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With 4 million motorcycles in the city, the pedestrians are definitely at a disadvantage but we've survived more than 48 hours and think the trick is to maintain a steady speed across the road so the drivers can plan how to miss you. It takes a great effort of will not to make a dash for it!
Lunch was classic Vietnamese noodle dish - pho. Menu with pictures (we are in backpackers area) but 'what is ten don?' prompted graphic flexing of hand and pointing to wrist and 'you no like'. Good advice, so went with the beef!
With our lonely planet and trip advisor gurus to hand we got our bearings and enjoyed people and situation observation. Vietnam is considerably cleaner and apparently more organised than Cambodia but we were warned that the people were less friendly but we haven't noticed that.
Anxious not to spend our last few days in a city we embarked on the 'Mekong Delta tour'. Full day starting at 7.45 (we have been up by 7 almost every day!) meant arriving at 7.40 and being told to follow a family (with suitcases) who were speeding towards a bus (on the other side of the road of course). Convinced we were on the way to the airport we had no obvious choice but after half an hour picking people up from hotels, including ours, we were in our way.
Despite being very much on the tourist trail we had a great day visiting islands in the delta, Unicorn, Coconut, Fruit (really?), all home to souvenir stalls but also demonstrations and tastings. Honey tea (with rice wine), dried bananas, Ginger, coconut candies ....... and a short cycle ride away from the centre we found the real deal, a coconut farmer processing the fruit. One of the boat journeys was on a sampan down a very busy narrow waterway and steered by a woman in a pink silk outfit which remained pristine despite pushing away the muddy bank and overhanging weeds.
Our guide was a chap called Puppy Phu (pronounced poo with a barely audible aspirant h) (don't ask) who turned up the amp and bellowed throughout the day, in heavily accented English with constant repetition, like Filomena. Collective sigh of relief when he finally sat down, short lived because a thick English girl started him off again by asking why Vietnamese grow their little fingernail so long. Ah, the Brits abroad!
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lyndsay davison What adventures - so looking forward to hearing/seeing more on your return. Most sounds fascinating. Killing fields harrowing, but I remember M and J found that. I think only 6 people survived the school if it is the place where they tortured people. I do remember the era unfolding live and the Cambodian tragedy being highly disturbing as it was happening.
annie Well, my dears! Your journal brings to life the sounds, smells and experiences. You've obviously had a great time and looking foeward to seeing you - what day ae you back? love Annie
Jonathan Sounds like you had a great time in Saigon. I think crossing the road there is one of life's great challenges. As you say you have to keep going at a steady pace. The worrying thing is seeing a famly of five on one bike. Sorry about Mr Poo going on a bit! Sounds like that your independence has really taken you away from the mass tourist tracks which is great. We look forward to hearing all your news. The sight of a Vietnamese pink lady on her boat with the famous hat is hopefullly recorded on your camera. Have a safe trip back.