Came ashore without too much trouble after bidding fond farewells to our waiters and steward. Most of the people we'd become friendly with are getting off at Hong Kong and staying at the Grand Stanford Hotel so we will see them around for the next 36 hours or so. Luggage came with us ok and the foyer of the Hotel looks pretty good. Down-side of registration was that rooms are not ready for 3 hours! However managed to reorganise the hand luggage so we could check...

Last day on beautiful Oriana. Done the packing and are enjoying a lovely sailing day calm seas very hot sun but plenty of shade and a refreshing pool for dips. Just had a whole crab for lunch. Looking forward to Hong Kong. Sad to say farewell to people we've met. Our table companions,L & M, have been told their flight tomorrow night has been cancelled because of snow in UK. Who knows what will happen to our flights. Glad we have the fall back of VIP lounge...

Wonderful, wonderful day in this beautiful resort area. We are anchored in a bay with lots of islands- all quite mountainous so we seem to be on a lake as it is hard to guess which is the way to the open sea. We went ashore quite early by tender to a small fishing village then travelled by complimentary shuttle bus to the rather glamorous resort which is actually a small city. It was where the US army had their r & r during the V. War. It reminded me strongl...

Early start this am for 8 hour trip to Saigon. We go by coach to Saigon-a 2hr journey-then have 4 hours free time before the return trip. This is a fascinating country with lots of similarities to rural China. We saw water buffalo paddy fields and lots of one man businesses. Saigon itself is fascinating. We went to the ex Presidential palace which is very elegant and now known as Reunification Hall and was the location of the iconic photo of the US tank breakin...

Another day at sea. Beautifully calm and sunny if a little hot. Went to watch One Day in the Cinema during the hottest part of the day which was really excellent. It's the kind of film you can watch over and over for the delicacy and subtlety of the screenplay. Rumour has it that 2 passengers and their partners have been put ashore in Singapore for fighting in the laundrette! What fun! Quite a swell on the pool on the stern. Ian managed for the second time to g...