There were some serious Internet issues yesterday, and today.
Wow, a whole day to let our mind sort out the last very busy 12 days to put all the information, sights, sound and smells into some sort of order so that, hopefully, we will have some memory of what has happened so far.
We only have five more sleeps before we return to reality. In the afternoon we crossed the border between Cambodia, on the river, and sailed into Vietnam again.
I am quite anxious to be in Vietnam again so I can compare, in my mind, the differences between the two countries. I am hoping that we will see some natural beauty, in the form of who knows what, verdant fields, interesting shorelines, anything other than Temples and big buildings!
I participated in the 6:30 am Stretch Class this morning, up on the covered Sun Deck. It is actually quite refreshing to do some stretches that border on pain in my shoulder. The other, younger and more fit ladies are quite tolerant of a few us us old lumbering stiff-jointed folks. It makes them look like fitness instructors as well!
It has been a most relaxing day for just about everybody aboard, except the crew, who have to work harder with us all on board all day long.
The Mekong, which we were off of for the last three nights, is really very clean in appearance. I don't know why with so much litter along the shores in places.
The 'wind-down' has started as we were all given an opportunity this morning to verify our departure flights and timings in Saigon, [now Ho Chi Minh City] five days hence.
We received an invitation to attend the Captain's Table tonight. An opportunity that I believe everybody will have sometime on the cruise. It does not mean that the Captain will be there, it does means that the Austrian Hotel Manager will be there. [It was really a non-event.]
Also, later today after we crossed the border we had an Ice Cream Party on deck. It seems to be an Ama Tradition, we have attended a few. Today they had six varieties, I had a bit of each. Fellette was more particular.
All in all, this has been an absolutely wonderful day, a chance to recharge our batteries as we begin the wind-down: two more days in the Vietnam Countryside and two days in what was once the Flourishing capital of South Vietnam, [all that glory ended on April 30, 1975.] 44 years ago, but it sure doesn't seem that long ago to me.
This has been a wonderful trip, fast-paced but wonderful. As far as I am concerned the accommodation both on land, in this ship and at Halong Bay were great. The Ama Dora: Fabulous, although we did have a cabin on the top floor, not the highest category but beautiful in every respect. [The personal wireless router in the cabin was a blessing, and a surprise, even with its problems.]
The serving staff are always smiling and anxious to look after your every need. The receptionist knew my name of the second day, calling me 'Sir Douglas'. Cute.
They take pride in calling the passengers by name, it seems just to be something they do. On longer ocean cruises we have known staff that have remembered over 400 names, learning and comparing names with other crew on their off hours. They sometimes get advance notice of passenger names so they can amaze you the first day aboard!
Earlier in the trip I had a mistrust of our Vietnamese and Cambodian guides. As I got to know them and engaged in conversations with them I now know them to be genuine and hardworking folks whose countries have been through more than we can possibly imagine, yet their love of country, and their quest to inform us about all aspects of their history, good and bad, is genuine.
I participated in the 6:30 am Stretch Class this morning, up on the covered Sun Deck. It is actually quite refreshing to do some stretches that border on pain in my shoulder. The other, younger and more fit ladies are quite tolerant of a few us us old lumbering stiff-jointed folks. It makes them look like fitness instructors as well!
It has been a most relaxing day for just about everybody aboard, except the crew, who have to work harder with us all on board all day long.
The Mekong, which we were off of for the last three nights, is really very clean in appearance. I don't know why with so much litter along the shores in places.
The 'wind-down' has started as we were all given an opportunity this morning to verify our departure flights and timings in Saigon, [now Ho Chi Minh City] five days hence.
We received an invitation to attend the Captain's Table tonight. An opportunity that I believe everybody will have sometime on the cruise. It does not mean that the Captain will be there, it does means that the Austrian Hotel Manager will be there. [It was really a non-event.]
Also, later today after we crossed the border we had an Ice Cream Party on deck. It seems to be an Ama Tradition, we have attended a few. Today they had six varieties, I had a bit of each. Fellette was more particular.
All in all, this has been an absolutely wonderful day, a chance to recharge our batteries as we begin the wind-down: two more days in the Vietnam Countryside and two days in what was once the Flourishing capital of South Vietnam, [all that glory ended on April 30, 1975.] 44 years ago, but it sure doesn't seem that long ago to me.
This has been a wonderful trip, fast-paced but wonderful. As far as I am concerned the accommodation both on land, in this ship and at Halong Bay were great. The Ama Dora: Fabulous, although we did have a cabin on the top floor, not the highest category but beautiful in every respect. [The personal wireless router in the cabin was a blessing, and a surprise, even with its problems.]
The serving staff are always smiling and anxious to look after your every need. The receptionist knew my name of the second day, calling me 'Sir Douglas'. Cute.
They take pride in calling the passengers by name, it seems just to be something they do. On longer ocean cruises we have known staff that have remembered over 400 names, learning and comparing names with other crew on their off hours. They sometimes get advance notice of passenger names so they can amaze you the first day aboard!
Earlier in the trip I had a mistrust of our Vietnamese and Cambodian guides. As I got to know them and engaged in conversations with them I now know them to be genuine and hardworking folks whose countries have been through more than we can possibly imagine, yet their love of country, and their quest to inform us about all aspects of their history, good and bad, is genuine.
6:30 AM, on deck.
After breakfast. Most of the passengers took advantage of the Sea Day and had a lie in it seems, or at least a leisurely start to the day. I had a complete stranger tell me she was looking forward to having three cups of coffee and not having to worry about where she could go to pee! I understand exactly!
Sailing out of NP took quite a while as it stretches along
the river some distance.
Heavily laden! Freeboard does not seem to be an issue.
Miles of this today.
We split a burger for lunch, still on deck
They do build big new bridges here, or somebody pays for it.
Stilted platforms, certainly not homes. Not sure what they are used for.
Lots of 'Monet-like' haystacks seem to be the thing. I THINK it is rice stalks.
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