Thursday, April 2, 2009
HA LONG BAY,VIETNAM
We arrived in Ha Long Bay to rain and overcast skies but if you looked carefully in the distance you could see hundreds and hundreds of little island croppings with funny shapes. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Because of this unique feature of the bay, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were met at the ship by many large Chinese-style motorized junks for our cruise around Ha Long Bay. As we cruised slowly, we could see grottos, caves, secluded coves, huge rock arches, and limestone outcroppings. Many of these islands are named after the animals and the birds they resemble for example, the pair of roosters. The islands would appear in the distance in different shades of grey. It looked somewhat like Guilin, China. We were out on the deck of the junk taking photos as we slowly came to a quiet bay. We landed at the dock and took 100 steps way way up the side of the mountain to Dau Go cave. As we huffed and puffed our way up we would look back down and see gorgeous scenery behind us. It was breath taking. Inside the cave were different lit up stalactites and stalagmites with intriguing formations. As we exited the cave, we were met by some fisherwomen who were trying to sell us their day's catch. We then boarded our junk and were served a wonderful Vietnamese lunch. Doug and I were brave enough to sign up for the kayaking part of this tour. We were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to manoeuvre the two man kayak. We followed our tour guide underneath cave arches into secluded coves. It was so peaceful and quiet with only the sound of birds in the distance. We paddled around the junk for one hour and a half in and out of caves and coves. This was so much fun. We had a great day in Ha Long Bay and we didn't drown. Thank goodness.
CHAN MAY, VIETNAM
We cruised into Chan May port in the early morning to sunshine. We decided to take the shuttle to the resort nearby in Chan May, a very very small Vietnamese village. After arriving in the resort and walking to the beautiful beach, we decided it was too hot and unbearable and took the next shuttle bus back to the ship. We were going to rest up for a special event only for World Cruisers called "An Imperial Evening in Hue" that was planned for us that afternoon.
We were not told too much information for it was to be a surprise. Thank goodness the dress was casual. All we knew was we were going to be bussed for this event to the city of Hue that was one and a half hours away. Some of the world cruisers chose not to go for they were not looking forward to the long bus ride, but they missed a great evening.
Eight air conditioned buses were waiting outside the ship to take us all at once to Hue. We were guessing that the event would take place in the courtyard of the Purple Forbidden City. We were right. It was turning dusk outside and as we arrived, we were heralded into the courtyard where there were musicians and costumed performers holding lanterns, and drums and spears. The entire Palace was lit up. The locals were gathered outside watching us entering and wondering what was going on. Then we entered an open courtyard with a stage lit up with a huge lotus flower. In the centre of the lotus flower were these beautifully dressed musicians playing different traditional Vietnamese instruments. The tables were all set up in the courtyard.. As we were seated, a waiter and server would bring in one course at a time and the different courses were beautifully presented While we were eating, the performers were dancing and singing on the stage. There were 9 performances, all showcasing the coronations and ceremonies of the past Nguyen Dynasty. The show took 2 hours. Then our cruise director arrived on top of an elephant all dressed up and expressed his wishes for us to have a grand time which we did have. Everything was on time and we left in a daze as to the whole magnificent event.
The next day, we were all chatting about the wonderful time we had and what a celebration crystal cruises put on for us. We will remember this day for a long time to come.
PS. In Bali, we sent a photo of 3 smiling boys and we thought it was cute how they enjoyed themselves on the camera, well now we know why they were laughing so much because as Tanya pointed out, one of them was giving us a finger in the photo. Joke was on us. Ha Ha
We were not told too much information for it was to be a surprise. Thank goodness the dress was casual. All we knew was we were going to be bussed for this event to the city of Hue that was one and a half hours away. Some of the world cruisers chose not to go for they were not looking forward to the long bus ride, but they missed a great evening.
Eight air conditioned buses were waiting outside the ship to take us all at once to Hue. We were guessing that the event would take place in the courtyard of the Purple Forbidden City. We were right. It was turning dusk outside and as we arrived, we were heralded into the courtyard where there were musicians and costumed performers holding lanterns, and drums and spears. The entire Palace was lit up. The locals were gathered outside watching us entering and wondering what was going on. Then we entered an open courtyard with a stage lit up with a huge lotus flower. In the centre of the lotus flower were these beautifully dressed musicians playing different traditional Vietnamese instruments. The tables were all set up in the courtyard.. As we were seated, a waiter and server would bring in one course at a time and the different courses were beautifully presented While we were eating, the performers were dancing and singing on the stage. There were 9 performances, all showcasing the coronations and ceremonies of the past Nguyen Dynasty. The show took 2 hours. Then our cruise director arrived on top of an elephant all dressed up and expressed his wishes for us to have a grand time which we did have. Everything was on time and we left in a daze as to the whole magnificent event.
The next day, we were all chatting about the wonderful time we had and what a celebration crystal cruises put on for us. We will remember this day for a long time to come.
PS. In Bali, we sent a photo of 3 smiling boys and we thought it was cute how they enjoyed themselves on the camera, well now we know why they were laughing so much because as Tanya pointed out, one of them was giving us a finger in the photo. Joke was on us. Ha Ha
Sunday, March 29, 2009
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON), VIETNAM
We flew into Ho Chi Minh from Angkor Wat to a very modern and busy airport. The city is clean and bustling with activity. Motor scooters everywhere. There are 8 million people in this city and 4 million motor scooters. We were caught in a traffic tie up trying to reach our ship and were mind boggled at the traffic on the streets. The adults were wearing helmets (it is a law now) but the children were not. There would be 4 to sometimes 5 people on one scooter hanging on, or catching a nap on the backs of a parent. The guide said his family sleeps on the scooter when behind him but foreigners hang on for dear life. 12,000 motor scooter deaths a year previous to the new helmet law.
The next day we were booked for an 8 hour tour of the Mekong Delta. We had a 2 hour bus ride through the city and countryside and saw beautiful lily pads in the ponds in the centre boulevards, rice paddies being harvested, cattle eating on the roadside, small poor restaurants on the roadside with hammocks for free use by the motor scooter traveller. It is difficult to drive a long way on a motorized bike so you grab a bite to eat and jump into a hammock and take a nap before you jump back onto your bike and proceed with your journey.
Our guide spoke wonderful clear English and was very funny. He liked the communist government and said they are number one. They are good, help people, help the country to advance and grow. He spoke alittle about the war. There are still hand grenades, and unexploded bombs in the fields and underground. When there is new construction in the city, it is not uncommon to strike a bomb and have it explode and kill workers. Children find the grenades and play with them and they also die. So sad. The city is growing and Saigon has become one of the fastest-growing retail markets in the world.
We arrived in the Mekong Delta and boarded a longboat. We proceeded up the delta and saw many longboats with produce for sale on the boat. The owners of the boat have their laundry drying, and they may be sleeping in a hammock, while the buyers come by in their boats to purchase the fruit, veggies, and fish. We loved the longboat experience because it was so nice and cool to be on the water in the 38 C weather. We then came to a farmer's house and toured it. After the tour, we entered his garden and sat under the many fruit trees and had tea with fruit. There were mango, plum, pommelo fruit, lemon etc. We then walked to the back of the house and walked through the back of a village to see some of the homes on land. After this, we took a tour of a roasted rice factory that made sweet popcorn rice. It was fascinating to see how they popped the rice, cleaned it, added coconut juice, honey and sugar and mixed it with the popped rice to make a great treat that sells in the market places. We also saw how they made rice paper. Then off to the restaurant to have a typical Vietnamese lunch. Along journey home and called it a day.
Next day we took a city tour of the city. The other people at our table went to see the underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong. They had tour guides who said that the communist government is not so good but they can only say that on the bus. The people who went on this tour also had to listen to some propaganda film showing the bad side of the Americans. It was quite embarrassing for them to listen to.
It was very interesting to see how far along this country has come and is moving at a great pace. Our guide said they want to become another Singapore. They sure are doing a good job of it. It is a much cleaner city, not as much poverty and very modern in the new areas. The countryside is poor but many houses have TV antennas. In fact, most homes that have electricity have TVs and they are experiencing faster growth than Cambodia. But we must remember that Cambodia just finished a 30 year civil war and has only been at peace for the last 10 years.
The next day we were booked for an 8 hour tour of the Mekong Delta. We had a 2 hour bus ride through the city and countryside and saw beautiful lily pads in the ponds in the centre boulevards, rice paddies being harvested, cattle eating on the roadside, small poor restaurants on the roadside with hammocks for free use by the motor scooter traveller. It is difficult to drive a long way on a motorized bike so you grab a bite to eat and jump into a hammock and take a nap before you jump back onto your bike and proceed with your journey.
Our guide spoke wonderful clear English and was very funny. He liked the communist government and said they are number one. They are good, help people, help the country to advance and grow. He spoke alittle about the war. There are still hand grenades, and unexploded bombs in the fields and underground. When there is new construction in the city, it is not uncommon to strike a bomb and have it explode and kill workers. Children find the grenades and play with them and they also die. So sad. The city is growing and Saigon has become one of the fastest-growing retail markets in the world.
We arrived in the Mekong Delta and boarded a longboat. We proceeded up the delta and saw many longboats with produce for sale on the boat. The owners of the boat have their laundry drying, and they may be sleeping in a hammock, while the buyers come by in their boats to purchase the fruit, veggies, and fish. We loved the longboat experience because it was so nice and cool to be on the water in the 38 C weather. We then came to a farmer's house and toured it. After the tour, we entered his garden and sat under the many fruit trees and had tea with fruit. There were mango, plum, pommelo fruit, lemon etc. We then walked to the back of the house and walked through the back of a village to see some of the homes on land. After this, we took a tour of a roasted rice factory that made sweet popcorn rice. It was fascinating to see how they popped the rice, cleaned it, added coconut juice, honey and sugar and mixed it with the popped rice to make a great treat that sells in the market places. We also saw how they made rice paper. Then off to the restaurant to have a typical Vietnamese lunch. Along journey home and called it a day.
Next day we took a city tour of the city. The other people at our table went to see the underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong. They had tour guides who said that the communist government is not so good but they can only say that on the bus. The people who went on this tour also had to listen to some propaganda film showing the bad side of the Americans. It was quite embarrassing for them to listen to.
It was very interesting to see how far along this country has come and is moving at a great pace. Our guide said they want to become another Singapore. They sure are doing a good job of it. It is a much cleaner city, not as much poverty and very modern in the new areas. The countryside is poor but many houses have TV antennas. In fact, most homes that have electricity have TVs and they are experiencing faster growth than Cambodia. But we must remember that Cambodia just finished a 30 year civil war and has only been at peace for the last 10 years.
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