Monday 28th May, 2007
Da Nang
Lovely welcome performance on the dock as we tied up. Drummers - male and female, flag twirlers and 2 'dragons'.
Bus tour of Da Nang with guide Tsu. Pedal cab ride through some main streets, hairy moments in traffic! Would have given them a tip but they pulled up away from the main group and demanded we 'pay money', so we gave them nothing. Bit intimidating.
Quick walk through the market but no time to shop. Back on to coach after being harassed to buy from street vendor ladies. Bought x3 bracelets for $6 US. "you help me and my baby".
On to Cham Museum to see Hindu and Buddhist religious artifacts. Expensive gift shop.
Next, a visit to HCM Museum. Quick visit to Uncle Ho's house - very simple. Huge koi pond.
Went to Non Nuoc Carving Village - stone products - jewellery, checkers, home decor items - beautiful little figurines of musicians. Bought candle pillar box. Starting price was $30US, haggled down to $20US. Back to ship for lunch, relax and swim. Hurt R knee, had ice pack on it when we got back. "Touts" in Da Nang very pushy and aggressive, not keen to come back.
Ship's crew much more pushing the hand sanitising gel.
Looked stormy but didn't eventuate. Overcast and cooling down after lunch. Cool in the pool, didn't stay in long.
Saw Lucy - up and about but tired.
