Day 4

Start the day as usual with breakfast. Bit sick of eggs and bacon so I go for the continental breakfast with fruit. Tried a few different types such as Dragon Fruit but the watermelon was the best, Ruby is onto the dumplings which is great because it becomes another food she can eat now she is a vegetarian.
We've been doing a bit of walking so we're going to take it easy today.
First we get our laundry sorted by standing outside the hotel and waiting for the laundry lady who's been asking us everyday since we got here if we needed laundry doing.
Went back to the Ben Tahn Market to get some things we need. Shorts for me and a hat for Ruby. Used the money exchange there and the rate was so much better than the first one in Melbourne, And there was no fee. Straight swap. Melody gets herself some Nikes. If they're fakes they are pretty good ones. She's happy with them. Trying on clothes for me involves sheets held up by the seller or put in storage spaces. But I get my shorts
The market isn't as frantic today as on Sunday. We could actually look at things without being grabbed by the arm. We looked through the food aisles too. One vendor was skinning frogs. First she chopped off their heads then pulled the skin off. Which was gross. Worst was, when she put them down the frogs started moving. They were still alive.  Gross but fascinating.

Moved through the market and headed towards the Balexco Tower which we have been seeing from our window for the last few days. Voted 5th most iconic tower in the world. On the way we pass a plaza which looks like it as some interesting stuff. I try on some t-shirts. Now I don't even get a sheet and find myself trying on shirts in the aisles. I feel a bit guilty because I'm a bit sweaty from the heat.
Making our way through the streets Liz decides to make the plunge and try some street food.She orders and they bring out these little chairs and tables and put them on the sidewalk. The chairs are the plastic ones we used to have for the kids way back in infant times. The vegetarian noodles are tasty and it's great to be doing something a bit more local. The guys on the table next to us have their shoes repaired while they eat.
Keep moving on. Crooked pavements and dodging motor bikes are becoming second nature to us.
Reach the tower. Costs us about a million dong to go up. Tad expensive but the views are pretty outstanding. The city is revealed as enormous. We have been walking about a very small portion of it. District One.Ruby amuses herself by leaning on the glass and getting dizzy from the height we're looking down. One part is sloped out. This is to allow for the helipad above, The guy downstairs told us it never gets used. The view is fascinating and I walk around twice until the kids want to move on.

On the way back to the hotel we grab a few supplies from the supermarket. The next few hours is relaxing time as we sit by the pool. There is slight rain but it doesn't affect the heat or the enjoyment of swimming in the pool.
We decide to go to Chuck's Burgers tonight. It's past the Market but doesn't look too far on the map. However the map wasn't particularly accurate and it took us ages. Traffic was wild around the market. Dodging cars and motorbikes as a family is second nature to us now. And we get there. Order some cheeseburgers and hot dogs and fries. And they are pretty good. They also have that spicy kick most Vietnamese food have. And the kids are full for once.
Set off back to the hotel through the park where people are playing some form of Happy Sack. Keeping an object in the air with their feet. Unfortunately a seller comes up to us and tries to sell us one and won't stop asking so we have to move on. Sometimes you just want to look without being hassled. You have to develop a thick skin to say no to the constant street sellers. They've took a particular shine to my worn out runners. Also a lot of people say hello to Remi. He's always the popular one.
We must have stumbled into backpacker territory because it's more vibrant and neon in this part of town we've moved towards the river while meandering back to the hotel. Lots more younger people moving around the street. Go Go dancing here too. But we move on and cross the plaza near our hotel. The fountains are flowing. The crowds are packed around them. This place as only been open since April and is a symbol of the re-unification of Vietnam. But everyone is tired of photo opportunities and we need to get back to the hotel and pack for Cambodia tomorrow,