Monday 16^th February 2015 – Day at Sea.

 

Another relaxing day at sea. Went to listen to a talk by Dermot Murnaghan about his thirty years in television news. He was very good and funny, although he went down slightly in our estimation when we saw him later running round the promenade deck clad in Lycra!!

 

Nesta had a chat with the Captain when she was carrying two cups of tea down to the cabin. Apparently she needs to carry both cups in one hand so that her other hand is free to hold the rail if needed! She promised him that she would do as he suggested in future – indeed at the Full World Voyage Cocktail Party later that evening she was able to report to him that it was a skill that she has now mastered.

 

 

Tuesday 17^th February 2015 – Phu My, Vietnam.

 

What a full-on day. We went on the Cu Chi Tunnels trip which was about two and a half hours, by coach, away from the ship and necessitated driving through the middle of Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as the locals still call it).

 

Along the route we saw lots of paddy fields and coffee plantations and as it’s very near to the Vietnamese New Year the roads and buildings were all decorated with yellow and red flags etc. Apparently the colour red is lucky in the north and yellow is lucky in the south. According to our guide (who was originally from the north), the South Vietnamese still do not like the North Vietnamese but have to tolerate them.

 

The tunnels were really interesting although a bit sad – as it was again a reminder of what human beings can do to each other. I’m pleased to say that we (as opposed to two of our readers) did not go down the wrong tunnel!

 

We were taken for lunch at a hotel on the banks of the Saigon River and then to a lacquer factory – but we refused their kind offers to buy furniture etc. Then it was back to the ship and some re-hydration!

 

Didn’t feel like dinner so Nesta made do with mashed banana in a bread roll! Five star cruisers are us!