Bicycle Chains and Bikini Bottoms

I cannot profess to any great travel adventures since the boarder crossing but I am pleased that I came to Vietnam. The weather is great and the scenery and beaches are fabulous although a touch of sunburn has kept my seaside fun to a minimum. I haven’t seen any of the thieving and meanness that I was warned about by several people before I came. A few days after I got to Hoi An, I met up with Hannah, who I originally met in North Laos. We cycled to the beach a few times and on one occasion, the chain came off Hannah’s bike. Our repair efforts were unsuccessful and a local man came to our assistance and before you know it the rest of the house was involved. I scurried off to buy him a beer for his trouble and when I turned back, Hannah was on her way in the door where the lady of the house pretty much washed the oil off her hands for her and then we were invited to sit at their table with them. They didn’t speak a word of English but we shared a small drink, some sweets, awkward watermelon seeds and some photos before we set off home to our hotel. On another occasion, Hannah lost her bikini bottoms but I really shouldn’t say anymore – it was all very innocent on her part anyway. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City, I booked onto an organized tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels and other historical sites, which ended up being a bit like a cattle market the way we were all herded around – I admit to getting irritated by it but it was still a great experience. I climbed into the little tunnels where the VC hid themselves and from where they made many attacks during the war, I walked around the War Remnants Museum to see some more of the evidence of the craziness of war and I spent some time at the Reunification Palace, where Communist victory was declared in 1975. Last night, I was lucky enough to see another side to Ho Chi Minh City when (thanks to Anele) I met up with a HIV nurse from Manchester called Elaine, who is now working here, and her husband, Mark. We went to some lovely bars and had great local food and a really good laugh and chat. The food here is much better and cheaper than I had anticipated but the city doesn’t disguise the rat and cockroach inhabitants too well and the squat toilets are partitioned off parts of the kitchens. That said, I think my immunity is as strong as its ever been. The markets are impressive and another parcel will be winging its way back to London tomorrow before I fly on to Hanoi the day after. I’m starting to miss rain but don’t tell anyone.