Firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TESSA AND EDITH!!! I know that we sent emails but we had to say it on here too :) We hope you both had lovely days and enjoy being 18!
After yet ANOTHER bus, this time in the morning too, we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City! It really is as busy and buzzing as people say. The number of motorbikes is absolutely mindblowing and in some places, crossing the road is pretty much an impossibility. We quickly found a hotel after being picked up by a very loud lady and followed her down several small alleys...it was fine though, and we got to a little guesthouse. Up some tiny, tiny stairs we got to a very high room which was pokey and claustrophobic. However, we weren't willing to turn down the reasonable price tag. We put down our bags and went to look around the city. It was dark by now and all the roads were lit up by bright flashing signs advertising clubs, shops and bars. We found a smallcafe on the side of the road and had some of their delicacy 'pho' (beef noodle soup). Zack found it funny that the panda in 'Kung Fu Panda' is called pho too. Elodie later found out after he had announced this that he had been thinking it on the bus and had waited until we were eating it to say and sound clever and funny. As we were exploring, Zack happened to come across another hotel which looked a lot nicer, on the main street and was the same price. We nearly cried. We returned to our hovel and made up a quick story about how our friends had just come into town and we wanted to share a dorm with them so we were leaving. Luckily, this was quite easy as she didn't understand what we were saying really. So she agreed and we went upstairs. As we were climbing, she shouted up to the top and a man replied. We hurried faster, a lot faster! Then we came face to face with the man who then demanded some money if we left. Hurriedly, we paid and off we went! With the prospect of a bigger, cleaner room, a hot shower and free internet we were chuffed with our decision. We settled in for a fairly early night in order to prepare for a day of exploring and museum visiting.
In the morning, we woke up (in our own time for once which was nice) and then went to have breakfast at a cafe which was DELICIOUS. Elodie had huge American pancakes- mmmmmmmmmmm! Then we set off for a long walk to the 'War Remnants Museum'. Boy were we in for a shock. We both agreed that it was by far the most graphic, shocking and horrific museum we had ever been to. We overheard one man say that he and his wife actually had to walk out. It was filled with photographs of the effects of bombs and Agent Orange on babies and women which was probably for Elodie the most horrible bit. The accounts of the American and South Vietnamese atrocities were unbeleivable and it was fairly hard to get to the end. Some of you may think that it was probably a bit anti-American, but there was just as much, perhaps more, about the actions of the South Vietnamese. For example, the Phu Quoc Islans Prison exhibition was among the most shocking of all. There were long, vivid descriptions of daily tortures (which were absolutely horrific and we could barely read some of them). It also had a display on the types of propaganda used by both the American and Vietnamese. We left the museum a little dazed, were tired of walking and were hungry so we decided that the best thing would be to find a bakery and sit in the big park opposite for a rest and lunch. We found an extremely popular bakery where all the Vietnamese seemed to go in their lunch hour, and got little pizzas and a cake each- yuuuum! The we set off for the Reunification Palace, which apart from the big tank in front, wasn't that interesting. Oh but we did got to look at the President's chair where he sat , to read a book... So yeah, it was definately worth it just for that. In the grounds, we found a replica plane which underneath told the story of a man in the Sounth Vietnamese airforce who was given a mission to bomb the central Hanoi. After taking off,he quickly turened round and proceeded to bomb the palace with the President inside. It turned out that he was a secret agent working for the North Vietnamese! He now lives in Ho Chi Minh City with his family- hahaha! We bartered for a cyclo, which we are getting quite good at and went to the biggest market in the centre. Elodie had to sit on Zack's lap as we didn't want to pay double for two, so we got a couple of laughs and stares as we sat squashed with our bags while this little old man wheeled us between speeding motorbikes. The market was a recovering shopoholic's nightmare. Designer bags ( real leather ones) for about ten pounds, designer clothes from about a pound and all the latest perfume for about three pounds!!! There was food, coffee, tea, live fish and crabs- everything! We were slightly shocked about how much the people really grabbed at you, one woman actually held Elodie's wrist as she was walking away and Zack had to step in! They thrust clothes and coffee at you from every angle! Zack loved it and spent about half an hour bartering with this lady for some Abercrombie gear (Margaux, you'd be so proud) and got it down to about a fifth of the starting price! We've definately got the hang of it now and it's funny to see other tourists pay about double what you payed. That night we went to bed exhausted. Elodie was prepared for another night of weird dreams. We started taking our malaria tablets a fewdays ago and ever since, Elodie has woken up in the morning very confused. To quote a few- Liam was teaching her to be a German Cheerleader? In another, she was Santa.
The next morning we had to get up early as we had booked tickets to go to the Cu Chi tunnels which were used by the Vietcong to fight the Americans. Zack was really excited - he had not stopped talking to Elodie about the prospect of being able to shoot live rounds with one of the weapons used by the Americans or the Vietcong. We walked around the site looking at all the entrances as well as the fighting trenches and then had a look at the various booby-traps set by the Vietcong which were fairly horrific. Then it was on to the part Zack had dreamed of. The choice of weapons was enough to make any man drool a little: AK-47, M3, M60. After much dithering Zack settled for the M1 Carbine mainly because it was used both in the Second World War and the Vietnam war (for those who can see through this reasoning will know that the Carbine is Zack's favourite weapon in Call of Duty). Zack - Jamie and Charles it was honestly one of the coolest things I've done! I've shot an M1! My life is pretty much complete I'd say. Elodie was the only girlfriend to brave the noise of gunfire to take photos but was not the only partner having to endure a post-shooting lecture from testosterone-filled boyfriends and husbands! We then walked to the tunnel entrance where we were told of the different stages to exit - Elodie opted for the shortest 30m infront and Zack decided to brave the non-widened tunnels 100m from the exit. After watching Elodie go up into the sunlight Zack continued with another guy further into the network. At times we had to crawl on hands and knees and eventually had to stop because the tunnels were getting uncomfortably thin - it really brought home the feats achieved by the Vietcong when fighting the Americans. After a couple of photos of entering the tunnels by the small, hole entrances (you'll understand when you see the photos) it was back on to the bus and back to the "Ho Man" (what we called Ho Chi Minh City). We have spent this afternoon at the market making some essential purchases as this is our last night in Vietnam! We have absolutely loved the buzz and energy of the Ho Man and will definately be sad to leave not only the city but Vietnam as a country. It is one of the most amazing places either of us have ever been and we have made a promise to ourselves to return here one day.
So on to the next part of our incredible journey! Cambodia here we come! Love to you all as always xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Elodie - Hello everyone. I'm enjoying myself A LOTT!!! Claire- yes the ski hatted babies was very weird but also cute. Katie- your birthday will be the best because then EVERYONE will be 18!!! Edith- HAHAHAHAHA leprosy frog- good times. what were you though? or was it just me? Did you like the picture? I hope you know that caused a lot of embarrassment, i had a few people watching and I had to ask my motorbike rider to sit there while i pulled that face. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zack - Katie the touch rugby sounds hilarious, please share all as soon as you get the chance. Hope you're having a brilliant Summer, only 2 weeks and then we're back! - mad! Mum and Dad - if you guys read this then I hope you are having a fab time in Croatia , I can't wait to see you guys! I will definately come to Cornwall Mum. Did you see Clo's new photos? She's put them up on Facebook so have a look if you get the chance. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
