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Published: February 21st 2016
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Today the plan was: War Remnants Museum, try to buy Water Puppet tickets, lunch with Harry, Eden Spa for nails and leg massage, XO night tour of the city.
We got motorbikes over to the museum, 30,000 each. Gills driver's head attire consisted of a baseball cap with a cycle helmet on top. 15,000 for us to go in and 2000/5000 for Vietnamese (I forget which) - I should think so too, it should be free for them. It was my 3rd visit but it doesn't get any easier, all those harrowing photos. I must read about the history more, so it is more meaningful and put into context. Must say, I sort of admire the Americans who certainly come away with a negative opinion of them, although of course there were very many opposed to the war who campaigned against it. There was an orderly school group visiting, some of whom looked too young to be seeing such terrible images, and some families of Vietnamese, patiently explaining to their children.
There has been a new part added since I was last there, an exhibition about the prison on Phu Quoc and the torture methods used against people suspected
of anti-American activities. Dreadful!
We walked back and yet again got to the Water Puppet theatre when the box office was closed for lunch. Will just have to go at 4.30 tomorrow and hope they have seats. The road crossing hasn't got any more relaxing for Gill, her language is improving daily with it. Quite colourful now! Luckily when we got back to the room they had fixed the horrendous smell from the drain in the bathroom. Honestly, it was like 10 rats had died in there!
At 1pm we met our friend Harry, son of our friend Sally. Had lunch at The View, a lovely breeze up there and the food was good and not expensive. Again, really good vegetables. The first page I happened to open in the menu was the frog page. Porridge with extra frog. Frog this and that. Unhappy memories of eating it, blackened skin and all, 3 years ago, ordered by the Vietnamese girls who worked at ILA, the school where my friend, Beth, was working at the time. It tasted OK, but the thought of it the next day was not good, and now I've seen them on sale in the
market I definitely will not be eating it again! Handed over Christmas presents to Harry and a large block of cheddar. This had overnighted in China in the middle of Gill's case, so hope it is OK. Cheese is something he misses here, having worked here for 2 years. Then it was off to Eden Spa for nail painting (Gill) and foot massage (me). 120,000 for nails and 2 flowers, and 60,000 for 30 mins pain for me. She poked a painful stick into the soles of my feet, or rather just the right one, forgot that part on the left but I didn't bother reminding her. The male foot guy, Peter, tried really hard to chat in English, the girl, Twee, is quite sullen, don't want her again! We had some great chats with the other people in there, from Greece, Spain, Canada and Australia. It was good fun.
Two hours of airconned peace before our XO tour at 6. This was my choice of birthday present from Gill and this time I opted for the night city tour rather than the food one, Gill loves bikes, so we would both enjoy it. The 2 girls in their
au dais arrived dead on time, we put on the helmets and set off into the home rush hour traffic, which Gill is still goggling at. When we accelerated I nearly flew off the back, decided to cling on a bit tighter. We whizzed off towards the Chinsee district, right through the centre of a really busy market, very fumy on the bikes and insanely crowded. Chickens, veg, fish, everything. Stopped opposite the indoor wholesale market, now closed, couldn't buy anything if it was open, described as a photo opportunity which it really wasn't. Our drivers offered us face masks against the fumes, Gill was struggling and took one. Her driver didn't have quite as good English, mine was very good, asked and answered questions and did a really good job of pointing places out! like universities and new shopping malls. She was very easy to understand. We met up with 3 others on the same tour and the big boss guy who explained the itinerary, 6 districts and a few stops including 2 for trying street food. In fact it was the same route as the food one I did with Sam 2 years ago. We had been expecting
to see more of the main sights. We stopped in district 6 and had the choice of 3 kinds of food to try. I had bahn mi and Gill some greasy rice cake things, not very thrilling. District 7 is the expat area, new apartment blocks, nothing much to see and a bit pointless going there.
We finished in district 4, a poor area but very buzzy on the street. We had dessert there - coconut jelly and a sort of coffee creme brûlée. The girls said to keep our phones out of sight, as we were sitting right next to the road. The restaurant was packed with people having mini barbecues on their tables, and hotpots. Then it was really quick to get back to Bui Vien. So mainly we were going along very busy roads and seeing people going about their normal lives, which was fun, as you'd be crazily insane to contemplate taking a bike yourself. We had a bodyguard with us, really in case there was a puncture or something, and they were very professional and safety conscious. It is fun but an expensive 3 hours. Gills eyes were quite red when we got back,
it is very polluted.
Plan for tomorrow: up early for the Cu Chi tunnel tour, back around 1, chill for a bit, go to Water Puppet Theatre, go to the night market next to Ben Thanh Market to eat, negotiate crossing Gill's most unfavourite junction, this time in the dark.......
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Karen
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What a relief!
Thank goodness u were re-united with your luggage Gill, and glad u are safely there. Yes, would have been good to see inside of the Heli! Looks loads to see and do there, and great u can do it together. Enjoy. Love from us both xx