Day 18- Sydney - May 14

Home again.

Day 17 - HCMC - May 13

Mother's Day. Ronnie and Ray went to the war museum while the rest of us went to the markets:

 Greenery breaking up the city streets:

 Dinner at the Secret Gardens Restaurant:

 

Full day in HCMC then to the airport to fly home at 10pm.

Day 16 - Phan Thiet to HCMC - May 12

A very sedate drive (compared to the outward journey) with the live in muni driver from the Princess d'annam near Phan Thiet to Fusion Suites Hotel in HCMC.

We went in search of a quick meal and ended up at the Pho 92 restaurant just south of the hotel.  Much confusion raged about salt instead of sugar for the chips we ordered as none of the staff spoke a word of English and it wasn't until Celia reminded us to use Google translate that some action happened.

Everyone left to go for their spa treatments and I remained to check and pay the bill which was a long time coming.  When I got back I went to check on the spa treatments and had to sort out the confusion as they were going to put Ron and Ray in a couples treatment room.  All ended well with everyone feeling relaxed and pampered.
Hanoi is a little bit more crowded than Phan Thiet:

Great food for dinner at "Mountain Retreat" Restaurant.

Day 15 - Phan Thiet - May 11

Relaxing by the pool.

Lunch and dinner at the Princess D'An Nam Resort and Spa..

Day 14 - Phan Thiet - May 10

We took the shuttle bus (which is really a staff transport bus) from the hotel to Ke Ga which is a tiny village about a kilometre away from the hotel. There really isn't much there even though there appears to be on the map.  A few very small local shops.  We walked back along the beach which is lined with fisherman's boats.  There was a lot of rubbish on the beach.  It was nice to get back to our beautiful pool.

Recovery:

Dinner at the Princess D'An Nam Resort and Spa.

Day 13 - Phan Thiet - May 9

Relaxing by the pool.

Lunch and dinner at the Princess D'An Nam Resort and Spa. 
We were sort of a captive audience because of the isolation of the resort.

Day 12 - Hoi An to Phan Thiet - May 8

Transfer to Da Nang then fly to HCMC then transfer to Phan Thiet.

A long mini van drive through rural lanes so it was lovely to arrive at the hotel:

Beautiful day beside the pool.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 11 - Hoi An - May 7

Hoi An - beach and sun. Same, same but different!
Lunch at the resort.
Ron had an excellent massage at Blue Waves on the beach.

Dinner at Miss Lien Thao's Restaurant. Daunting looking place but the food was excellent.

Day 10 - Hoi An - May 6

Hoi An - beach and sun. Same, same but different!

Lunch at the resort. Then a visit to Hoi An:

 

Memorable dinner at the Mango Kitchen.

Day 9 - Hoi An - May 5

Relaxing by the beach at Hoi An.

 Ronnie and Michael checking out a traditional woven basket boat:

Caught the shuttle into Hoi An for dinner.  So clean and beautifully decorated:

 We bought a candle from this gorgeous girl:

 Ronnie dropping the candle into the river:

Dinner at the Cargo Club.

Day 8 - Halong Bay to Hoi An - May 4

Foggy start to the morning with a thai chi class for the energetic up on deck:

 Important conversation:

Wonderful walk through a sandstone cave the ceiling of which used to be lapped by the sea - when the sea was 25m higher than it is now.

Huge cathedral like caverns.

 Shrine in an isolated cave in a rock island:

After the cruise we drove to Hai Phong and then flew to Da Nang.  Then private transfer to Hoi An and checked into the Boutique Hotel, Hoi An.
Alf fell down three stairs on the way to dinner and broke both arms! Note to self: don’t try to set up new hotel wifi connection while walking.

Luckily nurse Shayne jumped into action and decided he had to go to hospital. The receptionist rang ahead and ensured an English speaking Doctor was there. The left the hotel at 9pm and by 10:30pm they were back with two casts and a bandaid.  Great service!