Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Our day started with a quick breakfast in the RC MDR.  The extra dish this morning was a Waffle with Fruit Compote.

Our excursion meet time was 8:15 in the Universe Theater.  We were onboard our bus by 8:30 and on the road at 8:45 for our 1.5 hr drive to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The drive actually took 2.45 hrs!!!  We were in bumper-to-bumper traffic for 90% of that time.

The majority of the residents still call the bustling city, Saigon.  Saigon has a population of 13 million (Vietnam population is 30 million) and is home to 9 million motor bikes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The U.S. Consulate, in the same location during the war.

 

I am ashamed to say that we spent the majority of our time inside the enormous Cho Ben Thanh market!  Debbie was in shopping heaven!  We are definitely in need of an additional bag for our return home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie loved the traditional bargaining that is expected from shoppers.  Whatever the starting price, if you are patient and walk away a couple of times, you end up paying no more than 30% of the original price.

 

Debbie can't wait to return!  My wallet may need a little time to recover!

The return trip took an hour and 55 minutes.  We were the only bus at the ship when we returned and we were onboard in 5 minutes.  The shower felt great!  It was extremely hot and humid today!