Snakes, guns and tears.

Last blog we had just arrived in Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh city, and were deciding what to do with a spare few days. There were a couple of options which involved long bus trips, but in the end we decided on staying in Saigon because we basically fell in love with it. Which surprised me, I wasn't expecting much, but found it to be pumping with activity, tons of great restaurants, cool people and awesome shopping. There is a strong French influence, and it is possible to eat Paris cafe style for lunch, then get BBQ kebabs and 60cent beers on a street corner at night with the locals. Our intrepid tour broke up, some went home and some onto Thailand, but Chris from Perth and Janelle from Calgary hung around with us for a few more days which was cool and we have made some awesome new friends.

A buck for a bullet to shoot an AK47

We had a day trip out to Cu Chi to see the famous tunnel system and learnt about the tricks of the Viet Kong, how they became "American killer heros". Interesting to see it from the Vietnamese side, and to think this all happened when I was just a wee kid. We had a few laughs at Cu Chi, but afterwards went to the War Remnants museum in Saigon and got a real taste of just how bloody awful this war was. Photo after photo of atrocities and crimes against the Vietnamese by Americans (cos that's the side they show us) and we all felt quite sickened and very sad.

Intrepid farewell dinner

The tour's final get together was at Lemongrass Restaurant, in the classy district of Dong Khoi. Awesome place but the food not as good as eating off the street vendors in the 'gutter'. Khanh took us to a bar called Saigon saloon, skinny waitresses in skimpy gingham outfits flirtying with the single men for extra tips. There was a metal band called Bad and Ugly playing, who did an memorable rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Saigon's tallest - 38 floors high.

Wakey wakey, hands on snakey.

We did a day trip to the Mekong, on a whirlwind tourist trail of boat ride, coconut candy, snake wine (with a dead snake eating a scorpion inside the bottle), snakes, sanpan ride, lunch and tuk tuk rides. Holding the snake was the best ever thing, now I understand why Steve Irwin was always so excited.

Elephant Ear fish lunch.

Chris and Pearl in the Mekong

Saigon Post Office with painting of Uncle Ho

Back in Saigon we learn't of the death of Aunty Trish. A very sad day for us, but especially Luke who is really going to miss his little phone chats with her when she would interpret his dreams. RIP Trish, we hope that as you leave this world you will travel our way and be with us here for a little while in Vietnam. The buddhists believe that this life is not your real life, that only after you die do you become your eternal self based on how you behaved in this life. I find that comforting as Trish, who was always so thoughtful about others even when she was feeling so very unwell herself, will no doubt be blessed with peace.

 The day after Trish died, and after visiting the depressing museum, we needed some delight to bring us back to joy, and found it almost straight away with these gorgeous kids playing in a fountain in the park. Funny how life can bring you just what you need.

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