VIETNAM - Ho Chi Minh City - Part 2

Got up early the next day natural trying to reset my internal clock. Decided to take advantage of the free Pho for breakfast which was pretty good. After I got ready I headed out for an even longer venture. I was going to check out the botanical gardens all the way across the entire city, it was a 3 mile journey... Once I arrived I saw you had to pay to get in and it was also part of a sad looking zoo, so I decided not to support this zoo and I didn't go in to see the gardens. Afterwards I walked another mile to see the Jade Emperor Pagoda which was pretty cool. It was hard to find and I kind of got lost in the ghetto of the city which was a little scary but I figure out that if you put in headphones and listen to music it doesn't seem as scary anymore. The Pagoda was full of monks praying and the strong scent of incense burning. The wood carvings all around the building were breathtaking. And the locals who came to pray were fascinating to watch them give prayers. I suggest to buy and light incense in it! Next on the agenda was the War Reminiscent Museum, I only was going to this museum because the girls from Chile said this was the only one worth going to. Once I got there it was amazing and truly moving. Seeing the horrific pictures from the Vietnam war almost brought me to tears. I learned a lot here. And I don't think I would ever forgive the US for what they did in this war. It was only 1 p.m. when I finished with all this and I was ready for lunch. I read in the book about a little restaurant on top of a building called the Secret Garden. I thought it was going to be cheap but it wasn't really. And I got a crab Pho which wasn't that satisfying. I was jealous of everyone else dishes around me though. Luckily I had a bag of cashews to snack on for my 4 mile journey to the Saigon River front. Was a long walk but I loved watching the street life and seeing how the city worked as a whole. I got to this huge walking street that was super wide, it reminded me of Washington DC or something. It was a straight shot to the harbor. But I got distracted my the high rises around me and I saw one in particular called the Bitex Tower which had a sky deck that you could pay to go up and have a beer. I wanted to go but I decided not to in the end to save money, but maybe next time I would totally do it! Once I got to the river it wasn't as magnificent as I thought it would be. Really dirty and trash everywhere. But I liked looking out into the distance and watching the boats go up and down. And then wanted to walk along the river back to my hotel. I DO NOT SUGGEST THIS. Traffic was horrible and loud and I got to a really ghetto part which I felt uncomfortable and almost got ran over a bunch of times... But hey you don't know until you go! After getting lost int he back streets I finally came to the alley street that ran parallel to the back of my hostel and it was full of bars and a good night life. Looked like a fun place to go at night. I wasn't going to drink much on my time alone here in the city, thought it would be best to stay clear minded. I did have a free beer back at my hostel though... Once I rested a little bit I headed back out to walk the city at night and I found a vegan Vietnamese restaurant which had really good spicy spring rolls. Then I went back to the Street Market and got myself a papaya smoothies which was DANK! It was better than the last. I was getting really really tired. Like if I were to sit down I would pass out. So I quickly walked back to the hostel and laid down to rest my feet. Which were covered in HUGE blisters! Worse than the time I spent 1 month hiking in Wyoming... and that's saying something. I looked at my phone and it showed I walked 10 miles exactly that day. Jesus... The next morning I was up early again and I set out to go to the local grocery store to get some snacks for the plane ride to Phu Quoc island. I realize that I need to rethink my spending habits... food adds up. Anyway my time was up in Ho Cho Minh City and I got to say I had the best time. Even though I was alone I enjoyed every second of it! So much fun and I think I go to see everything. Definitly would suggest just buying the street food instead of what the book recomends. I now know to explore more myself and not rely on the internet to find my way. But I must say I know the city pretty well, maybe not as good as the back of my hand, but close.