Thursday 18th Dec
This is as far north as I can go at this time. Leaving Hoi An this morning my bus followed the coast north to Da Nang. The only sight I had of the famous China Beach was a brief glimpse of grey water and sand dunes. However, after Da Nang, a busy city, we did stop for a break at a very nice, very modern upmarket Hotel with golden sands and inviting surf. At least it would be if the sun was shining, but then it rained for a while.
I said goodbye to Fiona and Maria last night after a memorable meal at the Cafe des Amis on the Hoi An waterfront, where the menu is different each day. The only choice you have is meat, fish or veg so we said we'd have all three to share. We didn't know quite what to expect and after being presented with a 'white rose' noodle dish (asian ravioli) as a starter, each course included a meat, a fish and a vegetable dish. Two or three courses later, (I lost count) there was far more than we could consume, especially as we'd started out with a large beer each. The food was superb, cooked by a man who was once the taster for an American General. Quite a local character. However, it was expensive, at least 5 pounds each (including beer) so I'm glad we hadn't found it earlier or we'd each have a lot more weight and far less cash!
The cafe has a very French flavour and played intriguing music by a Georges Brassens, singing to a guitar, who's memorabilia adorned the walls. I must look him up. Actually, Fiona read about it in the Lonely Planet I think, so it's well known. I was sorry to part company with the girls; they're great fun and it was a bit like having my daughters around. So we'll be keeping in touch. I've also had a lovely email from Uncle Wing in reply to mine, thanking him for such a good trip. What a lovely man.
Here on the Tourist track, a westerner only excites the prospect of money, so I've stopped waving to everyone! I was beginning to feel like the Queen, as adults and children alike would shout 'Hello' as soon as they spotted me.
I've checked into this Hotel for the only reason that as soon as our bus let us off, some of the passengers (the ones like me that didn't have a hotel bus waiting for them) were escorted to a minibus that brought us here. It's clean and reasonable; just $10 a night, which is the usual cheap rate. And not only that; it has a real bath, so as soon as I've finished this I'll be in there for a soak!
If the sun shines tomorrow I'll go on a tour of the sights, maybe by boat. If it rains, I'll probably do it anyway or go by bus. Anyway, it means being up bright and early and now I'm feeling very tired! So Goodnight....
This is as far north as I can go at this time. Leaving Hoi An this morning my bus followed the coast north to Da Nang. The only sight I had of the famous China Beach was a brief glimpse of grey water and sand dunes. However, after Da Nang, a busy city, we did stop for a break at a very nice, very modern upmarket Hotel with golden sands and inviting surf. At least it would be if the sun was shining, but then it rained for a while.
I said goodbye to Fiona and Maria last night after a memorable meal at the Cafe des Amis on the Hoi An waterfront, where the menu is different each day. The only choice you have is meat, fish or veg so we said we'd have all three to share. We didn't know quite what to expect and after being presented with a 'white rose' noodle dish (asian ravioli) as a starter, each course included a meat, a fish and a vegetable dish. Two or three courses later, (I lost count) there was far more than we could consume, especially as we'd started out with a large beer each. The food was superb, cooked by a man who was once the taster for an American General. Quite a local character. However, it was expensive, at least 5 pounds each (including beer) so I'm glad we hadn't found it earlier or we'd each have a lot more weight and far less cash!
The cafe has a very French flavour and played intriguing music by a Georges Brassens, singing to a guitar, who's memorabilia adorned the walls. I must look him up. Actually, Fiona read about it in the Lonely Planet I think, so it's well known. I was sorry to part company with the girls; they're great fun and it was a bit like having my daughters around. So we'll be keeping in touch. I've also had a lovely email from Uncle Wing in reply to mine, thanking him for such a good trip. What a lovely man.
Here on the Tourist track, a westerner only excites the prospect of money, so I've stopped waving to everyone! I was beginning to feel like the Queen, as adults and children alike would shout 'Hello' as soon as they spotted me.
I've checked into this Hotel for the only reason that as soon as our bus let us off, some of the passengers (the ones like me that didn't have a hotel bus waiting for them) were escorted to a minibus that brought us here. It's clean and reasonable; just $10 a night, which is the usual cheap rate. And not only that; it has a real bath, so as soon as I've finished this I'll be in there for a soak!
If the sun shines tomorrow I'll go on a tour of the sights, maybe by boat. If it rains, I'll probably do it anyway or go by bus. Anyway, it means being up bright and early and now I'm feeling very tired! So Goodnight....
Update... Pictures of the Dragon Boat that took us along the Perfume River to see Tombs of Emperors and Buddhist Pagodas. Also the Citadel that was once the vast Imperial Palace but destroyed to a large extent in the war.
1 comment:
This trip sound wonderful...!! I am just preparing the 20th Dec Newletter and was checking up on your blog....now must update mine. Much love Di xxx
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