Today we went from the big city to the countryside. Even the outlying areas are very busy. Lots of cars, trucks and motorcycles still. The French had introduced many things to the country: rubber trees (for latex), cashews, pepper and coffee.
Between Saigon and the port is the area where the VC dug and fought through their tunnel systems. The ground is hard, claylike and allowed them to make several tunnel levels. They built wells, kitchens, sleeping rooms, dining areas and exits to the river. They used kerosene lanterns to light the tunnels and rooms. The tunnels were just 2 x 2 in size. We went down into one, but they had enlarged it for the tourists. Many bomb craters all around this area. They showed us many types of booby traps to injure troops as they walked through the deep forest. I can’t even image how terrify this type of warfare would have been.
Lunch was an assortment of chicken, sticky rice and catfish. With a little Saigon beer.
Two more hours by bus to the ship. It is a brand new ship and is much more roomy than the longboats.
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