In the morning the others went to the War Remnants Museum in the city while I rested in bed. Amanda had booked a car and driver which her work use, so around 12.30 we packed all our luggage in and set off the 40+kilometres to the site stopping to buy Bahn Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) from a street stall on the way.
These stalls are all over the place, they use soft baguette rolls, spread them with pate then fill with the meat they specialise in, in this case it was chicken luncheon meat and roast pork and some greens. Soy and or chilli sauce is sprinkled over before they pack them. The neighbouring stall apparently had crispy duck, but I didn't know that until later. It was a substantial sandwich and I am not sure that any of us finished the whole thing!
We arrived at the Ben Duoc site of the tunnels which is the most extensive and after watching a film (1968) about the fighting a local guide took us around. He showed us the hidden tunnel entrances and how they lived and fought using the tunnels. The network is extensive, 250km on three levels, with air holes, meeting rooms, kitchens etc. Orlo had a great time going in them, when allowed.
The entrance was so narrow that they had to go in and out with arms straight up. The Vietnamese soldiers were much smaller than us Westerners or indeed the Vietnamese today, they didn't have access to the level of nutrition we have; in fact they lived on the cassava (tapioca) root which was steamed, we were given some to try along with ground peanuts, at the end of the tour .
Amanda and Orlo emerging from a longer tunnel excursion.
Outdoor washing area
The Americans killed the jungle vegetation with chemicals so all the trees we see now have grown since the end of the war, but the vegetation is very dense.
We were at Ben Duoc until around 5.0pm then drove back, through the busy traffic, to the Ibis Saigon Airport for the night. Amanda, Orlo and Michael went on an excursion to eat at 'Chicken Street' which was a short taxi drive away. Apparently they enjoyed barbecued chicken the Vietnamese way, Andrew and I retired to the roof top bar for G&T and very indifferent pizza.
Traffic built up at every road junction then thinned out again until the next one!
The view was city as far as the eye could see! People living cheek by jowl in lots of high rise and virtually no outdoor/park space. I would hate to live there!
The next day, Friday 3rd, we flew back to Hanoi having had a comfortable night at the Ibis, the decor was a complete contrast to the majestic!
So now we are back at 'home' unpacked, all the washing and ironing done, they are preparing to return to work and school and we are preparing to pack up again and return home on Tuesday.
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