Ho Chi Minh (Siagon)

To get to Vietnam we took a 7 hour bus journey. We had to stop twice at the boarder to get our visas stamped. Firstly we got stamped out of Cambodia. Drove across the boarder with a half an hour lunch stop in between to get stamped into Vietnam. Here we had to take all of our luggage off the bus and wait in a swarm of people for your name to be called out, once your name was called you'd walk to the security collect your passport and your through to Vietnam!! "Annie" was called twice before we clicked that's probably Anne-Marie; We then had to put our bags through security - Anne-Marie has been paranoid about doing this ever since reading books on drug smuggling in Asia! Once our bags were scanned it was another check of the passports and back on the bus for two hours before reaching Ho Chi Minh city.

When we arrived we walked around for an hour up and down the same streets trying to find our accommodation. At the time we didn't realise the streets all have different ally's leading off where the hotels all were. We checked in to Giang Son 3 which was very nice & clean.

We drew out £62 worth Vietnamese Dong - 2 million Dong!! So then we went to the indoor market where you can buy every fake good you can think of. Jake found 2 vests that he liked so tried haggling the local down. We got him down a little and Jake was satisfied with what he bought for the price- we walked around the corner where Jake started swearing to himself. He just realised he been completely ripped off and actually paid £22 for these vests!! He went back to the man, saying he paid way too much and said far play mate you done me. After asked of he could just take one back and still pay the extortionate price. The bloke said no as it was the best quality material and different to everywhere else. I then smiled to myself and realised that I should take it and be thankful it was only £20. It doesn't sound much but we've been paying about £2 for them everywhere else. Jake was in mood walked out of the market and we haven't returned there since. That evening we sat down at a street vendor which barbecued kebabs. From fish to ostrich you could pretty much get it all. Working out at around 30p a kebab we ordered loads and just shared. Jake ordered ostrich and made Anne marie try - needless to say she wasn't keen at first but loved it once she had a bite, exactly the same as when karen tricked her into eating venison for the first time. The beer is also incredibly cheap. 12,000 Dong (35p) can get a bottle of saigon beer. The bottle is the same size as a magners bottle so it's pretty big! Tiger is also on draft which is out favourite lager. I think we're gonna like Vietnam!

We went to the CuChi tunnels. What a quality trip! The guide was very informative and gave us tonnes of information on Vietnam and the lunar new year which is fast approaching. He was called ak without the 47 was he kept reminding us. The tunnels were very interesting. The Vietnamese were soooo clever in the war. People lived underground for months at a time in order to survive. They set boobey traps everywhere. AK showed us many traps and you wouldn't want to be caught in one!
We had a go through the tunnels. You could exit every 15m. The first 15 was the widest and then it got smaller. The last 15n was how it was during the war. If you made it the whole 105m you were deemed as superman. Anne marie led the way and went out at 75m. Jake had a loud, cocky American behind him. He went out at 60m so Jake carried on the whole 105m. The last 15m were deep underground, boiling hot and very narrow! Everyone was on their hands and knees and im sure someone farted! At one point there was a corner and my shoulders wouldn't fit through. I had to go on my side and shuffle around the corner. Was worth getting dirty though!

During the trip there was a shopping range and we had a chance to fire a gun. We paid $10 dollars each for 10 bullets. Anne marie fired a carbine and I fired 5 in an M60 and 5 in an M16. Jesus Christ we nearly dislocated our arms. Anne marie was laughing and screaming at the same time when firing!

We then came back, pretty hungry after not having lunch. We smashed a big Mac inside us and then went for a beer. Jake had an email come through to say that he has an interview when we get back at St erme school. Anne marie went and had shellac on her nails for £4 pound whilst Jake celebrated with more beers. Then it was back for more kebabs and bed.
Today we are travelling 4 hours north to Mui Ne. We think that everyone is right about Vietnam and we're pretty sure it's going to be our favourite country too!