#59.8 C.S. finish

Very few locals spoke any English. I did meet some very nice westerners. Thomas, from Germany organised our co-op boat trip. He was a delightful chap. He had that great dry, self deprecating sense of humor I love about Germans. I met two Aussies, Leslie, a retired sod farmer on long holiday, and Jordan, a pearl fisherman. He has lived on Con Son 10 years and has a Viet wife and son.
Notice the newspaper covering the windshield. Thats cutting edge cooling technology!
Bye for now, Doablah

# 59.7 signs

It's true, the Vietnamese are masters of propaganda. But it's also true that the French were very cruel masters. If you click on these images, you might be able to read the script.

#59.6? Hang Duong Cemetary

Of the 20,ooo killed here, only 1994 are buried in the cemetary. Very few are identified. The most famous 'patriot' is Vo Thi Sau. She was executed by firing squad in 1952. She was 19 years old. People pay repect by lighting incense and leaving small gifts. Visible are combs, make up and a mirror (symbolic because she died so young). In the short time of my visit, four people came to pray for her.
I think this is her original tomb stone.

# 59.6 more

# 59.5 More Tc

A rather life like depiction. The guards sprinkled lime on the prisoners.

# 59.4 the Tiger Cages

This is perhaps the most famous of all Viet prisons. This was the only source of water that I saw. I found no toilet facilities anywhere. Many former prisoners come to visit. None of these people is old enough to have been a guest.
These cells had no roof.

#59.3 Phu Hai prison

This prison is near the center of town. This whole is a toilet. This is the kitchen. I suppose huge cauldrens were set in these openings for cooking soup or gruel.

#59.2 Socialist snorkleing

There is a national park on Con Son. They have a boat available for hire. The cost of the trip is divided by the number of people that participate. There were 20 people on board including 8 children. We had to provide our own food and drink. It wasn't a good deal, but 'the only game in town'.
This little boat is ferrying us to a small island where a park office is located.

59.1 Con Son

Hi. Every evening, the beach is crowded with local people enjoying their lovely island. There is lot od dog procreation on Con Son. I have a guess that many od these pups end up as Sunday dinner. But not this little one.
D

Series 59? Con Son island

Halloh. Con Son island is an hour by prop plane south east of Saigon. It's a lovely place. It's also the location of eleven prisons including the notorious Tiger Cages. The first prison was built in 1862. Between then and 1973, 20,000 Vietnamese were killed or died in those prisons.
I spent four nights there and would like to return someday. I spent one day exploring the town, one day on a snorkel trip, and one day seeing the island by motorbike. The only disapointment foe me was the food. I didn't have any good meals. I finally settled on baguette sandwiches from street vendors.
D.

# 58.2 Mekong last

The great thing about these tours is that I almost always meet new friends. Last year, on a DMZ tour I met Rebecca from Beijing. We met again in Hoi An, and keep in touch. On the Cu Chi tour I met Rico from Brazil, we met again in Chiang Mai. We would be in touch if he'd answer my damm E mails!
On this tour, I met Steve and Colleen. We met that evening at Phuns bar for snacks and wine. They have already flown home. They both work for United Airlines. Colleen has family on Whidby Island. What do ya bet I see them again.
Next stop Con Son island.
Love, Dugg