Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City

May 1, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Wow is it hot and humid. It’s like a hot wet blanket. Well let’s go into town. Last time we were here it was cooler so perhaps just a quick visit

Within the city, the official buildings are beautiful French Colonial buildings.

Saigon has a famous market so let’s check it out.

It is packed not just with people but stuff. Clothes,bags, jewellery,food and people all asking “What would you like sir/Madam?” With the heat , and such cramped spaces, not very pleasant so let’s choose some gifts and head out. One for 300,000 dong, no too much. How much you want to pay…..more than one….. okay I ask my boss. What colour you want? The bargaining goes on and then finished.

Spirits with snakes,scorpions or spiders?

So much to choose from but I am ready to leave. Are you?

All the streets have decorations on their light poles. Each street has its own design. My favourite was the dragon. You liked the flowers, yes they were pretty.

Definitely time to head back before we become puddles. There are a few gardens between buildings but not enough to deflect the heat absorbed in the concrete.

Near the ship , there are floating restaurants. This one caught my eye.

It is spectacular at night.

Tonight is an event called “White night “ on the ship. Everyone dresses in white and there is a bbq in the deck near the pool. Yes I think your white top with flowers qualifies.

The city at night has a life of its own. It is spectacular. If that isn’t enough, there was even fireworks tonight.

We sail today and then Singapore is next. Do you think the time has gone fast… I do. Coffee time!

Cruising, Vietnam

Danang and Hoi An

April 28, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

A few technical issues today….. the gangway won’t go down. Waiting, waiting, waiting…. Problem solved , trucks,crane, lots of discussion and we are on the way. Be careful of the stampede as all those anxious tourists run to get the bus, leaving us sensible travellers to walk leisurely to our bus. Got your ticket and landing pass.

Danang appears to be a combination of modern and old buildings. Many of the old buildings are being renovated or redeveloped. I think they reflect the influence of both the French and earlier Chinese influences. What do you think?

Trivia for the day, there are 52 ethnic groups in Vietnam because of the different changes in dominance. The French settlers set up a museum and collected many forgotten artifacts. There was a danger the earliest settlers, the Cham people’s legacy being lost. See colonialism is not always bad! The Cham people came from Java in Indonesia. They initially embraced Hinduism but then Buddhism ,which is still the main religion and this is reflected in their statues.

Elephant head for brains, lion body for strength

Now unfortunately excursions in some countries are linked to you buying products. Having seen the statues of the Cham , we are off to a marble factory. Are you in the market for a smiling Buddha or perhaps some small stone statues? I liked the bird house but you wisely advised me that it was too big to pack.

To Hoi An, an example of a fishing port with traditional wooden villages. Watch out , the hawkers are coming with hats, sunglasses, fans and more. I feel overwhelmed. How about you? I think I need the local language for thanks but get lost.

Look at the Chinese temple. I love the gardens. There are lots of dragons for good luck.

Do you need cowboy boots? Every street is full of shops. What shall we buy ….. don’t forget to haggle.

Next stop is the oldest house in the village. It has been owned by the same family for 4 generations. They do amazing silk embroidery. The house has a kitchen and open rooms downstairs with an upper floor.It floods every year and family and the wooden furniture move upstairs..

Wow isn’t it hot and humid, I think we should check out the sights and then have lunch. I think we should check out a few more places and then find a shady spot until it is time to go. See the hawkers come to you …. You don’t need to move.

Aren’t you amazed at how much the can fit on either a bicycle or motorbike?

That cold shower was a lifesaver! Time to see the local theatre company perform. The costumes and music seem to be influenced by Chinese theatre but are amazing. Such precise movements and so well coordinated….quite a spectacular.

That’s your lot. Rest now ready for Saigon or
Ho Chi Minh city

Iceland

Hong Kong

April 26, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Rain , rain go away. What do you think of the Hong Kong skyline. Wall to wall skyscrapers.

There isn’t much open space for children. Shopping and working seem to be the main activities. People live in tiny apartments so entertaining happens in restaurants.

Plan for the day: Sampan ride , visit Stanley Markets, ride the Star Ferry, and ride the funicular to the top of Mt Victoria to see the view. Are you happy with that?

You can tick that box. There used to be heaps of fishing and squid boats in the harbour but now it is cheaper to keep your boat on mainland China. There are less restrictions.

Stanley Markets is located on the waterfront on the Southeast Side of the island. This is more favourable to Chinese as the south is the entrance to Heaven. Here there are many villas and expensive apartments.

Historical Murray House. Once part of the British administration buildings.

I don’t think people liked pickled pelicans

The old pier… roof original and marble columns now in the plaza this was to welcome dignitaries.

Fun fact ….70% of the land in Hong Kong is unsuitable for buildings . The soil washes away in heavy rain and they have mudslides. No I didn’t buy anything in the market…did you? Didn’t think so.

Next stop Mt Victoria.

It is rather foggy!

Let’s take the funicular

New tram!

The floor is all wavy. It makes me feel weird.Does it affect you?

Star ferry next . Someone keeps telling me I threw out his 1976 Kowloon first class ticket so I am getting him two new ones.

Near the ferry terminal are some interesting sights.

You can chill here but if you busk you will be fined $1000HK

To represent the old post office located here.

I really liked watching the different pictures.

Which tea will you choose…. The one with cheese 🤣😂😄

Cruising

Keelung

April 26, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Good news, after two days at sea we are ready for another adventure, aren’t we. Bad news, it’s raining, a lot! Ah well let’s make the best of it as you probably won’t visit again. Raincoat on, we are spending the morning in the mountains. Taiwan is settled mainly along the west as there are steep mountains on the east.

As we travel up , we pass many small fishing ports.

Suddenly you come to a valley with industry, train lines and skyscrapers

If you look closely beside the road , there will be small vegetable gardens. Despite the rain , there were people gardening and even a fisherman out on the rocks in Bitou Port. Crazy!

At last we are in Chiufen. This was originally settled for workers in a gold mine.

The township nestles into a steeeeeeep mountainside.

Most of the workers homes are now shops and tea houses. When you get halfway up , you will be rewarded with tea! Yes it is wet but you can’t stay in the bus.

Tea? Great

Raisins and plums? Great.

Sesame biscuits? Interesting

Wasabi and sweet nuts? Well the wasabi clears your sinuses.

There is some interesting shops….food, bubble tea, hand painted clothes and crafts and of course tea houses and tea shops.

In some places , there are tunnels under the houses or shops to reach other areas of the village.

Time to get back in the bus. I don’t know about you , but I am seriously wet. What’s that sound? It’s the water in my shoes squelching.A change of clothes and perhaps lunch before we explore Keelung Port?

The port

Keelung Port has a Buddhist temple and festival temple in Chung Cheng Park. The park has a shrine to commemorate the soldiers who fought the communists so Taiwan could be formed . You want to go inside… sorry it’s closed. Just further up is the Zhuputan shrine(also closes). It used to be constructed every year for the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts. You can reach it by a lift…yes I know we walked up the stairs. You can now boast that you walked up 39 flights of stairs today. The lift and platform is to link the city to nature.

Not far from here is the Buddha temple. As it is raining, you didn’t have to share the experience with anyone.

Look the lights are coming on, it’s getting late so let’s head back just in case the lift closes.

What fun things did you notice? Look here are mine.

One of many bomb shelters should you need it

Rest time. You have another day at sea to dry out….especially your shoes before we reach Hong Kong.

Cruising, Japan

Kochi

April 24, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Our last port in Japan. Kochi is on Shikoku Island. It’s famous for sunshine and plentiful clear water. Unfortunately the weather god didn’t get the memo because it is raining so dig out the raincoat.

Are you ready ,so let’s get the shuttle bus because it is 25 minutes to the city. Pass rice paddies and orchards to the city. Kochi is famous for two things, its castle and its Sunday Market. The market extends for a kilometre. Which do you want to see first? The castle before the rain gets heavier.

It dates back 1601 but the final castle was completed 10 years later. Up those stairs, and more stairs, and just a few more stairs.

Kochi castle is Japan’s only castle to retain all its original structures. Some parts were burnt in a fire in 1727 but were restored in 1749. To see the amazing city views, you have to climb just a few more stairs…. You can do it. The stairs are like climbing ladders aren’t they. I was glad we were there before all the crowds.

Down the stairs and past the trap gate. It is clever how if the enemy got through the gate, they couldn’t get up to the castle. Soldiers would escape up to the castle via a trapdoor and ladder.

Oh dear, did you see that track we could have used instead of the stairs. Oops, sorry. it was the direct route not the scenic. Unusual for me I know.

Hungry? Let’s go through the Sunday markets and the shopping mall to the Hirome Market(Hirome Ichiba). We can try the katsu no tataki or seared bonito tuna. It is fascinating seeing them cook it on the burning straw to give it its unique flavour.Did you like it? I found it tasty. The street markets have been running since 1690.

Kochi has a special festival every year. It is called the Yosakoi . It involves groups dancing and using wooden clappers. You can choose any music ( but it must include some phrases from a traditional song but then you can add other lyrics ) and costume. 20,000 people take part. There is a museum to explain the festival. How amazing were the costumes and dioramas.

The rain has stopped. Let’s go for a walk. There is the Harimaya bridge and those cute cartoon characters to see. Manga comic characters were developed in this area. We should walk down some of the local streets as well if your feet don’t hurt toooo much.8 kilometres is nothing for you and you will have two sea days to recover you know.

Back past the fields and to the ship.

Japan

Kobe

April 21, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Kobe is surrounded by mountains. The city is nestled into the area between the sea and mountains. I believe it is famous for its beef and sake production. I will let you check these out as I don’t like sake and I already know how tender the meat is. Don’t you remember, we tried Kobe beef skewers when we were here last time. You loved it!

Today’s adventure is going up a cable car in the mountains. It is called Nunobiki Ropeway.

At the top of the mountain, there is a beautiful herb and flower garden. It is designed to fill your senses. Did you enjoy the fragrance? I did every where you look are banks of flowers and both common and unusual herbs.

These gardens have so many areas to relax in, have a snack ( two restaurants and a kiosk),hammocks to catch a nap and enjoy the plants. It’s hard to decide where to go first

The view of the city. Wasn’t it good that we started from the top. I don’t think I could climb the mountain. It is certainly steep.

When we returned to the ship ….coffee was a necessity. Near the terminal are recreational areas with sculptures. We also watched the maritime training ship sail.

Some fun signs

Look your favourite, a maritime museum and it’s open. Wow the detail of the models is amazing. I like the changing pictures behind the ship.

Time to return to the ship. More coffee and a rest. Kochi tomorrow.

Japan

Azamara

April 19, 2024 Suzanne

Joining the ship was easy….three train rides with just a few “Where is the next train line” moments. Check in was a breeze……though the Japanese organisers were worried when we said we would go for a walk before getting in the ship…oh no not following procedures 😱.

Near the cruise terminal is a museum, maritime of course and a big park.

I know you were devastated. The museum is closed! Park next.

The fisherman. I don’t think he is serious,do you?

Time to return and follow procedures…..

Tomorrow is a sea day so I am sure we will find something to do….craft or an educational talk. Let’s see what you find interesting.

Japan

More maritime history and streetscapes.

April 17, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Today we are going to explore Yokohama’s maritime history. How did it become such an international port? Now no groaning…you know you will find it interesting.

Now Japan in the past, did not allow trade with foreign countries. This changed in the 1800’s when a treaty was formed over a few years with America. A new port was needed to meet the needs of the export trade and this was Yokohama.

Construction of a deep sea port started and was quickly in use . Earthquakes and war have seen the port being expanded and reconstructed. The last expansion was when the training ship the Nippon Maru was brought in and the land was extended around its mooring. See it was interesting and didn’t you have fun trying to load cargo using the gantry crane.

Did you recognise any of the art by Ryohei?

I recognised some of his characters but was unfamiliar with the artist. A few more sites from the museum.

Sailing requires lots of skills. I am sadly lacking in them, how about you? Never fear , you could become one of the 100+ volunteers and learn them. You don’t live in Yokohama. Well I guess that is a no.

The Nippon Maru has been a training ship from 1930. Students would spend 40 days at sea putting into practice the theory they had learnt at the maritime college.

Cleaning the decks requires many hands with sandstone rocks (holystones), coconut shells and wooden boards

Saturday is wash day.

The ship is still used to teach students both through class excursions and regular maintenance classes. The sails are unfurled, cleaned, dried and refurled once a month. This requires many hands. Similarly other regular ship maintenance is performed by volunteers and training seamen.

Did you enjoy looking at the other different types of accommodation. The captain certainly had a more spacious room.

Did you know in the time of Morse code there would be two periods of 3 minutes when there would be no communication from any ship? This was to be able to hear any distress calls in an area.

Enough maritime history…I must admit I am in information overload. Let’s explore more of the city.

Back of the bars….yes they are one room wide

There are quite a few drinking streets. To solve the problem of one too many, you can go to a hotel for a little rest.

Isezakicho used to be the main shopping area. Now there are shops but mainly it is a great place for lunch.

You know I like odd sights so here are a few.

Does this suggest playing video games is relaxing.

Site of the signing of the treaty in 1854 with America.

Upper deck of terminal. It is sheathed in wood and turf. Its shape reflects the shape of a ship.

Tomorrow we head for Tokyo to join the cruise. From all the reviews, the internet is quite poor so you may have fewer visual experiences but don’t worry, I am sure you will write about our trip. See you tomorrow.

This is a garden in front of a shop….should he enter the annual competition?

Iceland

Yokohama

April 16, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

You are packed and ready to go, I hope.

I know you are tired after the flight…. I must admit I was getting stiff and fidgety. It is 10.55pm.

The trains are right at the airport…buy a ticket and look at the map and you are ready to go.

A pass you can use on buses, trains or even in shops. Cool idea isn’t it.

Here is the train.

After a train change to the local line, you are at the train station. Your hotel is one floor up and soon you will be snoozing.🤣

Time to go.

Morning. Are you ready for a new adventure. Breakfast first. You have 3 days to work through the menu.

I love gardens. I suggest we go to Sankeien Gardens. Public buses are a little tricky but be brave, we can do it. These were created by a wealthy silk merchant. He and his family lived in the gardens but opened all but one section to the public. With time, he purchased tea houses and other buildings that were of historical significance and added them to the gardens. The result is definitely a place of “Scenic beauty “ enjoyed by everyone. By the time we left. Were you amazed at how many people were enjoying them?

Look Cherry Blossoms, and you thought you had missed them completely.

The Pagoda, considered a symbol of Yokohama.

Coffee?

Let’s just explore a few more buildings and then catch the bus to Chinatown.

Do you have a private emergency? What is a public emergency?

Every year Yokohama hosts a garden competition not unlike those like the English Chelsea Garden Competition. It is called the Garden Necklace and borders the waterfront of the port.

The gardens themselves are magnificent and the competition gardens cute.

Looking across from Hikawa Maru to the gardens.

Mermaids garden.

The ship in the background is the historical NYK ship , the Hikawa Maru.This was built as a luxury passenger and cargo ship. To go first class would cost you nearly as much as a house when it was built. It went from Yokohama to Seattle. During the war , it was a hospital ship and never carried weapons. It was certainly luxurious for its time.

This is us….third or second class. Believe the staff are very chummy with us though and you won’t need a tuxedo or evening dress.

Feeling tired .. well I guess we have done a lot. Back through the gardens and then to the hotel. We can plan for tomorrow…. No sighing … you know you will enjoy it when you have had time for a rest.. and a few cups of coffee or tea.

Australia, Tasmania

An M day: monotremes and maritime

February 14, 2024 Suzanne Leave a comment

Quieter day today we will drive to the Batman bridge . This is the first cable stayed bridge built in Australia and amongst the first built in the world.I did ask where is the Robin bridge? Funny but there was no answer….perhaps we will have to ask Mr Google.

The Tamar river swirls around it with lots of eddies and ripples.

Do you remember when there was an earthquake in Tasmania? It caused a mine to collapse and two men were trapped for two weeks.

Yes ,you are right. It was Beaconsfield.The original mine opened in 1904 as a gold mine. We are not going to the museum. It doesn’t open till 10 but there is lots to see outside.

Bedroom…look at the ceiling. It has canvas on it.

Kitchen . Mum might get some mending done.

Need to take the bus, get supplies like groceries or oil? Time to go to the shop run by Mrs Barbara Swan. She will help you.

The miner’s children need schooling. Sidmouth had a school to cater from Kindergarten to Year 7. All classes in one room.

Guess what? We are going to see platypus and echidnas! Sorry given up on seeing platypus in the wild. This way I am sure to see them in as natural as possible setting.

They were sooooooo cute. There is one male and 3 female platypus and 2 male and 1 female echidna. Did you enjoy watch the platypus snuffle along the bottom of the gravel looking for live yabbies, worms and fly larvae. Their bills sense the heartbeat of their prey as they have their eyes shut and ears closed.

Did you know a group of platypus are called a paddle and their babies are called puggles? Echidna babies are also called puggles but a group are called a parade, herd or flock. Eddie, Edwina and Thomas are not shy.

I think a short drive before we return to Georgetown.Coffee?

Apples…often these are covered with a canopy.

Beauty Point where one part of the Maritime University is located.

Bass and Flinders are famous for their exploration of Tasmania. In particular they proved it was an island separate from the mainland of Australia. Flinders accurately navigated and mapped the island. In Georgetown you can see a replica of the Norfolk. It is made of local timbers of Huon pine and cypress. This was the boat used by Flinders with his cat Trim. Bass and Flinders explored in a smaller boat called the Tom Thumb.

A beautiful boat made in a traditional method. No nails here

Can you imagine 10 men squashed in this boat for months? I couldn’t.
A fun saying-

Since it is not raining today, I think we should go back to the Low Head lighthouse. If we are lucky we might see inside the original cottage and the only operating diaphone air foghorn in Australia, Two families shared the 4 rooms in the cottage.

Look how much development has changed the navigation light surroundings.

Time to go. Start packing. Back home tomorrow.

Sixtyexpress

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City

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Danang and Hoi An

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Hong Kong

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Keelung

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Kochi

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Kobe

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Azamara

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More maritime history and streetscapes.

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Yokohama

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An M day: monotremes and maritime

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