About 40 kms south of the tunnels we stopped at Dong Ha to pick up our guide for the rest of the trip. Also this town is where the American troops were based through the Vietnam war.
Further on stopped at Ben Hai to walk over the Hien Luong Bridge which I will tell you about in the photos. We are now in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) area. Walked around this area for awhile visited the museum then drove up to the Vinh Moch Tunnels our final destination. These tunnels were for the protection of the civilians housing 94 families in such small areas. Terrible for them. The Vietnam war started in 1954 and ended in 1975.
We past this old tank on the side of the road left standing from the war. Barely visible in the undergrowth
A monument of a mother and child symbolizing the reunification as many families over this period were split apart.
This is the Hien Luong Bridge which we walked over. It connects the two banks of Ben Hai River.
It was the division of the North and South Vietnam. Yellow railings denoting the south.
Looking down the River.
The blue railings were the North side. PT and the guide with a foot on either side of the white line, the divider from North to South.
We approached the bridge from the south end and walked across to the north through the gate.
The museum, note the two big speakers which were used during the war for propaganda purposes.
And a close up. Note the bullet holes
Ho Chi Minh past President of North Vietnam from 1945 to 1969.
Next three photos inside museum.
They built these floating bridges connecting the two banks of the river after 18 years of division
Left the museum and headed north further to the Vinh Moch Tunnels. On our way we past these 2 poor pigs in pens travelling to who knows where.....!!!
Now arrived at the Tunnels. It should be noted that these tunnels werent used for the movement of munitions from point to point. These tunnels were used entirely for the civilian families but they did have armourments like anti aircraft guns.
One of the many entrances.
A water well about 12 metres deep. (No water in it at present)
Another entrance.
Some of these bomb craters were very close to the tunnels and we were told that the civilians could ascertain the different size of the bombs being dropped by the differing sounds. Of course there was no vegetation around in those days in view of the spraying with agent orange.
The trenches on the surface around the tunnels to take the water away from the tunnels and thus avoid seepage.
Various exploded bombs that had been defused. The biggest one was 1500 pounds and from a B52 bomber with the smaller ones from warships.
Our first exit , a small walk along side of the beach before we entered the next stage of the tunnel.
The are 114 different tunnels. Also the guide and driver the latter of who had never been through the tunnels before.
The maternity room where mothers had their babies, can you imagine that. 17 babies were born down in the tunnels.
The size of the rooms one family would live.
Example of how they were so cramped in.
Hallways
Note that the guide didnt have to stoop but Jackie and I did have to. Several "clonks" as I hit my head!
Brave didn't think that I would be able to do this.
Half way walking through the tunnels we came out of one of the many entrances to the tunnels. We were now at beach level. We started up a lot higher above sea level. We went through three different levels down 12mts then 15mts down to 23mts from the top entrance.. The wall in the above photo is to protect the tunnels from the high seas. Lovely coastline and beaches very white clean sand.
This Vietnamese chap was one of seventeen born in the tunnels. His first five years he spent living down there. Just don't know how they managed so crammed in with 95 families living down there.
After we left the tunnels the driver drove us down the coast road for about fourteen kms. The beaches looked so clean down this coast.
We then had to stop for the ducks crossing the road.
Our room at Hotel Serene Palace. Good size seventh floor looking over the city.
The outside of our hotel. We are at the top floor on the right. We were told its the best room in the hotel, which I think is right as the Balcony was bigger than the others. As the street is so narrow couldn't stand back further to see the top floor.
Standing at the back of the dining room looking through the foyer to the front entrance.
Just about to be served one of their great meals. Tonights meal was NZ16.00 including two beers two wines, can of sprite and four dishes which we shared. Great value. Last night was NZ$13 for two beers one wine three dishes.
One of our waitresses wanting to have a photo with me. I told her that I was four times as big as her. They are so tiny and such lovely people but makes us feel like giants.
Our pickup is at 9am tomorrow Friday for a 3 hour trip to Hoi An and we are allowed as many stops as we like for photos. Looking forward to a bit of r and r.
No comments:
Post a Comment