Hong Kong to Yangshuo

The ship docked in Hong Kong, stayed for two days, and then left for transit to Shanghai. Students and community were given the option of travelling overland to meet the ship in Shanghai or travelling for two days on a quiet ship with no classes. We travelled overland by first taking a train to Guangzhou, China. Even though Hong Kong is now officially part of China, it has its own currency and its own immigration system. The train ride was considered an international trip.

From Guangzhou we flew to Guilin. From Guilin we arranged the hour drive to Yangshuo. We could have spent weeks in Yangshuo. What a beautiful, peaceful spot.

Vietnam - 2

I was surprised to learn that Saigon was a fun place to hang out. The food was great fun, and crossing the street was an adventure. I swear that getting through the herd of motorcycles was reminiscent of wading across a river.

On the fourth day of our stay in Saigon, we suffered the tragic loss of a student’s life on the ship. That will forever overshadow our experience there. The shipboard community was reeling. After a ceremony at Sea for the student, the community continues to heal.

Vietnam

We stayed near Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for our five days in Vietnam. Chris was on call and needed to stay close. We did a few trips without him to some tourist destinations. The first was the Cu Chi Tunnels where we learned about the huge network of underground tunnels that the VC used against the US during the American War. The second was a trip to the Mekong Delta. I hoped to get to an actual floating market there but we must have gotten up too late.

Singapore

Singapore

Only two days in this city-state. It was the blending of many cultures as we had Indian food in little India, drank tea at the shop in the Muslim area, and practiced with chopsticks on our evening bike ride.

Ship Life - Various Fun

Ship Life - Sea Olympics

Ship Life - Relaxing