Day 68 - 69 Ho Chi Minh/Saigon

Flying through the clouds over Ho Chi Minh revealed a ginormous Asian city, that was clearly recovering remarkably well from the war. On the ground we were surprised further, it was prosperous, on the surface it was a booming. A very loud, very busy, overwhelming place. There is 85 million people in Vietnam if that gives you an idea how crazy one of the biggest city's is. Beeping and honking of horns filled the air 24/7 and we had to learn to fall asleep with the sounds of the city beneath us. It rained the majority of the time and we learned in the wet season it pours all afternoon, every afternoon for 3 months straight. Buckets, plastic bags, anything slightly waterproof became DIY raincoats as all motorbike drivers pulled off the roads and occupied any sheltered space along the streets.Ho Chi Minh was the first time we were able to really get into Vietnamese Cuisine...crab and shrimp spring rolls, fresh spring rolls, beef and ginger, chicken and lemongrass, caramelised pork, and Vietnamese fried rice YUM!!!!  A few less authentic items snuck in there...you have to love big cities in Asia as its easier to find food thats a little more reliable for travellers stomachs, western bakeries, fast food chains, but surprisingly or maybe not so surprising for controlled Vietnam...no McDonalds in sight.