Tunnel Vision

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We stayed in a very welcoming and helpful family run hostel in HCMC who advised us to eat in a nearby seafood night market (which was super tasty), explained all the sights and arranged our trip to the Chu Chi Tunnels for us.

We lucked out on our trip to The Cu Chi Tunnels by having a guide from south Vietnam who served in the Vietnam War fighting with the Americans. He had many interesting stories about the War and the Viet Cong, showed us booby-traps, how they made weapons and explained how they lived and fought in the tunnels.

Half way round we were offered the chance to fire guns at the shooting range, why not eh!?! We were equally nervous and excited about the prospect and signed up to fire an M16. You pick your bullets like sweets in a sweet shop, at £1 a bullet we bought 5 each. Thankfully the guns are nailed down so no nutters can run off with them. It was over pretty quick and we kept a bullet case as a souvenir (more on that story later in the blog...).

At the end of the tour it was time to experience the tunnels first hand, inside was pitch black, baking hot and damp, with just enough room to crawl or crouch. We emerged sweaty and filthy with a new found respect for those that lived down there.

We spent our last few days sight-seeing, visiting the Notre dam church, the river front and the War Museum, which was equally a shocking as it was interesting.

Our trip in Vietnam had come to an end, it's now time for our return to Cambodia after 4 years to see what's changed...

Love Jim and Carla
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