We returned to the Saigon Cafe for breakfast this morning and the boys consumed a mountain of Eastern and Western selections. They were quite taken with the "bagel tree" (sorry forgot cord to transfer photo fom Flynn's camera)) and the spinning wheel of heat to warm it up.
Our first stop today was the War Remnants Museum. There were some particularly disturbing photos and some even more disturbing formaldehyde specimens. Flynn skipped the most graphic room. We came face to face with the impact of the war when a land mine victim "shook hands" with us all and offered us some books for sale. How can you not transact when he was missing both arms below the elbow, an eye and a leg. Back on the bus, we discovered that most of our party had been approached and the guy had made a few hundred USD in about 10 minutes. Not a bad money earner but I would still rather have my body parts. The boys were a little thrown by the whole museum experience and we had some interesting discussions about the Vietnam war (called the American war by the Vietnamese).
The bus took us for an hour long trip into the country to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Flynn led the way down the first tunnel. I was glad I gave it a miss when a few bats flew out the other end. I tackled the second tunnel, which had a slightly bigger entrance. Tiny, claustrophobic and hot, it was nonetheless a pretty amazing experience. The boys particularly liked the booby traps.I can't imagine trying to fight against people using this tunnel system.
We continued on to lunch at a lovely riverfront restaurant, Ben Nay. We ate in separate bungalows that were built out over the river. Team Starrett has been completely adopted by our friends from yesterday - Angela, Allen, Rose and Ginny. They are all ex law enforcement from LA and have a huge bank of great stories. Angela is the ringleader and has sweet talked the waiters into extra rice cakes and led our group in a bad joke telling session.
We climbed back in the bus to head off to the airport for our flight to Da Nang. Going through with the tour group was very easy - I think they shortcut the check in and security process somehow. Rose has a grab bag of American candy so the boys munched their way through the short wait till we boarded.
Our resort at Hoi An is lovely but I am ready for bed so will cover that tomorrow
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