Cu Chi Tunnels (1/1/2013)

Still Tuesday, January 1, 2013
After lunch, a few of us were picked up by another Viking guide in a van, for an optional tour of the Củ Chi Tunnels. These are located 40 km/24 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The network of tunnels was constructed by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.
A hinged trap door:

KSS

Unsuspecting, if you stepped on this door, you would fall in a hole lined with sharpened bamboo sticks, often with the points poisoned:

A B52 bomb crater:

Sam pops out of a tunnel access:

Not much room:

This is a tunnel access with more room:

Above ground were a series of trenches:

Some access points were hidden by plants:

The dirt from the tunnels created fake termite hills, which were used to hide the air vents:

An American M41 tank:

The Viet Cong made their own uniforms (simple black cotton trousers and long-sleeved shirt):

They made sandals from old tires:

Tamiko in a tunnel:

Here comes Kent:

The smoke from the kitchens was diverted a long way from the kitchen itself, and it then stayed near the ground like fog:

Driving back to Ho Chi Minh City, we were able to get some photos of the motor scooter traffic:

KSS

This guy is carrying a metal stool:

KSS

The family scooter:

KSS

The number of motor scooters (or really motorbikes) is reportedly half that of the population in the city:

KSS

The kids are blasé about the motor scooter rides:

KSS

Back at the hotel, the Christmas tree is lighted up:

After a fine dinner at the Ly Club, we went for a walk to see the holiday lights:

The globe is sponsored by Burger King and Domino's Pizza:

Notre Dame Cathedral:

The square in front of Notre Dame is a popular gathering point:

However, any groups of 10 people or more will be broken up...
Happy New Year:

Conical hat decorations:

One, two... eight. Oh, okay:

The cotton candy man:

Tomorrow, Ho Chi Minh City 2 Tour.