Da Nang. Vietnam (2)

Thursday, April 9
After reading several travel guides and attending the ship's On Location talk, it was obvious that Da Nang itself did not have any real attractions - it's main claim to fame being the landing spot for many US troops during the Vietnam War. It is however, the port for the ancient city of Hoi An and also Hue. This being the case, we decided to book a transfer to Hoi An, approximately an hour's drive from Da Nang.

Al with our coach guide, Hai

We boarded the coach at 8.45am for a 7 hour time frame allowing us to do our own thing in Hoi An for 5 hours. We noted that Da Nang was nowhere near as clean as Nha Trang. Our coach host, Hai, had limited English but was able to cover Hoi An's history and describe some of the things we passed along the way.

Former US bunkers - now used as storage warehouses

We passed some concrete bunkers (similar to the Nissan huts in Australia) except with one foot thick concrete walls, used to process and house the US troops before they were sent to the fighting lines. First stop was at Marble Mountain, or more precisely, one of the marble stores at the base of Marble Mountain! Marble Mountain is a cluster of five limestone mountains featuring tunnels and sacred sites however we were only shown the store/warehouse/workroom featuring huge sculptures, urns, bowls etc. and many, many sales people. It was fascinating watching the workmen carving using huge circular saws and amazing what intricate patterns they could achieve with such a tool. Also amazing were the people who purchased huge marble sculptures for shipping home and others who bought numerous bowls etc. for their hand luggage - certain excess luggage charges!

Sculptures for sale and Marble Mountain in the background

From Marble Mountain it was a half hour ride into Hoi An where some of Vietnam's best preserved buildings dating back over 1000 years still stand. Hoi An was the former spice trade capital. The buildings are mostly timber and really give the town a distinctive charm. Our guide supplied us with a map and we were free to walk the narrow streets following numbers on the map to see shrines, temples, ancient merchant's houses, the Japanese Bridge, etc. but mostly shops. As with our other stops in Vietnam, we found the people absolutely charming, friendly and helpful. There are some hassling to sell but they are not persistent or bothersome.

Our first view of Hoi An

The Japanese Bridge

Hoi An is situated alongside a river and has pretty much remained unchanged for centuries. There was a really peaceful calm along the waterfront until we reached the restaurant area and the section where the tourist boat rides depart. There we were bombarded with people touting their particular specialty. One street inland and it was buzzing with shops which we found to have very reasonably priced merchandise and some that we had not seen elsewhere in Vietnam so it wasn't boring looking in the shops. We made several purchases then decided to find a restaurant for lunch. In Vietnam we have found most restaurants to be clean and the food lovely and fresh so we have not been afraid to eat off the ship - as opposed to Cambodia!

Delivery methods a la Hoi An

We walked along the waterfront and found a nice looking restaurant (complete with the singing birds swinging in cages at the front - and hopefully not carrying Asian bird flu!). When our food arrived we were delighted with our choice. From there we ambled back to the meeting point by the required time of 2.30 pm where our guide, Hai, was waiting for us. The temperature was hot but because we had spent so much time in the shade, we didn't feel anywhere near as uncomfortable as in some other ports we have been in but the thought of a nice hot shower was very appealing still.

Fishing boats have eyes at the front to see the fish (maybe that's what our boat needs at Eildon)

The coach trip back was a lot quieter as many passengers dozed in the warm sun streaming in through the windows. Our guide pointed out China Beach and warned us never to call it by that name in Vietnam - it is My Khe Beach to the Vietnamese - but the US troops called it China Beach. We were really glad to get "home", have that shower and rest up ready to eat again!!

Unfortunately, the ship is now in lockdown as there has been a gastro intestinal outbreak that is claiming more victims each day. We are now not allowed to handle anything - even the salt & pepper shakers. Everything is served by the stewards and all food is served by them & cutlery is handed out by them. The self-serve laundry has been closed, we cannot obtain DVD's for viewing in our cabin, and every night the crew are disinfecting all walls, ceilings, doors, handles, stair rails, etc. The message on board is "wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands". Thankfully, we have not succumbed but assume the outbreak must be fairly widespread for such stringent measures to be taken.
After a lovely Aussie dinner of Roast Lamb, we went to the show and saw an Aussie magician then decided to have an early night. We must be getting old because tomorrow is a sea day and we can sleep in and usually that would mean we would stay up later in the Piano Bar etc. but not tonight.

Ancient Merchant's House

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