Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron29]

15 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

I see it was a special Roll day on board.

No I just realised I had only posted the first page of the Kaiseki lunch menu. Others though are on a roll.

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Finally at the first breif stop the Reunification palace, former South Vietnamese President's Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

A few pictures through the fence and around the Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now a drive past the Notre Dame Cathedral which is closed for renovations but a stop over the road at the Post Office.

 

 

The Post Office was designed by Eiffel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then the history Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Next off to a lacquer wear factory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not sure who buys lacquer ware now but certainly not the cottage industry it was 25 years ago.

 

 

 

Using egg shells now.

 

 

And to the OTT shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went off by myself to a nearby park which used to be a military cemetary in the South Vietnamese days,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I felt like a little snack and back at the lacquer place they sold snacks and drinks. They wouldn't acceept US dollars but I noted a person getting their fee in USD.

 

[drron29]

Next we were off to a temple,

 

 

 

Grab was the most conspicuous of the food delivery, scooter taxi and even rental car markets. this must have been their oldest employee.

 

And amazing what you see transported.

 

Now to the temple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Next off to a comfort stop at the Rex hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you could see the Sheraton hotel where we stayed in 1999.

 

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Just waiting.

 

 

 

Then I noticed a display by an Influencer/ instagrammer.

 

 

Yes she had set up her phone on a tripod. Fortunately we were soon off to our last stop the Central Market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Back to the ship for Halloween.

 

 

 

Off to Atlantide again.

 

I had the pie then tomato followed by the liver from the Halloween menu.

 

 

 

They were all very good. Rojaan had the cheeses and mushroom turnover and the lamb.

 

She then once again had the pavlova and I had the sour cherry and apricot gelatos.

 

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The second morning at the dock. Late the previous day the Viking Orion had arrived. Also the large container ship that had arrived at 7.30pm the previous afternoon had unloaded then loaded containers and was on it's way before 7am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I was on my way on the Saigon Street food tour. Which in fact meant a brief tasting at a food court and a restaurant lunch. Though we did see some street food at the Market.

 

 

Notice the scooters going through a red light. Crossing a road in Saigon can be dangerous even if you have a green walk signal.

 

 

You may notice the large numbers wearing green shirts and helmets. Grab is the largest ride, eats and even rental platform in Vietnam.

 

 

And if the traffic comes to a halt many of the scooter riders continue on the footpath.

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a fish trap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling rice. Note the scales in front of him.

 

 

 

 

 

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Our first stop was the Central market. In the morning the emphasis is on food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of pork. And everything is used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The market has an emergency clinic.

 

 

 

And the wonderful durian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The last of the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then a short ride to a tourist food court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some nice looking dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some Vietnamese classics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The last of the food court. We had 3 very small pieces of food. BBQ pork,deep fried chicken and a Vietnamese pancake/ omelette. The last was no where near as good as the ones we have at our local Vietnamese restaurant at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now just a short ride to a restaurant for lunch. Funny how Brisbane airport signs can be found all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we arrive at the restaurant.

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When we arrived we were taken on a tour of their restaurant and food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then taken to 2 private rooms for lunch. The menu.

 

And the food.

 

 

 

 

 

And I had 2 local beers.

 

Then a stroll back to the bus past a street vendor and the next door restaurant,

 

 

 

 

Then back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of unfinished buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

That night before dinner there was a special performance by a local group - the Van Anh Fusion Band, Wonderful. Using traditional Vietnamese instruments with modern songs plus dancing. A different MC who was very good.

 

 

Now this instrument is based on a Vietnamese lute. The projection in the middle woman's hand turned this into a very good impersonation of an electric guitar.