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Published: August 7th 2015
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Day 19
Up early for the Cu Chi Tunnels trip. Croissants and watermelon for breakfast. The tour guide, Thanh talked to us on the journey about the history of the Vietnam war, the current mixed feelings for USA and the current problems on the Mekong river. 6 countries currently have 16 million people living by the Mekong and rely on it. China is building dams which is restricting the water, especially to Vietnam who are at the end of the river.
The bus trip was incredibly bouncy which was difficult for Lesley. There were 15 of us on the trip including a very annoying and political canadian woman. We arrived in Cu Chi in the jungle. Thanh explained about the different levels of tunnels. How they were dug, kitchens, schools etc all underground. The air came through hollowed out bamboo. We were shown the cruel booby traps that were laid. We were invited to go into one of the covered holes and jump out. I volunteered first! It was very claustrophobic. I have no idea how families lived down there. We were then taken down one of the tunnels. It had been widened so westerners could get in but it
was still narrow and short. I got part way in and had to come back. It was too much for me. Lesley did it all! A man was demonstrating how they made rubber flip flops for the VC soldiers but made the imprint to look like the person was walking in the opposite direction. There were gun shots in the background which made it all very real. There was a firing range which you could go on which was a bit strange. We declined. The tour was really informative and quite shocking.
The bus dropped us off at the hotel. We longed for carbs again so had a subway sandwich! We had seen the war remnants museum in one of the tourist books yesterday so headed there (with a coffee stop along the way of course). Outside There were many tanks, Planes,Helicopters and guns mainly USA leftover from the war. Inside was a different story. There were 3 floors of photography and stories that were so graphic I couldn't looked at them all. The story they told were horrific. The Vietnamese people suffered so much. The torture that took place was unforgivable. Lesley and I looked at each
other and we were both crying. A whole room was about agent orange. Chemical warfare used by the USA. The whole museum really effected me. We see these atrocities on TV but the stories and photos made it very real.
We decided to take time out to reflect and catch our breath. We decided dinner, packing and an early night. However we found a nail bar!! Yeah we got our nails done which feels great.
We were heading towards the main square and found a BBQ restaurant. It was buzzing with people. Great atmosphere. They came and lit a stove inside the table then brought a platter of marinated beef, rice and veg. I was chief chef. The meal was wonderful. I think we only felt comfortable doing it because of a similar meal we had with the Easy Riders so knew what to do.
Back at the hotel, packed ready to move on to the Mekong river. I've enjoyed Saigon more than I thought I would. Time for more adventures.
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