Friday 4th Feb - Josh's Post (Cara forgot things)!

Have just been instructed to write entry detailing amazing 'Tet eve'. Began with our instant travel family meeting at the dubious "Pepperonies" authentic Italian Ristaurante for overpriced pizza and ubiquitous "Bai Hoi" 3x jugs for 230,000 Dong and proceeded to the Lake and became instantly engulfed by the masses of mostly young locals gathering for fireworks and entertainment. Our party kept together in the throng thanks to yellow star flags waved enthusiastically by front and rear, much to the amusement of locals. I received handshakes for my efforts, also wearing a Ho Chi Minh badge to show solidarity for comrades.

NYE entertainment.

Locals were not so supportive of our Western dance stylings and spontanious display of fun, receiving harsh stares and "check out the crazy white guys" photos. Fireworks didn't dissapoint, did Ho Chi Minh proud, but locals not accustomed to recreation time had completely vacated the Lake within minutes of ending. Night ended in group finding the 'Le Bar' Western night spot for more overpriced drinks and bad 90's dance music and of course more Tits for Tet public nudity. Finally back to "Real Shit Cafe" (i.e. Real Darling cafe referred to previously) in a thick of haze of Tet offering smoke having got temporarily lost to find historic "Tube" temple, a moment of relative quite and calm to reflect on the 2nd New Years Eve for the year.

Offereings for Tet - these were out the front of almost every home on our way back to the hostel after the fireworks and fun.