drron29

Dinner in Atlantide, some menu changes. Rojaan's white wine which of course is the grape of Pouilly fume wines from the Loire. The gentleman at the next table was not impressed saying Pouilly Fuisse wines were much better. The sommelier said they are totally different wines so does sir like Sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. he replied sauvignon blanc. Pouilly Fuisse wines of course are made with chardonnay grapes. He compounded his ignorance by demanding a Chateau Neuf- de- Pape as his red wine. Just which one he didn't say. Rojaan had the scallops and strawberry followed by the king prawns again she liked both. I had the Carpaccio then the Prime rib. Excellent. For dessert Rojaan as usual had the pavlova and I the sticky toffee pudding.

Lunch in Atlantide. forgot the menu this time. Rojaan had the minute steak with mushroom sauce that she was happy with. Whilst I had the Quesidillas and the spicy tuna. I liked both. For dessert it was something I have forgotten sorry. Then sunset and the return of the Bangkok tours.

On the first day in port we stayed aboard. We had no desire to spend 2.5 hours each way in a bus to spend 4-5 hours there. besides we have had over 100 visits to Bangkok. so whilst doing my lapa i watched ships movements. Turnover of container ships was quick.

Well things at SS have certainly taken a dive post pandemic. But if your Viking and Oceana cruises were pre pandemic they also may have taken a hit as food prices are up considerably. On the other hand the proof of a meal is in the eating. The steaks I have had in Atlantide are up there with the best I have had. Their seafood is cooked perfectly and the meals at Kaiseki we have found very good especially the Teppanyaki at night, The major disappointments are the Italian meals.

In the morning we dock at Laem Chabang. Beautiful car park views. The busses are ready.

And a new toy for Stumbles and his Royal family.

We have had 3 cruises post pandemic. We feel the crew experience is actually better than it was pre Covid. But that is probably due to the fact that we are taking longer voyages. This year they have been 54 and 44 days, On both cruises after the first few days it was rare to be asked for our room number. For example in Atlantide we sometimes taken straight from the queue to a table. And usually straight to the section served by Pablo on his first contract. He is excellent. 3 nights ago we went to Kaiseki for dinner. He noticed us going in and came over just to say hello. What I have noticed is it is more common for SS passengers to behave badly. I was appalled on this cruise to see 4 passengers berate a sommelier (and yes he has completed sommelier training) for his lack of knowledge. He is from Zimbabwe. when he came to our table I just gave him a hug and said it wasn't your fault. The smile was amazing and I see it every time we see him. And another breathe of fresh air is the Captain who boarded in Singapore.. captain Giovanni Schiaffino who comes from a village near Portofino. This is his first cruise with Silversea. The crew already love him. One example. I was doing my laps on deck 11 just before 7am - yes before the sun lounges were available to put your book on- the Captain came out onto the pool deck and talked to the crew putting out the lounges as well as taking the job of putting the tables beside the lounges. The best part was at the Venetian society cocktail party. It was the wittiest captain's speech we have heard. He introduced himself and said he had to ask permission to attend as this was his first cruise and he had only 8 nights cruising with Silversea. I will agree that the food offerings have gone downhill but there are exceptions. the steaks I have had on this cruise are the best I have had on Silversea.

Disappointed that Miss Vicki has left Silversea. One our favourites.

The next day was a sea day. Changing my exercise regime a bit, Still do the 24 laps on deck 11 in the morning but after lunch a new circuit. Take the stairs down to deck 8,walk to the boutique and take the stairs up to the Panorama lounge - thy are much wider steps and much easier to ascend - and then back to the forward stairs. 10 - 12 circuits is roughly the same steps as 16 laps on deck 11 but is in air conditioned comfort. Sometimes I admire the floral displays as I go round. Lunch in Kaiseki. Then dinner in Atlantide' Rojaan had the crab salad and then the lamb cutlets. And I had the smoked duck salads, tomato soup and mushroom risotto. We are doing well on the trivia with a well balanced team then 3 of us go on to the putting. The other 2 are good golfers and if luck is running my way I do alright. very disappointed today though. two holes in one and a 2 but finished second to a fellow who had 3 holes in one. There is French father and son who come to the putting. The son is 9 years old, plays of 19 in the men's club competition but is a delightful boy. One of my partners is obviously reasonably well known in Scottish golf as he gave the father his number and said just ring and I will arrange for the 2 of you to play a round at St. Andrews Old Course. Magic happens on Silversea.

That night it was back to La Terraza for dinner. Rojaan had the carpaccio which was very nice and then the osso Buco which was so tough it was virtually inedible. Several other passengers report the same. We cancelled all future bookings. But friends got on in Singapore and they love La Terraza. However they also reported the Osso buco was very tough. I had the lasagna which was disappointing and the sea bass which was very nice. Rojaan Had dessert and I a very disappointing cheese plate. They did find some gorganzola for me but it was way inferior to th previous product they had on board. My red wine. Night had fallen. Lots of fishing boats out most after squid. They came quite close at times.

The storm hit. However the heavy rain lasted only 5 minutes though light rain continued for some time. i started walking again as soon as the heavy rain stopped. had a huge effect on the pool deck though.

We didn't get out of the river before sunset even though we set off at 2pm. I was now on my afternoon 16 laps.

For lunch we shared a pizza on the top deck. I have got to know the women doing the cooking pretty well because they noticed I would keep walking deck 11 for a considerable time. 24 circuits in the morning and 16 in the afternoon. They would often ask how many laps to go. If they weren't too busy when we were eating there one would come across and have a little chat. Silversea crew are special We now set sail down the river on our way to the Bangkok cruise port. it is a busy river. It winds around so you can get views back to where you came from.

A Vietnamese round a bout.

And now starts the drive back to the Muse. Fortunately today we had a much more aggressive driver who refused to let scooters or cars to cut in front so our 1.5 hour drives became an hour.

I found this statement to be quite hypocritical when compared to their treatment of their opponents in re- education camps after 1975. Then wandered around the outside exhibits a bit more.

Next was a section on Agent Orange. Certainly a terrible way of conducting war. but the pictures of those who were damaged by Agent Orange is not totally true. Conditions which were well known prior to agent orange use do not have any evidence to even suggest if there is a link. Did numbers rise after it's use. No numbers are supplied. So back outside. Then into the prison complex with more Evidence of the cruelty shown to the Viet cong by the Americans and south Vietnamese, Including the guillotine. Though of course many POWs of the North Vietnamese ended up in re education camps. many did not survive. Which brings me to a very interesting difference between our 1999 and 2023 visits. In 1999 we had 5 private guides. four regurgitated the Government view. The 5th had been a South Vietnamese fighter pilot who had spent 5 years in a reeducation camp. It didn't work. During our visit to Hue he would let us listen to a government guide and then showed us the proof why it was wrong. This time we had 5 Excursion guides. only on this last one did the guide express full confidence in the Government. The other 4 described the corruption in the country. To get ahead you needed government connections. One guide had trained to be a teacher. He met and married at University. Her father fought for the North and she got a job as a teacher straight away. his father fought for the south and despite 10 years passing since he graduated he still cant get a job as a teacher, very sad.

There was a large section on the photographers and reporters of the war. Now having read up until now you are forgiven for feeling the USA was totally responsible for the war. But they made a little mistake in the photography section with this plaque. So on Day 1 of the Geneva accords the Viet minh defied the agreement and did not repatriate to the north as stated in the agreement. Also very early on China and then Russia began supplying war materials to the North without which they could not have continued hostilities. So neither side really took any notice of the Geneva accords which ended up never being signed.

Now inside. This part could be renamed the Propaganda Museum.

And the President's coffee shop. Now to the war Remnants Museum.

Next we visited the bunker. And back to the kitchen. Naturally you exit through the shop.

An open air courtyard for the private chambers. The Presidents were hunters and collectors. Sadly the elephant feet are real. Now down to the kitchen.

private chambers.

Nice grounds. And then we head inside. Cabinet room. Banquet hall.

So that gives the background leading up to the 1954 defeat of the French. Time now to go outside and drive the short distance to the Reunification Palace. Whilst waiting to enter the Palace Grounds tree pruning was going on in the park across the road. A job I would definitely be unable to perform. And the instagrammers were out.