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We were picked up early from the hotel this morning and taken to our 'big bus' that would take us all the way to Saigon in Vietnam! As soon as we boarded, the conductor took our passports (maybe to check that we had our Vietnam visas?) and we only got them back when we got to the border about 3 hours later; we had to get off the bus and queue to be stamped out of Cambodia. Then it was back onto the bus for the very short drive to the Vietnam border post. This time we had to get all of our luggage off the bus, queue up at passport control, get our stamp, have our rucksacks scanned and then re-board the bus! Not too much hassle though, then we were in!
About three hours later, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, in the midst of their crazy traffic - the streets were packed with motorbikes and we couldn't believe how they all manage to stay on the road! We walked to our hotel, which is off the main streets in a small alley and checked in with the very friendly guy on 'reception'. Then we had a few hours rest in our room after the long journey, until the power (TV, air con and fan) all went off at about 5:30pm! We were plunged into darkness (our room had no window!) and decided to have a nap as there wasn't much else to do! About an hour later, everything came back on - we think it was the heavy rain outside that caused it!
We headed out for dinner and wandered around the backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao for a while, before finding a ncie-looking Indian restaurant where we enjoyed some fantastic curries. Afterwards, we took a seat (a plastic chair!) at one of the really cheap streetside bars, where we got whisky/vodka and coke for $1.50 (about £1). Beer was even cheaper, less than $1. While people-watching, we spotted Natalie and Mai, who we first met in Vang Vieng and then again at the Kong Lo Cave in Laos, walking past. It's crazy how we keep meeting the same people in a continent this size! We stood chatting to them for a while and found out that they're heading to Cambodia next, so we passed on all of our tips.
Then we decided to call it a night and head back. Tomorrow we're planning on exploring the city sights...
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