Category: Ho Chi Minh City

My plan was to have breakfast then get a motorcycle to take me to the War Remnants Museum – figuring I could walk home from there. Since it was still cool, I decided instead to walk to the museum, and then see about getting a motorcycle back.

On the way I stopped at a few computer stores to see what they offered. Prices seem a little good, but I’m more inclined to wait until I get home to get anything. Apparently my computer at home is no longer working, but I don’t know that the problem is yet.

I visited the War Remnants Museum, which was pretty sobering. Mostly photos – of the war, and people who’d been affected by it afterwards (thanks to Agent Orange, mostly). I bought some postcards from a living remnant, a fellow with arms that stopped at the elbows, and a damaged right eye. He told me he’d been unlucky, and stepped on a landmine when he was young. Unlucky, indeed.

Headed towards Independence Hall (or Reunification Palace, as it is also called). It was closed, so I just took a photo, and moved on. Didn’t sound like there was much to see there, but if I am bored tomorrow, I have time to check it out. Walked around for a good while after that. Grabbed a coffee, and wrote a few postcards. Most likely the last batch before I head home – otherwise I may as well just personally deliver them, as it’ll be quicker. Checked out the theatre, and the town hall after my coffee, then headed back to the guesthouse and got some lunch nearby.

It was hot, so I had a shower to cool down, then hopped onto the internet. Not too surprised to see the Americans again. If I’m lucky I can shake them in Bangkok, but they seem to find me wherever I go.

Checked out Semi-Pro at the theatre in the evening.  Mildly amusing, but not recommended.  Killed some time, in a nice air-conditioned room, on a comfy couch.  Did a bit of reading, but not really getting into my book.

Tour for Cu Chi Tunnels was supposed to depart at 8:00am, but it was closer to 8:30 when we finally rolled off. I think I’d had too much coffee in the past 24 hours, because I was extra fidgety. The driver also refused to go over 30km/h, which was making me antsy as well.

I thought we’d head straight to the tunnels, but there was a detour to a lacquer ware manufacturer run by people handicapped in (or as a result of) the war. Wasn’t really into it, so I was happy when we were back on the bus and heading to the tunnels.

At the tunnels, we bought our entry ticket, and headed to a partially submerged area, to watch a film on Cu Chi. It was pretty hilarious, with some interesting phrasing, such as “Like a batch of chickens with their heads cut off, the Americans shot into women and children, pots and pans…” and “Their motto was a hoe in one hand, and a gun in the other”. Didn’t paint the Americans in a very nice light.

Tunnels themselves were pretty cool – we only got to crawl through a small portion, but considering how uncomfortable they were, it’s probably for the best. The way back we drove a little faster – passing loads of rubber trees on the way. Our driver redeemed himself by managing to finagle the bus around a major traffic jam.

Back in Saigon, I went to the market with Craig, a Kiwi I met on the tour.  We had some pho for lunch, then headed back – stopping at a big electronics store so Craig could look for a computer (he’s after an EEE – the same computer I had stolen from me).

I was going to watch Semi-Pro at the theatre across the street, but when I got there, Iron Man was still playing.  I didn’t feel like waiting around for the next movie to start, so I wandered around at night, and then hopped on the internet for a bit.  Was going to update this journal, but ended up chatting with a few people online instead.  Watched some tv in my room (program on cricket fighting was a little odd), and then went to bed.

Up early to get a taxi to Danang airport.  Not a bad drive, with some nice mountains dotting the scenery.  In Danang, I checked in, and grabbed a coffee from across the street – managing to spill a bit of it on my book, the second time I’ve spilled some coffee on the same title.

It was a short flight, and I spent most of it finishing my book (“A Fine Balance”, which was excellent).  As I was waiting for my bag to round the conveyer belt, I noticed a small plastic bag float by.  It looked like the same bag that carried my camera charger.  I grabbed it and peeked inside – yep, my charger.  My bag showed up next, with an open pocket that once held my charger and my memory card reader. No sign of the memory card reader, so I waited around.  The belt was nearly clear, and my reader was nowhere to be found.  I was about to give up hope, when a french man placed the plastic bag holding the reader on the belt.  I ran and grabbed it, and headed to the exit.  The french guy asked for a dollar for his services, but he was only kidding.

I inquired about buses to the city, and found one for super cheap.   50 times what I would have paid a cab, most likely.  Took about half an hour, so not too slow either – and dropped me off exactly where I wanted to be.  I was the only foreigner, and a Vietnamese guy said he was impressed that I was taking it, as he’d never seen a white person on it before.

Checked out some guesthouses, before settling on one that seems pretty good.  It’s about seven or eight floors up, so climbing the stairs for the next few days should prepare me for any treks into the Himalayas I may undertake in the next little while.

I wandered around for a bit, hoping to find the post office – but it seems to be hidden somewhere.  I booked a trip to the Cu Chi tunnels for the next morning, then killed some time before getting some Indian for dinner.

After dinner I headed to a place across from my guesthouse, to watch Iron Man.  They play movies every night.  It was a fancy theatre, but a not-so-great copy of the movie.  Good, except for when it got too dark.  Decent movie, regardless.  Robert Downey Jr. was great.  Talked to Mike on the internet for a bit, after the movie – then noticed the doors to my guesthouse being shut, and made tracks over there before I would be forced to scale the outside walls to reach my room.