem however was that we had to go there ourselves (me and Adhana). That option was open to us on the last night at Vietnam for the breaking of our fast, upon returning to DBP. We went to this Indian Muslim eaterie called Tandoor Restaurant, and the greatness of that luxury was enhanced when juxtaposed against the average fare that we got the past few days. Heaven indeed.
Also, the trip actually bonded a group of us, 12 to be exact. We really had fun together and now Honours year is much more sweet because of that. Next year thered be a trip for one of the modules too, this time to Melaka and Sarawak. Am looking forward to that.
Finally, I have to say that the quality of the ladies in Vietnam is phenomenal man. Honest. I was really impressed. hahaha…. A mixture of austronesian and mongoloid influences. Also, you should try Vietnamese coffee. Best coffee that I have ever tested man. Brought back lots.
P.S: If youre interested, look out for this guy in Wikipidea: General Vo Nguyen Giap.
He is the commander of the Viet Minh forces during both the Indochina War and the Vietnam war, and is widely regarded to be one the best generals of this epoch. He is still around also, at the ripe old age of 96.
Captions (Starting from the top left hand corner)
1) Alwin, Harris, Nanda and me posing as rock stars
2) The motley crew of individuals who resort to playing card games whenever theres free time
3) Me and Adhana with Thun, our tour guide for the trip
4) The impressive defenses of the French garrison Eliane, a place where one of the fiercest fighting occured between Viet Minh and French forces
5) The crater caused by Viet Minh sapping, a result of the placement of 900 tons of bombs beneath French positions
6) Walkin down one of the many strongpoints of the French
7) Nanda and me arguing over the tactical approach
One of the minority groups in Vietnam, pretty arent they?
9) The view from one of the hills
10) Fancy taking a bath in there? Ancient bathing pool for Vietnamese scholars in the ancient scholar building
11) The various war artefacts from both the Indochina War and the Vietnam War
12) Breathtaking view of the sea scape below from the propeller propelled plane
13) 37 mm anti-aircraft gun
14) A moment of sensored brilliance? Guess what its for?? Its actually a tomb!! To think that this sort of figurines encircled the said tomb.
15) At the Ho Chi Minh Mauseloum. The father of Vietnamese nationalism
16) Debating on tactical operation in De Castries bunker, the Commander of the French forces at Dien Bien Phu
17) Playing the card game Werewolves
18) The Glorious war dead of the Viet Minh
