TUNNEL RATS Book Tour

Transcription

1 TUNNEL RATS Book Tour Oc tob er 26 to No ve m be r2, Eight days in the footsteps of the Aussie heroes and larrikin legends who discovered the Vietcong s secret weapon In February 2012 the authors of the best-selling military adventure Tunnel Rats took a select group of travellers to the places in Vietnam where Aussie troops created their larrikin legend. From October 26 to November 2, 2012, Sandy MacGregor and Jimmy Thomson are going back and this time it will be bigger and better. Based in Saigon, the Tunnel Rats Book Tour will be as informative and entertaining as the book itself. Sandy and Jimmy meet Vietnamese Army Press officers (by chance) at Cu Chi. Below, at the war museum. Bottom: In the Minh Dam caves. This is not so much a tour for former Tunnel Rats (although they d be welcome) but for those who ve read the book and want to see for themselves. The group will go by river to both sets of tunnels near Cu Chi. They will go to Long Tan and Nui Dat, the Australian forces base, and spend two nights in Vung Tau, the Aussie troops R&R playground and now a fabulous beach resort reminiscent of the South of France. And they will explore a third set of nearby tunnels as well as caves that were the Vietcong s secret mountain HQ. The best tour I have ever been on Pamela, 73 professional local guide, Sandy will In Saigon they ll visit the War Remnants Museum, describe his Presidential Palace and the Ben Thanh Markets first fateful a must for bargain-hunting tourists and sample year with 3 some of the best cuisine in the world in a variety of Field Troop Vietnamese restaurants. while Jimmy There will also be an optional tour to the Mekong will talk about writing both Tunnel Rats and the Delta and for those interested in the full Tunnel newly published Tunnel Rats 2: A Sappers War Rats experience there will be a naughty but nice as well as explaining how the ingenuity and detervisit to Saigon s version of Sydney s Kings Cross. mination evident during the war has made Vietnam Throughout the tour, which will also have a highly a rising star of South-East Asian commerce. Call and ask for the Tunnel Rats Book Tour

2 Tunnel Rats Book Tour Day 1 : SAIGON On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) you will be met by a Travel Indochina representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet and greet cocktails at the hotel with Sandy and Jimmy, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Day 2: SAIGON Breakfast at our hotel before a trip around Saigon, taking in the Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Presidential Palace, the 40th floor of the Bitexco Tower and the War Remnants Museum, ending up at the Ben Thanh Markets (just around the corner from our hotel). We will also point guests in the direction of reliable tailors where you can order made-tomeasure clothes that will be ready before your departure. Afternoon in Saigon and you you are welcome to join Jimmy and Sandy for dinner and drinks (at your own expense). Day 3: SAIGON VUNG TAU Breakfast at our hotel before beginning our journey to Vung Tau. En route we visit the Long Phuoc Tunnels and explore the Vietcong s secret cave HQ at Minh Dam in the Long Hai mountains. A free afternoon and overnight in the popular and stylish seaside resort of Vung Tau where we overnight. You are welcome to join Jimmy and TOP: Ken, one of our guests, in the Bitexco Tower. ABOVE: Kenny, Mark, Jimmy, and Glen in the Vietcong meeting room deep in the Minh Dam caves. BELOW: Sandy explains the significance of the Long Tan Cross Sandy for dinner and drinks (AYOE). Day 4: VUNG TAU Breakfast at hotel followed by a tour of Vung Tau including the War Memorial at Back Beach, the Front Beach, Bao Dai Summer House, the airport area, the town centre and market area. We will also visit the amazing Military Museum with exhibits going back 1000 years established by an avid millionaire collector. Afternoon and overnight in Vung Tau. In the evening, Sandy will present a short (Continued on page 3)

3 Tunnel Rats Book Tour illustrated lecture on what exactly happened at Long Tan one of our destinations the next day and why it was so significant. Afterwards you are welcome to join Jimmy and Sandy for dinner and drinks (AYOE). Day 5: VUNG TAU NUI DAT LONG TAN SAIGON After breakfast in Vung Tau we drive to Nui Dat the former Australian Army base for most of the Vietnam War where the former runway is now a wide street and the old heli-pad a soccer field. There s also pre-school established by Australians nearby. After that we visit the Long Tan Memorial to pay our respects. On the way back to Saigon we stop to visit Ba Ria Markets, returning by mid-afternoon for free time. In the evening, Sandy will deliver an illustrated talk on the Cu Chi Tunnels which we will be visiting the next day. You are welcome to join Jimmy and Sandy for dinner and drinks (AYOE). beautiful scenery brings visitors to the Cu Chi tunnel network which stretches over 250km and extends to three levels underday 6: SAIGON CU CHI TUNNELS A cruise on the Saigon River through ground. Although the Vietcong tunnels had been found before, Sandy s men of 3 Field Troop were the first to go down, investigate them and reveal their secrets. We will visit both sets of tunnels (most tourists don t). The first is TOP: The view from the Military Museum in Vung Tau. ABOVE: Tam, our guide, with women in a riverside market en route to Cu Chi. LEFT: Who s in charge? A Vietcong underground meeting room in the Cu Chi tunnel system. (Continued on page 4)

4 Tunnel Rats Book Tour more touristy but has the more authentic tunnels (read narrow and cramped ) and a rifle range where you can try out various weapons. Lunch (own expense) will be taken at a riverside restaurant before carrying on to the second set of tunnels which have been widened slightly and interconnect with underground chambers. After visiting a pagoda and shrine to the war dead, and a Vietcong Heroes Cemetery, we return to Saigon by boat. In the evening there will be an informal briefing by Jimmy on how to behave and what to expect (as well as what to avoid) before his optional naughty but nice tour of Saigon s Western District. Overnight in Saigon. Day 7: SAIGON (free time) A day off from touring, this is your chance Seven days with two great storytellers Sandy MacGregor and Jimmy Thomson are both experienced and entertaining public speakers on a variety of topics. As a young Army Engineer, Sandy commanded 3 Field Troop, the first to investigate the Vietcong s massive tunnel system and was awarded the Military Cross for his achievements. Sandy is now patron of the MiVAC landmine clearance charity and the founder of CALM (Creative Accelerated Learning Methods). Jimmy is a journalist, author and scriptwriter who, with Sandy, wrote Tunnel Rats, published last year and Tunnel Rats 2: A Sapper s War due for publication in September In 2010 Jimmy s book Snitch, the reminiscences of a Kings Cross gangster was nominated for the Ned Kelly crime writing award and Watto his biography of Australian cricket star Shane Watson, was released. On the ground, Jimmy and Sandy will be available as much as possible to provide information and just chat generally about their experiences to explore Saigon on your own. Or you can take the optional but highly recommended tour of the Mekong Delta (see full description of tour) or other side trips. In the evening you are welcome to join Jimmy and Sandy for an informal farewell dinner and drink. Day 8: SAIGON - HOME The whole day to explore Saigon from your hotel base (don t forget to pick up that suit) until late check-out at 6pm and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

5 Tunnel Rats Book Tour MEKONG DELTA TOUR This optional tour was voted one of the highlights of the first Tunnel Rats Book Tour and it s certainly worth considering if you ve had enough history and want some local culture. In the morning you travel south from Saigon to the gateway to the Mekong Delta, the most fertile region in the country and the main producer of rice and tropical fruits. Stop en route at the Cao Dai pagoda, a sect that combines all the world s great religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Explore the mighty Mekong River and its narrow canals by boat, gaining a real insight into the lives of the local people. The tour includes a visit to a local family home for a delicious lunch featuring local specialties, including Elephant Ear Fish, return to Saigon by late afternoon. Cost: AUD $ per person (based on minimum of 2 paying passengers) What you get... Five nights plus one full day in Saigon hotel (Liberty Central, Deluxe Rooms) Two nights in Vung Tau (Palace Hotel, Deluxe Plus room). Daily breakfast at hotels. Transportation, touring and entrance fees, as per the itinerary. Speed boat to and from Cu Chi tunnels Welcome dinner at local restaurant Observation deck, Bitexco tower, Saigon A signed copy of Tunnel Rats Lots of quality time with Sandy and Jimmy. Local English-speaking guide Tips for guides, drivers etc taken care of Late check out on the last day (until 18.00) What it costs... $1900 pp twin share (single occupancy supp. $400). This does not include flights but we can offer low fares (see below). Getting there... You can get direct flights on Vietnam Airlines from $850 return (plus taxes of about $360 ex Sydney and Melbourne). Or call and ask about other options through. Is this tour OK for me? The first tour had guests ranging from their 20s to their 70s. However, if you are frail, very overweight or claustrophobic some elements may not be suitable. NB: Possession of adequate travel insurance is a compulsory condition of travelling with Travel Indochina. Not included in price... International air tickets and airport taxes to and from Vietnam. Visa fees for Vietnam. Meals not specified Drinks (including with meals) Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, incidental tips etc.) Optional Mekong Delta tour Additional services not listed in itinerary. How to find out more: , with Tunnel Rats in the subject line: Sililak.sourignavong@travelindochina.com.au Or call and ask for the Tunnel Rats Book Tour. SANDY: JIMMY: : MiVAC: