First things first. On our drive out I just have to comment on the railway crossing. All of a sudden our mini van stopped and we saw 4 people actually hauling out a long gate to stop the traffic at the crossing. an automatic crossing would simply not stop the numerous vehicles and motorbikes, so there is a rail - pulled out across the road by workers. Goodness, what a job!!
Anyway, on to the Tunnels. We were above ground most of the way, seeing openings that had been enlarged for tourists. The Vietnamese are a small people and really, the only person that could get into this first opening was my sister who is somewhat petite in stature.
It isn't really funny, but it was fun to try and fit down the hole! Just prior to this there had been two small children who actually got in and were able to have the lid put on. The spot was completely camouflaged. And yes, their response to their parents standing right there was "OUI" to getting out quickly! (they spoke French)
We went along the paths, hearing of all the ingenious tricks used by the Vietnamese to catch the soldiers and stop them from proceeding. It was war and they used all the techniques they knew, without a lot of hardware and outside devices, and actually stumped the Americans - it is called a War They Could Not Win. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the traps.
The battery is about the run out and the electrics are packed for our 5AM departure tomorrow, so I'll have to leave this for now and finish it later! Hope you are intrigued for now!
AFN...
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