Blogs from Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast, Vietnam, Asia - page 248

Today we did the obligatory trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Though packed with propoganda it was quite interesting and the traps that the locals made to use against the Americans were unashamedly brutal. Crawling through the tunnels was obviously the highlight, though in a way a little of an anti-climax. We did have one of the group freak out mid way which meant everyone else (us included) had to back up and out of the tunnels and then head back in again. It was pretty funny (ok not for them, but Corb as expected came out with some pretty funny comments). Our last evening in HCMC was very nice, walking by the park seeing all the locals out walking and playing shuttlecock hackey. We had a great dinner and more black sticky rice which made ... read more

So today we decided to explore Ho Chi Minh City. Starting at the Thai Binh markets we were amazed at the quality of the produce compared to markets that we had visited in Cambodia - the fruit looked great and the fish were still swimming in their buckets! From there we did a loop through the tree-lined streets to admire some of the colourful architecture before crossing over to the Ben Thanh market. Although very touristy it was cool to see all the handicrafts and cheesy souvenirs and we picked up some tasty gummy lollies on our way out. We then walked past the Mariamman Hindu temple and through the park to the Reunification Palace which was great. It's been left in the same state it was in when the Viet Cong troops stormed it in ... read more

I play it safe the next few days and stick to the sites and restaurants recommended by every backpackers travel bible, the Lonely Planet. I try not to whip it out in public (as if I don’t look like a tourist already), so I spend time in my room studying the maps and names of the streets. The language is really so difficult for me, all of the letters come with accessories meaning they have little accents which range from dots to dashes to squiggly “hats” and pointy shoes, the “D” even has a scarf...and all of them have a different tone. For example, you can say the word MA but depending on the accent and tone it can mean either: ghost, mother, which, rice seedling, tomb, or horse. (?) I am learning most of my ... read more

The following words are exerpts from my personal diary. March 15th 2006 In the distance a stray or kept dog barks steadily, seemingly guarding against the encroaching enemy. The parallel between rats, cockroaches and humans is begging to be made by someone. All three capable of survival under the most dire circumstances with their habitat consisting of cement trees, paved rivers and the odd oasis of a rubbish pile doubling as lunch or dinner. Even monkeys need trees and fresh air. Even the birds need a body of water to satisfy their thirst. What satisfies my thirst? What is it that soothes and apeases the humans thirst when they are parched? A satisfying career? A rewarding and fulfilling job? Having good friends or a loving family? A tasty meal? True love? Is it all of these ... read more

The main part of my trip to Vietnam was the bicycle ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. That took a month. I only detoured once off Highway One and that was to Phat Diem. Phat Diem is the home of a celebrated cathedral, which is remarkable for its vast dimensions and superb Sino-Vietnamese architecture. During the French era it was at the heart of Catholicism in the north. It suffered when so many Catholics went South after 1954 and the seminary was shut down. It is being reopened now. The grounds were extensive, beautiful and well cared for. On the ride South I saw town after town that was dominated by these huge Catholic Churches. In many ways it was like the towns in the Hays area of Kansas. There, the Catholics that immigrated ... read more