Weary and sticky we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) around 0700...the bus dropped us on the main drag of District 1. When we checked our map this 'main drag' turned out to be the road our accomodation was on! Down a dark alley and we found it :-)
Had to wait a little for others to check out so went for a walk and discovered Cho Quan Church and the famous St Le Van Gam of HCMC. Time then to head home, clean up and unpack.
After getting clean and relaxing to recover a little from the bus ride we went looking for food. Ben Thanh market for our first stop - VERY briefly as they catered for clothes, souveniers and hordes but not what we were after. Next we found the Art Museum - open every day except Monday...today... Plenty of statues to admire outside though after we had consumed some noodle soup nearby.
Headed down Le Loi Street (that guy was a full on warrior - a street named after him in every Vietnamese town we have been in). Found ourselves in the high fashion area before locating the Municipal Theatre which was what we were looking for. In the square out the front there was a full on information and photo display about Agent Orange in Viet Nam. Very moving and as Bray said,"Zero cool."
Past the People's Committee Hall and then to the Revolutionary Museum (also known as Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Gia Long Palace .etc.) Around the outside there are aircraft, artillery, a tank, cannons and vehicles used in the struggle and inside displays on industry, archaelogy, trade and revolutionary struggle in Viet Nam (1930-75). Through following signs we found ourselves in the underground shelter under the palace-museum...very cool!
Eventually we headed home to cool off and re-hydrate :-)
Out to dinner down De Tham (around the corner) where there were SO many eating places it was hard to decide. Happy with our final choice and it even meant Bray felt full for a wee while - not a common occurance! Home after that to label photos from the last few days and relax.
