Chapter 2.2 - Cu Chi Tunnel, Saigon

7:00am

The alarm clock rings. I only slept for 2 hours. The jet lag has just started. I put on socks, shoes, and a shirt. I would prefer tank tops and flip flops. But it might be a bit cool and dusty in the tunnels.

I pack my backpack with provisions and I immediately get hungry. I eat my egg toasts and start eating the cheese.

Guys, don't get any cheese in Vietnam. It is smoked, but salty as hell. I hope these egg sandwiches don't give me any trouble with my stomach. So far, I have been lucky with everything else.

Off to the cafe, another Sua Da to wake up. On the way out, I greet Phong. He tells me that the Danes who arrived yesterday also went to the Cu Chi Tunnels. However, for a higher price than the one Minh offers. Nice!

Now a Grab Bike picks me up and takes me to the pickup. 4-minute ride. I talk to the woman at the tour agency counter. She writes the bus number on my ticket and asks me to wait. The bus will arrive at 8:00am. I'm excited.

A young man joins me. We start talking. His name is Camron and he is from Toronto, Canada. I guess he is around my age. He is also visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels today. Shortly after 8:00am, the bus arrives. We get on. It's incredible that I'm sitting here. Extra legroom? Not a chance. I think I am exactly 1-meter too tall for Vietnam...

9:12am

Thirza from the Netherlands joins us. Camron and she have met before in Laos.

Our tour guide introduces himself. His name is Lam. I think we will have some cool experiences. He is a super friendly guy. We have 60km ahead of us to the tunnels. Apparently, you can even fire an AK47. Of course, for a certain fee.

I eat my ration of cheesecake and my Banh Mi.

9:30am

Quick stop at a small art workshop. Everything is for the victims of Agent Orange. Please google it if you're wondering what it is. I get another iced coffee and get back on the bus. We continue to the tunnels. About 45 minutes of driving left.

10:20am

We have arrived. Gathering in front of the entrance. Lam tells us how it will go.

The heat is starting to set in. It's still bearable. Through a large underpass, we reach a small camp. We enter one of these huts and watch an introductory film about the Vietnam War. Lam then explains something about the tunnels and the people. It's pretty crazy what a person had to endure in that dark time. We learn about traps, tunnel construction methods, camouflage strategies, and much more. I'm glad I didn't have to experience it.

I keep noticing how tired I am. The 2 hours of sleep are taking their toll.

But the gunshots from the distance keep waking me up.

We see the original tunnels that are not really big with a height of 40cm and a width of about 50cm. I can't figure out how people could move through them for kilometers.

Now we are getting closer to the gunshots. Obviously, they are AK47 or other machine guns. And it's live ammunition.

Anyone who wants to pay can shoot for themselves. Crazy.

We continue after a short break. Now we have the chance to crawl through a small tunnel ourselves. However, it is enlarged so that tourists can also pass through. Still very narrow and stuffy.

After 40m, I give up. Too hot, too stuffy. Somehow, you can tell that everyone is eagerly waiting for the air-conditioned bus. Lam brings us the typical guerilla food on a tray. It looks like sugar cane, but tastes like potato. I only take a small piece, it's enough.

1:11pm

We go back through the underpass to the parking lot and finally get on the bus. I am really exhausted. A little girl starts crying, a baby. She probably feels like me.

I think I will take a shower and sleep for a few more hours at the accommodation.

At 3:00am, I leave for Da Lat on the night bus. I'm really looking forward to Da Lat. Maybe I can ride a motorcycle there.

4:09pm

I am lying in bed after showering and will sleep now. I'll chat briefly with my cloud, then it's time to sleep.

5:16pm

I wake up with a rumbling stomach. I have to go to the bank again. On the way back, I go to the stand on the corner and order duck with rice soup and salad again.

After finishing my meal, Liew and Nadar want to go to the party mile to eat kebab there. Since I haven't been there yet, I join them.

I briefly met Nadar when I came back from the tunnels. Egyptian, around 28 years old, super friendly.

Just a great last evening in Saigon. In the hustle and bustle of the bars and nightclubs, Liew and Nadar show me a bar above the rooftops of the party mile. 8 floors up, a small balcony, people are smoking. Nadar also indulges in a sticky. We chat.

After Nadar finishes smoking, we go back to the kebab stand. We had already ordered as we passed by.

After the meal, we walk the entire mile. So many young Vietnamese, young women, and ladyboys dancing on platforms. About every 15 seconds, someone holds a huge menu in my face and tries to get us to come in. I always smile and wave it off.

Afterward, we go for a coffee.

10:45pm

Back in the lobby. Now we just chill. I still have to pack my backpack and order a Grab Driver at 2:00am.

I learn from Ryan that there is a marathon taking place in the district tonight. Hopefully, it won't hinder my departure.

It will be fine.

2:42am

I arrive at the bus station with a Grab Car. After a brief back and forth, the two cashiers find my booking and print my ticket. Now I'm sitting in the waiting area for the bus.

Nadar told me that the sleeper bus probably won't accommodate my size. Hopefully, I can still get some sleep. I'll know in 7 hours.

Well-satisfied from the kebab, I'm now looking forward to Da Lat.

3:05am

We're rolling. I've made myself as comfortable as possible in my little cabin. I think you can see from the photo that I don't fit in here optimally. But I can stretch my legs if I try. I also inflated my travel pillow. Now I will try to sleep. Good night Saigon, it was very interesting.

Oh, there's a seatbelt here... Should I buckle up?

In any case, I send you all kisses 😘