We made it eventually across the border after our panicked rush here through PP from the paradise beaches of Sihanoukville. Rushed here to get to DHL and the South Korean embassy on time.....on Chinese New Year when the city pretty much shuts down. So the embassy is closed all week, and we spend every day checking at DHL to find out on Friday, that it's also closed until Monday. Time well spent then.

Tori and Tyler caught up with us here from the beaches, and we all ventured forth into the wonders of Ho Chi Minh City. The market was closed unfortunately, and John Wayne (who we have been recommended for the Cu Chi tunnel tour) is on holiday. Laura has come down with some sort of stomach bug and we are all now feeling very sorry for ourselves in a busy, noisy city, where 80% of things are shut.

So we cheer ourselves up with coffee and cake and onward we go.

We make it to the Cu Chi tunnels, without John Wayne, but with another, almost as funny, guide. It's incredible seeing everything that the Vietnamese soldiers had to endure. It's not just the trench warfare that we know of in Europe, but tiny, tiny tunnels, built just big enough for the small Asians to fit in, but not big fat American soldiers. The entrances can be as small as one foot's length depth (that's an actual foot not 12 inches) and there are so many different traps and methods of keeping the enemy out it's a little scary.

The War Remnants Museum tells a little more about the American methods of warfare and the ongoing effects of Agent Orange. It's so sad and really hard-hitting. I think a bit more intense even than the Killing Fields in Cambodia, as the children of people in the war are still being affected, and we can see people in the streets still suffering the effects. It's really heart-wrenching, and the support they have from the state is minimal, so it's really difficult to see. But important to learn about we think.

We finally make it to the market, and a night market as well, so we can begin looking for clothes we are going to need in our new home! (It's winter in SK and we are both completely underprepared!) A new pair of jeans for Laura (only a tenner and quite convincing fakes I think!) and another t-shirt for Sean...I just don't think he gets the concept of cold weather yet... There are a few 'genuine' North Face raincoats knocking around that may yet be purchased before we leave as well.

Tori and Tyler move on to Mui Ne and the beaches, after many many rounds of hearts (just because you never know which might be your last) and for our last game, Tori finally wins! Woo hoo. And Tyler lost, how the grand master has fallen! He's clearly taught us too well. We waved them off in the morning with a gift of personalised cards, and hope to see them at the beach if this DHL parcel EVER arrives, or anything in this city EVER opens again....