Angeles

• Philippines

• 6 September 2022

• 30°

Flying all day today from Vancouver to Manila, Philippines  to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – the flight was pretty good – they turned out the lights, we had taken our prescription med that David told us to get so we both slept for like 6 hours.  I actually only woke up when they turned the lights on to pass out the food otherwise I would have continued to sleep.  

The stopover in Manila was very chaotic and backwards.  They had us on buses and they were telling us the wrong information, how we got to the next flight is beyond me but we made it and all our bags did too so I guess we didn’t need to buy the Air Tags.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 6 September 2022

• 29°

Arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.  Our AirBnb is on the 32nd floor of a condo in Quan 4.

Arrived in Ho Chi Minh today (because of the time change). Terry and his driver met us at the airport and luckily all our bags fit into his SUV.  Terry told us not to use our phone on the street or someone driving by on a scooter might grab it. He dropped us off at The Saigon Royal apartment building with plans to go to the boatyard to see the boat in the morning.  We ended up falling asleep and waking up after dark. We went out and it was dark and raining. We needed some money so stopped at a Sacombank  ATM on the street and the ATM stole our card! It was very stressful but eventually it spit it out.   We tried another bank and it worked.  We found a pho restaurant near by and had our first Vietnamese meal!

Tân Viễn Đông Shipyard

• Vietnam

• 7 September 2022

• 29°

Got up early, went next door to Highlands Coffee for an iced coffee and split a small sandwich.  

Terry and his driver picked us up at 8:00am for the hour drive south to the boatyard.  We were able to see Hull 6 which is Doug’s boat. He and his wife are in town as their boat is almost ready to go.  Terry said that we could do a test sail on Doug’s boat and as well help Hull 7’s owners take their boat to Pattaya as they do not have any boating experience.  We were pretty excited about those two things and seeing the boat in action.  

We are very surprised at the amount of work still to be completed on Hull 8 and that it appeared no work had been done on the vessel since the two photos sent to us on July 25, 2022.  We were under the impression that all materials, mast and everything else was at the yard and that they were working on the boat -- just awaiting the engines. 

Terry showed us a mast that was in the yard and said the mast was for Hull 8. This made sense as Terry had previously emailed on June 24, 2022 that a container was being shipped end of July or early August from South Africa with “Rigs, sails, etc depart (shipment 2) South Africa late July early August....we can prefab everything as it is just an engine drop in….sea trial dates late October early November.”

In the evening, Terry and his driver picked us up at 5:00pm. We met his wife, Nanci and their 2 year old daughter Chloe.  Then we all drove to B3 Steakhouse and Craft Beer and met up with Doug and his wife Bridit. They will be taking possession of their boat very soon.  They will be flying back to Australia then coming back to Vietnam to launch it and sail it back to Australia. We had a great dinner, with lots of wine and conversation about boating and cruising.  After dinner Doug invited us to go to the Liberty Central Saigon rooftop and he would buy everyone a drink.  Terry ended up paying for the drinks as well as dinner.

Below is Hull 6 - Blue Amber

Below is ours - Hull 8 - Stray Kitty 

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 8 September 2022

• 31°

Spent the day walking around the city which is not that easy to do.  With all the fumes, chipped and cracked sidewalks, cluttered with chairs and parked scooters, the soaring heat and humidity, and the rain not to mention the scooters coming up behind you and trying to cross any intersection with hundreds of scooters trying to get around you it is not a relaxing place to walk. 

Started the day at another pho restaurant near our house called Pho Bac 30, checked out The Saigon Centre, this is a very modern shopping mall but things for sale are not cheap, it is either the same cost or more expensive than Canada. 

We saw a fire drill on a huge skyscraper as we took a break and had a bubble tea.  With all sirens blaring, and fire hoses going it took a few minutes to realize it was just a test.  

For dinner we went to Shamballa Vegetarian Restaurant and Tea House. We ordered the Table D’Hote so it was 5 courses and they all came at the same time.  We ended up eating everything and felt so rushed that it was not really worth it.  We learned a lesson about Vietnamese restaurants and how fast they expect you to order.  Didn’t realize they would expect you to eat 5 courses all at once too!

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 9 September 2022

• 34°

Found our favourite breakfast food. It is called Bo Ne.  They take a super hot black dish, then crack an egg and some ground beef, you can have other things as well like pate on it.  They bring it to you still sizzling in the pan. It is really hot and I have no idea how they don’t burn themselves every day.  As soon as you walk in they ask you what you want, there is not a lot of time to look at the menu.  Then they bring you crispy buns, lime and pepper seasoning,  a plate with onions, lettuce and sliced tomato. Shortly after that comes the hot plate with the sizzling food on it.  You stir it as it  needs to continue cooking. There is also hot sauce and soya sauce.  Don’t forget the tra da, which is the unsweetened tea.  Enjoy!

Walked through the local market that is by our place, man is it stinky with people selling everything from fruits and vegetables to raw meat and eels swimming in bowls full of water, of course you can’t just walk by and look leisurely as there are motorcycles/scooters driving by both way down these very narrow alleys. Some mean old lady just about hit me and I think she meant to.  

We found a barber for Chris to get his hair cut for super cheap.

Terry invited us to his house for dinner.  They live in the Goldview Apartments which are just down  the same street so we took a Grab over with a couple bottles of wine.  They made us a nice dinner of seafood with a butane bbq.  They live on the 32nd floor in a 2 bedroom. 

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 10 September 2022

• 34°

Of course we need to start everyday with a su da or Vietnamese iced coffee with milk.  

Today, we walked over to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.  Classical to contemporary Vietnamese & foreign artworks on display in an elegant colonial building.

Then continued our walk to the Ben Thanh Market.   Well-known standby for handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing & other goods along with local eats.  We had something to eat and I took pictures of all the food names to use as a reference.

For dinner we went out to one of our Quan 4 restaurants for rice paper rolls, I can't remember the name of this particular dish. It was not my favourite but Chris loved it.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 12 September 2022

• 33°

Terry and Nanci took us out for dim sum this morning.  It was right across the bridge so we just walked over.

Was looking for fruit, but realized this place is for fruit gifts.

Tomorrow we are going back to the yard.

Tan Vien Dong Shipyard

• Vietnam

• 12 September 2022

• 33°

Terry picked us up and we went to the yard.  

There has been no progress on Hull 8. We are starting to get concerned. 

We visited Hull 6 and were concerned about the helm configuration had changed significantly from the rendering designs that were supplied in making the purchase decision. Cabinet doors were warped. Mattress was approximately 30mm very thin not acceptable for a full time liveaboard. No design for a built-in Convection Oven/Microwave. No access to clean water tanks under port head.   

When back in HCMC, we walked around Quon 4 around the local seafood market.

Below is Hull 6 - Blue Amber

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 13 September 2022

• 32°

We walked around the city - Tao Dan Park, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, we went up to the Saigon Skydeck, then to the ex pat Phattys Pub for dinner.

Tao Dan Park

It is of the largest parks in the city, covering 10 hectares. So nice to find a park with trees where we could get some peace from the traffic and scooters.

We did get conned by a coconut salesman on the way to the Palace.  Oh well, its small change!

The Independence Palace, also publicly known as the Reunification Convention Hall, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. We came here in 2012 with the kids so kind of remembered some of it. 

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon officially Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception Established by French colonists who initially named it the Church of Saigon (French: l'Eglise de Saïgon), the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. The name Notre-Dame Cathedral has been used since 1959. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet).  It was closed for construction.

Saigon Central Post Office

The building was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the late 19th century. It counts with Gothic, Renaissance and French influences. It was constructed between 1886 and 1891 and is now a tourist attraction.  t was designed by Alfred Foulhoux,[2] but is often erroneously credited as being the work of Gustave Eiffel 

Saigon Skydeck

Ascended to the Saigon Skydeck via a high-speed elevator located in one of Ho Chi Minh City's tallest building.

Enjoyed a breathtaking 360-degree view from the heart of the city.

Explored the Ao Dai Gallery and delve into its unique history.  

We can see our condo from here. What views! 

Phatty's Pub to watch the World Sevens Rugby.  Canada vs Zimbabwe.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 14 September 2022

• 32°

More wondering around the city.  More humidity, rain and Pasteur Street Brewing! Not great beer unfortunatley.

I'm still amazed at how you can walk around at all hours and there is people everywhere, walking, chatting, eating,

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 16 September 2022

• 32°

Walked the opposite way from our condo for once. 

Went to the famous Quon 4 Seafood Street for dinner.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 16 September 2022

• 32°

Today we did some more sight seeing.  We walked slowly in the thick humidity to the Thích Quảng Đức Monument.  We almost didn't see it as its on the corner of a busy street. We were the only ones there.

The Venerable Thich Quảng Đức Monument is a memorial to the monk who set himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists in Vietnam. 

ON JUNE 11, 1963, THÍCH Quảng Đức rode to Saigon from the war-torn city of Huế in an Austin Westminster. He stepped out of the baby blue automobile onto a busy intersection and sat calmly in the lotus position while a colleague poured gasoline from a five-gallon container over his head.

Holding onto a string of prayer beads, the Buddhist monk spoke the words “Nam mô A Di Đà Phật” (“Homage to Amitābha Buddha”), struck a match, and placed it against his fuel-soaked robe. 

In the 1950s, South Vietnam had become increasingly hostile towards its Buddhist citizenry.  Buddhists made up an estimated 70 percent to 90 percent of the population, but the country’s first president, Ngô Đình Diệm, represented the Catholic minority. He took office in 1955 and enacted discriminatory policies that favored Catholics and neglected Buddhists for public service roles, military promotions, land allocation, and business arrangements. Despite an overwhelming majority of Buddhist citizens, the Roman Catholic Church was the largest landowner in Vietnam at the time.

In 1959, a ban on flying the Buddhist flag on the birthday of Gautama Buddha exacerbated the public discontent, and people took to the streets in protest. Government forces fired on the crowd and killed nine people. Diệm refused to accept responsibility, and outrage and consequential protests increased in the following years.

On June 11, 1963, Thích Quảng Đức, surrounded by a circle of protesters, burned himself to death. He described his intentions in a final note: “I respectfully plead to President Ngô Đình Diệm to take a mind of compassion towards the people of the nation and implement religious equality to maintain the strength of the homeland eternally.”  

In 2010, a memorial, displaying the monk wreathed in flames, was installed on the very corner where he died a half century before (now Nguyễn Đình Chiểu and Cach Mạng Thang Tam streets). Prior to the statue, which sits in front of a bas-relief depicting the powerful action, American journalist Malcolm Browne’s photographs were the most accessible reminders of the event. He described the moment in a 1995 interview with the BBC: “I just kept shooting and shooting and shooting. And that protected me from the horror of the thing.” 

We then continued on to the War Remnants Museum.   This museum is very hard to see but it's an important reminder of the past. It contains exhibits relating to the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

Operated by the Ho Chi Minh City government, an earlier version of this museum opened on September 4, 1975, as the Exhibition House for US and Puppet Crimes.

It was located in the former United States Information Agency building. The exhibition was not the first of its kind for the North Vietnamese side, but rather followed a tradition of such exhibitions exposing war crimes, first those of the French and then those of the Americans, who had operated in the country as early as 1954.

Formerly known as the "Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes",the name was changed in 1990 to Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression, dropping both "U.S." and "Puppet."

In 1995, following the normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States and end of the US embargo a year before, the references to "war crimes" and "aggression" were dropped from the museum's title as well; it became the War Remnants Museum.

Dinner was a Korean BBQ restaurant at the bottom of our condo building.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 18 September 2022

• 32°

We always start our days in HCMC with a coffee and they always give you this really good jasmine ice tea. Some cafes will give us a whole pitcher of the stuff. It is amazing how rehydryating it is. Wonderful to start your day hydrated!

We found a really good deal on some massages so we bought a package.  We went for our first ones today.  Took a Grab so we wouldn't be all sweaty from walking over there. 

The way back we walked through all the back alleys, weaving and looking into peoples doorways which are all open to allow some airflow.  

We stopped at the Linh-Quang Buddhist temple and just wondered through. 

Then we continued our walk down by the waterfront to the tourist area of Quan 1.  We found a French bakery where we stopped for a drink.  Need to keep the fluids up - always.

We stopped for a happy hour drink at Buihaus Coffee and Workshop. It is in a really neat looking building overlooking the walking street.  You pay very small change to take this rickety old elevator up  to the floor you want.  I think next time I will take the stairs.  I couldn't imagine getting stuck in that.  We saw an incredible sunset from the deck.

There was some big concert happening on walking street. 

We ended our evening at Rogue Saigon another ex pat hangout.  They had some really fun live music happening.

Vung Tau

• Vietnam

• 18 September 2022

• 32°

I wanted to get away from Ho Chi Minh and heard that locals go to Vung Tau for a weekend getaway.  So we got on the ferry for the ride down to Vung Tau.  We stayed at the Intourco Resort - it was pretty dead, but lovely right on the beachfront. 

We found the 4F Brewery for dinner.

Vũng Tàu

• Vietnam

• 19 September 2022

• 32°

After walking a bit on the beach, we decided that in order to see anything we were going to have to rent a scooter as it is too hot to walk very far so we drove around the island.  Saw Bai Dau beach, Vũng Tàu Marina, Chợ Rạch Dừa, Bãi Sau Vũng Tàu and the Vung Tau lighthouse.

Vung Tau Lighthouse, located at the peak of Tao Phung Mountain, stands 149 meters above sea level, making it an ideal place to admire Vung Tau City from above. 

We got caught in a rain storm and ended up at the local British pub called, The Office.  They were playing the Queens funeral on the tellie, so no one was allowed to speak, but once it was over, they were getting ready for quiz night so we had to stay for that!  Met lots of ex-pats, mostly from Britain living in Vung Tau. It was a very fun night.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 21 September 2022

• 34°

Ferry back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 21 September 2022

• 34°

The food in Ho Chi Minh City is keeping us interested.  Everyday is different. It is very easy to find, it is inexpensive and everyone is so friendly.  The restaurants that line the streets might look the same, but when you delve in closer, you realize that each one has a specialty and if you just order that specialty, it will be super delicious. We actually don't need an AirBnd with a kitchen, because we never eat in.  We go out all the time, even for coffee.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 22 September 2022

• 33°

Terry picked us up and took us to Q1 for lunch so we could discuss a number of items. It seems like a lot of things have changed since we signed on.  He didn't really seem very happy with the list we had.  It was a pretty long list to be fair.  

 Rigging plan?  Where is it?

[ ] rigging layout at helm

[ ] -measure helm area

[ ] -12" chart plotter

[ ] -2 engine panels with instruments

[ ] -2 hybrid controls

[ ] -anchor counter and control at helm

[ ] -autopilot control

[ ] -2 multi function displays

[ ] -accessible up or down helm position

[ ] Multi stops on pivoting helm

[ ] -3rd reef cockpit?

[ ] -staysail mast?

[ ] -genoa mast?

[ ] -code 65 mast?

[ ] -spinaker mast?

[ ] -staysailing mounting point

[ ] -code 65 furler attachment now sprit

[ ] -spinaker attachment now sprit

[ ] -main head downhaul

dingy lifting and possible dingy chocks or a possibly a fold out support from davits but some system to stop dingy swing. Dingy outboard lower unit above bridge deck but below sight line from cockpit

[ ] -Dingy

[ ] -Outboard mount at stern

[ ] -possibly using dingy davit blocks to lift outboard to stern mount

[ ] -Bow Anchor chain 100m of 10mm 3/8 or better 8mm G70

[ ] Anchor rocna vulcan

[ ] Anchor bow control foot, now remote, bow helm

[ ] Anchor Lock or chain lock

[ ] Anchor bitter end attachment

[ ] Anchor locker divider and cone

[ ] Bridle with hook

[ ] Bow cleats

[ ] -stern anchor mount

[ ] -stern anchored rod storage

[ ] -stern anchor?

[ ] Stern 20m of 8mm G70 then 150m of rode

[ ] Liferaft mount

[ ] Helm Bimini clears position and attachments

[ ] Cockpit surround

[ ] Cockpit shades

[ ] Epoxy bottom coat

[ ] Antifouling paint type

[ ] Hatch screen and shade covers

[ ] Valance protection for side blinds sized for side portlights (possibly not roller blinds but elastic pleated blinds)

[ ] Minimize vinyl ceiling covers

[ ] Raceway to mast, chart table, helm

[ ] Outlet in galley for microwave at back of cabinet

[ ] Second outlet on sink side, 1 centered outlets on stove side

[ ] Lacquer interior wood semigloss

[ ] Fiddles for stovetop

[ ] Finalize microwave convection oven

We made a plan to visit the boatyard again.

We stopped in at Agave, an ex-pat bar just across the bridge from our condo.  There was some live music from a band from Mexico if I remember correctly.  We met one of the owners, who was from Chili.  He kept pouring us from his Tequila bottle.  So it was a pretty fun evening.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 23 September 2022

• 33°

As we came to Vietnam expecting to move onto our new boat and are no where near doing that, we are making the best of our situation. Today we did another walking tour. This time to Ho Chi Minh's Chinatown (Cho Lon). 

Steeped in history and tradition, it is home to numerous temples and landmarks that reflect the Chinese influence in the area.

Cho Lon, also known as Saigon’s Chinatown, has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. It began as a settlement of Chinese traders who migrated to the area during the 18th century. These immigrants brought their vibrant culture, traditions, and businesses, creating a distinct Chinese enclave within Saigon.

Over time, Cho Lon grew and developed into a bustling commercial district, known for its vibrant markets, temples, and traditional Chinese architecture. The area became a melting pot of Chinese, Vietnamese, and other ethnic communities, fostering a unique multicultural atmosphere.

One interesting fact about Cho Lon is that it houses some of the oldest and most significant Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh City.

Binh Tay Market.  Binh Tay Market is a bustling and historic market in Ho Chi Minh City. With a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, the market serves as a vibrant hub of commerce and cultural exchange. Inside its vibrant halls, you can explore a wide range of products including fresh produce, spices, textiles, handicrafts, and more.

The market was constructed by the French colonial administration to replace the older and smaller Cho Lon Market, which was destroyed in a fire. Binh Tay Market quickly became a thriving commercial center, serving as a vital trading hub for Chinese merchants and the local Vietnamese population.

Over the years, the market has witnessed significant transformations and endured the challenges of time, including damage during the Vietnam War. However, it was rebuilt and continues to thrive today, attracting both locals and tourists alike. Binh Tay Market remains an essential part of the city’s cultural heritage, offering a diverse array of products.   We found some lunch here.

Cha Tam Church

Cha Tam Church, or Saint Francis Xavier Parish Church, is the first church for the Catholic parishioners of the local Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City. Built at the beginning of the twentieth century, this church has witnessed the up and down in the history of Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh City, or the Far-East Pearl as the French called at that time.

Cha Tam is the Vietnamese name of Priest Pierre d ‘Assou, who contributed the most in building this construction, and also the first vicar of this church. He was born in Macau (China), then grew up in Hong Kong, so he had a wide knowledge about the language as well as the culture of Chinese people.

At the end of the nineteenth century, when Priest Pierre d ‘Assou was serving in Saigon Cathedral,  the number of local Chinese and Vietnamese Catholics had been decreasing dramatically, and they did not have any place to pray. Realizing that situation, Admiral Lagrandière, the Governor of South Vietnam at that time, gave an order to build a church with the hope that the Chinese Catholic community would recover and develop again.

Thanks to the delegation of Bishop Jean Pierre, the archdiocese of Saigon, Priest Pierre d ‘Assou was in charge of building the church. He organized a donation, which many people, including Catholic and non-Catholic, local residents and Chinese merchants, were willing to donate to build the church.

Next on the list was to visit the Buddist temples scattered throughout Cho Lon.

Lady Thien Hau Pagoda

Thien Hau pagoda was built by a group of Chinese immigrants around 1760 and was restored many times. The pagoda is located in the central area of ​​the first Chinese center which is the area of Cho Lon today.

According to scholar Vuong Hong Sen, Thien Hau Thanh Mau (the main worshiped god in the pagoda) is named Lam Mac Nuong. She was born on March 23rd, 1044, under the reign of King Tong Nhan Tong. Then, at the age of eight, she could read, at eleven she became a Taoist practitioner. At the age of thirteen, she was blessed by the God and received God’s poem, then followed that to practice enlightenment.

Once, her father and 2 brothers was on a boat carrying salt to Jiangxi province to trade, a big storm came … At that time, she was weaving cloth next to her mother at home, but she was suddenly out of spirit to go to save her father and brothers.

She used her teeth to keep her father’s shirt, while her hands held her brothers. At that moment her mother called her and forced her to answer, so she had to open her lips to answer, which made the waves sweep away her father, and she could only only saved the two brothers. Since then, every time when the boat is in distress at sea, people called her. In 1110, the Song Dynasty ordained her “Thien Hau Thanh Mau”.

Hoi Quan Ha Chuong

This Fujian temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Seafarers, Thien Hau (Thien Hau Thanh Mau), also known as Ma To. The four carved stone pillars, wrapped in painted dragons, were fashioned in China and delivered to Vietnam by boat. The temple – actually a guildhall – becomes extremely active during the Lantern Festival, a Chinese holiday held on the 15th day of the first lunar month (the first full moon of the new lunar year).

Noteworthy murals can be seen either side of the main altar, while impressive ceramic relief scenes decorate the roof. To the right of Thien Hau is Chua Sinh Nuong Nuong, a Taoist fertility goddess; to the left of Thien Hau is the ever-popular Taoist God of Wealth. Blending Buddhism into the mix, a figure of Quan Am looks on mercifully, clothed in white and draped with a pearl necklace. Note the upright fan in the main hall, used for dispelling calamity.

Quan Am Pagoda

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 25 September 2022

• 31°

Working with Terry to try to get our Canadian Registration done but it proving to be a challenge.  We have put together everything we need to get this done but there has been no reply from Terry.

Also trying to get our lettering and design done. Terry told us to talk to Tom who is the other person working at the yard.  We sent him some samples and logo ideas but even though he said he would send us back some ideas, there was never ever any word back from Tom.

Stayed around Quon 4 today

XELAM CAFE for coffee and tea

Phở SOL - Q4 (Phở & Các Món Ngon Từ Phở) - for dinner

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 25 September 2022

• 31°

BoNe - favourite Vietnamese breakfast

Went out for pizza for dinner - what a change. A ltitle bit of Italy in Vietnam.

Got stuck in another massive downpour, so we ordered a bottle of wine to wait it out!

Tan Vien Dong Shipyard

• Vietnam

• 27 September 2022

• 30°

We are going to leave our bags at the yard and only travel with a backpack. Terry picked us up and brought us to the yard.

When we arrived at Hull 8, we found the salon empty of all furniture and nothing else on the vessel had been done in September. Tried to discuss with Terry about the design issues of the helm configuration. 

-The touch screen chart plotter was behind the wheel and had to be operated by putting your hand through a moving steering wheel

-chart plotter is mounted on a vertical surface so poorly visible from standing helm

-when the wheel was in the upright position half the wheel is over the step so the person helming cannot stand behind the wheel

-falling risk when helming as helm seat half over stairs

-3 sets of reefing lines and topping lift were not run to the helm

-there was no design for the genoa sheeting

-solar was not as originally specified

-solar was put over davits on an extension

They are trying to help us get a 3 month Vietnamese Visa. We need to go to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to reset our visa.  

We are trying to do some planning with Terry so we can return in time to help launch H6 and H7.

Went out for the very popular snails for dinner. They are so small that the waitress brought us a saftey pin to eat them with. You definitely do not want to order these if you are really hungry.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 29 September 2022

• 30°

Still waiting to see a rigging plan from Terry.  

There must be a deck layout plan and mast step plan in writing somewhere? Selden or Julian or is there a rigger?

Chris has typed up a rigging layout as a Draft document for discussion with Max Cruise.

If I can get the:

-Sparcraft mast and boom details - I guessed for the draft

-North Sails - I also never received anything back from Julian or North Sails after our discussion so I am not sure what was finally decided so I had to guess on that also.

-measurements of Hybrid Panels, Beta Panels, Chart Plotter, Engine Controls, 2x B&G Instruments, B&G 12" Chart Plotter, Compass, Winchess, Clutches

-measurements of the current helm layout but that will also be easier to view as a starting point.

Hoping to discuss this with Terry.

And we are still running around trying to find a microwave/oven that will fit and where to place it. I can't beleive there is no oven in a liveaboard cruising boat. 

Stopped by Malt Saigon Bar for a drink but it was pretty dead.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 29 September 2022

• 30°

Heard from Terry this morning that our rigs booms and sails are completed and on way to the to the warehouse for consolidation and hopefully shipping within next 4 days from South Africa.

Xom Chieu Market - breakfast at the local market - we went to get some paperwork printed off for our business visa and met the cutest office dog.

Chris went to the boatyard on his own today. I couldn't bear to go again.  Unfortunaltey, it did not go well.  Maybe I should have been there!

On this visit tried to discussing my serious concerns on the helm and running rigging. At that meeting after four months of asking for the rigging drawings Terry finally showed Chris and admitted he had not shown him the drawings before because “I know they were not what you wanted….” This was a good example of how we have been mislead through the building process.

 Dinner - Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm Tràng An Quán

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 1 October 2022

• 33°

Started the day at the gym in the condo. We have been using the swimming pool and they gym when we can. 

We went for dinner at this family owned restauarant called Com Tam Nho, very close to our apartment.  We met the owners and even tho they could not speak a lick of English, we had a lovely evening with them. The man kept giving Chris his homemade rice wine/liquor drink that was in a big vat at the back of the store. He didn't offer any to me, which turned out to be a good thing!!  They kept giving us free food and wanting us to taste different things.  They are very generous. Then they called their daughter on the phone who can speak English and we had a conversation with her. She is in University in Australia.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 1 October 2022

• 33°

The yard staff got our visa paperwork done, unfortunatley, they spelled my name wrong!! ARRR!

Did a walk today, stopped for street food - I found a street cart that was selling Banh Mi - the delicious Vietnamese sandwich made in a french baguette.  Chris found his favourite food - Bun Bo Hui.  

Then stopped at Tonkin Specialty Coffee which boasts one of the best egg coffees in Ho Chi Minh city.  The Vietnamese take on this treat makes for a dessert coffee, a silky concoction comprised of a sweet eggy foam floating atop of a cup of dark brew.   We find the egg coffees way to sweet so didn't order one of those.

Mỹ Tho

• Vietnam

• 3 October 2022

• 31°

We went on a tour today to the Mekong Delta River.

My Tho is one of the provinces located on the Mekong Delta, around 90km (2 hours driving) away from Saigon. It is famous for coconuts so that people call it-the hometown of coconut. There are a lots of types of fruit trees here. So this is a place to supply fruits for other provinces in the Mekong Delta .

Our first stop wass Vinh Trang Pagoda.  Vĩnh Tràng Temple is a Buddhist temple near Mỹ Tho in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. It is one of the best-known temples in the region. The temple stands on a 2-hectare block filled with fruit trees in the village of Mỹ Hóa in the town of Mỹ Phong, on the banks of the Bảo Định canal.

It started pouring rain like crazy, we had to buy these super cheap rain jackets and put on a hat.  It was absolute mayham.

Took a sampan ride through the coconut trees-lined canals. Disembarked and explored the village on foot. Visited local families where we tried local fruits, honey and tea while listening to traditional music performed by the villagers who seems like they have been doing this way too long! After that, we enjoyed a local lunch.

Continued the trip to cruise to Ben Tre province - the land of coconuts where we  toured a coconut farm and witnessed the process of making coconut candy, rice paper, and other coconut-based products.   Bought some treats!

Then back on the bus to the big city.

Ho Chi Minh City

• Vietnam

• 5 October 2022

• 32°

It is our last day in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Our last day started off very exciting as there was a test fire drill.  We didn't want to get stuck in the elevator so we decided to walk down the stairs. However as we were going down,  the loud speaker kept going "Fire!  Fire!  Fire!" then there were people rushing into the stairway. I thought well maybe I misunderstood. Maybe this is a real fire! So we started descening faster and faster down the stairs until finally we got out!! The next two days we literally could not walk as our thighs and calves were so sore.

Went to a Com restaurant for breakfast.

We decided to take a cab to the Jade Emporor Pagoda. This cab driver was watching a movie on his phone while he was driving around this crazy city. I couldn't beleive it.  We fortunatley made it okay. 

Jade Emporor Pagoda

Built in 1909 in honour of the supreme Taoist god (the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang), this is one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and grotesque heroes.

The pungent smoke of incense (huong) fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings. Its roof is encrusted with elaborate tile work, and the temple's statues, depicting characters from both Buddhist and Taoist lore, are made from reinforced papier mâché.

The multifaith nature of the temple is echoed in the shrine's alternative name Phuoc Hai Tu (福海寺; Sea of Blessing Temple), whose message is clearly Buddhist. Similarly, the Chinese characters (佛光普照; Phat Quang Pho Chieu) in the main temple hall mean 'The light of Buddha shines on all'.

Inside the main building are two especially fierce and menacing Taoist figures. On the right (as you face the altar) is a 4m-high statue of the general who defeated the Green Dragon (depicted underfoot). On the left is the general who defeated the White Tiger, which is also being stepped on.

Worshippers mass before the ineffable Jade Emperor, who presides – draped in luxurious robes and shrouded in a dense fug of incense smoke – over the main sanctuary. He is flanked by his guardians, the Four Big Diamonds (Tu Dai Kim Cuong), so named because they are said to be as hard as diamonds.

Out the door on the left-hand side of the Jade Emperor’s chamber is another room. The semi-enclosed area to the right (as you enter) is presided over by Thanh Hoang, the Chief of Hell; to the left is his red horse. Other figures here represent the gods who dispense punishments for evil acts and rewards for good deeds.

The room also contains the famous Hall of the Ten Hells, carved wooden panels illustrating the varied torments awaiting evil people in each of the Ten Regions of Hell. Women queue up at the seated effigy of the City God, who wears a hat inscribed with Chinese characters that announce 'At one glance, money is given'. In a mesmerising ritual, worshippers first put money into a box, then rub a piece of red paper against his hand before circling it around a candle flame.

On the other side of the wall is a fascinating little room in which the ceramic figures of 12 women, overrun with children and wearing colourful clothes, sit in two rows of six. Each of the women exemplifies a human characteristic, either good or bad (as in the case of the woman drinking alcohol from a jug). Each figure represents a year in the 12-year Chinese astrological calendar. Presiding over the room is Kim Hoa Thanh Mau, the Chief of All Women. Upstairs is a hall to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy, opposite a portrait of Dat Ma, the bearded Indian founder of Zen Buddhism.

Outside, a small pond seethes with turtles, some of which have shells marked with auspicious inscriptions.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

After the Pagoda we wanted to go to the History Museum which happens to be located in the grounds of the Saigon Zoo and Botancial Gardens. This was honestly the most depressing day for me, seeing all these animals caged up and it did not look like they were being treated properly.

The Hung Kings Temple is located in the Saigon Zoo.

The Hùng King Temple at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm was originally built in 1927-1929 under the name Temple du Souvenir Annamite (“Annamite Temple of remembrance”), primarily to honour the memory of Vietnamese soldiers who died while fighting in World War I.

It is a little-known fact that more than 92,000 Vietnamese men from French Indochina fought in the French armed forces during the Great War of 1914-1918, and it’s been estimated that at least 12,000 of these lost their lives during that conflict.

We kept walking, heading back to our condo in Q4 - took us along Bach Dang Wharf Park to the Ros Yacht Club.  It looked like rain and we were very hot so we decied to check out this Yacht Club, which was really just an expensive restaurant on the water.

We met Terry at a coffee shop near us at the end of the day.  I found it to be a very awkard meeting. for the first time admitted Mast, Sails, Rigging, hatches and most of the remaining boat parts had not shipped from South Africa and steering from Jafa had not been finalized or ordered but would be shipping shortly…

However he promised us that he was pretty sure the boat would be ready for Christmas as we have already booked the kids to come here as we thought we would be sailing around Thailand by this point.

We did some follow up on our own to Graeme from Hybrid Marine in the UK and Geoff from North Sails in South Africa.

“I cannot not sail.” - E.B. White