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We landed in a balmy Sydney evening with hardly any (comparatively speaking) smoke.  But apparently this is a blip and more heat is coming our way.

Annular eclipse

Today we saw an annular eclipse - where the moon is in front of the sun (as in a total solar eclipse) but is not quite in the right position to completely cover the sun.  It leaves a "ring of fire".  However many of the phenomena we have come to expect of total solar eclipses were present - the weird lighting, sharp shadows, and a cool sunlight.

In the morning there was not a cloud in sight, but that soon changed.  The sun played hide and seek with us.  But that had its own beauty.

This was taken by Joanne, one of the watchers nearby.

Yes, the eclipse is the main game, but eclipse watchers are also interesting!  Look for a familiar photographer. The first was taken by BL.

 

Sugar hit

On Christmas Day we had tickets to see the Bicentennial Exhibition.  Free, but strictly crowd controlled.  While waiting, there was a tent selling food and drinks.  Who could pass this.  Some selling points there for the sugar industry.

BTW, it was delicious. Looking forward to a safe pregnancy!

At night we had Peranakan food with CS and family.

Merry Christmas

We went ringing at St Andrews cathedral for their midnight service on Christmas Eve. No ambulance required for this one - whew!  (It was December 2017 when we had the drama in Sydney).  In the ringing chamber beforehand.

You can see the bells on video!

On Boxing Day, there is an annular eclipse in Singapore.  Godiva have a chocolate called "Eclipse Passion".  Taste is better than their scientific accuracy!

And they have Christmas Markets (well, a Christmas market).  This was outside the revamped  Capitol Theatre, now a Kempinski Hotel.  Note the lack of puffy jackets , boots, and gluhwein!

And there was a skating rink.

Christmas Breakfast at Maccas.  Coffee good, but no toasties.

Monday 23rd

A quiet day.  Kin Mun has recce'd a location for the eclipse on Thursday, and had to go to get a tripod.  I took a trip to the sewing/overlocker specialist in Singapore and bought a couple of feet plus some needles for my overlocker.

Everyone knows about the fires in Australia.  The lady sitting next to us in the foodcourt asked about them.  She also knew that the PM took a holiday and wasn't too popular. And it was all on the front page of the Straits Times.

Singapore - dog training

Sunday is a quiet day in Singapore - and no bell ringing either.

On our way back from the local food court after breakfast, we saw a dog training session.  More like puppy training.  Gorgeous, expectant, tailwagging little puppies aiming to please their masters. Their appearance reminded me of Mr Curly, but smaller and different colours.

Unfortunately I only had my mobile phone and  I am not as quick on it as on my camera.  But we did get a shot of the trainer driving off!  Must be a demand and good rewards for the humans as well!

HCMC to Singapore

We are now back in Singapore.  It is only a ninety minute flight.  But one last pic of the traffic.  Saw this family on a bike.  The little girl, sitting on Dad's lap, was eating her breakfast of a bread roll as she travelled.

Now we have to resist the urge to cross the road whenever we feel like it!

Living dangerously - crossing the road

I did cheat by joining two men who were making their way across the road. I realised they were heading to the middle of the junction, so they could then cross the road to the other side.  Many manoeuvres in this game!

And another incident - without local help!

Last day in HCMC

Breakfast buffet, with Christmas decorations.

We went again to the main market.  A long time since I have seen a wet market.  This is the pork section. A pic doesn't capture the noise and the smell.

Bikes galore. This is the footpath.

Now to get to the other side....

Eventually..

This is lunch.  We had to wrap things ourselves.  Delicious.

And dessert.  Have had this at Hornsby!

And saw this in a pharmacy. Was told it was for men.

Putting one's faith in one's fellow man

We have become quite adept at crossing roads in Saigon - skills we will have to rapidly unlearn as early as our return to Singapore.  It is a dance between pedestrian and his fellow man.  No  crossing the road with eyes glued to mobile phones here.

Last time we were in Saigon, traffic was largely bikes.  Now there are more cars - and new ones too.  When crossing, best to wait until there are mainly  bikes.  Cars will stop for you too, but they are not as manoeuverable as bikes.  Some pics below - but very difficult to capture the intermingling of bikes and pedestrians.  A familiar person in a couple of them

One of the better pics....

Footpaths are not just for feet - but two wheels certainly and sometimes even four wheels.

HCMC - but you see a lot of Saigon around the place.

Today we went to the Museum of History.  A very comprehensive overview of the place from pre-history to the present.

Pics not allowed but snuck this one.  A perfect 200 year old mummy of a female aristocrat, discovered in 1994.  More info here

Food is easy to get, cheap and good.  We have discovered Wrap and Roll, a chain with a marvellous array of rolls, drinks and some desserts.  Tonight's effort cost us AU$15, including the cost of the wet towels.

The coffee is also good - one legacy of the French perhaps.  Almost got this one for you Rob - but we have something else in store for you!  Not sure how it would go in Pete's coffee shop.

HCMC

Our hotel.  Next to it is construction for a new rail line, built by a Japanese/VN consortium.

The Opera House.  The only way to see inside is to buy a ticket for a performance.

St Mary's Cathedral.  The only way to see inside is to turn up for Mass

The Post Office - outside

and inside.

History lesson - a group of school children, all dutifully carrying a letter to be posted.

More school children enjoying the pigeons.

Lunch

And Vinglish - at breakfast.  There is very little though.