Once getting back from the Cu Chi tunnels tour we headed for the Reunification Palace, this was the south vietnam presidential palace, home for Diem during the war.
On the way there a man selling coconuts made me carry his coconuts and took this as an opportunity to force a sale. He got the coconuts out and cut the tops off without asking us so we had no choice but to pay.
We arrived soon after at the big white guarded gates. The palace is set in large grounds and is huge, it was rebuilt in the middle of the war and hasn't been changed since the end so the interior is very seventies. There was too much space to use so every floor just had large open areas. On the roof was an American helicopter and in the grounds were two tanks that are said to be the ones that crashed through the gates to end the Vietnam war.
After leaving the palace we headed for the french built Notre Dame Cathedral. This beautiful church forms a roundabout in the city. Whilst taking a photo two vietnamese girls came up to us and asked if they could have a photo with us which seemed strange. We also saw a couple having a their wedding photos taking stood in the middle of the road as motorbikes whizzed past.
Next we saw the central post office, this huge ornate building, also built by the French, is still used as a post office today. As usual a massive poster of Ho sat on the far wall keeping an eye on everyone.
On the walk back to our hotel two students stopped us to practice their English, the questions were pretty repetitive and it became a little awkward especially when she shook my hand after I wiped my sweaty face.
Finally we got back to our hotel and are having some chill time before heading our for dinner and Wimbledon hopefully.
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