Following the unbridled luxuries of Dalat, our journey to the coastal town of Mui Ne came as something of a disappointment. Despite excitement for our first ocean venture, we soon discovered that a backpackers budget doesn't go far in Mui Ne and, having indulged ourselves in Dalat, we were in no position to splurge. So, with all the beach resorts cashing in on the towns massive tourist potential, we found ourselves on the wrong side of the road with no pool, no place to sunbathe, and the beach rapidly disappearing due to rising sea levels. On top of all that the intense heat was too much for our cold weather constitutions to handle, and so the two days were spent sweating profusely with me in a grouchy mood (poor Phil). Though we did enjoy some scrumptious seafood whilst there, we were ready to move on to our final Vietnam destination, Ho Chi Minh City.
Not a particularly picturesque city, the former Saigon didn't captivate us in the same way Hanoi had, but still we had some treasured moments. A visit to the War Remnants Museum gave us an eye-opening insight into "Nam" and a side of that tragic story the West has largely, conveniently, forgotten. Seeing such stomach churning images, it is hard to believe that this now beautiful, peaceful country was once the setting for such unimaginable horrors. That same evening was spent having dinner with a missionary who has been based in Saigon for sixteen years. We shared our travel stories and he his experiences, which gave us an interesting insight into Vietnam, how it has evolved and why many things are as they are. Being the first Christian we've met since starting our travels, meeting with him really encouraged us, both in our journey and to seek out churches while we travel. Leaving both our physical and spiritual comfort zones has shown us how important it is to meet with other believers, and we have been missing that. He blessed us with a delicious meal, and fed us in other ways far more important.
The temperatures have been so hot and humid that doing much exploring becomes difficult and uncomfortable, so on our second day in HCMC we spent the afternoon in the "Sozo" cafe - a missionary project that trains and employs disadvantaged Vietnamese. We read up on Cambodia whilst enjoying delicious cakes (so rare in Asia) and Western sized coffees, encouraged to see the work of this project that seeks to help those struggling to help themselves and, ultimately, glorify God. ("Sozo" (verb) - To save, keep safe and sound...to make well, heal, restore...to save in the technical biblical sense.)
We leave, now, for Cambodia with soaring spirits and excitement for both the new year and the unknown delights of this new land.
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