Indochina, in general

I'm not entirely sure if Indochina is even politically correct...

• we invented a couple of games to pass the time and amuse ourselves (alright, amuse myself). the first was spot the gecko - they were everywhere and looked like fancy decorations until they moved. the second game was dog with a collar - Bee actually promised me a beer if we saw one - we saw at least 3.
• I also enjoyed the new and strange fruit that was served every chance they got. dragonfruit was one of the more unique fruits I've ever seen - bright pink/purple on the outside and white on the inside with little black dots - it tasted kinda like kiwi fruit. the other one I liked has a name that I never bothered to learn as I thought that pale yellow giant mandarin was much more appropriate.
• they love their volleyball and shooting ranges.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I've been a bit slack due to enjoying the end of my holiday and then having to work, but here is some observations regarding Ho Chi Minh City...

• everyone has a job
• very disorientating and a lot more hectic than Phnom Penh. the graciousness shown on the roads in Cambodia definitely isn't there, but we found we were able to walk around a lot more without being hassled which was a pleasant change and we got to soak up a bit more of the city.
• at dinner on our first night in town i won a raincoat, ate free birthday cake and made a baby cry!
• visited the Cu Chi tunnels. they were very impressive and resourceful. the backward sandles to mislead the enemy as to which way they were walking were simple but brilliant.
• there were more guns to fire there, but i declined the opportunity - didn't feel quite right funny enough.
• our tour group included a highly religious catholic from Costa Rica named Fernando. he just so happened to be the Costa Rican ambassador to Korea. we swapped cards. he told me that he could get me into some North Korean sites if i ever wanted to visit Korea and to give him a buzz. curious? tempted? i'd say i am.
• on the way back into the city we got a good taste of the state by getting taken to a handicrafts factory where the employees were all handicapped. we were then led to a warehouse full of handicrafts at 10 times the price of what you'd pay in the market and told repeatedly that it's all owned by the government.
• long live Chairman Uncle Colonel Sanders

Photos will be appearing soon i hope...