Chu Chi Tunnels

On our last day in Ho Chi Mihn city, Steve and I decided to go see the famous Chu Chi tunnels.
These tunnels were built in the 40s, but not used until the early 70s as a Vietnamese tool in the war against the US.
There were hundreds of kilometers of tunnels built in preparation and during the war, but only two areas are preserved today (70 km in HCMC area).
The tunnels them self were so cool to see. We actually got to go down inside them and crawl through to 'see what it would have been like during the war'. Minus the mud, bombs being dropped, no food, and overall terrifying circumstance.
The tunnels are classified as either level 1,2, or 3. With each class, the dimensions of the tunnels got smaller and smaller.
We were only allowed in Class 1 tunnels because anything smaller caused to many people to have panic attacks.
They were alright for me, but I'm quite small. Even Steve had a hard time fitting through some spots. The tunnels we went in were 88 cm wide  by 122 cm tall. A tight squeeze indeed.

We had a guided tour through the tunnels and surrounding area. We actually got to walk through the jungle to reach the tunnels  and to see other shelters, and boobie traps that the Vietnamese used in the war.
We even were served the meal Vietnamese soldiers, called gorillas, ate during the war. Boiled tapioca...super yummy.
Not really- it tasted like eating a crayon- a little softer though. Like a waxy potato.

 Our tour guide was really funny- he spoke pretty decent English and was really good at explaining everything to us.  He insisted we call him John Wayne though. Every time he said 'John Wayne' he stuck his tongue out and laughed. It was pretty cute.

The tunnels are located about two hours outside HCMC, and as such we had to take a bus to get there and back. Not a problem at all- although our bus shut off ever 100 meters at which point we had to stop and start it up again. It made for an interesting ride at any rate.

As soon as we made it back to the City, we jumped onto another bus and were on our way to Mui Ne.
This village is  more rural, and less hustle and bustle-y. It's about 4 hours from HCMC.
Manh had booked us a seat with the best bus company- and we were on our way.
The bus was actually really nice. With a few exceptions of course.

First of all- though the drivers are crazy, you don't get anywhere fast. I swear we stopped at every possible gas station and restaurant on our way to Mui Ne. It took us seven hours to get there.
It wouldn't have been THAT BAD- but...
Vietnamese people LOVE karaoke. From the minute we got on the bus, to the moment we arrived in Mui Ne, there was music blaring, disco lights flashing, and all the locals singing along to every song.
For the first 10 minutes it was kind of neat. Seven hours of it was comparable to a bus ride with ten annoying 'jefferys'. You just wanted it to stop.
(You should note that all Vietnamese music is very twangie... Its like a terrible version of classic country, but with classical violin and high pitched whiny singing.. Gasp! I don't need to hear that again.)

We made it to our hotel in one piece and without anything stolen though, so I can't really complain.
Our room at Nam Hai hotel was beautiful- and it was a wonderful end to the day. Apart from our lights not working and the internet only working when our door was open, it was awesome. The view of the South China Sea made up for it.