drron29

The storm hit. However the heavy rain lasted only 5 minutes though light rain continued for some time. i started walking again as soon as the heavy rain stopped. had a huge effect on the pool deck though.

We didn't get out of the river before sunset even though we set off at 2pm. I was now on my afternoon 16 laps.

For lunch we shared a pizza on the top deck. I have got to know the women doing the cooking pretty well because they noticed I would keep walking deck 11 for a considerable time. 24 circuits in the morning and 16 in the afternoon. They would often ask how many laps to go. If they weren't too busy when we were eating there one would come across and have a little chat. Silversea crew are special We now set sail down the river on our way to the Bangkok cruise port. it is a busy river. It winds around so you can get views back to where you came from.

A Vietnamese round a bout.

And now starts the drive back to the Muse. Fortunately today we had a much more aggressive driver who refused to let scooters or cars to cut in front so our 1.5 hour drives became an hour.

I found this statement to be quite hypocritical when compared to their treatment of their opponents in re- education camps after 1975. Then wandered around the outside exhibits a bit more.

Next was a section on Agent Orange. Certainly a terrible way of conducting war. but the pictures of those who were damaged by Agent Orange is not totally true. Conditions which were well known prior to agent orange use do not have any evidence to even suggest if there is a link. Did numbers rise after it's use. No numbers are supplied. So back outside. Then into the prison complex with more Evidence of the cruelty shown to the Viet cong by the Americans and south Vietnamese, Including the guillotine. Though of course many POWs of the North Vietnamese ended up in re education camps. many did not survive. Which brings me to a very interesting difference between our 1999 and 2023 visits. In 1999 we had 5 private guides. four regurgitated the Government view. The 5th had been a South Vietnamese fighter pilot who had spent 5 years in a reeducation camp. It didn't work. During our visit to Hue he would let us listen to a government guide and then showed us the proof why it was wrong. This time we had 5 Excursion guides. only on this last one did the guide express full confidence in the Government. The other 4 described the corruption in the country. To get ahead you needed government connections. One guide had trained to be a teacher. He met and married at University. Her father fought for the North and she got a job as a teacher straight away. his father fought for the south and despite 10 years passing since he graduated he still cant get a job as a teacher, very sad.

There was a large section on the photographers and reporters of the war. Now having read up until now you are forgiven for feeling the USA was totally responsible for the war. But they made a little mistake in the photography section with this plaque. So on Day 1 of the Geneva accords the Viet minh defied the agreement and did not repatriate to the north as stated in the agreement. Also very early on China and then Russia began supplying war materials to the North without which they could not have continued hostilities. So neither side really took any notice of the Geneva accords which ended up never being signed.

Now inside. This part could be renamed the Propaganda Museum.

And the President's coffee shop. Now to the war Remnants Museum.

Next we visited the bunker. And back to the kitchen. Naturally you exit through the shop.

An open air courtyard for the private chambers. The Presidents were hunters and collectors. Sadly the elephant feet are real. Now down to the kitchen.

private chambers.

Nice grounds. And then we head inside. Cabinet room. Banquet hall.

So that gives the background leading up to the 1954 defeat of the French. Time now to go outside and drive the short distance to the Reunification Palace. Whilst waiting to enter the Palace Grounds tree pruning was going on in the park across the road. A job I would definitely be unable to perform. And the instagrammers were out.

The indoors part of the museum was more general history than the war.

There appeared to be a fashion shoot going on featuring wedding outfits. Several couples being photographed. Some old photographs. And some non military equipment.

And we reach the war museum. As always history is written by the victors.

For our last day in Saigon I went on the War Relics tour. A hotel that charges by the hour.

Dinner in Atlantide. Rojaan started with the scallops and strawberry again as it is one of her favourites whilst I started with the smoked salmon from the evening menu and then the crab bisque. Rojaan then had the lobster. Certainly not as much lobster as in the past. Whilst I had the fillet. Once again really good. Then went to the Panorama lounge for a nightcap. The moon was lighting everything up.

And again the lady with the Vietnamese "electric guitar". There are a fair few You Tube videos of their performances. Just Google Van Anh Fusion Band.

And a vertical xylophone. Again just amazing sound.

A bamboo xylophone. The woman is clapping in front of the bamboo. Simply amazing.

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.

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.