Day 49 - day 5 in Saigon: I get my bike washed, return to the War Remnants and walk kms - Trial by fire: new bike, first tour, first time in Asia - CycleBlaze
I was soon out again and on my way to the War Remnants Museum to see the photographic exhibition on the top floor that I didn't have time to see yesterday.
Most of the photographs are from photographers who perished in the war. In many cases the photographs are from the last roll of film that the person behind the camera took. It's chilling!
There are also many graphs and text, some of which I reproduce here and apologize for the poor quality of many.
Võ Nguyên Giáp (1911–2013) was a remarkable military strategist. As leader of the Viet Minh and People's Army from 1941 to 1972 Giáp achieved victories in wars against Japan, France, South Vietnam, the United States and China.
The Iron Horse. There were 21,000 of these bicycles used in the defeat of the French at Dien Bien Phu. At first they carried 80 kg but with modification this reached 200 and even 300 kg. Thus, they were well primed for this method of transportation once the USA entered the war, with a continuous stream heading south down the Ho Chi Minh trails. The answer: aerial spraying of defoliating chemicals.
Despite using their economic might and regarding Indochina as a testing ground for their weaponry and using every strategy imaginable - legal and illegal, the invading forces still failed to defeat a people set on self-determination. Untold misery could have been avoided if the USA had accepted Vietnam's declaration of independence in 1945.
It took me three hours to view the photographic exhibition. In contrast, it took little time to track down abanh mi seller, but a little longer to find a street barista offering coffee in crockery.
An office of China Southern Airlines was close by and so I dropped in there to sort out vegetarian meals for the flight home. Then I twisted my way to the market and bought a bag for packing my two big panniers. I then walked back to the hotel in a convoluted way, enjoying the light drizzle.
Trần Văn Ơn was a student leader, who organized school students to participate in activities against the French Government. He was shot dead at a student protest in 1950, aged 18.
Today's ride: 2 km (1 miles) Total: 2,709 km (1,682 miles)
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Graham SmithIan and Winston many thanks for the vicarious cycle tour through three countries.
It’s been very enjoyable and comfortable ‘cycling’ with you both from my armchair in Canberra.
6 days ago