Went to several huge markets and enjoyed walking through the jammed up aisles. Very hot. Bought a smaller suitcase for the Croatia part of the voyage. Traveling light on land. Got back in time for the ship to leave in the afternoon.

Went on a highlights tour of the city. Had a good guide that was able to keep us informed and also together. Only lost one person for a while!

We walked through the old governors palace and saw the beautiful public rooms. Also saw the family private quarters. All was decorated according to fung sway. (Spelling?The war room was red, of course. Beautiful furniture everywhere. Next stop was the History Museum. Lots of the usual Stone Age tools up to lovely pottery. Looked at the Catholic Cathedral. Built to resemble Norte Dame. It is closed for repairs. It was built around the same time our mission was built. Went next to a wholesome market then to the city post office. Built in the late 1800’s by the French Republic to resemble a train station. It is still the main post office. Off to the Tuen Hau Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess that protects seafarers. Lots of incense. Last stop was a local lacquer shop that hand makes their wares. Had workers showing us how they put the designs on using shells or duck eggs. Very laborious work.

It was in the mid nineties and soooo humid. Tour was very good and very long. Had a special dinner under the stars by the pool. I didn’t see anyone in what you see as usual in pictures. Did not see any shops selling them either. Of course there were lots of people driving scooters. When five o’clock came and we were getting on the bus for the last time everything changed in five minutes. The streets were jammed ! No accidents or near accidents. Amazing!

Calm waters and smooth sailing. Our trivia team is now in third place because we were able to accurately name the seven ancient wonders of the world. May I mention we have a history teacher on our team! Lazy day. Nap included. The heat and humidity get to me. Tomorrow in Ho Chi Minh City. We expect temperature to be around 104 degrees with matching humidity. Have a walking tour downtown in the middle of the day. Not the best planning for that!

Now we are in the middle part of Vietnam. Off we go to see Sun World and walk the Golden Bridge. Sun World is a huge theme amusement park on top of a mountain. You get to the top in cable cars. I counted four of them, but only two were running. We were above the clouds when we got to the top and first thing I noticed that they had an Elvis impersonator singing on a nearby stage. Walking the golden bridge held up by two huge hands was sort of like trying to get out of Giant Stadium after a game. You mushed through the crowd going, then you turned around and mushed your way back. We tried to make space for those taking pictures of their loved ones but so many people kept shoving we gave up and pushed too. But no shoving. We were thrilled to survive. Wandered around and saw an area that was based on a French Village. There was a Catholic church built like a little Norte Dame.

Little odd to see Jesus on the Cross in an amusement park but we have been going into other cultures religious buildings so fair trade.

Next came a German Beer Garden and a fountain based Trevi Fountain in Rome. Lots of people everywhere. I saw four women in traditional Vietnamese clothes. They are the only ones I have seen so far. Had our pictures made by an artist. We could tell who was who because one had white hair and one had black hair. Gave us a shady place to sit awhile out of the crowd anyway. It was hot on top of the mountain but much cooler than below.

We sailed at five thirty and two people made it back at the last second. They ran, the crew shouted encouragement and the passengers were glad they were not the late ones. Tomorrow is a sea day.

City tour today. Visited a great museum and learned more about the history and culture of the city. Drank lotus tea with tiny lotus buds in it. Delicious! Have to be careful or will suck one up your straw. Went into a Pagoda that was beautiful and full of golden statues. Back to the ship in time to leave at one pm. Next stop, Da Nang in the middle of the country.

Up early docked next to a huge German cruise ship. At least 50 busses lined up waiting for tours. We went on a boat tour to see the 1,600 limestone mountains in the bay. We had very hazy weather so everything different shades of gray. Many interesting boats on the waters. Mostly tour ships, but also fishing boats, and long barges taking coal back and forth. Coal is the major way to get electricity here. The boat was very elegant. The staff spent a lot of the voyage trying to sell us trinkets. Passed a pearl farm where divers work on the oysters. Lots of people live on boats here. Not too hot and sticky today. I expect it will get hotter as we go to DaNang in the middle of the country next.

Smooth sailing. With half of the ship being non English speakers it is interesting to try to figure out what language I am hearing. Won a spa day at bingo!!Had a Chinese dinner on board. We have a concert pianist who gave the first of several performances. Wonderful show. Made a bead bracelet. Did I tell you they have hot little scones available every day at four in the top deck look out room.

Star Ferry

Birthday! A day earlier than the USA. So does that mean two days of celebration? Why not! How often do you get to celebrate being 85? Early bus tour of the city. First, a tram ride up to Victoria Peak for a 360-degree view of the city and harbor. Tour guide was very informative. The tramway opened in 1888. Luckily, it has been modernized. View was spectacular. It was strange seeing the communist flag flying. We had really good weather all day. Then we bussed to Stanley Market. Some people shopped but we ate lunch at a restaurant by the water. Chinese food of course. The restaurant had a great dragon there! After lunch, went on a sampan ride around the harbor. Got pictures of ourselves with a coolie hat. Saw lots of yachts and also fishing boats that house fishing families. Lots of fun! Saw a lot of the city. When we got back to town, our tour guide took Colinda and me to a wholesale jewelry store. Colinda was waiting until Hong Kong to buy pearls. The store was on the third floor and had a lot of security. When we got in, we realized why. So much beautiful jewelry. I bought a pair of jade earrings with good luck Chinese characters. Colinda got a gorgeous pair of earrings and a pearl necklace. They gave each one of us a fresh water pearl necklace! We were treated like royalty. The manager escorted us to the nearest busy street, hailed a taxi, and gave the driver instructions. We went back to the ship and found our room had been decorated with birthday greetings. A bottle of wine and cards from the captain and activity director too. We tossed the packages in the beds and left the ship to zip out to go across the bay on the Star ferry. This is the oldest ferry running in Hong Kong. WeGot back just in time to get a quick meal at the buffet.

Then, up to the top deck to see the eight o’clock light show that happens every night. Very beautiful. Beams of light coming from buildings and on the buildings. I took a film in my phone The captain delayed leaving until after the show. Ended the night at the floor show that featured all the performers. This is the beginning of another leg of the trip. We now have a full ship. 300 ish Americans and about 20 other countries represented. Lots of languages being spoken. Forgot to tell you that a group of high school students stopped me after lunch. They had an assignment to interview people to practice their English. Their English was halting so I thought they were beginners. After answering their questions I asked them if anyone was having a birthday today. One of the six said she would have one in two days. I explained about having my 85th today. I asked her if I could sing to her. She agreed. I sang my birthday song to her. Her friends got it on her phone. When I walked on they were squealing and jumping around So…. really had a terrific day!!!!!!

Ok! Manila was 3-20-24

I will get these days right sooner or later. Got info about next leg of the cruise. Viet Nam to Bangkok. Sea huge until about five. Captain drained the pool and closed the deck. People continued to lurch about. Tried to get a picture of the waves. Every once in a while the ship would give a big thump. A quiet day after zooming around yesterday.

Tour was excellent. Weather was hot and humid. We went to the 140 acre city park and saw the national monuments. Next we went to see the ancient fortified walls and San Augstin Church. This church is 450 years old. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Well preserved. Loved the choir loft best. Great pipe organ too. Last was the Manila Cathedral with its beautiful bronze decorated doors. I spotted one with the eye of God. Familiar. This is the first city where children were begging for money. First where anyone was doing that. Every stop has been so different. In the afternoon we were off to the mall. Found a grocery store that had…..wait for it……………Dr.Pepper! Got three cans for emergencies. Found a Marks and Spencer’s Store. Have not seen one since we were in England! Got back to the ship in time to leave at five thirty. Had heavy seas all night. Worse than we have ever seen them. People were having a hard time walking straight. Rocky night.