Hey hey. . . Hello again. . . Well we got to Saigon a lot quicker than I thought. . . The journey was helped by the fact that I spent most of it writing up my blog. . . But hey, why not?!?!

We got to Ho Chi Min City around 10.30 and after jumping in a taxi, we made it to district 1, the main backpacker area, with all the hotels, etc. . . . We had a place in mind and the taxi driver dropped us off nearby. . . However just opposite the side road down to our hotel of choice, we were greeted by a warm welcome form some girls in a bar, so me and Nick decided we should drop in for a quick beer and to chill after carrying the bags, plus we were not exactly sure where the hotels was, so Claire was consulting her book!

The guys in the bar where really nice and it was a great welcome to the city and just proves how nice the people are, which makes the border crossing look even more depressing for the country!

Anyway, we had a few beers and a good laugh with the guys, they also had free WIFI connection, so we all took the opportunity to get things up to date! We ended up staying in there for a couple of hours, having food and after a few more beers, we felt very merry, happy and content!

The hotel was where we thought so decide to check it out and it again turned out to be a really nice place. The people were lovely and very welcoming. With free WIFI and breakfast included it was a no brainer. . . . The rooms were immaculate and very comfortable. . . . We chilled out for few hours, booked a trip to the war tunnels for the next day, then went on a mission to the local market. . . Claire was feeling the urge to spend. . . ! I also wanted to get myself a new camera, as I said before mine packed up!

Just as we entered the market area, some 15 minute walk away, the heavens opened and the thunder cracked. . . . This really just gave us an excuse to mozy on round the market for a bit. . . . Darkness began to fall and the rain still poured, so with Claire's purchases in hand we made for another shopping area, for me to find a camera. . . . We never really found it and feeling tired and wet, we decided to head back, drop Claire's bags off and consult with the guys in the hotel. . . . They recommended a place, but later when we tried it they didn't have what I wanted. . . Although this camera broke, I did want the same as a replacement. . . It has been great and is so easy to use, so I was on a mission for a Casio Exilim. . . . We eventually found a place and after a little negotiating, I got the newer model for about £112, so I was chuffed to bits. . . . !

We then head back towards home and found a nice terrace bar overlooking the street to grab a beer and some food! After that we were all pretty much done in, so had an early night, as we were up early the next day for the trip!

In the morning, we got some nice breaky and coffee, before getting picked up for the trip. . . The bus was pretty full, with about 20 or so people, some French and some Aussies, but I didn't mention the rugby. . . ! hehehehe. . . The trip started with a little tour guide dude giving us all sorts of history of stuff and I seemed to tune out as he slowly sent me to sleep, sorry, history isn't really my thing! He did also go on a little about our stop break at a 'free' toilet. . Blab la bla. . . . But then, an hour or so into the journey he said we were unable to stop at the free station for a break, but hey, we could visit this factory where they have free toilets. . . !

What a con, just to get you to a factory so you might by something! Now, I didn't mind to much because I haven't done many trips like this and it was quite interesting to see them making all the trinkets that people buy. . . . You wouldn't believe all the work that goes into it. . . ?!?! Anyway, after there and another 40 minutes with the crazy bus driver, we arrived at our destination.

We were at a Vietnam war site with bomb holes, trenches and underground tunnels. . . We paid to get in, then like sheep we were taken round, first we saw a video on the history and then were given a translated briefing of the tunnels, etc. . . It was quite interesting seeing it from their side of things, rather than the American propaganda. . . ! There were a lot of tourist there, which I didn't like as we were ushered around, but we did get to see some of the tunnel entrances and traps that the had had during the war. . . !

All the time, in the background you could hear random gunfire going off, which made it all feel a little eerie. . . After a few stops and brief explanations on things from our guide, we got to tank and managed to get some pics with us sat in it, which was pretty cool, but still the gunfire was getting louder. . And then we were there. . . Boy's heaven, a firing range, with real guns that you good shoot. . . ! needless to say me and Nick got our cash out and paid for some AK-47 assault rifle bullets and headed down to the range. . . . The noise was awesome and to actually shoot a real gun, it felt cool. . . . ! I also took some video footage of some other guys shooting M16 machine guns and stuff. . . There was a Canadian guy who made us laugh, he loved it and bought loads. . . I think he could have stayed there all day. He must have off loaded about 30 rounds in one go. . . Again the sound was awesome, a little scary, but Wow!

With the adrenalin still pumping we headed off to a few more areas before getting a chance to go through one of the tunnels. . . . Very claustrophobic, but again, a great experience! After that we pretty much headed back and got back on the bus for the trip back. . . . On the way back the heavens decided to open again, but that still didn't seem to slow anybody down on the roads. . . I tell you what, I never seen anything like how some of these guys drive! I love it. . . . . Once back in the city, we were given the chance of being dropped of at the war museum, but being as it was raining and we were hungry, we decided against it. Instead we were dropped near our place, but just jumped into the nearest café / restaurant and had a beer and bite to eat while the weather eased off. . .

The rain did stop, so we headed back to the hotel to chilled out for few hours, but before we made it back, our new friends from the bar were shouting 'hello'. . . . Claire wasn't feeling too well, so headed back, but me and Nick stopped for a beer, or two or three. . . hehehehe. . . It was a really nice afternoon chatting with the guys, telling them about our day and showing them the videos of us shooting guns, etc. . . . I even took a used bullet shell as a souvenir, but one of the girls wanted it, so I kindly said 'OK'. . . . After a beer and the chats, we headed to the upstairs in the bar and played on the really nice 'free' pool table. . . I played terribly, much to Nick's amusement, but still, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon. . . !

That evening we stayed local, well more specifically we went back to that bar, had food there and a laugh again with the guys. . . Claires still wasn't feeling so good, so headed home for an early night, so me a Nick stayed ou and had a good chat about life and travels. I really enjoy their company and feel I have met some good friends in them two!

Later we headed up stairs again and met an English and played pool with him. . . I played awful again, but hey, whatever! The guy was a bit of a numpty and his opinions about football didn't seem to fall inline with ours, so we had a bit of banter we him, played pool, then called it a night as again, we where up early for heading off again up the east coast. . . .

In the morning, we had some breaky again and said our farewells to the lovely people at the hotel and were pleasantly surprised with our bus. . . We had bought an open ticket for $16 that would take the 2000 or so km's to Hanoi, making several stopovers on the way!

So, that's me for now. . . Will speak again soon and let you know what the east coast is like! As for Saigon. . . What a great place. . . Beautiful, friendly, helpful people. . . Ciao for now x x x