Chan May port isn't the biggest of ports, in fact it's small and not the main port for Da Nang I don't think. It's set in a back drop of pretty countryside and it seems the biggest movement of cargo is tarmac for road surfacing.
It's not really geared up for cruise ships but I have a feeling that will possibly change. Tourism appears to be a big growth industry in Vietnam and Chan May is handily placed for Hoi An ,Hue and even Hanoi.
One or two enterprising locals have opened makeshift bars and set up stalls selling clothing and other souvenirs however the most enterprising appear to be the police or whoever else it is that wears military style uniforms and man the port entrance.
I mentioned that taxis were few and far between here, that's because they have to pay a bribe to be allowed to pick up fares. We set off on our tour bus and I had a bird's eye view of the tour guide handing over a wad of cash to one of the officials just below my seat on the coach. We were asked for $5 per person and there were quite a few on the coach, and several coach loads were waiting too. A very lucrative little number on the side.
Anyway it was all aboard our bus and ready to go on our tour. It seems the numbers had steadily grown and we now had one small coach and a mini bus in the party run by the same operator.
Although we heard there was far less room on the mini bus as every seat was taken, the larger vehicle was disadvantaged when it came to parking places.
Our first stop in fact was almost within spitting distance of the pick up place at Chan May. A coffee stop just around the corner but fair play in a very scenic spot overlooking the bay.
There in the distance a photo shoot.
I rather think it was a pro modelling shoot.
Surely no one gets married at that time of day!
Now much to my frustration I don't seem to be much good at landscape pictures but as there were no birds I settled for having a crack at these boats.
I am copying shots I have seen elsewhere probably, certainly with the first one.
but I have to admit I was rather pleased with myself when I looked at the results!
Maybe the composition needs looking at on the last one!
Anyway, coffee over we headed off the long way over the mountain side to get to Da Nang. There were some fabulous views but we didn't stop as presumably parking was the problem Apparently the mini bus had their coffee break up there somewhere.
Our first stop was near the bottom of the pass to watch a train go past.
Damn that sign!
The mountainside was lush and green and it seems unimaginable that once not so long ago the US Air Force was dropping napalm on the very same spot.
It's ironic really that a terrible episode in history has now become a source of tourist revenue.
Strange world we live in isn't it.
By now we were about half way to Da Nang, we'd set off from beyond the hillside jutting out in to the sea in the last shot.
First stop on arriving in Da Nang was to take some photos of the vast fishing fleet. There were 100's but they were all in port as the weather hadn't been the best.
A row of parked motorcycles was just a typical scene in the Far East, bikes and motorbikes are the normal transport mode for the majority.
Next stop was China Beach which made it's name as the place the US soldiers went for R&R between their duties.
We stood there for 15 minutes with little point really, I got the feeling the guide was just padding out the tour.
There was big billboard nearby which reminded that the recent APEC conference had taken place here. Donald had been here the week before, thankfully we missed him.
We didn't miss the opportunity for another of those artisan stops though.
The Marble Factory and showrooms.
The range of models on offer was huge.
Literally!
How anyone gets one home locally I wouldn't know, certainly not suitable for a foreign purchase anyway!
In fairness they did have small objects on offer but as you can see the sales staff where not exactly run off their feet!
These showrooms were one of several that were situated below the tourist attraction that is "Marble Mountain"
You get up there in a lift then wander through a collection of temples and religious statues.
There is a network of caves too but we didn't get the opportunity to explore, not that I wanted to anyway.
No, we left and drove on to Hoi An and a booking for lunch.
Fair play it was excellent.
The food just kept on coming, all of it delicious even if it was a bit messy to eat!
All this endless supply of food for a few dozen people was prepared on the simplest of kitchens too.
Excellent though it was, it was also noticeable it was one of the few really good meals we had during our months tour and nearly all that were were ones that had been organised or taken independently.
Lunch was without doubt the highlight of the day.
Next we walked down to the river to board a boat for a short trip of around 500m.
We visited a building site or was it a sand depository?
We passed quite a few sand filled barges along the way. it was incredulous they hadn't sunk they were so low in the water!
Anyway, the only other thing of note was how high the recent foods had reached just a few weeks ago. You wouldn't have guessed it as everything seemed very normal in the town.
I could have happily walked around the colourful streets that were full of interesting shops, cafes and bars but our tour took us instead to the major tourist highpoint.
The Chinese Bridge.... or was it Japanese?
The oldest house in town.... perhaps?
Shame on me for not paying attention.
We also visited a temple, I really don't like temples, before the guide called us together and asked what we should do next.
A choice of wandering under on own for 30 minutes or all follow him to the silk factory and shop.
Some were in favour of wandering alone and that's when the guide pulled a trump card and told us the chances of getting lost and separated would greatly increase if we split up and besides it was much further to meet the bus if we went alone too.
One Australian tourist hit panic mode and was asking what time we intended leaving as we needed to get back soon to make sure we didn't miss the ship's sailing time. this must have galvanised everyone into accepting defeat and visiting anther artisan tourist attraction.
I hate them. It's the downside of so many tours. Maybe they are necessary to invent something to take people to see? However, Hoi An had plenty had we simply gone on our own and not taken a tour at all. The cost of $120 charged for the tour would easily have covered a taxi there and back and our time would probably have been better utilised.
You live and learn!
Anyway, the one thing these tour guides can be sure to do is to get you back to your ship in plenty of time. Their reputation and future business depends on it.
We came back the fast was through the longest road tunnel in Asia!
With time to spare we had a couple of cheap beers on the dockside before boarding the ship to set sail and enjoying a superb sunset too.
TBC
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