Hitting the ground running

So then we were there, rather than weeks of epic cross country trecking last time around, this time it was a nice easy (albeit much too early) flight ex Singa and we were on the ground in Saigon. It's hot... daaamn hot, looking at around 35 in the heat of the day and not much sign of the rain and thunder that was forecast. Saigon is still manic and loud and busy, it might just be my change in perception (and change in places I hang out when not travelling alone!) but there seem to be a lot more tourists here now.

We are staying and the Hotel Continental Saigon, a beautiful colonial era building (one of the few left) built around 1880 and home to spies and journalists and intrigue and all sorts of history that much of Vietnam is now lacking. It's a wonderful place and the one place I just had to stay, despite being dramatically overpriced for all its faded glory. There are better places for the money (which is a lot by Vietnam standards) but nothing that has the atmosphere.

So far in three days we have covered off the majority of the tourist activities, including the War Remnants Museum (aka The Vietnam Government Museum of B.S. and Dead Baby Photos), even Lala (my better half, for that is what we call her here) was angered by the level of propaganda, but what can you do... I know bagging Americans is all the rage these days but they sure take it to a whole other level of passive-aggressive hatred here. But only in the museums, elsewhere nobody really seems to care. Also went to the "Reunification Palace" as it is now known, the old president's mansion build in the 1960's, which features in the famous photos of two North Vietnamese T62's crashing through the gates during the fall of Saigon... quite an amazing place as it was quite new at the time and as been preserved unchanged since that day complete with Thunderbirds style decor.

So anyway can't rabbit on too much, we are off to see some pagodas or some such today (didn't do that the first time, can't think why...) then likely back to the rooftop garden for happy hour at the grand Rex hotel which has become our Saigon evening tradition. Haven't learned too much new yet (pork ear is chewy, but that doesn't come as a great surprise to anyone surely)... have rekindled my deep love for copi da, Vietnamese black iced coffee... have reconfirmed the woeful navigation skills of my better half (She - "These maps are wrong... the market is on a different place on them... what do you mean there are two markets...?? Ohhhhh... THAT is why I have been getting us lost for the last two days...")... not to mention yesterday trying to make us walk in circles around the walls of the Reunification Palace several times trying to find the museum (It was "Left, Right, left" not "Left, Left, Right")... I have also learned everything costs a lot more when there are two of you...

Better get wandering it's getting hotter fast... hope all is well, don't forget to say gidday