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We arrived just after 8:00, to a temperature of 26. Phu My is actually on the Mekong River, which I didn't realise and actually travelled a few miles up it until we reached the industrial port, where we docked.
Today I went to Ho Chi Minh City (most people here still seem to call in Saigon). After a 90 minute drive we first visited a lacquer factory. The workmanship was impressive. I almost bought some for Jan, Angie and me, but in the end I decided they would just be beautiful dust gatherers!
Then we visited the National History Museum, it was a flying visit, but did include a water puppet show. I've always wanted to see one, but wasn't expecting one today. Then I saw the old presidential palace, now known as Reunification Hall.
A Vietnamese lunch at the Grand Hotel, after a visit to see the exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office, which was designed by Eiffel. We then went to the roof garden of the Rex Hotel, which was used by the Americans during the Vietnam War (the American War to the Vietnamese).
Finally came a visit to Thien Hau temple, dedicated to the sea goddess. Another good port day.
After I boarded I discovered that Rob had been confined to quarters for 24 hours. Despite his absence we won the Syndicate Quiz.
A spooky thing happened on the way to Ho Chi Minh City. Yesterday in Nha Trang a woman came up to me selling 3 shirts for $10, I said 'No, 10 for 3'. She giggled and walked away. Today as I got off the bus at the loo stop, a woman came up to me and said 'You said 10 for 3 to me yesterday, I recognise the earring!'. I must have been at least 300 km from where I had said it!
Chapman Brothers in the theatre tonight.
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