Sweaty Saigon!

me at reunifcation palace- Saigon
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Arrived into Saigon at 530am! We were both whacked as hadn't slept at all!  When we got off the train a wall of heat hit us- geez was it humid!  We ended up getting cyclos (a bike with a carriage for one person on the front) to our guest house. I felt so sorry for the men taking us there as they had our bags and us to pedal all the way! It was a bizarre experience getting cycloed around Siagon at 530am. Thank god it wasn't rush hour as they paid no attention to the traffic lights and just did as all the Veitnamese seem to do and just go for it!  Had to wait 3jrs until we could check in but was happy to just sit and relax.

Canoe trip down the Mekong river
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Had a big greasy breakfast and then the magnetic force from the tailors shop dragged us back in!  I ended up ordering 2 more dresses and a top. You just can't help yourself!  Laura got more clothes made too.  It's a crime not to!

History lesson

In the afternoon we braved the local buses again and went to the Cu Chi Tunnels. It took us nearly 2hrs and 2 buses to get there and we were proud of ourselves going by bus. No other tourist but u on them. We were star attraction- AGAIN!  We had a gudie take us around the amazing complex. The tunnels are amazing.  I managed to stoat my head off one of the tunnel roofs- awoch. You have to bend in half to get through them.  Laura had a bat fly into her head!  We saw the bamboo trap that the guerillas used to trap the USA troops= pretty nasty if you ask me!  We then got to taste tapioca and some local tea. A very intersting afternoon.  Took us forever to get back to Siagon as we hit motorbike rush hour!

me in one of the Cu chi tunnels
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On day 2 we went on a day trip to the Mekong Delta. Its one of the longest rivers in the World. On our way there we passed many rice fields. In fact 80% of rice grown in Vietnam comes from this area. I was shocked to see that there were gravestones randomly plunked in the middle of these fields!

We spent our day boat and island hopping. We stopped at the local fruit market where there was  a variety of local fruits , v colourful. We went to Turtle Island for lunch and then went to another island to see the coconut and sugar cane plantation. We got to see the local ladies making coconut candy. It tasted yummy. We were also given a shot of banana wine "Happy wine" to taste. Man it was potent! It may have been bright yellow in colour but i tatsed non banana- it was more like whiskey to me. No wonder the locals call it "happy wine!".  Had  cup of honey and madarin tea as we listened to the locals playing music and singing.  Our guide brought out a huge python! I opted to stay well back. I am game for most things put to to snake charming! Lastly we went on 4 man canoes and were paddled up the river by ther local ladies. We were given the Vietnamese conical hats to wear to protect us from the sun. I looked like a right muppet but i didnt care as stopped my heid burning! A nice relaxing day out at sea ;o)

coconut candy-yum yum
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On Sunday we picked up our clothes from the tailors- perfect ;o)  Then we went to the local market and picked up some more bargains. We are getting very good at bartering ;o)  We spent a few hours at Reunification Palace which was alot to take it. More history and polotics!  the palace was huge and were got to see alot of it , including the bunker basement.  Afterwards we went to the War Remenants Museum which was pretty sad. There were graffic pictures of dead soldiers and women and children.  There were also pictures of the horrific disfigurements that the chemical war had left on the local Vietnamese- not nice! A very cheery afternoon eh!

trip down the mekong
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Had a lazy night as was shattered after our day on our feet and day in the heat!  Had a choccie donut to recharge my batteries-good excuse eh!

Off to Cambodia by bus tomorrow morning- 9hrs! Got a 2hr wait at the border too- fun and games! Can't complain as it was only $4!