Ho Chi Minh City (phu My), Vietnam

Tuesday 6 March 2018

Ho Chi Minh City (phu My), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

Over three decades have passed since the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon. Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The air is filled with the cries of street hawkers and honking horns. Bicycles, motorbikes and automobiles fly down the boulevards at dizzying speeds. And everywhere, friendly faces and warm greetings meet you.

The port of Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me") is your gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and the seaside resort of Vung Tau.the longest suspension bridge in Korea.

Excursion  Best of Ho Chi Minh City

Travel along the countryside following the Saigon River to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll explore Reunification Hall, the National History Museum and watch a performance of Vietnamese water puppets. Drive past the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, City Hall, Ho Chi Minh Park and the site of the U.S. military's weekly updates at the Rex Hotel, home of the infamous "Friday Night Follies." You'll stop for photo opportunities at Notre Dame Cathedral, and the French Colonial Post Office, Enjoy a lunch buffet at a deluxe hotel restaurant in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. After lunch, you'll stop at Minh Phuong Lacquer Factory. You'll have a brief time to shop before heading back to the pier.

In Vietnam 6. 45 a.m. 72 Buses on wharf below our balcony going to be very hot here not a cloud in the sky off to Ho Chi Minh City for small groups meeting at 7.15 a.m. Good show last night new Cast Mo Town had free special afternoon tea yesterday many many people burnt from sub bathing last 2 days extremely hot.

 Arriving in Vietnam early in the morning

All the buses lined up for exercursions

I have posted this photo of our boat and our cabin room is on the very front right hand side facing the photo only one cabin in front of ours with an ensuite 

Tour Overview

Excursion begins at the pier where we boarded an air-conditioned motor coach for the approximately one and half hour drive to Ho Chi Minh City.   The route follows the Saigon River to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through a landscape of small villages, rice paddy fields, and oil and rubber trees.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City we visited the National History Museum of Vietnam.

I may add more photos later when I do my book

Their collection traces the cultural history of Vietnam with exhibits that feature stone and bronze artifacts, Champa art, ceramics and traditional costumes, at the National Museum Theatre, traditional Vietnamese water puppet shows are performed.   Enjoy watching a performance of this national art form.

Performing Water Puppet Show

You'll drive past the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, City Hall, Ho Chi Minh Park and the site of the U.S> miltary's weekly updates at the Rex Hotel, home of the infamous "Friday Night Follies." 

Independence Palace (Prominent Government Centre during war
Historical building of the Vietnam War era, with tours of government offices, war rooms & artifacts.

You'll stop at Minh Phuong Lacquer Factory.   See the art of lacquer ware-making, one of Vietnam's most popular exports.   Take in a brief demonstration of the lacquering process and see a variety of lacquer ware pieces, ranging from small boxes to large pieces of furniture.

Thoroughly enjoyed our time here.   Some of the displays were absolutely beautiful.   I will add more photos when I do the book as I will be able to bring the display in photo a lot closer (brilliant.)

 City Post Office

Drive to Ben thanh Market, also called SAIGON market.

Crowds and Crowds of people at this market

Next, you'll head to a deluxe hotel restaurant in downtown Ho Chi Minh City for a lunch buffet where both western and Vietnamese entrees will be available.   Enjoy traditional Vietnamese entertainment.

Very enjoyable meal 

Dancers while we were eating our meal

I was very impressed in the following at the Restaurant as I went to the Ladies room absolutely beautiful, I am very pleased that I take my camera with me where every I go.

These looked stunning

All in coloured glass case of birds (may add more photos when I do the book)

I was very lucky no one was sitting in the very front of the Bus so I took up the challenge as you can see but many times I was hanging on to the rail got very close to cars and motor bikes.

French Colonial City Hall built in the early 1900s  now Headquarters of
 The People's Committee

This is a picture of our group walking

Afterwards, explore the many shops on Dong Khoi Street, formerly Rue Catinat of Author Graham
Green's Viet Nam.   Dong Khoi street is still a fascinating place, Explore the many shops selling porcelain firgurines, cinanom boxes and other souvenirs, 









 Enjoy your time on your own to shop before driving back to the pier.

Got home at 5. 30 p.m. nice day excellent Tour Leader smaller group will remebe Vietnam for motor bikes they are every where went to market but market shopping is not us had a lovely buffet lunch very nice, thought Vietnam was bit untidy to other places we have been having a nice hot drink in our room through room service.     A very enjoyable day.

At Sea

Monday 5 March 2018

At Sea

At Sea

Sunday 4 March 2018 - At Sea

Hong Kong, China

Saturday 3 March 2018

Skyscrapers form a glistening forest of steel and glass, junks and sampans ply the busy harbor waters, and the green, dragon-crested hills of Kowloon beckon. Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world's great travel destinations. Now a semi-autonomous region of China, Hong Kong - literally "Fragrant Harbor" - has lost none of its charm, excitement or exoticism. Modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels climb the slopes of Hong Kong Island. Narrow streets are crammed with noodle vendors, fortunetellers and bonesetters. The endless array of shops offer the visitor everything from hand-tailored suits and ancient porcelain to the latest consumer electronics. And everywhere more than seven million people are moving at a breathtaking pace in one of the world's great monuments to capitalism, commerce and enterprise.

The former Crown Colony has enough attractions to last a lifetime. To take in the entire spectacle, head to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Enjoy lunch on one of the city's floating restaurants. Walk down one of the crowded streets to take the city's rapid pulse. And whether you think you are in the mood or not - shop. After all, you are in the duty-free capital of the world.

Our Excursion is Best of Macau

Enjoy a full-day, moderately active, guided excursion via air-conditioned motorcoach to see the highlights of Macau, a former colony that is an exotic blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. Begin with a one-hour catamaran cruise to Macau where you will tour the ruins of the 17th century St. Paul Cathedral. Visit the Museum of Macau, home to a vast collection of art and artifacts tracing Macau's history. Take in the tranquil beauty of the A Ma Temple, erected in the 15th century by Chinese fishermen as a shrine to the goddess A Ma, for whom the city is named. Travel to the top of the spectacular Macau Tower, a 1,109 foot tower offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Indulge in a buffet lunch in the Tower Revolving Restaurant located on the 60th floor of the Macau Tower. Shop for souvenirs at the cathedral, the museum and tower.

Wake up call at 5. 30 a.m. went down for breakfast at 6 a.m. have to meet in Restaurant at 7 a.m. for Macau Island.  Went on balcony and it was raining hard and the visibility was very foggy.  Two bus groups 1 and 2 I don't know who many escalators we went on some times there were 3 in a row.    Today we got our passports back for this trip and tonight we have to hand them back in.    Lot of forms to fill in before we even went aboard the boat that we were going to Macau Island on.    We were given forms for bus trip which we had to hand in and then get our boat seat number.     Lot of people on this trip with walking sticks and difficulties.    They were always allocated seats at the front of the bus .    I had no problem during the day but am very tired tonight.

First we went to Macau Museum and average Museum no where as great as Shanghai Museum.  Lot of steps we had to go up and were then left on our own for sightseeing meeting at a desinated place.    We were there in plenty of time took a lot of photos there.

The day is not good in Macau very foggy no rain mild temperature.   We then went to the St Pauls Cathedral.    Crowds and Crowds of people there, we then had to walk down many steps to the streets below the Cathedral then Tour Leader counted and some missing after a while they were located.

In Macau we had 2 tour Leaders one in the front and one at the back.    Took many photos in this area beautifully decorated.    We continued walking for a long time until we got on the streets and then walked on footpath until we located our Bus which was taking us to the Macau Tower for lunch, this is a Revolving Restaurant located on the 60th floor of the Macau Tower.   Plenty of shops in this area.   Parts of Macau is very old, Many many skyscrapers.   Unfortunately the view from the top of the Macau Tower Restaurant was not good because of  the fog.    

Then back on the bus again and went passed many Casinco some people on this trip would have loved to go into the Casincos.    Only thing I brought was a card from the Museum of Macau of Macau.   Bill went while we were waiting to leave the ship this morning for some money came back with American dollars.   You put your card into the machine and this was the only money that came out.   We will need to get rid of this money.

Good jolly Tour Directors very good English.    We have walked miles and miles today.   I walked excellent and very fast.  Some parts where there were many steps I held on to Bill a bit as no hand rails and if you fell you would go down many many steps.   I seemed to have Bills cold so am starting take some tablets from the doctor coughing quite a lot.

After having to go to the 7th deck with our passports we then walked back to our cabin which was about the full length of boat, if we go cruising again I will certainly ask to be in the middle of the boat which we had from New York.    I had a nice shower did my washing and hung it up on clothes line and then went and had some light food and lovely cold drink.    We had rung and asked for service to our room which was nice.    It is now 9.50 p.m. and Bill is already in bed and a sleep while I am typing my notes.     

If we should ever go on another cruise or trip I may buy a small tablet or something that I can use to type up notes so that I don't have to wait until we get bsack.

At Sea

Friday 2 March 2018 - At Sea

A nice quite day today, watched Chefs cutting vegetables into birds in centre of ship and spent time watching people learning to juggle, also a fashion parade.     Sat on the third floor up and looked down good, view.    Met couple from UK who had done many cruises and Gigi Gigi from Hawai and Boston area.   I had a lovely time.    Bill went for a spa and then came and found me about 12. 30 p.m..

Lovely show at night it was these dancers last night on the boat excellent show and then went for tea in the Concertina Restaurant, and sat with interesting people again.

At Sea

Thursday 1 March  2018 - At Sea

Slept in till 9.30, had a meeting in International Bar at 10 a.m. Couple from Dargarville John and Michelle and other couple from Australia and couple from UK.

Joined Internet in the afternoon, Bill does not like queueing GTentleman helped me and sent email to all not sure whether I will do the blog need to think first and sort out photos.   Had breakfast and luch together at 11. 30 a.m.   Christopher Watkins excellent voilinst will be in centre of ship in 2 days time.      Will be a early morning in Hong Kong meeting at 7 a.m. in theatre will have to be very organised when we leave for breakfast as there will not be time to come back to the cabin.  Bill has a cold I had a sore throat this morning but better tonight.