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Published: November 19th 2006
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Really hard to get any sleep last night. The motorbikes were going all night, music was blasting out from a bar on the corner until 4am. It was just hellishly noisy. The windows in the hotel did not really fit so it felt like we were just sleeping on the street. The breakfast was good and the receptionist managed to transfer us to another room which looks to be a lot quieter; she didn't seem too surprised when we asked to move so it must happen a lot! Did some chores and have booked ourselves on a tour to the Chu Chi tunnels tomorrow.
Set off walking to see the sights of Saigon, initially passing through a local market. Bex went mad for all the sparkly stuff after being deprived for a couple of weeks (well so she claims!). Stumbled upon the Tax free department store, but to be honest it seemed to be the same old tat, but a lot more expensive than in all the other towns. Headed over to the Saigon Trade centre to get a birds eye view from the 23rd floor, where we were planning on getting a drink to enjoy the view, but it
was a bit pricey, so the trip accountant denied that request! Had some lunch just round the corner at a locals diner, it was an odd meal, with some smoked (raw) pork with lots of fat still attached, but at least we got to taste big-man beer!
The Post Office was our next stop; managed to barter down a post card tout from her initial astronomical price and posted some cards back to the UK. The Notre Dame Cathedral was just opposite the post office - both are French built and look very imposing and colonial. Then wandered down Donh Khai street to look at some of the local art shops. The work was really impressive; they will paint a picture from a photo, card, flyer or small image and the quality of the work is amazing. We have some cards from the best ones and they will ship back to the UK so maybe when we get back and have some cash we could get something made up - an "original" masterpice for the lounge maybe!
For the final visit of the day, we hopped onto a couple of motor bikes and got a lift to the
War Remnants museum. This is a collection of mostly photos but also some military hardware including munitions, tanks and airplanes. It was a really thought provoking place and a lot of the images were really raw - definitely something worth seeing the images from what seems a long time ago. It is truly amazing that this country has put behind it what happened only a generation ago.
Wandered back to the hotel, passing some cute dogs for sale; pets not dinner we hope! Went for pizza after getting freshened up - we were waved into the restaurant by a guy over the road - at one point we had three different places trying to herd us in! As there were so many we managed to blag a free drink out of them- something to remember in the future! Headed back to the hotel feeling a bit jaded from last nights sleep depravation.
Both slept much better due to the quieter surroundings in the new room. The breakfast was excellent again and is included in the hotel ($13 per night) - would really recomend it ('Yellow House Hotel' on Bui Tien street). The bus picked us up to go
Saigon Opera House
We are in Asia - honest! on a 1/2 day tour of the Chu Chi tunnels which were used by the Viet Cong during the war. The tour was a 40 strong group which is not really our thing, but at short notice there was not much choice! After about 30 mins on the bus we stopped at the obligitary shopping excursion. It was a handicapped craft shop and workshop where you could see the carvings, laquer goods and inlay work being done. It was all really good quality and well made, but we cannot really afford to send it home at $600 to ship and there is no room for anything for the next 3 months!
Continued onto Chu Chi which is about 50kms from Saigon. Before we went around the tunnels there was a video explaining how they were used for storage, refuge, sleeping, cooking and living. Then wandered round the complex looking at all the exhibits. There were lots of displays of traps that were used to hurt the enemy - with spikes or spears attached. The tunnel entrace was designed for Viet Cong and not for a 6ft 2 American soldier! A short section of the tunnels have been preserved and
One for Dave!
A plane left over from the war at the War Remnants Museum widenend so the chubby westeners can make it through them. It was a really hot, humid and claustraphobic environment, cannot imagine what it must have been like during the war. The guide said that couples spent their honeymoons down there as well - must have been really uncomfortable. It was good to see the tunnels, but the size of the group made it difficult to see anything or hear what was going on.
At the site you can fire an AK47 to some targets. The noise was incredible, cannot really imagine what the noise must have been like with all the munitions going off with 100's of people all trying to kill each other and mortar rounds and bombs going off - hollywood cannot even come close!
Got back to Saigon in time for lunch. Paul had a healthy salad, but Bex opted for a bacon and cheese pancake, was really tasty but a bit too much for lunch as she needed to be rolled back to the hotel! Had a little time before the taxi and it was not clear whether we could get money in Cambodia from an ATM (according to the guide book there aren't
It's a dog's life
Or is that a dog supper? any at all in the place we're visiting) so we decided to go to the VietCom bank. Caught a cyclo over there and then they were really slow dishing the money out. In the end we were 15 minutes late for the Taxi, but as this is Asia they were still waiting - back home they would either have you on the meter or would be long gone (specially those Pembroke drivers!). Made it to the airport in time and had an early check in for the flight. Vietnam airlines is super efficient and seem to take off on time or even early - this one was no exception and it took off 5 minutes early. The flight was only 45 minutes before we landed at Siem Reap. Much shorter than the two days overland, however if we go again we'd really like to do that with the bus to Phnom Penh from Saigon and then the boat through the delta and Tonle Sap lake.
Were picked up in a stretch tuk-tuk from the hotel!! It was like a trailer attached to a motor bike. A lot more comfy and civilised that the Indian ones (but a lot less
fun too!) - the driver was really friendly and chatty and we got a free cold beer on the way to the hotel. Now that is what I call traveling in style! The hotel was excellent (called The Villa Siem Reap). It's a little way from all the action, in a quiet location, beautifully decorated and the staff are all really great and friendly. I think we are going to enjoy our time here! The decoration in the hotel has given us some ideas for home, unfortunately for Paul decorating round two will begin when we get back!
Managed to sort out a tuk-tuk for tomorrow to visit the temples - no more tour groups thank god!
Had bought some new toothpaste in Saigon - it looked like green minty fresh, but actually turned out to be "green tea" flavour instead. Unfortunately we bought the largest tube we could find so it will probably last for the rest of the trip. It's really disgusting and makes you have tea breath. Doh!
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