This morning we are collected by our new guide, Phuong. Robyn is still not 100% so she has opted to sit this one out. Probably a very good thing as it turned out as this was the hottest, most humid day so far! In fact, once we got back to the hotel I had 2 gastrolyte tablets to replace all that had been sweated out of me today. I don't really think it was the heat so much as the humidity but it felt like 45. One certainly doesn't need to bring facial cleanser here as any impurities are are sweated out at a rate of knots!
So it is just Tyrell and me who travel to My Son which is in the jungle and was one of the areas heavily dosed with bombs and Agent Orange. The ruins of many temples are here, which were the hiding place of the Viet Cong, and of course it has now grown back so it is easy to imgine how it would have been. The humidity is so opressive I truly wonder how the soldiers (both sides) were able to stand it, although the locals certainly had the advantage.
We arrive back at our hotel in time for lunch by the pool. In each place we have been I have taken it upon myself, on Pat's behalf, to saample the local beer, all of which have been extremely drinkable. Today I try Tiger beer and am for the first time disappointed. One not to order again.
Later in the afternoon, once the "cool change" hits, we head off to the shopping district to collect our clothes which were being made but none of them are ready as apparently the electricity has been off for most of the day. Our resort obviously had alternative power. This explains why the 2 ATM's I tried to get money from weren't working. It is supposed to be back on by 5pm but until then most of the shops have no lighting. Some however have generators roaring out the front which are very noisy and emit quite a bit of heat and smell as you walk by. We know when the power comes back on as they all, almost simultaneously, switch off the the silence is almost deafening!
We continue to wander until it is time for dinner. We choose a random restaurant beside the river and go to the upstairs section. The narrow staircase is so steep I'm sure I'll have to come down backwards but we watch as the waitress skips up and down quite easily - and with trays laden with food or dirty dishes!
When we have finished we come downstairs to an absolutely beautiful aroma. One of the options we noticed on the menu is the opportunity to cook your own, under supervision as a cooking lesson. We chatted to the family (a Mum, Dad & 2 kids) doing just that and when we said we were doing a course ourselves tomorrow the little girl said, "Oh you will have so much fun, you'll just love it." On her recommendation, we cn't wait!
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