April 11, 2007
We arrived at Sinh Cafe for our last full day of sightseeing; the famous Cu Chi Tunnels followed by a 1/2 day tour of the sights around HCMC.
Cu Chi, located about 70km north of Saigon was a village that over a period of 25 years, developed these 'underground' tunnels for daily living, but later also for resistance against the US military during the Vietnam War. Built only by shovels and straw pans, the network of passages extends over 200kms (Southern Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border) and runs as deep as 10m below the surface. Strategically placed exit doors, chimneys, vents and traps were effectively camoflauged, enabling the Viet Cong to mount surprise attacks on its enemies.
Although renovated for tourists, the visable tunnels here in Ben Dinh were originally quite low and narrow, likely a reflection of the smaller builds of the Vietnamese soldiers. After our 30 metre 'crawl' in the dark and humid 'cave', you could really appreciate the skill and patience needed during its construction......
Along the way we both got are hands wet on a Russion AK-47...if you wanted to be Rambo for 3 seconds, you could try one of the many M16s and other machine guns available...(i was hoping to try a rocket launcher!).....anyways, for about $8 US, we shared a couple of shells and fired, under the supervision of the 'non-instructional' officer on hand. Despite using these shitty headphone style muffs that felt like 'ear warmers', I had to endure a few hours of mild tinnitis (ringing in the ears)...woe...intense!...I think aC and will will stick to shooting games on PS3!
After woofing down some viet-style rice on the tour bus, we began our 1/2 day city tour of HCMC. The hightlight was probably the 45 minutes spent at the War Remnants Museum aka 'propaganda museum' as some locals will call it. There were several 'themes' exhibited including 'historical truths', "requiem" aka photos taken by 134 war reporters all killed during the Vietnam War, models of the imprisonment system aka 'tiger cages' and guillotines and hundreds of other photos and war artifacts....As you leave this this place, you really feel the brutality of war and realize that many of the victims here were the civilians. From the horrific photos and models of mangled children to the deformities created by 'Agent Orange', there was definitely lots of stuff here to see and absorb!
We arrived at Sinh Cafe for our last full day of sightseeing; the famous Cu Chi Tunnels followed by a 1/2 day tour of the sights around HCMC.
Cu Chi, located about 70km north of Saigon was a village that over a period of 25 years, developed these 'underground' tunnels for daily living, but later also for resistance against the US military during the Vietnam War. Built only by shovels and straw pans, the network of passages extends over 200kms (Southern Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border) and runs as deep as 10m below the surface. Strategically placed exit doors, chimneys, vents and traps were effectively camoflauged, enabling the Viet Cong to mount surprise attacks on its enemies.
Although renovated for tourists, the visable tunnels here in Ben Dinh were originally quite low and narrow, likely a reflection of the smaller builds of the Vietnamese soldiers. After our 30 metre 'crawl' in the dark and humid 'cave', you could really appreciate the skill and patience needed during its construction......
Along the way we both got are hands wet on a Russion AK-47...if you wanted to be Rambo for 3 seconds, you could try one of the many M16s and other machine guns available...(i was hoping to try a rocket launcher!).....anyways, for about $8 US, we shared a couple of shells and fired, under the supervision of the 'non-instructional' officer on hand. Despite using these shitty headphone style muffs that felt like 'ear warmers', I had to endure a few hours of mild tinnitis (ringing in the ears)...woe...intense!...I think aC and will will stick to shooting games on PS3!
After woofing down some viet-style rice on the tour bus, we began our 1/2 day city tour of HCMC. The hightlight was probably the 45 minutes spent at the War Remnants Museum aka 'propaganda museum' as some locals will call it. There were several 'themes' exhibited including 'historical truths', "requiem" aka photos taken by 134 war reporters all killed during the Vietnam War, models of the imprisonment system aka 'tiger cages' and guillotines and hundreds of other photos and war artifacts....As you leave this this place, you really feel the brutality of war and realize that many of the victims here were the civilians. From the horrific photos and models of mangled children to the deformities created by 'Agent Orange', there was definitely lots of stuff here to see and absorb!
Afterwards we made quick stops at the Reunification Hall (Southern Vietnam Presidential Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral & the ever so exciting General Post Office!.
Shortly after, we headed back to the Maple Healthcare Dental Clinic where Doc hooked aC up with some super-duper teeth whitening program....best part was how quickly aC's models & trays were prepared and made (very convenient when you OWN the equipment vs. having stuff sent out to the labs)..Thanx Doc for making aC's teeth bright and white again!
For dinner, Doc took us to the Pho-est of Phos here in HCMC; PHO Pasteur!......we didn't have the flank, tripe, tendon or dog, but it didn't matter.....we went with his recomendation: 'pho-gac'.
...and to finish off the day, Doc took us to this Viet-style massage/spa centre.....ooops, only gentle foot and head rub for aC, but Doc & I took the 90 minute package....nothing like hot rocks being rolled on your neck and shoulders!!..ahhh......
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