Today we did an organised tour to Cau Dai cathedral and teh Cu Chi tunnels. The Cau Dai faith is a combination of faiths including Buddism, Taoism, Christianity and Confucianism. The pesants in the area joined forces to create a larger church. At one point they ahd their own army adn pope (although they no longer have this). They also get given their positions within the church by having a sayance. We went to a sermon and watched as they sang and preyed. It was very interesting. We also drove along the road where Kim Phoc ran along, having her photo taken as a child.
Then on to the Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong (or Victor Charlies as the Americans called them) literally dug themselves into the ground to escape the American bombings during teh war. We saw the traps they made, landmines amde from bombs they stole from the Americans, bamboo spears lowered in the ground with leaves scattered on the ground to hide the traps. They even made nail traps. We then got to go into a tunnel used by the VC. However teh ones we went in had been widened for tourists. They were still incredibly small and claustrophobic. At times we had to get on all fours and it was totally pitch black. Then there was a huge drop and you went deeper into the tunnel. It was very scary adn we were pleased to get out.
It was while we were there that Tim had a chance to shoot an M16 machine gun, just as the Americans had used in the war. Despite getting head phones he said it was very noisy and Lisa could hear his ten bullets being fired despite being some meters away. He loved it and hit a target about 70 meters away.
We had a great guide that day who was called Slim Jim. He knew loads of Cockney Rhyming slang and Australian sayings. He kept us entertained all day.
No comments:
Post a Comment