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Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Having just crosssed the border into Cambodia, it is time to reflect on Saigon and Vietnam. Saigon is different from Hanoi, there is much more big business going on and this has an impact on the look and feel of the city. Lots of big new posh buildings. It's cleaner by far. although there are even more motor bikes there are also a higher proportion of cars. Its capitalist past seems to have given it a head start in the race to modernise. The iconic buildings from the war are still there - the American Embassy, the Presidential Palace (still with 2tanks in the grounds, guns pointing at the front door) and the Rex Hotel where the war correspondents filed their reports. We saw these buildings from the vantage point of our cyclo. Three wheeler cycles with one driver and one passenger. I don't think I've lost any weight on this trip since my driver had to hop off on a few occasions to push me up a slight incline. I offered to do the peddling on the last lap but he wouldn't have it. Probably didn't trust me to negotiate the traffic.
The war still impacts on the lives of many of the Vietnamese people. Our tour guide had fought with the Americans and had suffered the consequences after Saigon fell. He took us round the Cu Chi tunnels where the Veit Cong had hidden and fought from for many years. Some of the tunnels are tiny -to allow the Vietnamese through while blocking larger Americans. You can get through about 100 yards of tunnel. I managed 20 before climbing out through a handy exit. Nobody managed more than 40.
The sound of gunfire permeated the entire site. There was also the opportunity to purchase 10 rounds of bullets for you weapon of choice. I chose the AK47. The bang is enormous. Not as much kick as a shot gun but the bullet goes a long way pretty much where you point it.
In the afternoon we visited the War Museum which mostly consists of collections of iconic images from both sides. The photographs graphically depicted the cruelty inflicted on the combatants and civilians. It was a very moving experience. The museum was full but you could have heard a pin drop.
To lighten out mood we took a trip up to the 49th floor of the tallest building in Saigon from where we enjoyed incredible views over the city, down the river and out into the country side. After dinner most of the group met up at the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel where we ate very expensive ice cream and danced the night away.
The next day we took a tour to theMekong Delta to meet up with that ol' man river for the 3rd time. This w as more of a cultural event with traditional music, food, ride on a horse cart, paddle down a canal and python hugging. In a hugging competition the python would win.
It was big Frank and Maree's last day and after a great meal in an authentic Italian restuarent it was time for sad fair wells. We really will miss them both. Frank is a larger than life character.
Cambodia here we come!
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