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Published: December 6th 2008
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Little Canals
We had to get on progressively smaller boats to navigate the narrow waterways So...our last couple adventures were to the Cu Chi tunnels and a two day tour of the Mekong Delta area.
We must be getting brave cause we signed up for a trip to Cu Chi tunnels on motorbike. One thing to be on the back of a motor bike in the countryside...quite another in Saigon. 1.5 hours each way....oh boy...where to start! We'll just promise a video clip when we find a USB-friendly computer.
Cu Chi tunnels are pretty neat - these folk built over 200 kms of tunnels (multi-level) and an assortment of traps - all with either recycled US bombs or collections of mutilating spikes. Thousands of Vietnamese (men and women and children) hid out here while the americans were "visiting". One tunnel travelled an entire kilometre to the river, should a major escape be needed. And one travelled 50 kms to Saigon. Pretty amazing. Our tour allowed us to walk 30m in an enlarged westerner-friendly tunnel (a full metre in height) - Jen just about backed out in fear, and Rob's quad's were burning after 10 m (when does ski season start!!). We wouldn't have made very good Cu Chis.
Back in Saigon we settled
Rowboats
We were continuously changing modes of transport. our nerves with some beer and met a few friendly travellers. Once adjusted we went for a VERY romantic dinner at Maxims - live music, fancy wear (we tried out our new tailored duds and looked pretty sharp!). We love the clay pot meals they serve in the south (why would food taste better out of a clay pot?? We're getting some as soon as we return.) Also had delicious fried eel. As per Vietnamese custom, we nibbled on the spinal cord...not so bad.
Another early start the next day - we head out on our first tour sans private guide. Was an excellently run tour and we met some neat folk from all around. A big hello to our college buddies from Singapore. Was quite busy - but a good pace and a witty guide. We spent time on boats of all sizes - and ventured into taste / investigate rice-making, cocunut candy, tropical fruit, traditional musicians and floating markets.
That night we elected to stay with a family. We were boated (in the dark...few lights on the river) quite a ways from town. Were greeted by many an insect and a very accommodating family. They allowed
Village Market
This was the village we did the homestay in. Talk about farm-to-the-table. us to help make spring rolls (although, the lady of the house had to repair many of them once we had finished "helping"). Dinner was delicious - "elephant ear" fish we wrapped in rice paper (with all sorts of other fixings). We made sure to drink a couple beer, indulge in rice wine so we could sleep through visits from the area's creatures and their respective noises.
We got up at 5 am (that's what the locals do - when the news is aired over the closely spaced loud-speakers) to walk through the village and see the local school and small market. A quick breakfast and back on boats to meet the greater group and see more sites.
Was a pretty long day - returned to Saigon early evening....decided to have some delicious street food (although our favourite lady was not to be found - where was she!?). Jen left Rob unattended for just a few minutes where he paid an enourmous amount of dong for a lonely planet. We were down to just 50,000 dong for dinner and beer and bottled water ($3). Strategic planning got us the decent street food and seven beer and 1.5 L
Our Homestay
These huts were surprisingly nice, albeit pretty open. of water. Not fun travelling on a budget!!! (Just joking.)
Back at the local watering hole we were reunited with our friends we met earlier....made a few new ones (Tony from South Africa was very concerned we don't go to church - he left early on) and Jen got to cuddle a puppy.
Sadly, at 3 am we got up to pack (mom Malzer - it's okay, we got it all in!) to start our journey home on the saddest airline our budgets could afford. Oh United...how can you be so awful 😞
A big thanks to our host Oui, he was sleeping on the tiled-floor to make sure we got our early-taxi he had arranged with a friend. Talk about gracious.
And now...here we are....crappy Hong Kong airport!
See you all soon!!!
Love Jen and Rob.
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