Days 42 and 43 of 102.

I was here in 2018, and recall an all-day shore experience to Ho Chi Minh City.  It was a special but rather long day.  Yesterday, Jo and I chose the Vung Tau Views tour of 4.5 hours.  This turned out to be one of those tours during which too many places were visited with little time to spend in each.  However, the benefit of point and shoot photography from one’s cell phone does allow one to be able to dwell on places visited all too briefly with the aid of pictures taken by one’s self, for as long as one wishes.

First, we visited a market where one could see customers and retailers going about their business.

A toilet break here took some getting used to!

We continued to the Whale Temple, the main part of which I think was closed.  We moved on to view the 105 ft. statue of Jesus Christ. arms out stretched, facing the South China Sea.  This is on top of Nui Nho Mountain which we were able to see a second time as we sailed for Singapore, after darkness had fallen.

We also got to visit the Villa Blanche Museum, complete with protecting cannon, and bomb shelter. Also known as the White Mansion, the one-time retreat of Heads of State.

Also, earlier in the tour, we would get to the Temple of the Lying Buddha before the hour-long bus ride back to the ship.

This temple did involve steps to see this massive depiction of a recining Buddha, maybe fast asleep?

This trip did involve a fairly early start, I had to be breakfasted and completely ready to go by 08.00 hrs. Strangely, and unusually for me, I was, except of course, for the one visit to the toilet, known in these parts as the Happy Room!

I did enjoy (mostly) this trip. The tour guide, though hardworking and conscientious, was rather hard to follow.

On arrival back at Queen Mary 2, Jo and I returned briefly to our accommodation, cleaned up a little, and then took the shuttle bus to Ba Ria, close to the Co-opmart and local market. The journey each way was a little under an hour and enabled us to exploit the short time we spent in this part of Vietnam. We found a local café where we would relax outside, apart from constant pressure from street sellers, and enjoy iced (and also hot) coffee, along with the most delicious chicken noodle dish I had the pleasure of enjoying. Neither of us wandered far. I continued to be amazed that I was so very far from home.

The pictures taken here are of nothing in particular. It’s merely the fact that it is so far from home that encouraged me to take these photographs.

The port of Phu My offers a rare opportunity to photograph the ship in its entirety. Many people had the same idea.

Eventually, we were on board.

Jo and I watched from the Promenade Deck on both sides, and forward, as Queen Mary 2 slipped her moorings, turned to facing in the correct direction, while we watched with some sadness as the lights of the port faded slowly as we got underway.

While changing into smart casual attire for dinner, I was astonished to see a plethora of city lighting from my window. I called Jo, whose cabin is on the same side as mine to take a look. Before adjourning for something to eat, we both watched in amazement as the city lights gave one final dramatic bow, complete with (probably illegal) green laser light towards the ship, as we glanced one final time at what Jo identified as the 105 ft statue of Jesus Christ which we had seen earlier in the day.

We had a bite to eat in the Kings Court Buffet, went to the show, a recital of well-known melodies adapted for cello by the virtuoso cellist Andrei Cavassi, and then called it a night.

I would spend much of the following morning trying to access my Covid-19 vaccination details.

My Internet seems to have seized up. This happened once before on a previous voyage. Quite why I haven’t written my passwords down to remind me, I haven’t a clue…oh yes I have…You are not supposed to do that; the Banks don’t like it!

The Cunard (QM2) cough is alive and well, keeping me entertained with sore throats and other discomforts that would be deemed too much information! My voice is like a dusty vinyl record, rendering me useless in the ship’s choir! Jo has plied me with various remedies with various rates of success. And on that joyous note, I bid thee all….

Many thanks for reading, David, 15.54 hrs, having just redeemed his $100 voucher in the shops, before the offer became time expired. I got me a free Burberry woollen jumper for summer in the U.K!

All the best (again!) David.