Saigon

We again arrived early at 6.30am and after finding a few hotels full, we found one called The Peace Hotel with a room for $10 alas it was on the 4th floor.  After a few hours sleep we refuelled and went in search of a market that looked nearby alas there were no souviners just random household goods and raw meat.  That night we had our first Saigon beer in a restuarant of the same name. 

Man in hole

The next day we got up early for our trip to the tunnels which went via the obligatory 'handicraft tourists you must by tat' shop.  Once we arrived at the tunnels we all got a sticker and watched a short film about the war which as you can imagine was very anti American.  Next we saw a man pop down into the tunnel through a really small hole and cover it up as if he was never there -  fascinating.  Next we saw a variety of traps that they used to kill the Americans, if one of those spikes went through you it must of hurt a fair bit, that's if you survived mind ;-)  Next stop was the shooting range but as me and Sarah were jumping everytime a gun was fired we didn't have a go ourselves, mind you can you imagine either of us with an AK47!!  Next we went in an actual tunnel as you can imagine it was a very small space and very dark, how they moved through them so quick I have no idea.  Everyone was crawling through as did I until I realised that I could crouch and shuffle along on my feet, Vietnam is the only country where it pays to be short.  Final stop was to sample some local food it was some bizarre white stuff with no taste and neither of us can remember what it was called.  After lunch we went on another geo caching expedition, we failed on the first time despite finding the location and spending ages feeling around in an electrical box trying miserably to look nonechelant in front of random Vietnamese muggles.  Then we went in search of the 2nd one it was on this journey we perfected the art of crossing the road, the trick is to hide behind a local it works like a charm as firstly they know what they are doing and secondly the motorbikes will get them first ;-)  At one pint me and Sarah were sandwiched between 2 old Vietnamese ladies wearing conical hats which must have looked a funny sight to any onlooker.  Anyway the GPS took us to a posh hotel but we couldn't find what we were looking for until Sarah suggested we walked through the hotel lobby which we did gawping around at how the other half live and probably looking very out of place, though once we were safely out of the door at the otherside a member of staff did ask us if we were going on the tour that was waiting to go so we couldn't have looked that common.  Luckily we located the cache which was a plaque behind a tree so our battle with Vietnams roads wasn't in vain.  We chose a place with pretty fairy lights for tea and it also had a happy hour which alas was Fosters so we had to break from our local beer run.  After a search for an ATM we ended up in the Guns and Roses bar (you can guess what music it plays) to have a drink for my sister who recommended the place, it was a tad quiet at first until a nearby stool became occupied by a big fat guy which I thought was American but Sarah went for Bavarian (we never found out) the reason I mention him is because unfortunatly I coaught his eye in the mirror and he gave me a knowing nod and a smile as if to say 'get your coat love you've pulled' as he was clearly not my type I looked away quickly and tried to explain discreetly to Sarah what had just happened.  After pictires with the neon sign and Axel Rose we went to find another bar and chose one with flashing lights.  Here we met an English guy living in Canada he gave us both 'I Love Canada' stickers and made us honury Canadians which was nice, we also met his wife and son.  On the way back to the hotel we met a girl called Sarah who we had chatted to in Nha Trang so we joined her and her swedish friend for 'a one for the road' beer I also discovered the joy of salted popcorn which I never thought I would, mind you I haven't tried them sober yet ;-)  Once we got back to the hotel it was locked and we had to ring the doorbell for about five minutes before we could get in and climb the 4 flights to bed.

Hmm don´t step here

The next day we went for a cheap hangover brekkie and then went in search of the post office we however got distracted by a market on the way which had a few souviners stalls which we naturally had to make a few purchases from, it also had the obligatory food section which you have to hold your nose when you go through as the smell of dried fish and whatever else they sell can make you feel a bit queasy.  We located the post office in a rather fancy building and purchased our stamps, part of our change also came in stamps which was noce and completly useless!!!  Next we had a look around the cathedral whose statues of Mary and Jesus came complete with neon halos.  Next we found the Reunification Palace which was nearby it was a 60's building and wasn't very pretty luckily the street opposite had loads of red lanterns still hanging from new year which did look very pretty.  After going back to our favourite bargain smoothie place we headed out for an Indian and our last beer in a Vietnam pub called Le pub whose sister bar we spent a lot of time in when we were stuck in Hanoi for new year.

Aimee in tunnel

After packing up in the morning we went to Good Morning Vietnam cafe for our last meal in Vietnam before wandering oround the shops and the market again followed by another smoothie, then it was off to the airport in the safety of a taxi.

And they all aim for white female tourists

Hmm our churches need more neon lights

Nice banners