Yawn, had to get up at daft o'clock (04:30) this morning for our shuttle to the airport. Was a bit concerned about the visa but wasn't a problem. Our biggest problem was being over weight on the luggage and that was with being allowed 25Kg each. We managed to get away with it though but may have to dump some of Andy's clothes before we get our normal flight home - 20Kg each. Bug*ger, how has that happened? We've only been here about a week and already we're over. Ah well, we'll sort it out.
Had burger king for breakfast and then jumped on the plane. Arrived in Ho Chi Minh about 0930 and got a taxi to the Metropole Hotel. Sure we got ripped off again, there's going to be a lot of happy campers by the time we leave Asia. Couldn't believe this place, thought Bangkok was bad? This place is mental. There is absolutely no rules on the road whatsoever, just a matter of who's got the biggest balls or vehicle. Never seen so many motorbikes in one place. Crazy. So we dumped our bags and headed out of the hotel. Luckily we're smack bang in the middle of Ho Chi Minh so everything's within walking distance. We sat at a road side cafe and contemplated how we would cross the roads. As we sat down, we met an old Oz guy called Doug who was on the same flight as us from Bangkok. He was over here reminiscing about the vietnam war and the last time he was here was 1968 or there about when he took a bullet in the arm whilst flying a helicopter. Really nice old guy and was full of stories along with his deformed arm. He kept us amused for a few while. He also told us the only way to cross the road was to keep looking straight ahead and not to make eye contact with the traffic otherwise they'll mow you down. We told him not to fly helicopters with your arm hanging the window. Turns out he was right about the traffic though. Just hit the road and keep walking and they all dodge round you - so far, so good. It's great, it's easier crossing the road here than Aberdeen and you wouldn't believe how many cars and bikes are on the road. We did a little test this afternoon. I told Andy to cross the road before me and then I would go on my own to see if I would make it. Well, as Andy started to cross the road the lights turned to green and he disappeared in a sea of motorbikes. I think he picked the wrong moment but they all managed to dodge him. I thought he was playing hop scotch. Then it was my turn, so I waited til the lights turned red and strolled on. We've only been here less than a day and we're playing chicken with the traffic already. If it was Aberdeen, we'd both be in A&E by now. Not here. We had a wander around the streets but every 5 seconds all you hear is do you want a taxi, a watch, a lift in a rickshaw, how about a genuine rolex,begining to get bored now with all this crap we decided to head for the streets that were a little more quiet - Taxi, rickshaw it was all the same same until this guy offered me some Vietnamese herbs, thought of my little brother for a few seconds and the sunshine in his pocket but then turned him down and strolled on throught the bustling streets to play with the traffic instead.
Went to the local market but got stressed with the heat so didn't stay long. Just read Lonely Planet and found out that's where you can buy dogs but only sandy coloured ones because they taste best. (Rory you'd be safe enough to come on your hols here, black 'n white dogs taste sh*te). We're going to go back to take some photos as really want to see some of the crap they have for sale out the back of market, will post the pics. Don't get offended Rory!!
Going to bed now as we're away to see the tunnels tomorrow where they foiled the Americans, seems like a lot of work to me as all they had to do was build a donut shop and bomb it when it was full. Never mind Angie and I will be getting a shot of an AK-47 and an M16 so if the blog's not here you'll know what's happened.I caught Angie dumping my clothes. :-)
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