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So after arriving a lot earlier than we were expecting..4.30am, we checked into a room to get our heads down. We didn't wake again until 10am, even though we both slept well on the bus.
After a spot of lunch we paired up with Sam and Claire to explore the city. First stop was the War Remnants Museum. This was by far the best museum we have been to and explained/displayed what happened during the Vietnam war really well. There was lots of disturbing images and it explained how the Americans sprayed chemicals over the jungles, flattening them and killing millions of people. People in Vietnam today are still suffering because of this! It mainly causes extreme deformity.
After the museum we just wandered around the city seeing a few points of interest along the way, including the opera house, cathedral and central post office. We also found the posh part of town where all the high end shops were; Chanel, Versace, Gucci to name a few..Mum you would have loved it!
That evening we went to see what the night market had to offer...not a lot! After trying on various XL t shirts that were no where near big enough and a disappointing meal we called it a night!
The next day we visited Cu Chi tunnels. On the way we stopped to check out a factory/gift shop where some victims of agent orange (chemical spread by Americans) create various pieces of art work to earn a living. So clever and very touching to see people so badly affected but still making the most of their talents, rather than begging in the streets, which we have also seen.
The tunnels were dug by the Viet Cong during the war to out smart the Americans. They were very impressive, like little rabbit runs covering a total distance of 250km.
Our guide filled us in on all the info and showed us various boobie traps that were also used..very clever! We then got to go in the tunnels. How they managed to stay down there for so long I do not know. We travelled 10m underground which was more than enough! Apart from Jazz who couldn't even face going in!
We had the opportunity to pay and shoot a gun. Myself and Sam seized the moment and chose an M1 rifle, the most powerful they had to offer, and powerful it was. We shot 5 rounds each which was more than enough, it made you realise how ridiculous it must have been to live through the war. The noise alone was disturbing enough!
After a great day at the tunnels Jazz wanted to watch the water puppet show, a tradition in Vietnam. Let's just say the money could have been put to better use, but it was an experience I suppose.
On our last morning in the city we woke early for a work out in the park. They have little outdoor gyms everywhere so we thought we'd make use of one of them. It was hard work after not doing any real exercise for weeks but we felt good after!
After doing a few chores, we spent abit of time chilling in the park with Sam and Clare and even played hang man with some local kids. Their parents take them to the park every Saturday to mix with westerners to improve there English. It's definitely paying off as they whipped us at hang man!
Our last night in the city was spent eating BBQ pork and catching up with another 2 couples, one of which Sam and Clare had travelled with in Laos. Turns out we had a brief encounter with them in Chiang Mai. Dinner was a little rushed as we were departing at 10pm for our next destination..Phu Quoc Island!
A taxi ride, 3 mini buses, a sleeper bus and ferry later, we have arrived!!
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