Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City - 13th July 2009

I had a very relaxing morning despite getting up fairly early, for what reason I cannot recall. I watched a few programmes on TV whilst checking things out on the internet. I popped down the very delicious buffet breakfast which I thoroughly enjoyed, before returning to my room for more leisure. Anja had sucessfully emailed me that morning, to let me know where I would find her in Ho Chi Minh City, and also with a recommendation of which was a decent taxi service to use to get to the centre.
Four hours before I was due to fly out, I got a taxi (due the weight of my bags and the torrential rain), to the place where regular minibuses to the airport run from, for only $2! They had seriously over-air-conditioned the minibus and even with my jumper on I was cold. I regretted not buying some food for the journey, but I didn't really fancy my chances in the rain. It would have been even worse in the a/c conditioned.
I arrived with too much time to spare in the airport; I had an hour to wait before check-in, and then once I had checked in, I would have another hour to wait. I decided on having an early lunch at the slightly over-priced restaurant in the airport and then kept myself entertained by reading my book. I was feeling a bit dehydrated, but thought the water was a bit over-priced too, so thought I'd just wait until getting on the plane.
I was offered a emergency exit seat when I checked in, which I gladly accepted, thinking of the extra leg room! I felt quite privaledged to be in such a seat, and thought I should maybe try to request an emergency exit seat in future.
Eventually, at 2pm (the time we were scheduled to leave) we were allowed to board the plane. My seat was super comfy, and after sitting down, a flight attendent came over to let me know how to open the emergency door; for a moment, I slightly misunderstood what she had said and thought she meant that she was going to be telling me to do so shortly! Thankfully the lady to my left reassured me that it was only in the case of emergencies! I'm not sure I'd fufil the role of opening the door, should an actual emergency occur; I guess I'd be one of the first ones to be sucked out of the plane and plumit to my death, which wasn't a particularly pleasant thought. Just for peace of mind, I think I'd like to have a parachute on me.
Lunch was provided, despite it only being a 2 hour flight, but unfortunatly there was no vegetarian option and I hadn't expected a lunch so hadn't requested one. I enjoyed a glass of water though, and after sleeping for most of the journey, we landed safely in Ho Chi Minh City.
I collected my luggage, which seems to be getting heavier by the second, before making my way out to find a taxi. There were a group of sportsmen on the plane, I think part of a football team, although I wasn't sure how well known they were.
I got into a taxi, which was a nice ride, apart from the driver kept on cracking his fingers, which just weirded me out! I was dropped along Phao Ngu Lao Street, which felt like home, having spent 4 days their previously. It didn't take me long to find Anja's accomodation. The guy had run out of twin beds so we had to share a double, but it was good enough, and not expensive. Anja spent more time sorting out her luggage, and then we headed out for food and a bit of shopping. I had a tofu burger, which was delicious! and then found a shop selling lots of DVDs at very cheap prices. Disappointed that the DVDs I had bought in Phnom Penh were actually duds, I asked the lady in the shop to test one on her DVD player and it worked fine and was good quality, so I stocked up on several DVDs. I really hope the rest work and are as good quality as the one I tested! Some of them look slightly more fake than the rest. But considering I paid half the price I would in Britain, for all the DVDs, even if just that one works, I still get a pretty good deal!
After more repacking and reorganisation, we went to bed, ready for another early morning.