Da Nang and Hoi An

 Da Nang and Hoi An

We had another tour today leaving from Chan May. When we got on the bus we noticed our tour guide was very articulate, speaking very clear and precise English. He told us the history of Vietnam as we drove from the port into Da Nang ( about one hour). 

He explained that when he was a little boy he learned English from the American soldiers and later on he went to university for a BA. He was recognized for having great talent and some years later he had earned a Masters degree (from Australia) and later on again he had a PHD in Applied Linguistics. He was a professor until he retired. 

Da Nang was very pretty and we took lots of photos of the flowers and the dragon bridge. 

Our next stop was the ancient city of Hoi An. 

We first stopped at an operating silk factory where they actually have silk worms producing the silk cocoons which then use to produce hand made embroidery. I was really tempted to buy a large one for $US335 but I couldn’t pull the trigger. Too bad. Caro bought some smaller souvenir type items. 

Next we were in the really old part of Hoi An. We went to the Japanese bridge followed by an ancient house (with a tour by the owners). Of course there were nice silks to buy!!

When we were on our own for 45 minutes we stopped at a riverside restaurant for a coffee/beer ( and a very necessary bathroom break!).  Both hit the spot! While enjoying the drinks and the view a very good sales lady came by and sold Caro a fridge magnet that Caro knows how hard it is to make that particular type decoration on it! 

After meeting up with the group we walked quite a ways to the bus. I took the identification number placard from the guide because he was so short the people at the back (the slow walkers) would not see the placard at all! At least with me holding it up it was much easier for them. 

Lunch as at a super nice restaurant along a river. Great traditional food. 

One final stop at a marble statue manufacturing facility. It was OK but not too interesting for me

We headed back to the ship along the coastal road where the US Marines came ashore in the 60’s. 

We arrived back at 4 PM and shortly will be heading out

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