Vietnam - Singapore

Riding the overhead cable car in Singapore

Nov 7 Nha Trang

     We went ashore about 0900 as a party of eight:  Ron and Ruth, Lyle and Chris, Ben and Virginia, Anh and myself.  The temperature was comfortable mid-seventies, and it began raining hard as we got onto the shuttle bus.  

     The rain continued all day.  The intensity abated shortly after it started but it drizzled all day long.  After the shuttle dropped us off, we had to walk a bit to find a beauty shop with capacity for our group.  I tried to go slow to minimize over-stressing the entourage.  People were nervous crossing the road (as I was my first time Vietnam).

Ruth and Ron Prosise at lunch in Nha Trang

     We descended on the beauty shop en mass.  We packed the place.  Some of us got haircuts, most got shampoo and facial massages.  Then some got manicures and/or pedicures.  I opted to add a foot massage which took much longer than expected.

     While I was getting my massage, Anh marched the group off for a bite to eat.  I followed her lame directions and then turned around and walked back to the beauty shop where I met Anh looking for me.  Her directions failed to include the critical turn that would have taken me past where the lunch was in progress.  The party was seated at the back of the place and not visible from the road.  As usual, finding them with her directions would have been something of a miracle.  They all seemed to enjoy the food and rustic cuisine.  She ordered a hot pot and noodles.

Put a Tiger in your tank

     It was a big hit.  I had a couple spring rolls and a few Tiger beers.

     After the meal, we all mounted up in two taxis and went to the market in search of bargains.  I bought a white Adidas ball cap to replace the one I had left behind in Hong Kong on the “Big Bus”.  Anh purchased a piece of luggage to facilitate dragging all our loot home at the end of the cruise.  Then we found the shuttle and rode back to our home away from home. 

     The first time I was in Nha Trang was 1995 and it has changed a lot.  They have high rise buildings, an amusement park and an elevated cable car to get you there.  I would not have recognized the city.  There were a couple sites I remember from the first visit: Cham temple, the bridge that had been bombed in the war, and the hospitality we enjoyed on our first visit.  

Nov 8 Phu My/Vung Tao. 

     It was a beautiful sunny day with a refreshing breeze.  Phu My is a shipping port with hugerific cranes for loading and unloading the ships.  I watched them transferring grain from a big ship to a little ship from the Lido deck before we left the ship.  Many from the ship are going to Saigon for the day.  It’s a long drive and we decided to go to Vung Tao instead.

Lunch in Vung Tao w/Judy, Tino, and Ron

     We were disappointed that Ruth didn’t feel up to going ashore with us, but it’s best to let each assess their own condition rather than cajoling.  So Ron, Anh and I took the shuttle to the main road.  We had a Cafe Sua beside the road while we waited for Judy to come and pick us up.  We have been to both in the past and it was nice to see Vung Tao again.  It’s a very nice city on the coast and much smaller than Saigon.  

     It was nice to see Judy again.  Her son (Tino) is thirteen now.  He was six the last time I saw him.  He was transfixed by his iPhone and iPad alternately and did not seem too interested in visiting.  He didn’t recognize me for want of the beard I used to have.  I was so glad that Ron was there to chat with.  Anh and Judy were clattering in VN the whole time.  

     They took Ron and me for a massage straightaway.  It was unusual.  They took us to a dark room where there was a row of massage chairs.  They handed each of us a pair of shorts to get into.  They were too small, but they indicated our skivvies would suffice.  I’m used to having a private room and a massage table, but this seemed okay.  It meant that Ron and I could talk.  The girls didn’t speak any English, but after twenty years I have enough VN to communicate numbers and very little more.  

Nov 9 At sea

     I always appreciate the time to recharge after a day of what seems like endless shopping and walking.  I like that we have a bible study every day at sea.

Nov 10-11 Singapore

    Day one we took the MRT (subway) to the Garden by the Sea.  It was very nice, although hot and humid.  We returned to the ship for a nap in the afternoon and then returned for the light show in the evening.

Garden by the Sea at night

The top of this hotel is a combo swimming pool, bar and observation deck

     Then the group had to have more Asian food before we returned to the ship.  It was almost 2200 by the time we got back onboard.  I was very tired.

     Day two we took Chris with us and rode the overhead tram.  After that Anh and Chris did some shopping in the air-conditioned mall next to the pier.  About 1330 Chris returned to the ship and Anh to her shopping.  I am sitting in the WIFI area trying to get an internet connection.

     I have more pics to share, but time is limited.  Stay tuned for updates as internet time becomes more available.
















     Singapore has a fast and (once learned) handy subway train system.  The city is very clean.  They have some rules that they take very seriously, such as, chewing gum and smoking.  Violate their laws and they will make you wish you hadn't.  I forgot momentarily that food and drink are not permitted in the MRT (subway).  Anh handed me a bottle of water and I drank without thinking.  A man quickly appeared to remind me that this is not allowed.  I apologized and was happy not to be cited for the infraction.

     Singapore has an interesting history and unique location for maritime navigation at a choke point between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Perhaps one of the busiest ports in the world.