Today we visited the famous Chu Chi tunnels. We chose a tour that took us there by speed boat, rather than bus...which is a much nicer way to travel and it's wonderful to see life on the river.
The Chu Chi tunnels are a network of connecting underground tunnels that span more than 250km in length. They were used by the Viet Cong and also lived in by a couple of thousand local Vietnamese during the Vietnam war. The site is now a very well organsied tourist destination with an interesting (if not ever so slightly anti-American) film then a wonderful tour though some of the surrounding areas in Chu Chi. We we able to squeeze though one of the original openings (grants shoulders wouldn't fit so you can imagine how small they are!). There is also a section which has been widened for fat tourists...although I have to say it was squashy, hot, dark and claustrophobic!
The conditions for those who lived in the tunnels were difficult to say the least. The heat was unbearable in the middle of the day and air, water and food scarce. Many of those who spend a long time in the tunnels suffered temporary blindness when they emerged. Disease was also a major problem, malaria was the second cause of death after battle wounds.
There was a macabre display of barbaric traps that turned my stomach...what a brutal war. Adults were also able to purchase some rounds and shoot off one of several rifles or a machine gun...the boys were devastated to learn they weren't old enough!
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