Woke up feeling shakey and cold and stiff and bunged up. But got up, had a hot showed, dressed and felt a bit better. Went for some breakie and caught up with emails.

Walked out into the sunshine - remembered my sunglasses today! and headed for the Notre Dame Cathedral, hoping for a bit of a relaxing day. Everything is still open even though it is New Years Day, i think they were just pretending to celebrate last night and i dont think a lot of them knew wheat they were celebrating!

Took a look in the shops along the way. I bought the first postcards i could find from a lady with one leg. There are a lot of handicapped people on the street, mainly selling lottery tickets and rubbishy souvieners, some are really awful, burns and lost limbs and deformaties. Some you cant look at. I suppose at home they are looked after by the government, but not here. But turns out i got fleeced for the postcards, as Claire got them further on for 14,000 dong cheaper... grrrrr. But nevermind, she only had one leg.

Didnt take us long to get to the office of the vietnam committee, which you are not allowed to take photos of close up. and then onto the Cathedral - like any other cathedral really. Had enough of those in Italy! Then next door the Post office, which is a very impressive building. Bought some stamps, you can only post letters/postcards there, so we will have to go back tomorrow.

We called at the same bank as yesterday, just to try again and the fella cashed the cheques after a bit of coaxing! So that was good and made Claire happier.

Had some lunch in a little cafe opposite the cathedral and Post Office, all very vietnamese/French themed. Had ice tea and we both had a ham and cheese sandwich. It was cheese slices and spam Ha!! But was nice. Sat and watched the world go by for a bit and wrote some postcards and looked at the guidebook. They dont seem very eager to bring the cheque, so its quite nice just to sit sometimes.

Made our way back to the hotel, saw where they put on the water puppet show, probably wont go in Ho Chi Minh though as they are all over Vietnam. Got back and had a shower, it seems extra hot today, unless im sweating out a bit of a fever? Plus it hasnt rained today so far, nice! We got soaked yesterday!

Claire is still waiting for her laundry and i am updating this. Im going to have a massage, probably in the hotel next door. I didnt ask for how long, but the lady said $8, there is one across town in the guidebook which says 40,000VND, plus 2 taxi rides (i cant walk anymore today!) of about 15,000, about $5 total, but for the extra 3, ill just nip next door!

We think we might eat in the hotel tonight, but we might fancy just going out a bit later. It feels weird going out in the dark without a jacket on!

Think thats all for now, ill update you on food later! X

8.36pm

Went next door for my massage, it cost closer to $9, but it was worth it, it was 90mins and really through, got my shoulders, head and face done while my feet were in a bowl of water with rose petals in, then my feet and legs really really well, they really needed it with all the walking! Then my back and shoulders. I had to change into pjs before, really long shorts and a big baggy tshirt. Was really nice, but unfortunately there were almost begging for tips... spoilt it slightly, but not that much. My neck and back and esspecially my feet feel fab!

Claire and i have just been in the hotel restaurant, it was very reasonably priced and really delicious. I had a fried rice dish with beef and Claire had the same with chicken, very tasty. We are having an early night tonight as we are both sleepy and need to catch up. Writing up my paper journal, but not quite as much as this, i havent got enough pages! We were going to see about having a bath, but the plug doesnt work! boo.

Thats all for today X