Saigon, Vietnam

Today was my first day in Saigon, I went with the group on a tour of Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh Tunnels which is alway called the Cu Chi Tunnels just on the out skirts of Saigon. This site is part of the UNESCO sites. Click on this website to see more about the tunnels http://www.discover-vietnam.com/html/sightseeing_cuchi_tunnel.htm or just cut and paste the link to find out more. It was where the Vietnam people fought against the Americas and won.



The Map of the Vietnam war between the Americas and the Vietease.



The basket and the tool that the Vietease used to dig the tunnels.




The actual size of hole that the Vietase soldiers went down to get to the tunnels.



A Vietnease getting into the hole today.




A swing door trap...




These leaves are special leaves that when set on fire don't burn... then can only be found in the area where the Vietease fought the Americas.


After we arrived back from our outings, without any rain Hurray!! We went to Pho 2000 which is famous because President Clint ate there. I had an Coconut drink right from the Coconut.



My Coconut shake

We also went to the War Museum



The enterance to the Ware Museum


and then to see the train station that was built in the early 1800's and is now a post office.



The Train Station that became a Post Office.





Dinner at night at a traditional place

What a day!!

Hoi An and onwards

Since I last wrote, we have taken a boat ride to a small town through extreme rain. I guess I cannot expect anything less, being it is the end of the rainy season here in Hoi An. The streets are flooded and it is very normal for the people to continue with their daily lives in this fashion.




More rain anyone!!!


I saw some interesting sites such as locals rocking a boat that lots like a basket to get to their own larger boat.



A basket boat



I swam in the South China Sea.








Swimming in the South China Sea


It was so warm as it was rainy on us. We even saw carts that go from the main land above the Sea to a resort on the other side.



The cable car from the main land to an expensive resort, across the South China Sea


It was very cool. We went to vist one of the largest Buddha status in Vietnam.





A very large Buddha


Then in the afternoon we had a relaxing time at a mud bath and hot springs.



The group in the mud bath

It was so nice before we boarded an overnight train to Saigon. We got on the train at 10:10 in the evening and got off at 4:30 in the morning. Not much sleep. Oh well....

Hoi An - Vietnam

The Market



Local Lady carrying her goods

Yesterday we went to a cooking class. Before the cooking class we went to the local market to purchase the ingrediences for the 5 receipes.








Cooking Class




















It ưWe have been here for almost three dáy and it has been nice to be in one place for more than a day.
During the time here I have seen a lot of rain and quite a bit of flooding.


















Flooded streets

I have been able to stop and observe the local people.
Have done some shopping and got some Christmas presents mailed. Yes, I am ahead of the Christmas rush. I am glad of that

On the way to Hao An

From Hue we went to Hao An and on the way there we stop to see an UNESCO site which included a bunker from the Vietnam war and an overpass that viewed the scency. We also went to Marble mountain where everything is carved out of marble.



Marble carving


Then we stopped and had lunch at the beach. One of the children got this cool candy and she got me one too.



Me and my new candy - it is like taffy with peanuts inside




The ocean


When we arrived in Hao An we took a tour of the tour - just before we arrived the other day part of the town had been flooded. I went to the local market.

Dragon Fruit



Lyee fruit

As we were touring the town it continued to rain. At night when we went to the restaurant for dinner we had to walk through a partly flooded street or climb onto chairs to get into the restaurant. It was cool.








Where the road is to be...





Me standing in the water at the enterance to the restaurant