14-17th June 2016

As I arrive in Ho Chi Minh after an incredibly long train journey (two nights and three days, of which I’m the only person I saw who brushed their teeth!), I’m feeling pretty groggy and unwashed. Unfortunately, there’s also a problem with the train tracks and we’re ushered off before reaching the centre. On the brighter side they have put on buses to take us there. With limited English I am able to get on a bus and I hope it’s the right one. When I get to the final stop, I check my GPS to find we’re still not in the centre. The attendant tells me to get off. I see two more white faces and I gravitate toward them. They were told by their travel agent about the train tracks so assume that we’re there. Success was assumed too quick because we get off and are then ushered on to another train.

The locals all stare, smile and wave. Even now I still enjoy the attention. The British couple are super interesting and are travelling together by train. Doing all sorts of volunteering and working on farms and the like.

Given they have to wait for their check-in until 1pm and me until later we decide to hang out and have breakfast together. We find a little bar called Crazy Buffalo and see the hours go by, starting off a pool championship with the staff and then between ourselves. They very kindly let me into their hotel room, have a shower and clean myself up. We chat a bit longer, they tell me very interesting stories about their personal lives which are all about to flare up in the newspapers and have lunch before we part ways.

I arrive at my next Couch Surfing location, which is a little further out from town. When I arrive there’s an English lesson going on where I agree to help out as an impromptu teacher for the kids. After this I meet another Couch Surfer from Israel who’s staying the night. We go out and get some bottles of water before returning to the room.

Wait. What was that?

Damn. A cockroach! After acting like a scared boy for all of ten minutes I try my hardest to man up. It doesn’t work too well but I do manage to sweep the little bugger outside and slam the door closed. Feeling like I need a shower, I head to the bathroom. The lights not working. I set my phone up as a torch and it gives that Silent Hill, horror atmosphere to the room. Which, when another cockroach appears it makes it all the scarier.

Wanting to go to sleep and forget about all of this I go back to the room. Looking at the bed I’m sure I see it moving. I feel stupid and think the cockroaches are getting in my head. I look a little bit closer. Hundreds of little ants. Looks like my beds already occupied. I sweep them off and decide that tonight I’m not going to get much sleep.

First thing in the morning I help out with another English lesson. I explain to the hosts I feel it best to go into the city and stay somewhere but thank them for their hospitality none the less. Straight away I’m on booking.com looking for a nice hotel. Not wanting to risk a hostel. Just. In. Case.

Ahhhhhhhh! This is the life. As with everyone I spoke to in Vietnam, I also got an “upgrade” to my room. Everywhere should be like that. Pay for one thing but get something better. A little pick me up to any day and after cockroaches that is exactly what I needed!

Feeling a little bit flash with the cash I see what Viator tours there are so I don’t just keep to myself within a hotel room the entire time! I find a tour to the Cu Chi tunnels which a friend has recommended and see the more expensive option includes a journey by boat.

Why not?

I love the opportunities my life has given me.

When we arrive, we receive a tour around the tunnels. I’m in such a good mood, I’m jumping in the hiding spots before any one even needs to convince me.

Peekaboo!

Jumping in a tank!

And firing a gun!

I’m really lucky that the group of people I’ve ended up with are super interesting. Have experienced more in life than I have and have wonderful stories to share with me. The final boat ride back leaves me not wanting to part ways so soon but I’ve appreciated the time we have had.

On my final night in the hotel I decide to message someone to hang out with on Tinder (first time I’ve done this, can you believe?!). I message one person who shows an interest in French and travelling and tell her where I’m about to grab food in five minutes and that I hoped to see her there.

It’s certainly a long shot.

To my pleasant surprise, she appears at the restaurant just as I’m ordering my food. We chat, we get on quite well and the conversation flows easily. Afterwards, I purchase a couple of tank tops from a street market and then we go to a rooftop bar that she has suggested. We leave as the place is closing down and she tells me that she’s now locked out of her home as she needs to be back before midnight each night.

I offer a couch if it’s needed and feel a little guilty I kept her talking. We go to a quirky bar which is cool but a little bit smoky and just a little bit too loud to talk freely. After an hour or so I tell her I’m going to go to bed but to message me if there’s any issues.

In my pyjamas. Enjoying the freedom of a hotel. PING. My phone goes and I give it a cursory look. It’s the same girl. The bar is closing. Is the offer still there? I say sure but there’s no couch. Never mind. My night is wiled away chatting about everything and nothing. It’s the perfect end to another country.

In the morning we get some breakfast and part ways. Leaving another country tired but smiling from ear to ear none-the-less.