SIAGON--DAY 2

Friday, March 29th

     Good Friday!!  We had no tours planned for our second and last day in Saigon.  After our room service breakfast we both went to the gym for our workouts.  At 11:15 we caught the shuttle bus for shopping trip in downtown.  I am looking for a new watch as I have the crystal super glued on mine now.  I want another Seiko.  Found one (not a fake, Bjorn) but did not get it.  Wanted to come back later to get it but ran out of time.  Maybe I'll find one in Bangkok.  We did get some lacquer ware we wanted and some t-shirts.  I have fun bargaining with the girls.  Feel kind of bad though as they price things cheap in the first place.  We will be sailing at 4pm which is 30 minutes from now.  I have been taking some photos this afternoon of the different types of boats here on the Saigon River.  All sizes, shapes, and colors.  Some do not look to be very sea worthy??  

     We have enjoyed our visit here in Saigon despite the 95 degree and 80% humidity days.  Nothing much has changed since we were here 3 years ago.  The city is not very clean but it is colorful and vibrant.  The Vietnamese people here in the south are very nice.  They certainly are poor but seem to always be clean, happy, and well fed.  I have not heard of any passengers being mugged or having any problems at all when walking on the streets.  I felt safe.  

     On the dock next to the ship are temporary shops and restaurant they set up while cruise ships are docked here.  Last night I think most of the crew was down at the restaurant after midnight when they had completed their duties on board.  They were eating Phillipino food, drinking beer, and letting their hair down.  They sure deserved it.  Luckily our suite was on other side of the ship so we were not disturbed.  They work so hard so glad they had some fun.  Every crew member I asked today said they were down there.

     Ok, tomorrow is a day at sea and tomorrow night is formal optional dress.  We have been invited to dine with Goren, the Food & Beverage Manager.  He has also invited two more couples to join him.  Will be fun!

                                     Building behind this new one is highest in Vietnam--68 stories

  

    Taken by the Cathedral.  There we several brides and brooms getting photos taken.  There are not brides.

                                             He is sifting hulls from some type of nuts

                                                              "Meals on Feet"

                                                 Utilities above the streets were a nightmare

                                                   Here comes the bikes!

                                                    I think these were herbs

Cooking right on sidewalk

                                                 Waiting for the light to change.

                                   There were just as many women as men in the motor bikes.

                                                 She was washing her feet

                                                 Shopping stands next to our ship

                                                   Poor lady is loaded down

                                                        Opera Hall in distance

                                        We bought some t-shirts from them.  Hard bargainers!

                 Ray, our cruise director, hired a bike to take him back to the ship.  Brave man!

                                              Boat that just took the ship's garbage away.

https://goo.gl/photos/WyoVf58z6GvbAZ8h7