We came from the right, cloudy North. On the left, down, we could see golden beach and blue sea. So go down, We pass Da Nang, most industrialized city in Vietnam. It looks like in this place building projects are well run with Japanese (or Korean) efficiency.
Our guide winks - mafia - apparently Communist Party found, that dealing with foreign companies is more profitable that local industry.
Soon we are driven along the beach, clean, fine sand. You see that little white dot right from the highest mountain? The Female Buddha - CLICK.
Vietnamese Copacabana.
Our aim if Hoi An - CLICK - most tourist friendly place in Vietnam. We can see it in the streets - clean, nicely decorated, friendly, relaxed crowd.
There are many old, well preserved buildings still involved in traditional craft. For example silk production.
On the upper floor we can see / buy beautiful silk tablecloth.
Popular are tailors, shoemakers, who can make overnight elegant suits or shoes.
Next day we have leisure time. What could be better than a bike ride?
We travel on flat tracks among rice fields, lakes, canals.
On our way we encounter some alternative transport means
It looks like a buffalo likes its load, it licks its lips. From passenger position it is not so easy. The animal has large chunks of fat on his back and it slides together with the rider with each step of the beasts.
Soon another attraction - basket boats.
Not far from us someone demonstrates sort of dances on the water - CLICK.
Our trip is smooth, peaceful and dignified. I am rowing the boat and my effort is rewarded with spectacles.
After boat ride we continue on bikes to a very spectacular Long Tuyen Pagoda.
Back in Hoi An there is not much time to spare as we have a cooking class on the schedule.
It starts with a visit to the market, to see what sort of vegetables we are going to use.
I am not a very diligent student, my attention is distracted by other stands.
- What are these dark lumps, next to jars?
- Blood - answers the chef - we do not waste anything.
Oooops, I hope our menu will be vegetarian.
- a mackerel grilled in a banana leaf,
- vegetarian spring rolls,
- green papaya salad with chicken slices,
- rice pancake.
Here I am in action - spring rolls.
Finally we eat what we cooked. Is OK, but I do not feel qualified for Vietnamese cooking.
Vietnam - links to all parts - Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4, Part5, Part6.
It was a great trip and you were a hero. I congratulate you on your form and fitness. I wonder if Forbidden City in Vietnam served the same function as Chinese one. But in contrast to you I was very taken by the Beijing one. But they are perhaps quite different though.
ReplyDeleteAC - so far it is only a half of the tour, the best is to come.
DeleteForbidden City - yes it was a copy of Chinese one, but firstly most of it has been ruined during wars and secondly Vietnamese emperors could not afford such luxuries as Chinese ones.