Today I went on another history lesson & visited the Cu Chi tunnels.

Despite being over an hour late setting off, we made a commission based stop for the tour operator on the way there at the handicapped factory (who the tour guide described as "victims" - although not quite sure what of yet).

We pulled up to see hundreds of glum faced tourists waiting for their busses (we knew what was coming). Not one of the workers were handicapped so it's clear that the only "victims" were the tourists who were brought here to purchase this overpriced, commission based tit tat!

After finally getting out of the "handicapped" factory, we were back on course for the tunnels.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a propaganda filled video made in the sixties. If it wasn't so over the top I could have probably taken it more serious, but with comments such as: "like evil flying devils, the American planes dropped their B-52 bombs on the peaceful village" it was always difficult not to laugh.

The most fascinating part began when we actually started to learn more about the underground tunnel network and how the Vietnamese lived & survived down there.

We saw how narrow the entrance hole was (pictured). A few people had a go at hiding down there, but if I had a go I'd never get back up!

We saw craters where the American B-52 bombs were dropped. We also saw an American tank & various self made weapon traps which were designed to kill Americans. Some of them really looked lethal and I'm sure many soldiers died when walking over them.

We had the opportunity to fire some weapons, which some obliged, however I'd had my fill in Siem Reap.

The best part was when we actually got to crawl through part of the tunnels. They had clearly been widened for the tourists but you could imagine a man of my height really struggled through them. Not good if you're claustrophobic!

I can't imagine how they lived down there for several months. I was down there five minutes and couldn't wait to get out. The heat was unbearable, its a surprise they didn't die of heat exhaustion.

The final stage was to try some local snack. I can't remember the name but it was part of a tree root that looked like a banana!

I've had yet another fantastic day, and yet another thing to tick off the list as this is a place I really wanted to visit.

After a much needed siesta, it's now time to shower up & investigate some bars (I call it research!)