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Hello everyone,
This is the second entry we have posted today, so to read where we last left off in Hoi An you need to read the post entitled Nha Trang, Da Lat, Mui Ne first. Continuing from there.....
We got to Saigon in the afternoon and checked into our pre booked hotel (we usually just find one on the day), the room was slightly larger than a shoebox and had no windows, after walking around town we also found that we had paid well over the odds. To ease the pain we went for a curry on the night, Josh sent his back because it was bright green and tasted of nothing at all. The owner, who wasn't pleased, came back with a smile on his face and another curry. He mistakenly thought it would be too spicy to for the western palate; Josh easily ate it. On the walk back we saw rats everywhere we walked, Josh was white with fear so we had to go for a few drinks near the hotel to calm down. Throughout the night we had to put up with a constant barrage of people trying to sell us crap. We spent the following day sightseeing around Saigon and went for an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ on the evening; it had the tastiest rump steaks we had ever eaten.
The following day we went on a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels which were used by the Viet Cong in the American war. Our tour guide was called Mr Drum and actually used to be part of the Viet Cong; he even had a bullet wound in his shoulder to prove it. He was a really friendly man and sang us loads of funny songs on the way. The area around the tunnels was littered with bomb craters and we got to see some of the man traps used which were really horrifying. Halfway through the tour we arrived at a shooting range where they had loads of different guns available to shoot, Josh couldn't resist so had a go shooting 10 rounds from an AK47. He absolutely loved it! After the range we went into the tunnels which were really claustrophobic, we got out as soon as we could as we were both too hot and sweaty. On our final day in Saigon we went to the War Remnants museum, it was really upsetting as it mostly consisted of looking at pictures of dead people, people that were about to die, or disfigured people from "Agent Orange" that the Americans used against the Vietnamese. That evening we went on Trip Advisor and went to a top rated cheap restaurant, we expected a cheap café type thing. It was quite embarrassing when we got there - it was really posh and we were completely underdressed!
We left Saigon to go on a three day boat trip around the Mekong Delta which would eventually take us to Cambodia. On the first day of the trip we went to a coconut sweet making factory and then went on a horse and carriage around the island. It started tipping it down so we acquired some bin bag type ponchos before getting back on the boat, which was just as well as the boat journey got very wet! We then went to another island for lunch, after which we got to feed some crocodiles with meat off a fishing line. We then went to another island, which to Christinas horror contained a bee farm. They gave us various honey products to taste which were really nice but attracted the bees over so Christina sat there with her eyes shut. Josh put all his faith in the tour guide and put his finger in one of the bee hives to taste some of the honey - luckily no one got hurt!! We then got on a rowing boat which led us to a shack where they sang some traditional Vietnamese songs (including if your happy and you know it clap your hands) and we ate some tropical fruit.
After an action packed day we were disappointed to find out we had to get up at 6am for day two of the tour. We went to a floating market on the Mekong and saw the locals buying the fresh produce. We then went to a fruit orchard and went to see how rice noodles were made (which was completely boring so we sloped off to look at some pigs), next came lunch where there were rats on the menu - really off putting. We then got the bus to Chau Doc and stopped off at a pagoda where there was a cave temple. It was absolutely ridiculous; we had to walk up and down steps in the pitch black to finally get to a mirrored room with a Buddah in - not worth the toe stub risk!! We then went to another temple, but by this point we'd had enough of trawling around rubbish places so we just sat on a bench outside in protest! That night we treated ourselves to a gorgeous meal in a posh hotel to make up for a rubbish second day of the tour!
The third day, we went down for breakfast at 6.30am and realised we were the only people there from the tour. A waiter told us that we had to go and get the boat so put us on a bicycle taxi thing - not knowing what to think we were relieved to find the rest of the group waiting for us the other end (apparently breakfast was at 6am - oops). We then got on a boat and stopped at a fish farm and a Muslim island (more pointless activities) before boarding a fast boat to Cambodia - which took six hours so we were pleased we didn't go for the slow boat!!!
We are now in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, we haven't done much here yet so we best get going so we have some adventures to tell you about next time.
Lots of love xxxx
- comments
Elizabeth Pendleton Hi Both Bless you; there was always going to be one trip that was going to drive you mad, bet you couldn't believe the restaurant experiance when you arrived underdressed LOL my worst nightmare!!!. At least you have now moved to paradise ready for you birthday, sounds amazing. Love you both loads, miss you xxxxxxxxxxx
Jane Jones Happy birthday Chris. Just returned from Cuba where we met a delightful family originally from South Vietnam- now living in Canada. They were fascinated that you were in Vietnam. No rats in Cuba, but hundreds of red crabs- even venturing in to the restaurant! silly crabs. Booked to come out to New Zealand and Australia in Feb- hope we can meet up. Love to you both. Grandad & Nana Jane
Christina Thanks Nan, great to speak to you the other week. Ah I would prefer crabs to rats. I still remember being in a fish market in France and one crab falling a couple of feet out of a box into another box and finding it hysterically funny! Don't forget to send me your itinerary when you get one for Australia - it will be lovely to see you both. Lots of love xxx
Tony C Hi kids It's a good job neither of you seem to suffer from sea sickness with all the boat journeys! Rats! Try eating one and then the phobia might go Josh. Especially if they let you kill it before cooking it. The fish farm sounded interesting to me as I love everything about fish, but I agree, the temples must get boring. Donna & I are knocking walls down in Spain. Still can't decide on a final layout for the house & garden! 3 days to go before we fly back to dear old Blighty, so we need to do some quick thinking. Belle starts her final year at school soon, so wish her good luck. We all miss you both and you are no doubt missing home - well don't! Have a great time in Cambodia. Love you both Dad(Tone) & Donna Xxxx
Josh and Christina Thanks for the comment guys. So you're both doing a bit of hard labour on the tools then, you'll get home and need another holiday! Have a look at the most up to date entry next time, this was over a month ago! Glad you're still reading it though. Lots of love Josh and Christina xxx