Andre and Wendy: Da Nang Marble Mountain

Looks foggy again to start the day, same as yesterday. We are supposed to have some nice views on our tour today so hope it clears up.

Who knew that staying on the 21st floor would give so much entertainment when you are overlooking a fairly busy intersection with no lights, stop signs or traffic circle. Thinking about this, are there stop signs in Vietnam? Can't remember seeing any, and if there are are they adhered to? One thing we have noticed is the way people burn lights here is opposite to home. Here they stop while it is still green I guess knowing people are burning the red to go, no yellows that we have seen.

The beginning of our tour today took us by the what we understood to be the original fishing village of Da Nang. There was at least 1000 fishing boats anchored and docked here, many for sale. The fisherman are afraid to go out to sea as the Chinese have claimed South China sea and have been ramming the fishing boats from Vietnam that have gone out to sea the last couple of years is what our guide told us. We were wondering why so many boats were here.

Our tour today took us to the lady Buddha and pagoda to start that we can see from the beach in Da Nang. Every tour we have done we learn more and more so even though we are not big fans of group tours it was another fun one we did today. We definitely could have spent more time at the first stop, it would have been nice to wander the gardens , again beautiful bonsai. We did see a couple of monkeys, but seeing someone give one a lollipop was a little disappointing. We were surprised to learn all of this area was only built in the 1990's.

Next stop was at a 200 year old manufacturer of marble, also known as the shopping stop that is not advertised as part of the tour. I wish they would have advertised this on the tour we booked, I would have prepared myself for it and not been so grumpy, sorry Andre. I think 3 of the 9 people on our tour bought something, I told the guide I hope he got a good commission, we were here a long time.

Next stop was at Marble Mountain. Some very pretty views, and some beautiful caves for exploring. Lots of steps, I stopped 50 before the top when I was told it was getting really slippery for the end. Back down to the 3rd level I go and wait it out in the shade, it was hot. Andre had gone up the quick adventurous way, I opted for the easier but longer way. Andre told me I would have hated going the way he did.

Now we are off for lunch at a small local restaurant, chicken with noodles, again very good but I don't remember the name of it. Lunch done and our group of 9 is split in to different groups depending on where your hotel is. It was a fun group again today, one American, one from France, 2 from Malaysia and the rest Australian. The 2 from Malaysia kept telling us how wonderful it is there , we may need to have a look for our next vacation. The Americans father was in the air force and was stationed here in Da Nang. Unfortunately he passed away before they got to visit here together. He was hoping to get to visit the air force base but our guide told him tours are not possible. Interesting story was his father joined the air force when drafted as he didn't think he would ever be sent out of the US , his friends all joined the marines as they wanted to be sent to SE Asia. Exact opposite for both happened, marine friends never left the US.

Back to the hotel to freeze in the air-conditioning for a bit. Pretty sure naps were involved as well.

Time to move again. Andre wants to have a look at this little place that looks like it should be in Greece, and it's on our way to pick up laundry. I tried a salt coffee on ice, Andre a ginger ice tea. Are we switching beverage choices?

Laundry picked up, the woman wasn't there but a man came down from somewhere upstairs, I pointed to the Laundry sign and he ran back inside and came out with our clean laundry. Not shrink wrapped and folded nicely like other places, but for $2.50 I'm not complaining. Should fit nicely in Andres suitcase tonight...

Drop laundry off at hotel and it is time for the beach. Neither of us want to bother putting bathing suits on and going swimming. Get to the beach and we should have bothered, it is still hot at 3:30pm. We walk further down the beach today. Lots of waves again, and locals coming out in droves. This yellow flag area is much bigger than the one we swam at yesterday. It is still hard to believe this nice of a beach has so few people except very early in the morning and late afternoon evening.

Time for a drink, back to the bar that is 50% less before 8:30 for drinks. A very tiny woman comes by the beach with a big garbage bag on her back tiny maybe 4 feet tall. She motions to Andre who tosses his LaRue empty beer can to her. Her bag is nearly bigger than she is. We wondered if there was any money back for returning cans. For the price we are paying I don't imagine we are paying any deposit. Maybe just the value of the aluminum. We also see them gathering cardboard.

There are fisherman out front in boats that have those huge nets up in the air. I hope we get to see these up close at some point during our trip.

Between fishing boats passing by, soccer and volleyball, locals swimming, 3 toddlers keeping themselves amused with playing in the sand we are kept entertained for a couple of hours.

Back to the hotel then off to supper at a place I had read about somewhere. Another great meal at Emo's which was only a few blocks from our hotel.

After dinner we walked back to the hotel by the Malecon along the beach. Very pretty with the waves crashing and the lights from the fishing boats. Again saw some of the biggest seafood restaurants you could imagine. Only one stop for ice cream for Andre on the way home tonight, this one like an cream sandwich shaped like a fish, all ice cream have passed the taste test so far.

Back at the hotel and went up to the pool at 9pm to see if we could see the dragon show. We are quite far away but can see the flames in the distance.

Moving day again tomorrow, packing up to be done again, how do our organized things get so unorganized so quickly.

Todays Pictures:

Crazy intersection by the hotel, no stop signs or yields sign or traffic lights. Drivers just need to sort it out, very common intersection