Vietnamese Cultural Dances

The Azamara cruise ship invited another local dance group, this time from Vietnam, to entertain us under the stars. The young women, like those in Thailand, were so graceful and beautiful. They are also size 0! Anyway, accompanying them would be musicians who would play authentic old world instruments making the evening quite enchanting. Well, it would have been enchanting had you not been worried about those dive bombing mosquitoes eating your exposed skin! The gals in red are doing some sort of fan dance where they twirl around and snap the fans open and closed. It was really cool.

They also did a hat dance in very simple garb. I think it was meant to be more of a peasant dance with these hats made of baskets for gathering food. Like the Thai dancers their fingers would bend backwards, giving it a very elegant look as they interpreted life in VIetnam.

The last dance of the evening was similar to the hat dance except that inside the hat was a real burning candle of some sort. I'm not sure how they got away with that on the cruise ship, but there were no accidents or near misses, so I guess all was safe.

A real praise goes out to Azamara cruise line for their attention to detail and bringing quality local entertainment on board the ship. Some people who cruise are limited in the shore excursions they can participate in and this was an excellent way to feel like you were really experiencing the culture. With this being such a small cruise ship, there was plenty of room on the poolside deck to see the show up close should you want to. Dan and I are pretty sold on these ships that hold less than 1000 folks total (600 passengers and 400 staff). The ships can go into many ports the larger ships can't, and it isn't a madhouse on board the ship to find seats, get food, workout, etc. We had only about 400 guest on board (did I tell you this already, if so sorry) making it a 1:1 ratio for guest and waitstaff.

Old vs. New

In Vietnam, as in all the Asian countries we visited, there is a blend of old country dress, transportation, and life style, sharply contrasted with bustling city life.  In the middle of Danang we see motorcycles dart by as all as push cart vendors trying to make a living. This woman had her entire kitchen set-up on this sturdy three-wheeled cart. She was preparing to  serve lunch somewhere. On street corners we would see tables and chairs similar to those Fisher Price ones we had with our children. They just squat down on little blue and red stools and eat, solving the problems of the world I suppose.



Motorcyclists tend to wear face coverings like enlarged surgical masks. They are made out of what looks like thick quilted material and come in all types of prints and colors. Some that the younger, trendy women had on were very stylish and color coordinated with their outfits.

Helmets are a joke---anything goes as long as it covers the head. Some are real safety helmets, but most are a lightweight plastic cap. There is a law that says you have to have on a helmet if you are over 6 years of age. Those under six it is thought that their brains will be stunted if they have the helmets on, so they are exempt. Give me a break! It was very common to see a family of 4 on a motorcycle... youngest kid up front on motor, then the dad driving, another kid wedged behind him with mom hanging on the back. Wild!

Here is the best part---there are very few traffic lights just as in Thailand. Enter the street at your own risk. If you want to cross a street as a pedestrian, you walk slowly, but steadily allowing cars to anticipate your moves and weave around you. We crossed only one street and it wasn't a busy one and we actually had a local help us cross. I'm sure he thought we were pansies!

Immunizations and Killer Mosquitoes

Before our trip we had to get a few shots in order to stay healthy. I jokingly say a "few." Try this laundry list:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Tetanus
Japanese Encephalitis
Typhoid Fever
and of course...Malaria Pills

Grand Total: $1800. This is the hidden cost of traveling to third world countries when insurance doesn't pay for travel shots.

As if this isn't bad enough, immunizations against diseases carried by mosquitoes are thought to be about 80% effective and there are no shots to guard against Dengue Fever. So to protect yourself the other 20% you have to slather yourself in bug repellent with at least 30% DEET and 50% is better. 100% DEET will melt plastic! Think about that as you put it on your face and hands next time you go hiking!! Then you have to spray the outside of your clothing with this stuff call permytherin which also repels mosquitoes. Believe me, they can still sting you through your treated clothes...I have bites to prove it.

So while we are in 85-92F weather with equal humidity we are literally covered from head to toe with clothing that has been treated and our extremities are coated under the clothing. And to think the people who live there seem to have some natural immunity to these diseases.

This takes care of airborne diseases, but what about food/water? Well, like in Mexico, consume no water, ice, or local street fare. Only drink from a can if it hasn't been opened and you drink from a straw. Basically, I threw granola bars in my pack. The ship gave us bottled water each day as did most of the tour buses.

Some of these shots are good for a lifetime, but others just 2-5 years. That's OK, because I don't plan to go to these places again even though they were beautiful and the people were very nice. It was use TOO HOT for me.

Ho Chi Minh CIty/Saigon, Vietnam

After a day at sea (following our departure in Thailand), we entered the waterways of Vietnam. It was a peaceful sail into the port where we docked and the Immigration authorities came aboard ship to check our individual Visas before we could disembark. Because this is a Communist country we needed a special Visa to enter. Visas were stamped again as we re-boarded the ship. This process was repeated on all three days of our visit.

Our first shore excursion was called Highlights of Ho Chi Minh City and it was definitely eye-opening. Like Singapore and Thailand, the city was crowded, noisy, and full of motorcycles. Everything seemed chaotic. There are nearly 10 million people in this city...the largest city in Vietnam and all of Indochina.

Our first stop was the Reunification Hall that was the Presidential Palace where tanks from the North Vietnamese army crashed through the gates in April1975, which ended our involvement in Vietnam. On the lawn of the building are the two tanks and this is one of them. Inside the Hall on the top level were all of the rooms were they had cabinet meetings and entertained dignitaries. But down below underground were the bunkers/tunnels that housed the "war rooms." Today you can still see planning maps, teletype machines, and other communication equipment as a part of the "museum".

Just down the road is the the US Embassy where the helicopters landed on the rooftop to fly the last Americans out of the country. We also stopped at a cathedral and large post office that looked just like the old LA train depot. As we drove and walked through the streets there was a fairly descent size police presence. Ugly green uniforms and no friendly smiles.

On this day we also went to a very interesting lacquer factor and went to a water puppet theater where a variety of traditional folktales were told. It was actually kind of cool and nothing like we have here in the US. My overall impression was that his is a dirty, busy, city and not one I would like to return to. The 4 hour tour was long enough and I was glad to get back to the ship. It was in this country that I got the only 4 mosquito bites of the trip. They have mosquitoes on steroids there who have no qualms about zapping you through your clothes.

Thai Folkloric Danc

One night while in Thailand, the ship sponsored an evening performance out on the pool deck of dancers retelling Thai folktales. The costumes were so impressive as was the music and the dancers. These were men dressed in traditional costumes that were so ornate and  must have weighed a ton. They reenacted a famous tale that we heard over and over while in Thailand. In every case, the costumes were very similar.

The music was played on traditional Thai instruments as well.

In other dances, girls game out and performed. One of the most interesting things was how both male and female (especially) performers could make their fingers flex backwards. Apparently they begin at a very early age (2) pulling the fingers back so that they actually grow that way! Sick. It looks very elegant from a distance. I remember some of my young Asian students sitting in their desks pushing their finger back and know I know why.

The Thai women are absolutely beautiful. Their smiles will melt your heart. The people are just so kind and gentle. It was a real treat to get to see these elegant dances. It was just another way to experience the history and culture of the country. This ship really had some wonderful entertainment for its guests.

The Azamara Quest is a small ship that holds 600 passengers and 400 crew. We had a little over 400 guests on board so it was a nice small number (2/3 full). We basically had a 1:1 ratio with the staff. Big ships can have as many as 4000 guests!

Dan and I really like the small ship experience for two reasons:

1- Nothing is ever crowded onboard the ship
2- You can get in closer to many areas that larger ships cannot, thus you see so much more.

It does cost a bit more, but I think we kind of like it and on this particular line there are no formal nights so you never pack any of the fancy clothes which we like. No prom dress or tux!!

Cruising Tips

One of the cool things about a cruise ship is that they feed you well, clean your room daily, and offer wonderful shows. I have cruised to Mexico, Bahamas, Norway, Alaska (2), Canada/East Coast, and now Asia. We have sailed on Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival (never again) and the small ship Azamara (part of Royal Caribbean). Dan and I love cruising and here are a few tips and reasons to see the world this way.
Tip 1
Before leaving home, pack several baggies of assorted sizes along with a small insulated lunch sack that can easily slip into a day pack/backpack. Once on ship you can fill them with all sorts of snacks to take along with you on those adventures on shore. The buffet bar is always open and has healthy stuff.
Tip 2
Start your day with a wonderful breakfast and stash away fruits, bread and cheese to take ashore if you don't want to pay for lunch. Better yet, room service is usually free, so order a sandwich sent to your stateroom in the morning along with ice in the ice bucket. Fill one of those baggies with ice then slip it into another baggie to insure against leakage. Pop the ice bag and the food into the little lunch bag you brought from home into your day pack and you are set for a "free" day on shore.
Tip 3
When planning your trip, book a room near the laundry room. Ships are well insulated and you don't hear the noise, but it is super convenient to dash across the hall and throw in a load of laundry so you feel fresh all the time. Even on a 7 day trip, it is nice to throw in a load or two. It also illuminates having to bring so much with you if you know you will be able to have clean undies etc. On some ships it is free and others there is a small fee. The front desk can make change for you.
Tip 4
Anytime dining is nice if you don't want to be tied to a set time for dinner, however there are down-sides to it. The biggest is that you never really get to know your wait -staff and that can be a real bummer. If you go to set dining, you will always be at the same table, with the same people and your waiter becomes your friend on the ship. He knows what you prefer to drink, what you like and don't like to eat, gets you "extra food" or has things prepared "just right" for your tastes without making a big deal about it. It is fun to chat with the same folks at night and hear what they have been up to. On the first night if you decide you don't like the table mates, you can request a new table for the next night. No big deal.
Tip 5
Spend the $$ on day excursions. You learn so much more than if you try to do it on your own AND if for some reason, you don't make it back to the dock before sail away time, they HAVE to wait for you. If you make your own plans and don't make it back, they sail without you and it is up to you to find a way to the next port to get back on the ship! I knew this and thought nothing of it until the last trip when our bus tour really was late returning and the ship waited for the 30 of us to return. This was in Vietnam and that is a place I would not have wanted to be left behind!
Tip 6
Let the cruise company shop for the airline to get you to your embarkation port and make all those arrangements for you. Unless you work for an airline or have access to cheap tickets, it is easier if they do it and they usually guarantee that if you let them book it and the plane is a little late they wait to sail until they can get you there. They usually find great deals too. Pay the little extra for a transfer from the plane to the dock. No hassles and you arrive relaxed and ready to vacation

When you take into account cost of hotels and their taxes, food, transportation, time to plan excursions etc. nightly entertainment, availability of medical care and Internet cruising makes sense. It is almost always cheaper and there is next to no stress. You don't have to move hotel rooms all the time either. So pick a destination, save up, and go enjoy the world!

Saudak Float Market

Need fruits and vegetables? Need shoes or hats? Need tourist gifts? All of the above can be found at the rural floating market about  1 1/2 hour's bus ride outside of Bangkok.

As we neared the area, we loaded onto small long-tailed boats and motored up the 'klong' or canal to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

As tourists we were treated to scenes of everyday life along the river way. Homes were built on stilts out of wood and reeds. Clothes hung outside to dry and act as shields to the intense sun. You could tell it is a simple life and something you and I would not care to live in on a daily basis. Along the way we passed traditional boats with men and women heading toward the market as well. It appeared to be a hard life.

The market seemed to have 2 functions; one for the tourists and one for the townspeople. As tourists we could by wood carvings, Thai silk, paintings, fabric, and embroidered items in stalls set-up on the docks. Those that lived there came for the food. They would buy fruits and vegetables and could actually buy and eat lunch from the boats.

As tourists we were warned over and over not to eat any fruit or vegetable that did not have a thick skin that could be peeled (by us) away and no meat/fish that was uncooked. Of course, no water or ice or drinking from a bottle or can without a straw. Clearly, I was not going to sample ANYTHING!! But it was amazing to watch these women cook right in their boats and then pass the food up to the customers on the dock. Can you say "Mosquito nesting ground?" As you can imagine, we were completely covered again and it was in the 90s with at least  75% humidity. Very oppressive.

Local food in Thailand is a blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and French. Very spicy...and that is why I don't like it.  The national dish is Khao Phat which is fried rice and egg, cucumber and chilies. They also like Tum Yum Goong which is a soup with prawns, chilies, and lemon grass. The water is so nasty looking, there is no way I was eating anything that would possibly come from it! They do have some unusual fruits such as Mangosteen, Pomelos, Jack Fruit, Rambutan, and Durian. Again, I passed. I did try the Dragon Fruit and it was OK.

Here, Dan is posing with a local artist who painted a water scene for us and signed it. We got a little series of 4 for something like $6 US or some outrageous number of Bhat. It was taken up on the dock. Easy to pack souvenir.

Dan never minds the heat, so he doesn't reflect how we were dripping in sweat.