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Published: March 4th 2009
Mark: It was great to be back in the big crazy city, and it felt like a bit of a homecoming, especially when I saw my beloved Gon Cafe was still in operation...many an Aussie Burger was had! Amazingly, we spent 2 weeks in and around Saigon, and did,well, not much to be honest! It was really nice to be somewhere where it didn't feel like we were travelling though, and showing everyone round was great fun.
We hit the tourist trail; Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, the Cao Dai Temple and the Cu Chi Tunnels were all 'done' in swift succesion, leaving plenty of time for the important stuff: fun! For starters I got the fantastic news that one of my best friends from school, Natt, was now living in Saigon, so we met up and went for a few drinks. After a few beers and cocktails, Natt decided at one point to liven things up by getting some tequila. A bottle! I believe the ensuing evening (and subsequent morning) would be best described as 'messy!'
We also met up with a couple of my old friends; Ngoc took us to her work and we absolutely abused the
ice cream buffet (which Louise will no doubt tell you about in detail next time!), before hitting the karaoke with Huong. This was great fun, with highlights being me and Louise doing "Gangsta's Paradise", Amanda being "too sexy for her shirt", and Will singing "Amanda, light of my life, you should have been a gentleman's wife". I was the only one to score a perfect 100 though for my rendition of "Every Breath You Take" Some people have just got talent....
As Will and Amanda headed north, Lou and I flew to Phu Quoc island for some much deserved rest. Another test tube journey! I had been to Phu Quoc 5 years ago,when it was deserted, off the tourist trail and absolutely magical. While it has lost none of it's wonder, Lonely Planet's decision to list it as "off the beaten track" has brought tourists in in their hundreds. Beautiful as it undoubtedly was, it was a shame that it rained one day and Louise got bitten to death one night. We had a great time though, and coming back via the Mekong Delta and Can Tho was great fun. We almost gatecrashed a wedding there! The bride was
posing for pictures outside a building and I am pretty sure we will be making an appearance in their wedding album!
Get your hankies ready... In other news, with the horrendous economic climate, we have decided to go and work in Australia for 6 months to help fund our travels through South America. We'll be heading to Melbourne at the end of May and won't be home now til 2010!!! Don't get too upset....
Anyway, we headed back to Saigon for one final, not so messy, night with Natt, before heading onwards, north, to Da Lat and the Valley of Love! But that is another story.....
Mark and Louise
xx
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Clare R
non-member comment
Jealous
I'm so very jealous of your many travels and adventures. You both sound to be having the most amazing time. Have fun in Australia too, I know you didn't want to have to work but I'm sure you will still have a blast. See you sometime in 2010 then!! Clare.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x