Bus dropped us off in backpacker area so the hunt for digs began. We looked at four places eventually settling on one that offered free laundery. This would have been great if they didn't lose your clothes.
Went for a mexican and a few drinks including a cocktail at a rooftop place that took forever to reach and was not worth the climb up the stairs.
Next day we went to the Reunification Palace. This was where the tanks crashed through the gates signalling the end of the war. The tanks are still there but they've fixed the fence. Got a free guided tour which gave us a bit of a history lesson.
Went for some excellent sushi and then wandered around town aimlessly until dinner time. Curry. Vindaloo. Not hot enough.
Next day we went to the War Remnants Museum. This was quite an upsetting experience. Many photos of Agent Orange victims and information on what bastards the US administration were at the time. Quite shocking to learn about the war crimes they committed. One particular exhibit was a recent letter to Obama from a victim of Agent Orange which highlighted how the US fund the US victims of Agent Orange but completely disregard the innocent Vietnamese civilian victims. I don't do it justice really but it was gripping stuff. The whole place just made you feel pretty sad really.
To cheer up we went bowling. Or at least we tried. The place had closed down. Gutted. Saw Notre Dam Cathedral and had a miserable coffee near a big concrete flower monument.
Went to sushi place again and then went for dinner. I had spicy spaghetti. Booked day trip to Cu Chi tunnels. These are the network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war.
The day trip was good fun. Stopped off at some factory to watch locals doing handicrafts then headed into Cu Chi.
There was a massive fat and old Aussie guy with a young slip of a Vietnamese girl which made us feel a bit sick. He didn't fit in the tunnels.
Got shown an array of deadly traps and then had a break near a shooting gallery. Didn't bother shooting a gun as guns are for wankers.
Finally got to go into the tunnels which were incredibly small and hot. After a few hundred metres of scrambling I brushed against a live wire and got a pretty nasty electric shock. If this wasn't bad enough I tripped the circuit and all the lights went out. Girlie screams ensued but we got out alive so it was ok.
Got back into Saigon and had a really nice lunch. Went to the same place for dinner and it was awful.
Left the next day after breakfast at a place called Alley Cat. There were some cute cats there. The food was terrible. Worst baked beans I've ever had. Cold, hard and pale.
Got bus tickets to Vinh Long and waved goodbye to Saigon.
Saigon is a huge place. It has a big city feel. There is plenty to do and see and it is very busy. It feels more western than Hanoi and other places in Vietnam but the buzzing of a million mopeds quickly remind you where you are.
Next up, The Mekong Delta, parts I, II and III
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