March 25th (Wednesday) - Day 25 - Ho Chi Minh City

Because out flight was late we were unable to book our trip for today. Instead we had to get up really early to go book it. We wanted to go to the Co Chi tunnels. This is where the VC hid right under the Americans noses. It is a system of under ground tunnels stretching over 250Km, interlinked with everything they needed; kitchens, hospitals, schools, war rooms, bomb shelters etc. We found some tickets straight away so had an hour to kill. As my camera had broken I found somewhere to get it fixed. It set me back 25 us dollars. We jumped on the bus and stopped off on the way at a handy craft market all run by disabled people. Walking around the corner I bumped into two old school friends from 10 years ago, Emlyn and Shaun.It was so random and I was speechless. They where 5 minutes ahead of us on the same tour. Just on a different bus. We had a chat and got back on the bus. We arrived at the tunnels and were guided to the first exhibit. Some how we got put in a different room to our group and we got a 20 minute talk from a VC veteran which was really interesting. When we left we could not find our group and the wardens were asking us to leave. We put up a fight and went to find our group. We caught up with them by a captured American tank. We saw some man traps laid by the VC, a weapons production area and a kitchen. We then had the chance to go into the tunnels. They were deep under ground and not very high so I had to crouch. It got deeper as you went in. I didnt last very long in the first tunnel but did the whole length of the second tunnel. After a cup of tea we were back on the bus to the city. It dropped us off at the war remnants museum. Out side were loads of US military vehicles and inside was a load of pictures that were taken in the war. Some were very graphic. Afterwards I picked up my camera which was working again and joined the rest of the group for a cyclo tour. These are bikes but with a seat at the front and the saddle at the back. My driver seemed really nice. We went to see the palace, cathedral, post office, opera house and the rich area. It was hair raising at times because no body waits on the roads and makes a turn regardless of whats going on. Its because of this I saw my first crash. A taxi pulled out and a bike went into the side of it. No body was hurt but the bike was a write off. At the hotel I went to tip the driver with all the small notes I had and he throw it back in my face. Last time I tip!! Went for dinner with the group and had a few drinks at a road side bar.