VISITING THE PHU QUOC PRISON

"To be able to get testimony from the revolutionary prisoners, the prison guards at Phu Quoc applied different methods of brutal torture to the prisoners. Some of the tortures include, electric chair injection, breaking one's tooth while other watch crucifixion thrown in a hot pan or hot tank."

Sadness, misery, agony, terrifying and anger are just but the few words that describes the emotions I felt yesterday when we visited the prison. I honestly don't understand but the moment I stepped in inside the prison ground, I felt this heavy burden, having ghost bumps and really pure sadness. I really thought I'm emotionally strong when it comes to things like this but this is completely a different story. Visiting the prison made me realize and understand why some people are so bitter, mean and disliking other people. Hearth breaking. 

inside the prisoners barracks

"The Phu Quoc prison also known as the Coconut Tree prison is located in An Thoi Village Phu Quoc and is one of the largest prisons in Southern Vietnam. The prison held more than 32,000 prisoners and sometimes the prison will hold 40,000 inmates, this was more than the number of people living in Phu Quoc at the time.

The prison was re-built by the U.S troops after it was first build by the French troops during the Indochina war. The new prison had rooms for men, women and elders, new blocks were constructed to imprison more Vietnamese soldiers in 1966 amid tight security and tight supervision all the time."

Yes, I've seen and visited the Killing Fields and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where they 'exhibiting the photographs of the site from Pol Pot's secret prison code named "S-21" during his genocidal rule in 1975-79. It was between 1-2 million Cambodians and many thousands of foreigners were starved, tortured, or killed during this reign of terror." I've also visited the Catacombs of Paris, France which holds the remains of over six million people in a small part of the ancient mines of Paris tunnel network.

I meant to mention the two museums that i've seen because I'm trying to understand the emotional differences I felt when i visited the prison camp. Here, they have recreated a part of the larger prison camp and re-built it to it's former condition using models of soldiers prisoners to depict many horrific scenes throughout the area. Many of the models are shown being tortured in a variety of ways but the most gruesome has to be the barbwire tigers cages. Small two feet high cages only large enough to fit a person in set outside in the heat of the day and cold of night where the information advises on little for and water and fires being set next to them to further burn the prisoners until their skin just came away. Must have been a terrible ordeal. Mind you most of the torture was pretty horrific and the models on display enabled you to get a good impression on how things must have been.

Prisoner in the hot pot.

Prisoner tied, hanged and beaten.

Different ways of torturing the Prisoners

Burying the prisoner alive (photo borrowed from google)

I am not over acting but I honestly, cant stop my tears from falling. It's just about around 2pm when we arrived there, sunny and pretty humid. With my big sunglasses on, I discreetly drying my tears when Ms. Tuyen, my tour guide that day says whilst she's gently comforting me.

Prisoners are locked (more than 8 hours)  inside the container where its very hot, dirty and smelly.

As I'm walking towards the wax exhibits, I suddenly felt this strong connection from the past. It was like two worlds experience. You're in the future and yet the feelings or emotions you have at that moment is on the past. I was telling myself, lucky i didn't experience this events and lucky i was not born or as there during the years of wars. There were about 21 prisoners who where lucky enough to escape from that prison, they dig a tunnel using spoons or any objects that can help on that part, unfortunately, some of them died in the forest because of starvation and some survived and their descendants carry their legacy.

Prisoners are escaping

"To escape from the "Hell on Earth", the prisoners organized over 40 jailbreaks between July 1972 and about 300 inmates escaped to resume their revolutionary cause."

Prisoner digging the tunnel using spoons or any hard materials to dig the soil.

"The entrance of tunnel was usually dug beneath their sleeping planks and was camouflaged carefully. A team was in charge of guarding while other were digging. Tools were rudimentarily made by the prisoners themselves from whatever possible such as spoons or pieces of waste canteens, barbwire and dustbins.

Barbwires to avoid prisoners from escaping

Notably, the first 120m-long tunnel was dug at Room 13 of Prison Camp B2 in late 1969. It took the prisoners half a year to complete the work to enable 21 prisoners to successfully escape. In addition, a 113 meter-long tunnel at Prison Camp A4 men to the freedom in the late of night in December 23rd 1971."

"Among possible ways to escape, such as secretly jumping over fences, attacking enemy troops while they escorted the prisoners to work in field, or digging secrete tunnels which was proven to be the most effective one."

Here's how the original Tiger cage looks like. Saw this outside the prison.

The original Tiger cage (where they detained the prisoner) left outside the prison camp. 

With this recent experience, my anger changed to pity. I felt pity for all of them. The prison emphasized so much on the torturing towards the prisoners and when you think about it, the soldiers are like robots, they are as well doing what it being told them to do so. I think, they all are the victims here. The prison is a must see once you are in Phu Quoc island. I must say that this was the highlight of my trip that day. The moment you go in, you will feel that hardship, the tortures (both emotional and physical) and a big relief once you are out of the prison like the 21 prisoners did.

WEEKEND AT THE VINPEARL GOLF LAND RESORT & VILLAS

It's at least an hour and a half flight from Hanoi to Nah Trang. The flight went pretty well and yes, the sunset view up there was really good. Attempted to take photos but when you're sitting near the exit area, so awkwrd to walk around to take a perfect shot of the sunset.

Re-thinking, I think im getting used to living in a cold weather like Hanoi already, to be honest a similar weather like in Baguio, where I came from. I'm aware that summer weather is gonna be pretty hot but its good to enjoy the season this time of the year.

Landed in NAH TRANG - I always love arriving in Nah Trang, the weather, the people and the place. Not so fancy like a huge city full of traffic and the huzzling and buzzling, lots of highrise building but Nah Trang is so peaceful and zen... at least for me... ;) BUT I think its also important as well to stay somewhere located in a place where you feel at ease. VINPEARL. I thought the place is located in a great location for finding serene. The moment you arrived in the Island, all you wanted to do is leave everything (your stuff) in your hotel room and get out and enjoy the place. The sea view that is soooooo welcoming and the outdoor activities that is appropriate for any age.

Here, we arrived around 7.30 pm and when the lights are on. It's such a beauty. Vinpearl Golf Land Resort & Villas, built on a scenic and peaceful place. I thought the hotel is fabulous! What I love about this place is so new that everything inside are soooo sparkly. When staying in a new hotel, I always love exploring the place. I enjoy viewing their interior decorations, designs, the kids club, restaurants and bar and the combination of modern and cultural ambience in presenting their unique perspectives and etc.. BEAUTIFUL!

So yeah! From a cloudy weather to a blue skies.. Have a great warm weekend my beau-friends!

IT'S HARMLESS!

"We still enjoy swimming." says the couple vacationer swimming this morning at the beach. I went for a walk this morning and I've seen a bit of the dead sea grass floating covering the crystal clear waters. 

If you've been on the water in Nah Trang yesterday you've seen clear water but this morning, you are looking at dead sea grass plaguing the area. The staff here told me that this is the time of the year when dead sea grass are floating on beaches. I was thinking that it's probably the effect of the typhoon which is happening nearby countries. I've been to few beaches but I don't remember seeing dead sea grass this much. The moment I opened my curtain, I saw them floating near the shore, “fisherman are not affected as its not really covering a lot of the sea.” say's the hotel staff.

The fresh water kills the sea grass -- meaning some sea life must go elsewhere. "It's essential for their survival. Whether it be for their reproduction or just as a refuge for their habitat, without those sea grasses they can no longer reproduce or use those areas.” 

 

It was indeed a cleaning up time on for the beaches. I was looking at them collecting the brown sea grass and putting them on the boats to dispose. The cleaning took at least few days. For now, the dead sea grass come and go but at least it's not a lot like the other weeks. I've seen that tourist are enjoying their time because they have access to the sea. 

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

The beauty of the nature always fascinates me. I don't know why but I guess I'm just someone who admire it. Yes, of course, sometimes, its scary but look for example, whenever a volcano explodes, we are scared and yet say, amazing! #Nature sometimes look ugly and yet its still beautiful. <3 

I had my mind blown a while back by Albert #Einstein's quote; “ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” - Thought it describes not only the #environment and #emotions, #feelings.  Now, as I am re-reading it, again I am finding my head nodding in response to everything he says, like...”UNDERSTANDING is having a clear insight into ideas and feelings. We are mindful of what is most important. We go the extra mile to put ourselves in somebody else’s shoes in order to forgive. We treasure knowledge and use our minds to explore what is real and true.”

I am always eager anticipating his new quotes that keeps coming online. Thanks to google for sharing over hundreds of it. Lolz.. 

By saying all saying all these, I feel a soul kinship to his words and thoughts that most of the time resonate so deeply with some of the photos im taking. I may not be able to describe each of the photos im taking but when you connect them through quotes perhaps it links too.

Thank you so much for these beautiful photo. Yes, most of the time, the photo speaks  for itself. 

(photo borrowed on google engine)

MY FIRST THREE WEEKS IN NHA TRANG!

This week was another wonderful week! It’s my third week and now settling is becoming easier. My first two weeks was a bit uneasy but thank God for the beautiful scenery that whenever I open the blinds in the morning, an uplifting beauty is always waiting to be seen and appreciated.

Coffee taste good every morning and I must say that my stamina for many things is going pretty well. Nature is playing its role for this. Good example would be the part that I can go to the city alone and was able to find the grocery store and have an idea of what to buy.


Yesterday was really fantastic because me and my husband were able to find the store where they have most of the stuff or groceries we wanted. Like in Bangkok, they have also huge BIG C department store here, what made me smile was, when I saw Jollibee, yes. there is Jollibee inside the store. Im not a big fan of Jollibee but it certainly reminds me of where I came from, Pilipinas!


This time, I can find my way to few places nearby without asking for help. Nha Trang's transportation is pretty easy, (easier as I expected.) They only have two-lane and the moment you arrived at the city, you can easily navigate where you are. Getting a taxi is easy as well as most taxi drivers speak good English. This three weeks, to me, was more on settling in and being able to decide on things and places to visit. Socially, I continuously receiving invitations but I thought i'd better take it easy for a while. Socializing will come later.

(Maybe) this coming week, I will go and explore Nha Trang. Not going for shopping but getting to know their cultures by visiting their touristic places. Perhaps, locating the places to visit twice a week would probably help. I will not take the tour as its a bit pricy but going for an adventure and discovering the place would be nice.


Whilst typing this, it reminded me when I just arrived here in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Our journey from Thailand to Ho Chi Minh started very well. The moment we arrived at the Nha Trang airport, we were welcome by the hotel rep with her big smile wearing their Vietnamese traditional attire and accompanied us to our transport for Vinpearl.

Twas really a good trip. A bit tiring as we have to fly twice from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh then to Nah Trang. 

Along the way, I never thought about how different it would be. Before coming to Nah Trang, I browse online and check the place and I complain a lot but the moment I arrived, my perspectives changed completely.

From Nha Trang airport to our destination, the scenery along the way was really beautiful and there was NO TRAFFIC! Don't get me wrong, I have been living to cities where I had to use the BTS (trains), subway, taxi, tuktuk and moto and t'was pretty a good experience. But driving on a street where there's no traffic, is really something! At one point, I asked the driver if its possible to stop and to enjoy the scenery but in the end, we choose to keep moving on. We then arrived at our destination before 6pm.


Back to the story; my three weeks here in Nha Trang is going really smoothly. The local people are amazing, they're friendly at least to me. I was honestly stunned. This fresh three weeks experience taught me a lot. I am slowly adopting the culture and continuously learning.

Lastly, I have no advice for now but its always good to check on google the things you wanted to do in Nha Trang: I say, stop thinking too much, stop planning too much and just live. As cheesy as that is, if you constantly plan and think you’ll miss out. I'm sure Nha Trang has a lot to offer.

I FEEL YOU

Ocean, waves, water, color, skies and clouds

The sounds of the sea, so calm and so with the time.

Waves coming, closer and closer then it disperse on the shore.

Inhale and exhale, the wind, the air...

So fresh, it cleanse my spirit and my soul.

The colour, so blue when its shallow, 

The colour, so green when its hollow.

The distance, so wide,

You cannot hide.

People swimming, laughing, enjoying your wave force, that splashes to their skins ashore.

I admire your glorious size,

The infinity that sometimes resembles love...

Sun sets in and your colour change.

And even in the dark your beauty shines in.

Its time for me to continue walking and these i'm grateful.

Thank you Lord for all these wonderful gifts.

A sight of admiration that never fade.