SHOPPING FRENZY

SHOPPING FRENZY

MARCH 12:  We docked in Da Nang, a city of 800,000.  However, we read that there was not a lot to see here so six of us decided to make our way to Hoi  An, a world heritage city about 45 minutes away.  We found a large van with a guide and a driver, who agreed to take us to Hoi An, wait, and then return us to the ship; all at a cost of $ 20 per person.

On route we visited China Beach (R & R for Americans during the war) which is a beautiful 30 km. stretch of white sand.  We passed by many large high-end resorts including one owned by Greg Norman.

We started our visit to Hoi An with a stop at a silk factory (complete with zillions of silk worms as well as many young women doing embroidery.)  Betty quickly found herself being measured for silk blouses.  On our own we wandered past many shops most of which were selling silk clothes.  At one Betty spotted a jacket that we liked but which, of course, didn’t fit.  “Two hours” was the promise to have the same jacket made to fit Betty.  While she was processing her credit card with one clerk another cut sections off bolts of cloth and literally threw them out the window to a waiting motorbike which quickly disappeared with the silk cloth grasped in the driver’s hand.  Perhaps he was heading to a sweat shop where 7-year olds worked 18 hours per day.  After a great lunch at a café on the banks of the river (beer, curried chicken, and shrimp all for $ 11) we stopped to buy a suitcase to take to the various shops where hand-made clothes were awaiting Betty.  With about 20 minutes to go before meeting our van Betty found silk cloth that she particularly liked.  The young clerk didn’t have it in the color Betty wanted but promised she could get it in 15 minutes.  She then left us holding down the store while she, dressed in heels and a long silk dress, disappeared on her motor bike, returning about 14 minutes later with the silk cloth.

MARCH 13/14:  After some moderately rough seas from Da Nang, we docked for 1.5 days at Ha Long.  This is the closest port to Hanoi, but a tour into Hanoi takes 11 hours, most of that spent on a bus.  Prior to the trip we hooked up with 10 others (internet) who wanted to take a junk cruise in Ha Long Bay instead of going to Hanoi.  Early in the cruise the 12 of us had lunch and elected 3 to negotiate to hire a junk. 

Our boat looked a little less picturesque than what is shown on postcards.  It had about a 15 degree list to port and I think the Vietnamese name translated as “advanced dry rot”.  However, our 6 hours on the bay were magnificent.  Ha Long Bay has 1969 limestone islands, some of which have huge caves, others having grottos.  Our group was very convivial and we enjoyed the spectacular scenery, the stops at a couple of the islands to explore the caves, the transfer to a tiny boat to explore the grottos, and even the lunch of mystery fish.  The bay is truly  one of the world’s wonders.

LEAVING VIETNAM:        We are about to sail away from Vietnam.  Betty insists that I tell you that you must put this incredibly charming country at the very top of your list of places to visit.  More than that, you should visit here soon as the country is developing so rapidly that it will be unrecognizable in another 10 years.   In praising Vietnam I should strive for a little balance; their wine is awful.h