Phu My, Vietnam - March 29, 2017

Phy My is the coastal city outside of Ho Chi Minh City ... formerly Saigon.  As it is a city of of over 7 million people the streets are very crowded with cars, motorcycles and liter.  The city is a mix of the old and the new.

Saigon was under French influence in 1859 and was dubbed the Paris of the East.  There are some buildings designed by Gustav Eiffel.  Vietnam fought for its independence in 1954.  Vietnam was sub-divided into two zones ... north and south.   Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam and Saigon in the south.  The US got involved in 1965 as the communist movement expanded in the north.  Since Vietnam is both a Communist and Capitalist country there are red flags representing both throughout the city.

Our travel guide was very interesting.  He told us of how welcome Americans (and everyone else) is to Vietnam and to spend money!  He also told us about his parents who were guerrillas during the war.  Didn't really feel any anti-American sentiment ... but did find some interesting propaganda and books. I must admit to feeling a little uncomfortable.  

We went to see a Vietnamese water puppet show which was delightful.

I was also uncomfortable about the sanitation and pollution.  The streets were not as clean as in other parts of Asia and with crowded environments.  I was less concerned about the malaria mosquitoes in Papua New Guinea than I was about catching a disease in Vietnam. All in all a good experience.

On to Singapore!  Still having a good time.

Regards,

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Nha Trang, Vietnam - March 28, 2017

Nha Trang is a southern coastal city in Vietnam.   It is well known as a resort community for international tourists and has beautiful beaches and scuba diving.  It was the site of the Miss Universe Pageant 2008.  As well, it has a French colonial flavor along with British and Vietnamese influences. 

It was HOT and HUMID.  Verrrry hot and humid.  So traveling around was difficult.  We went to visit a rice field with no shade and I felt sorry for the farmers and work animals. We went to visit a pagoda and a local school with children excited to entertain us.  Also went to a silk embroidery factory.

The primary mode of transportation is motorcycle ... and the streets and traffic is crazy. There is also a lot pollution due to the exhaust fumes. Many wear masks.  Am sorry I didn't buy some when we were in China!

Still having a good time!

Regards to all.

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Hong Kong, China - March 26, 2017

Sailing in to and out of  Hong Kong is like being in the futuristic pavilions at Epcot and DisneyWorld.  Many tall, modern buildings and more concentrated neon and flashing lights than you'd see in Las Vegas.  Many of the manufacturers, hi tech companies, banks  have their names ion lights and flashing signs.

The harbor is very busy with lots of small boars and several ferries going to different parts of the harbor.  I was in Hong Kong about  12 years ago and the bright sunny skies  really bring tout the colorfulness of the city.  Unfortunately, the weather again, was dark and dreary.

Upon leaving Shanghai I started not feeling well and I soon realized I caught the flu /// I guess you crowd enough people to ether in close places he  you are liable to catch something.  So I spent almost 3 days in my cabin ... sleeping, drinking fluids and caring for my aching muscles and body.  I did not go on tour I had scheduled.

Instead I got off at the cruise terminal and tried to find my way to the street.  The Cruise Terminal is a series of glitzy, glamours shops and stores.  It was 3-4 levels and covered probably 2-3 blocks in length.

I am feeling better but am still taking it easy.  So I am resting more until our next port, Nha Trang, Vietnam on March 28th.

Still having a good time!

Regards to all,

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Shanghai, China - March 23, 2017

Shanghai is the largest Chinese city by population and the largest city by population in the world with more that 24 million people.  It is a global financial center and has one of the busiest container ports in the world.

Spent some time driving around the city and went to high tower points to have a panoramic view of the city. The city is a blend of centuries of history and tradition ... and brand new and modernism. This tour focused on the futuristic

We took the "Maglev" ... Magnetic Levitation train which has no wheels and travels on air, not rails or electricity.  It is considered to be the fastest transportation on land.  In Kobe/Osaka I took the bullet train and frankly in comparison I felt the bullet train was a smoother ride.  Both get you to where you want to bo very quickly.

Still having a good time.  Wish the weather could be better.

Regards to all.

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Kobe, Japan - March 20, 2017

We have returned to Kobe after a week sailing toward northern Japan and Korea.  Many people bought a Kobe to Kobe cruise portion that was for a week ... so about 600 guests got off today.

I decided to take the free shuttle from the ship to the central shopping district.  Found a Starbucks and that's where I am now catching up on correspondence and e-mails.

Nice arcade type malls with many shops and department stores.  People friendly and helpful.  When you as for something ... often they won't just tell you, but will take you there.

We are about 2 weeks too early for cherry blossom time in Japan.  Having seen foto's it is really spectacular, but lasts only a short time.  The foto is not cherry blossoms, but a similar type tree.

We are heading for  Shanghai, China tonight.

Still having a good time!

Regards to all.

Bruce
BRK55305@yahoo.com

Kochi, Japan - March 19, 2017

Kochi is a nice little port city with friendly and helpful people.  It has easy access to the sea and mountains.  It has a hilltop castle with views that are incredible and of course a bustling market for food, fish and souvenirs.

This port was a "maiden voyage" for the Queen Elizabeth ... meaning this was the first time the ship has docked in Kochi.  They had an all out welcome and send off with music, dance, fireworks.  It was really very impressive.

Heading for Kobe tomorrow.

Still having a good time.

Regards to all,

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Hiroshima, Japan - March 18, 2017

Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoko region of Japan.  Hiroshima is best known as a target for the first atomic bomb in 1945 near the end of WW II.  There are many museums and histories of life at the time of the war and after.  A beautiful Peace Garden with many monuments representing world peace and for the victims of the bomb and  subsequent fallout.  There is a building with a dome on the actual building that survived the bomb.  It is a representation to the world of why we cannot have atomic bombs and war.  

We also went to see the famous Kintai Bridge.  The structure is over 700 feet long and has five wooden arches, Is is built with joints and interconnecting pieces and not hardware.  It is an architectural feat.

A special treat was riding 50 milometers on the Bullet Train to see the bridge.  We traveled about 3 kilometers a minute and took us only 17 minutes.  It really didn't feel like you are going fast when you are in the tunnels, but when you are outdoors and see the scenery running past ... you know!  To me, it was like sitting on an airplane.

Heading for Kochi, Japan tomorrow.

Still having a good time.

Regards to all.

Bruce  

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Busan, South Korea - March 16, 2017

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea (after its capital Seoul) and is the nations primary seaport.  It ha high towers, ancient Buddhist temples and a busy business district.  It has a history starting in 4000 BC and a long list of dynasty's throughout the centuries.  There is a history of US and United Nations involvement.  In 1950 attempts to unify the country failed and there s a North and South Korea.

We went to a cultural center and saw some traditional Korean dance.  Unfortunately the tour ran late and we only saw the last 15 minutes of the performance.  The ships tour was not good and I feel like there is still much to see.

There is also a large fish market and a the variety of fish you see is incredible.  They catch, sell and eat anything that moves in the ocean!

Heading for Hiroshima tomorrow.

Still having a good time.

Regards to all.

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Kagoshima, Japan - March 15, 2017

Kagoshima is located on Kyusho, the most southern of the four main islands of Japan.  Kagoshima is nicknamed the "Naples of the Orient" as both the city and the bay are dominated by an active volcano, Sakurajima.

When leaving we had a tremendous send off sponsored by the department of tourism.  As we sailed away, we were able South Korea tomorrow.

Still having a good time!

Regards to all.

Bruce

BRK55035@yahoo.com

Kobe/Osaka, Japan - March 13, 2017

Kobe/Osaka is a cosmopolitan city located on the island of Honshu, Japan's main island.  It has a mix of old world culture and today's modernism. In 1995 they had a 7.2 earthquake which destroy4ed a great deal of Kobe.  About 30 miles away isthe city of Osaka.

In Kobe/Osaka I went on a small private tour for 10.  It was prearranged by one of the seasoned travelers who set us up with a local guide.  She took us primarily into Osaka spending just a little time in Kobe.  

We took the local public transportation.  The trains are modern and very clean.  The handrails are two heights for tall and short people.  There are many connecting tunnels between trains when making connections and a whole world of commercial shopping a d services underground.  You can walk 15-20 minutes if you need to change lines to make another connection. 

We went to the Osaka Castle and the Umeda Sky Building which is a 40 story building with an open observation deck which gives you a 360 degree view of the city.  It is uniquely constructed with a mid air escalator which transports you from the 35th to the 39th floor.  

We did a lot of walking and were exhausted after having covered 7 miles on foot a d traveled on 10 different trains to get from location to location.  We went where the Asian people go to visit, not where there were long lines of tourists.  

Because we were cruising further north the weather was colder ... needing sweaters and a light coat. Unfortunately it was a rainy day.  Weather has only been OK on this trip.  Sea's have been moderately calm, but certainly we've had days of rocking and rolling!

We return to Kobe in a few days to let off over 600 passengers ho joined us for a 7 day cruise and then we go on to Shanghai.  We are heading for Kagoshima, Japan tomorrow.

Still having a great time.

Regards to all,

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com