After yet another delicious breakfast, our little group of four are advised by Duk that we missed the 7:30 luggage pickup by the Scenic workers, so we're not sure how or if our bags will make it to the ship. In the fashion that will become typical of the Scenic team, Duk does not admonish us or make a show of being put out, but just quietly makes the necessary arrangements to correct the problem.
We climb back on the now familiar "disco bus" and are handed over to a new tour guide for this sortie. We are now visiting the very large building that was originally the governor's palace in French colonial times, then becoming the South Vietnamese presidential palace and war operations centre, and featuring prominently in the final fall of Saigon when surrounded by troups. The building has been renovated in 1960's fashion and the main attraction for us is the basement network of military-style offices with maps and communication equipment still in place.
We are then driven to the war museum. Our guide is refreshingly open about the challenges of life in modern-day Vietnam. There are no loans or mortgages, so one must save cash for large purchases. Huge quantities of Vietnamese Dong become unwieldy, so folks convert to US dollars or gold and purchase safes or strong boxes because they are charged money to store funds in a bank. Government jobs are not available to those whose families are suspected of being connected to the French in colonial times or being involved with the South's military effort. Bribes are commonplace to secure reasonable schooling for children or medical care.
The war museum has US flying machines, tanks & artillery on display outside and many rooms of photographs inside, which provide an interesting alternative perspective to the US spin on the conflict. There are many displays highlighting worldwide opposition to the conflict as well as the protests by US citizens themselves. Other rooms outline the horrors inflicted by the use of napalm and dioxins by the US army and the ongoing effects on a portion of the local population.
There is an interesting and heartwarming section honouring the contributions and sacrifices of war correspondents.
After a brief stop at the post office and cathedral, we arrive back at the Hyatt then take a short walk to the "Xu" restaurant for lunch. Yet another multi-course extravaganza highlighted by service of extremely cold tiny candies which allowed one to exhale "dragon's breath" for a few seconds after consumption.
We see lots of rice fields on the drive south into the Mekong delta and are thrilled to board the Scenic Spirit, welcomed by captain & crew. There are two other busloads of passengers, bringing the total to just over 50: a little less than the full capacity of 64. The rooms are spacious and very well-designed. We attend an orientation talk then are very pleased to cool off in the swimming pool while enjoying a cold beverage.
By now we are getting very friendly with many of the other guests, and our dinner table grows into a raucous gathering before Alan has to give into the effects of fatigue and alcohol and trundle off to bed, leaving the others to carry on the festivities.
We climb back on the now familiar "disco bus" and are handed over to a new tour guide for this sortie. We are now visiting the very large building that was originally the governor's palace in French colonial times, then becoming the South Vietnamese presidential palace and war operations centre, and featuring prominently in the final fall of Saigon when surrounded by troups. The building has been renovated in 1960's fashion and the main attraction for us is the basement network of military-style offices with maps and communication equipment still in place.
 | ||||
| The presidential palace |
We are then driven to the war museum. Our guide is refreshingly open about the challenges of life in modern-day Vietnam. There are no loans or mortgages, so one must save cash for large purchases. Huge quantities of Vietnamese Dong become unwieldy, so folks convert to US dollars or gold and purchase safes or strong boxes because they are charged money to store funds in a bank. Government jobs are not available to those whose families are suspected of being connected to the French in colonial times or being involved with the South's military effort. Bribes are commonplace to secure reasonable schooling for children or medical care.
The war museum has US flying machines, tanks & artillery on display outside and many rooms of photographs inside, which provide an interesting alternative perspective to the US spin on the conflict. There are many displays highlighting worldwide opposition to the conflict as well as the protests by US citizens themselves. Other rooms outline the horrors inflicted by the use of napalm and dioxins by the US army and the ongoing effects on a portion of the local population.
There is an interesting and heartwarming section honouring the contributions and sacrifices of war correspondents.
After a brief stop at the post office and cathedral, we arrive back at the Hyatt then take a short walk to the "Xu" restaurant for lunch. Yet another multi-course extravaganza highlighted by service of extremely cold tiny candies which allowed one to exhale "dragon's breath" for a few seconds after consumption.
We see lots of rice fields on the drive south into the Mekong delta and are thrilled to board the Scenic Spirit, welcomed by captain & crew. There are two other busloads of passengers, bringing the total to just over 50: a little less than the full capacity of 64. The rooms are spacious and very well-designed. We attend an orientation talk then are very pleased to cool off in the swimming pool while enjoying a cold beverage.
 |
| A little bit of heaven & relief from the heat |
By now we are getting very friendly with many of the other guests, and our dinner table grows into a raucous gathering before Alan has to give into the effects of fatigue and alcohol and trundle off to bed, leaving the others to carry on the festivities.
Comments
Post a Comment