I will aim to make sure I actually save edits to this post before hitting the publish button. Seems my last one went out before I hit save. Apologies for glaring spelling and grammatical errors. Jeesh
Our first impressions of Vietnam are all very positive - the people are absolutley lovely and they really want you to be happy and cannot do enough for you - the food is fresh and delicious and oh my gosh it is inexpensive, and the countryside is a postcard. We are loving our time here in spite of having had a week of mostly rain and cool weather. Normally February is a very dry month with temps in the high 20’s. The raincoats and fleece have been well used. And to think we weren't going to bring fleece.
We landed in Da Nang in Central Vietnam late in the evening. It's the third largest city and was an easy introduction to the hustle and bustle and honking motorbikes that rule the roads. There are a gizzilion of them and they definitely outnumber cars. We headed north on a 4 hour train ride (spent more time stopped waiting for other trains than actually moving, give it a pass if you are ever here) to Hue, home to an imperial palace, many temples, restaurants galore, and lots of students as it is university town. It's also very close to where the border for South and North Vietnam once was and the area saw much fighting during the wars. So on with the picture show.....
Sunset from the plane before landing in Da Nang
Good mornng Vietnam!
Dragon Bridge in Da Nang - on special occasions, like New Year's and Tet, the dragon breathes fire at night.
Beach in front of hotel - it was about 10 kms to China Beach made famous by a TV series in the 90’s about US troops in Vietnam. I remember being surprised there were beautiful beaches and surfing in Vietnam. TV can be educational - even guilty pleasures!
Vietnamese woven wooden round boats found on this coast. Versions of it are also found in Wales, Ireland, India and Iraq.
These teacup like vessels are found in great numbers along the beaches and get used lots. Not sure what they are catching but they are not out on the water for a joy ride and it is hard work launching them and getting back on the beach. Full moon rising over Da Nang Bay.
View from train.
Temples and tombs in and around Hue.
Entrance to Imperial Palace at Hue
Dragon sculpture - according to the chinese horoscope I'm a dragon so expect lots of dragon shots.
We were here shortly after the week long celebration for the New Year and Tet. The large displays of yellow chrysanthemums are everywhere from temples to businesses to homes of all sizes. They represent luck and good health for the family and made the grey and wet weather a bit brighter.
Offerings of incense, flowers and fresh fruit. Gorgeous smells in these wooden buildings. Many displays of bonzai in the courtyards - some had to be ancient given the size.
We are guessing the money is for the incense being burned
See the tourists dodging the rain wearing plastic capes. The second the rain starts someone will appear wanting to sell you an umbrella or rain cape.
Next stop An Bang Beach and the UNESCO world heritage city of Hoi An - an hour south of Da Nang so there was some backtracking involved. You could easily plan a long trip here soley visiting UNESCO sites.
Small street entrance to our lovely Homestay room. This region has a ton of 'homestay' accommodation which
are 4 - 5 room pensione type places run as a family business. The sign says something like 'everyone uniting together for a good civilized and cultural life'. One of the very friendly staff helped with the translation.
The towel art and flowers have been different every day. Super comfortable bed.
First night in An Bang and the small streets are aglow with lanterns. Charming but wait till you see the night market in Hoi An.
From this beachtown to the centre of Hoi An is a short 4 km taxi ride.
Historic Japanese Covered bridge in Hoi An dating from 1590’s. Hoi An has always been a trading centre.
Photo shoot for newly engaged or married couple
Hoi An is known for having over 200 tailors anxious to whip you up a new wardrobe. It also boasts store after store of beautiful scarves and fabric making it a visual treat of colour.
The red conical shaped things are incense and families will buy one at New Year's for good luck and happiness. The yellow notes inside are messages from the families. We're told they can burn for a month.
We had use of bikes from the Homestay and joined the masses of other tourists and set out to explore the nearby rice paddy fields.
The beach near our place which sadly was deserted due to the weather. Rows and rows of empty palapas and beachside restaurants wasn't good for the economy. We would have stayed here longer than 4 nights if the sun was out.
Night market in Hoi An - truly magical.
People buy candles in colourful boxes
and send them down the river with a prayer.
Oh it's a dragon lantern!
Lotus lantern in the middle of the river
Street food vendor. The charcoal smell of meat cooking was everywhere.
Next stop Ho Chi Minh City for a few days and then the island of Phu Quoc near the Cambodian border. The weather forecast is for nothing but sun and high 20 temperatures. We may be able to abandon the fleece jackets!
No comments:
Post a Comment