Day of Extremes

We signed up for a tour yesterday to the Cu Chi tunnels and the Cao Dai Temple about 100 km north west of Saigon. Talk about two extremely different places to visit.  The Cu Chi tunnels were created by the Cu Chi villiagers and fighters during the Vietnam War (or American War as they call it) .  The Cu Chi tunnels are considered a symbol of revolutionary heroism as the people fought against American forces.  This was a little history surprise because I thought South Vietnam and the American troupes fought together but it seems this part of the region was not in that category.  The tunnels were started in 1948 when the Vietminh were fighting with the French but were added to in the 60's with the Vietcong to create over 200 km of tunnels that contained homes, hospitals, and "roads"throughout the region.  The fighters would pop up and shoot at the Americans, then close the trap and move on. If the bombs hit, they travelled to the lower levels, sometimes 8 meters underground.  The tunnels we crawled through were doubled in size to fit tourists bodies.  It was the worst 40m crab walk I've ever done.  I started to get a little panicky (despite the smile on my face in the picture).  It was hot and small and very tiring to walk. 

hiddens traps with bamboo spikes

Tunnel entrance

left over bombs

panic setting in - must get out

airholes

We then travelled from the grusome reality of the Vietnam war to the surreal peace of the Cao Dai temple.  This is the craziest place temple and religion I've ever seen.  Crazy in a good way though. I was probably one of the most peaceful, ethereal settings with the blue sky starry ceiling and pink dragon columns.  Not to mention the giant all seeing eye at the end of the temple.  You'll have to look up the details of the religion - it will make you laugh. Victor Hugo is one of their Divine Agents.  We were there for a service so add incense, chanting and a sitar like guitar and it was all a very out of body experience.

I can explain more later but now I have to run - or more appropriately, bike.  We start the tour today - 52 km (he added 7 km to it).  It is about 30C right now and it is 8 am.  I'm not sure if I will have internet accesss since it seems we are headed for the sticks. The adventure starts today...