Vietnam Part 1

On December 26th, we left Korea for Ho Chi Minh (Formerly Saigon).  At least, we tried to.  We actually missed our early morning flight and didn't leave until much later that evening.  That meant 9 hours or so in the Incheon Airport, but at least it's a nice one.

We stayed in the Riverside Apartments on the Saigon River.  It was a very nice facility pretty far outside the downtown area.  It had a very good restaurant on site.  The food was so good that I didn't mind at all that it was all western.

Here are my extraordinary Eggs Benedict.

Fantastic shakes and smoothies...

The big hit here was the crepe with whipped cream, banana, and nutella.

 

They also had a surprisingly well stocked and affordable convenience store.

The only tour we took was to the north of the city to the CuChi tunnel complex in which the communist Vietnamese used to hide.  Here is a large crater left from a B-52 bomb.  It's hard to see, but you can just make out the far edge of the hole.  The Vietnamese once referred to these holes as American donated fish farms since that's what many were converted into.

Entrance to a smaller tunnel.

Here I am squeezed into one of the holes.  It was hard squeezing in and just plain embarrassing trying to get out. One tourist said as I was coming out "Your trousers are coming off mate." 

There were several exhibits showing the various traps.  It was a surprisingly touristy place and , to be honest, it was a little odd for me in several places like a tank where 4 US service members were killed.  I chose not to include that.  Here is a nice spike booby trap though.

On a lighter note, I did get to fire an AK-47.

Then it was down into the tunnels.  I couldn't believe I got the kids down there.

 

Here are some shoes made from car tires.

Finally, the obligatory roadside feast.

  Then it was time for poolside chilling and banana smoothies.

 

 ...and watching the boats go by.

Our last night there we took the shuttle boat into downtown Ho Chi Minh.  Shannon and I both agree that not nearly enough time was allotted.  We had a great evening!

The traffic was crazy!  It was an ocean of scooters.  We finally just had to step into the road and let the traffic pass around us like a rock in the stream.  Craziness I tell you!
  

We ate at a restaurant that had what appeared to be an antique elevator.  The kids look leery for good reason.  I almost chose to take the stairs.  Almost.

The meal was fabulous.  Seconds were ordered by someone, but I'm not saying who.  Love you Shannon.

 

The view from the restaurant.  Can't wait to spend more time here.

Next up, farmstays, caves, and the train ride from hell.  Also, Shannon appears in a picture.