Today we went to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. What an interesting place. Here we had a brilliant and passionate guide who told us in depth about the tunnels and the Vientnamese people who lived there. Cu Chi is a small village located about 80km out of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) close to the jungle areas of Vietnam. This was a key area of the vietnam war as there was a very large Americanbase located close there during the War. The tunnels were made by the Vienamese Communists who were fighting against the Americans. The built around 250km of tunnels under ground where people lived and fought the Americans. They were very intelligent fighters and used clever ideas to attack America. They made hidden traps in the jungle and use clever ideas to deter the Americans finding them. The tunnels were very very narow in order to prevent Americans getting in. It was a complex system that had 3 different levels. People lived in there tunnels for years but often died of diseases or malnutrition. We had the chance to go into the tunnels and although they had widened the tunnels for tourists we still struggled to walk around them. Rob managed the 100m passage but it was clear he wouldn't have survived under there if he was in the war. We have taken a ot of pictures on our camera so will have to put them up another time.
After the tunnels we didn't have long until we had to catch our first overnight train to Nha Trang. We had a final drink with our fellow Englishman Stan and said goodbye to 6 of our group. We got on the over train and we shared with the Austrailian couple as the cabins had 4 bunks. Rob was out like a light and although a little small - and the occasional arm or leg hanging over the edge on the top - he slept trhough the night. It is with no surprise that Katrien however slept very little. but it was indeed an experience.
We arrived in Nha Trang on the 8th early morning at around 5am and came to our hotel. We had some orientation in the beach town and saw the early risers of Vietnam. Most of the people go to the beach early in the morning to do some exercising and grabbing a traditional coffee before they start their day (before the sun came out). One thing we still can't grasp is the fact that the Vietnamese people do everything in their power to shade themselves from the sun. Although we are embracing the sun and heat - they are all wrapped up, head to toe to prevent any sunlight getting to their skin.
Later on we went to have a mud bath here in Nha Trang. It was so unusual. We were bathing in a runny mud (the consistency of chocolate milk) which had natural minerals in which are meant to be very good for your skin. It was actually extremely relaxing but after a few hours - the hot water and sun was too much so we went back.
After dinner we went to watch some football with the group at a nice bar (our leader is obsessed with the English football league) then went home for a good night sleep.
9th
Today we havent done much but have had a nice relaxing time lounging on the beach. Not much to report today as we have taken it easy ( a nice chage after being so busy and on the go most of the time) although we have another overnight train to catch tonight heading to Hoi An. We will keep you updated about the next part of our Adventures!!
Love from Katrien and Rob xx
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