I explore the side streets, so much to feed to the senses. Locals playing chess in the small cafes, small tailor shops, street barbers, mobile vendors with fruit or other foods, ice cream style music plays when they pass. Saigon has a lot to absorb. I find the mopeds fascinating. With so many of them, the pavements are either full - boxes, parked vehicles, people, or used as a way of driving the wrong way down a street. I've got used to it but road crossing ...

I get up and have breakfast. The hotel may be a nice treat but its sterile with fake smiles and overly fancy furnishings and lights. Company is one of the main drawers to backpacking for me, but I consider that this is only for a few days. I go off exploring, but first take my camera to be fixed. I had found the location of a Canon repair centre which turns out to be fairly close to the hotel. I walk through the streets and if Hanoi was busy, it's got nothin...

I set my alarm to get up to see Emma off but my alarm fails to go off on my new awful phone. I am glad though as that would have been one of the saddest goodbyes on my trip so far. I go for one last breakfast and I will miss her company dearly. I was so glad we got to do the Hai van pass trip together. I check out of the hotel and leave my bag for a last walk around. After last night the heat is unbearable so I find a small cafe for a mango smoothie and banana...