Saigon/HCMC...potato/potarto

Well, it was time to catch another night bus to Saigon....now named Ho Chi Minh City since the end of the war.  I was really looking forward to finding out about the history of the was as I was very ignorant and only knew that it had happened.

Arrived in the morning and found my hostel was across the road down a side alley.  After telling a taxi driver to do one when he told me it was 15 minutes away I went and checked in.  I was starving! I went for a wonder and ate at the first restaurant I was dragged into.  Burger and chips...had to be done.  I then went to a local chemist to get some stuff for my coldsores which had developed...all bloody 3 of them on my top lip. Looked like a bleedin duck LOL!  After I got the medicine (with HERPES on the box in big bold letters) I went back and got online.  Later that day I was invited to go for dinner with my roomies.  I was well chuffed!  At last, people who wanted to socialise!  Wanted to join them in a hotpot but didn't want to risk spreading my lurgie so had chilli beef with noodles.  Early night for us all so I watched 'Weekend At Bernies'.  Reminded me of Chris and was fooking hilarious.

My dorm room

The next morning I was up at 7am to get my tour to the Mekong Delta. YAWNNNN! On the bus I was sat next to a German guy.  He rudely turned his back to me and talked to a French woman all the way there.  Ignorant bastard!  There was the saving grace of another English girl on the trip called Gemma.  We got on great and made the 6 hour round trip bearable.  We went to through a floating fruit market (on a boat of course lol), then to watch rice paper, popping rice, and rice candy being made.  Then we went to a Honey place.  Where there's honey....there's bee's!!  Freaked out when he brought a slate full of them near me.  Drank my honey tea and made a quick sharp exit out of the place. BURRRRGHHH!  Later we went for lunch which was great.  After that we went on a rowing boat and got to wear the traditional hat - highlight.  Small things eh? Ha ha.  When we got back, Gemma and I had dinner then parted ways.  Good day.

Mekong River

Popping rice...tasted like sugar puffs

Rice wine....dont mind if I do

rice paper

ARGH!! snakes and scorpians in a bottle!

Last pic before my speedy exit

Lunch

Its all about the hat

The next day was lie in day and errands.  I emailed Amazon about my Kindle and low and behold they were gonna replace it free of charge!  I was so chuffed.  Its currently on its way to Thailand for me to collect before Xmas.  I went to change my flight at the Emirates office, posted my old Kindle home and went to find the war museum.  This time I was prepared for the pictures.  Still horrible though and left still not knowing about why the war happened.  That night I decided on a few drinks.  Got talking to 2 guys in the dorm and 1 of them asked if he could join me.  Company again...YES!  Had a few beers and chatted the night away.  Stopped off at then local 7/11 to buy some noodles as I'd not had any tea.  It was 2am...WHOOPS!

Post Office

Notre Dam Cathedral

Agent Orange dropped by the Americans devastated all kinds of life  

Outside the museum

Woke up early at 7:30am for the tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels.  A bit groggy but ok.  Was sat next to a guy from Wigan on the bus. Yes! a fellow northerner.  At the toilet stop a girl from the bus came over and asked where we were from.  I said England and she said 'well what language were we speaking?' I was confused then we burst out laughing.  That's proper northern english for ya hahahaha!  Had a great day and got to go through the tunnel.  It was really surreal as there was gunfire around us from the firing range as we walked around.  I wanted a go but didn't have enough money on me.  Ran into Andrew from the night before.  He was rough....thought Aussies could drink lol.  Still left not knowing about the bloody war!  Today was Si's birthday and all I could think was how much he would have loved this place.

Can you spot the tunnel entrance???

No chance of a kodak moment for me...my ass is way to big

OUCH!!! Bamboo trap

Inside the tunnel

Got back to my hostel and as i'd checked out I managed to swindle a bed for a few hours kip.  Only, the air con packed in and just lay there sweating my ass off.  Bleedin typical.  8pm came around and time to catch the bus to Nha Trang.

On the 'shish' with Andrew

Ahhhhh luxury at last on this night bus..zzzzzzzzz