6 September – Qingdao, China
A few last reminiscences from Vela – we will always remember the special placemats we had on our table for the meals…. refreshing and colorful:
Yet often our food was brown/white:
One of the Filipino seamen cuts hair for the crew; we needed trims which were carried out in the ship’s gymnasium:
Some consumer items were available from the ship’s “slop chest”, including $4 Cabernet Sauvignon and “Sky Flakes” saltines made in the Philippines, “suitable for export”:
A few more needlework creations, which will likely be used as gifts to our Chinese hosts in the couple of weeks to come:
Emerald Isle to the Norse Lands 
I really have enjoyed catching up on your travels today. Your hosts will love the needlepoint gifts. They are really sweet! Glad you are both having a wonderful time!
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