Victoria Can Tho Resort Ho Chi Minh City

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... and it was really quite upsetting. The museum displays artilery and tiger cages used during the war. Also lots of photos of the victims of war, the effect of Agent Orange..truely horrific.<br><br>We caught up with an old work mate, Keith Gorman for dinner from my 3 days. I hadn't seen Keith in 6 years so was great to catch up.<br><br>Next stop Mekong Delta for 2 nights and crossing into Cambodia on a boat!<br><br><br>

... lived and worked here a long time. Other than me she was the only Westerner, so I'm so glad she turned up when I needed her! We had a laugh about my predicament and she walked me to a reputable taxi and told him where I needed to go. <br><br>When I spoke to Mark about it later that evening, he said I was heading way out of town on that bus, probably towards the Mekong Delta, so I'm glad the bus stopped when it did!<br ...

... br><br>Back in Ho Chi Minh city we encountered the market and got one hell of a fright when everyone started yelling and grabbing our arms pulling us into their stores ... and I thought the markets in Istanbul were bad!<br>So we pretty much avoided the middle of the market and stuck to the outside where you didn't get so hassled.<br>We had an early night as we were leaving at 7am the next morning ... these early mornings are killers!!<br><br>

... free lunch consisted white rice with about a half cup of stir fried vegetables and an inedible (for me) piece of pork. <br><br>After lunch we were provided with bicycles and a one and a half hour time limit to explore the town. We took off down a road, passing by rice patties, houses, small stores, and crossing several bridges. After the uneventful yet relaxing bike ride, we boarded a speed boat which took us back to Ho Chi Minh (three hours!). The best part about the speed boat ...

Argh, problem with moving around so fast is that blogging falls seriously behind, but it is currently 11.30 here, and I shall fight through weariness in the name of accurate travel blogging. So the second day of Ho Chi Minh....I woke up thinking 'good god if I here a horn one more time I may scream', and promptly heard another one. Thus screamed into pillow so as not to wake others. But nevertheless pressed on with the day, with ...

... Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam. I was so tired that I slept all day and didnt venture out til about 4..... so far it seems cool but hectic... like all the other big Asian cities.... I thought Phnom Penh had a lot of mopeds but I've never seen so many mopeds! <br>Oh and I'm really trying to reign in my spending but I was so tired when I got a taxi here, it was the first time I'd used the currency and the driver didn't correct me... I paid him 20quid instead of 2quid for my journey ...

... a series of photos of a U.S. gunner before, during and after a failed mission. Harrowing indeed. There were also endless photos of Agent Orange victims - some incredibly deformed - it was all very sobering. One exhibit contained a sewer pot where some Vietnamese civilians had been hiding before being massacred by a group led by one Bob Kerrey - who would go on to become a U.S. Senator. Some bits were decidedly nationalistic in tone, particularly the detailed section on how the U.S ...

... Vietnam" etc. I also find it strange that American currency is widely used here. Even in the museum they were selling old American soldiers dog tags (that I think MAY be authentic) for $5 USD. I think that's weird.<br><br>The museum itself doesn't just talk about the American War, but several wars. It used to be called the "War Crimes Museum" but changed its name because it seemed to off put the tourists....wonder why?! <br>Outside you've got all this stuff that ...

The end of our journey in Vietnam is fast approaching and it won't be long before we embark on our private cruise to Cambodia, but that's another story. So one last excursion is needed and roughly 50 kilometres away is a great piece of history which optimise's the spirit and guile of the Vietnamese. The Cu Chi tunnels.<br><br> Our hotel arranged a half day tour for $6, which included transport and an excellent well spoken guide (called Hai), who ...