Thursday, May 25, 2023 Chan May, Vietnam Hoi An City - Evening Beauty

 Thursday, May 25, 2023  

Chan May is on the water but there is nothing around there except coal waiting to be shipped.  

Hoi An City - Evening Beauty  3:45 departure  6 hours

Lovely evening but very hot.

Drove to Hoi An then took the electric cart to the ancient town.  It was a lovely old town with a lot of interesting buildings.  Many were decorated with lanterns.   As we entered the old town there were many booths selling things and people hawking "junk",  

There were many lanterns reflected in the water and at least six large lotus flowers floating in the center of the river near the Japanese bridge.  We visited a museum in an old building.  There was a collection from various archaelogical sites and cemetery excavations.  We could see the evolution through the ages pertaining to ceramics, and iron and stone tools.  Cultural layers were identified.

Our next stop was Hoi Quan Quang Dong/Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation.  We learned  about honoring the dead, decor of the temple including dragons, the color red, gold, characters used to communicate, etc. 

Our guide pointed out the design of the roofs of the buildings.  We also visited the Old House of Quan Than.  It is the shop-house of a Chinese Merchant from the late 17th century.  The guide pointed out the upper beams, upright bars, hidden pillars, and connected rafters. The arched roof added artistic value and improved ventilation.  The antiquities were interesting.  

When it was dark there was a lot of drumming and noise from fire crackers.  There were many boats in the river decorated with lanterns floating down the river, circling around the lotus flowers and returning back down the river.   In addition to the lanterns you could purchase a little box that would float in the river after you wrote a wish on a piece of paper.  A candle was lit and placed in the box with your wish.  Then they were floated in the river.

After our time watching all the lanterns floating by, we went to dinner at a local restaurant.  Dinner was okay, I can be a bit of a picky eater.  We were served Vietnamese food family style.  At the end of the night, we took the electric carts back to the bus and began our long ride back to the ship.  

                                Boats on the river.

                                        Lanterns on the streets.

                                            Dragon in front of the temple

Day 132 May 26, 2023 Hue (Chan May) Vietnam

Day 132  May 26, 2023  Hue (Chan May) Vietnam

Da Nang & Marble Beach  May 26, 2023 8:00 AM  5 hours

The description I read to choose this tour.
Discover Da Nang’s natural beauty while exploring cultural sites that will present a fascinating historical perspective. For a glimpse into the distant past, you will browse the extraordinary artwork in the Cham Museum. Its sandstone and terracotta artwork was created in the 4th through 14th centuries and is the largest such collection in the world. A traditional pedicab will take you to Han Market, which dates to the French occupation in the 1940s. Even if you don’t purchase anything, it will offer an authentic look into local life. Nearby Marble Mountain is the area’s most well-known natural setting and its five separate peaks dominate the landscape. Each one represents an element such as fire or water. Fire is also the theme at Hell Cave, which is said to resemble Hades. Water is the most dominant feature at Marble Beach, which was a base for the American Marines during the Vietnam War. It was more commonly known as China Beach. 

HIGHLIGHTS
• • Browse artwork that Vietnam’s ancient indigenous Cham people sculpted.
• • Meander through Han Market, a fixture since the French occupancy in the 1940’s.

• • DID NOT Pause for photos of the five Marble Mountains, each representing an element. 

• • Visit the Hades-like Hell Cave and heavenly Marble Beach. 

HELPFUL HINTS
• • Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes. 

PLEASE NOTE
The cruise line doesn’t endorse any of the many vendors at the Marble Mountain village. Purchases made there are at your own risk. 

 Danang and Marble Beach  1. Drove to Danang city and visited Han Market which was on the Han River.  I saw coffee, spices, dried food, fruits, vegetables, household goods and then I went outside to wait by the river.  There were several statues on a patio beside the river.  

Our guide explained that the houses are narrow as the taxes per square meter are very high.  People keep the footprint small and build at least two to three floors.  

2.  The next stop was the Cham museum.  Artifacts recovered at Dong Duong were on display.  The images worshipped support the development of Mahayana Buddhism and the creation of Cham art.  3.  We visited a marble statue showroom which also sold jewelry, it was a bathroom stop with benefits for the owners of the business. 4.  We went to a cave at Marble Mountain.  There were several different caverns with Buddhist religious artifacts and a lot of Buddhas. 

5.  We passed by China Beach, which is now called Marble Beach.  There were many basket boats/coracles on the beach.  It is believed that the fishermen invented them.  A basket boat is a round boat made of interwoven bamboo and then waterproofed.  The fishermen use it to travel across the shallow sea to board their big boats.  Some believe the basket boat was invented during the French colonial era.  The French taxed boats and it was difficult for the fishermen to pay.  They built big baskets and solved the tax problem. The boats are lightweight and move easily with the sea.  The basket boat stays above the water and rarely overturns.  Overcoming the tendency of the basket boat to spin in circles takes practice.  Fishermen control the boats by waving an oar back and forth.  

6. The Lady Buddha Danang is located on the ground of Linh Ung Pagoda.  Lady Buddha measures 67-meters-tall.  She is the Statue of the Goddess of Mercy.  Each of the 17 floors house 27 Buddha statues for worship.  

Our guide told us that the Chinese can negatively impact life in Vietnam.  The Mekong Delta is a good site for growing rice, but China controls the water supply to the Mekong Delta and at times they stop the water.  Then the plants will not survive.  

Random thought from my guide- Tourism is big in Vietnam. Marble Beach used to be called China Beach and the military men used to spend R and R time there.  It is a beautiful beach.  Young people are good with computers and Samsung is a big company  here.  Vietnam’s exports include #1 is rice, also cashew nut, coffee, tea, black pepper, and seafood.  Many Vietnamese have cancer; liver, stomach, intestines.  This may be because people make and drink rice wine or China exports food to Vietnam and there are many chemicals in this food.  It is said that Vietnamese spends a lot of money drinking, $3000 on beer per year.   Fifty percent to the population is under 30 years of age.  Today, women are more educated and they often choose to marry foreigners - Americans, Australians, Brits, Canadians, etc.  Buddhism is the religion in the north and Roman Catholic is the religion in the south.  There are many differences between North and South Vietnam, weather, language, culture, religion, etc.  Becoming a communist country has destroyed the economy in South Vietnam. Prior to Communism, South Vietnam could rival Singapore, Malaysia, & Bangkok today.  There is a lot of corruption in Vietnam.  To work for the government, there must be no link to America or Saigon..  The South still calls the city Saigon, the North calls it Ho Chi Minh City.   Hanoi is corrupt.   In order to leave Vietnam, a person needs to buy a Visa and pay for a citizenship process, $150,000.  A visa to Europe is expensive too.  If a person wants a loan, they must pay 12.7 percent for interest.  Many policemen are uneducated.  Bribery is prevalent.  There was a lot of profiteering during Covid, $74 million for Covid test sales.  Flights from Africa are very expensive.  The airlines and the government split the profit.  Vietnam profits from the trade war between U.S. and China.  If the government sees you are making a large profit, they will send the police to take over your business.  Chinese have abandoned Vietnam.  Beautiful ocean-front hotels sit empty.  New construction remains unfinished and homes and apartments sit empty.  Eighty-seven percent of all accidents involve scooters.  Last year, 14,000 people died in accidents.  Children age 12 and under must wear helmets. The French established the train 96 years ago,  If you are caught smuggling drugs, the punishment is death, unless you are related to someone in the government.   

If the wifi ever improves, I look forward to posting pictures.  

       5.  Basket boats fisherman made and used to get  around and to transport fish or other items.

                                            1. Han Market was inside and out on the sidewalk.  

                                        Dragon Bridge in Danang

                                                2.    Cham Museum

                    3.  I've never seen statue like these at our bathroom stop at the Marble Statue showroom.  

                                          4.  Hell Cave

                                                       6. Lady Buddha measures 67-meters-tall.

                                        6. Sleeping Buddha at the site of the Lady Buddha

                                                   3. Happy Buddha at the bathroom stop. 

6.  Lady Buddha stop above and below.  

Day 131 Mary 24, 2023 Ha Long Bay World Cruise Event

 Day 131 May 24, 2023 Port: Hanoi (Ha Long Bay) Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 4 1/2 hours) Tour Price $0.00 ATW Special Event

Tour Description **** 2023 ATW CRUISE EVENT ****

Captivating Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most stunning sights in Southeast Asia. Its nearly 1,600 islands and islets, jutting out of the bright green waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, have an ancient origin in the mythology of dragons that descended from heaven to protect Vietnam. Arrive at Vung Duc Cave, a fascinating site comprised of multiple caves, and experience the welcoming of a dragon dance prior to entering the caves. Search and explore the area, then find your seat and watch the world shift as the lights go out and candles become your only source of light. The dinner show, a skilled local band with accompanying dancers, entertains as you savor a fresh and delectable local cuisine complete with wonderful wine pairings. This special evening will be one you won’t soon forget.

This night was incredible.  We had a greeting including dragon dancers, drummers, confetti, firecrackers and sparklers.  The setting was inside a huge cave with several rooms.  The first room where the drinks were served was big.  There were two musicians taking turns playing the flute and the saxophone along with recorded songs during happy hour.  The dining room was another huge cavern.  There were tables for 380 people,  a buffet of  Vietnamese food offered opportunities to expand my horizons.  I didn't like some foods.  The entertainment included unique Vietnamese instruments and dancers.  The night ended with a deejay and a lot of dancing.  It was a fun night and may be the best World Event of the four we have experienced.  There were no candles, the lights were always on and were used to set the desired mood. 

There was another huge room that was empty so this venue could accommodate a lot more people.  It would be an interesting venue for a wedding.  There were floral archways.  

There were two lines of women standing at the entrance when we arrived and when we departed.  I wonder if they stood there all night.

                                    Two interesting instruments played by Vietnamese musicians.  

May 22,23,2023 Sea Days May 24, 2023 Hanoi, Vietnam

                            This picture is of the Kissing Chicks, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
 Day 129 &130   Mon May 22, 2023 and 23  Cruising the South China Sea 

Day 131 Wed May 24, 2023 Hanoi, Vietnam  

Description I read to choose this tour - Junk Cruise On Ha Long Bay (HLB-002)

Port: Hanoi (Ha Long Bay) 9:30-1:00 Tour Length: Half-Day (Approximately 3 1/2 hours or 4.5 hrs)  Tour 

Tour Description

• • Cruise on a Chinese junk into Ha Long Bay, an incredibly scenic World Heritage site.
• • Relax on deck while reveling in the natural setting.
• • Get a chance to climb up the Thien Cung Cave.

Witness the breathtaking scenery from the decks of a wooden junk. Gliding through the gin-clear waters of the bay, absorb one of the most magnificent natural splendors of the Far East.

Arriving to the junk pier in Ha Long city, begin your fascinating cruise through Ha Long Bay, one of the world's outstanding natural wonders, resembling a geographic work of art with thousands of limestone islets soaring dramatically from the clear emerald waters. This densely concentrated zone of kharst islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See tiny islands dotted with rock arches, sheer cliffs, innumerable white sand beaches and peaceful coves. Like sculpted cartoon characters, these limestone islands have fanciful names: Heavenly Gate, Tortoise Rock, Man Head Rock, The Isle of Wonders, Tea Pot Rock and Devil's Face.

A stop is made at impressive Thien Cung Cave, with a chance to climb up. Continue to enjoy this relaxing cruise through the stunning landscape.

HELPFUL HINTS • Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.  Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

PLEASE NOTE Guests who wish to enter the Thien Cung Cave must negotiate approximately 100 steep steps up and down.

This description was quite accurate but we did not sail in a wooden junk.  We sailed in a standard tour boat. The cave we visited was pretty cool.  

 

                                            It was a relaxing day sailing among the islands.

Day 128 , May 21, 2023 Maura, Brunei

 Day  128 ,  May 21, 2023  Maura, Brunei  

 SBT-002 SPLENDOR OF THE SULTAN 

Date: May 21, 2023 Duration: 4.00 Hrs 

Time: 11:45 AM 

OVERVIEW
Admire Brunei’s most lavish landmarks on a panoramic drive that also allows time to explore the extraordinary Royal Regalia. Along the way, you will pass the exclusive Royal Polo Grounds and NOT

 the waterfront Empire Hotel, whose lobby chandelier alone cost a million dollars. Brunei’s immense wealth, a consequence of its oil and gas resources, is apparent throughout this tour. NO - You will not have opportunities to photograph the most impressive sites, including the government-funded billion-dollar amusement park Diamond Arch. NO You will also NOT enjoy a distant view of Istana Nurul Iman, the sultan’s hilltop home, the world’s largest residential palace. At the white-domed Royal Regalia, you will wander through exhibits of luxurious items from the sultan’s lavish coronation and other celebrations, including a royal chariot, ceremonial swords and a model of the palace. 

HIGHLIGHTS
• Settle in for a panoramic drive past many of the most extravagant 

attractions in Brunei.
• NO to 2 out of 3 See the Royal Polo Grounds, opulent Empire Hotel and a billion-dollar 

amusement park.
NO• Pause to photograph the sultan’s fabulous palace, which boasts 1,788 

rooms.
• Peruse the exhibits that reflect the monarchy’s fabulous wealth in the 

Royal Regalia. 

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, including long pants. • No low-cut tops, shorts, short skirts or short dresses.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes. 

PLEASE NOTE
This tour includes about 45 minutes of easy to moderate walking over mostly flat surfaces with a few steps at the Royal Regalia. The tour is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, are
able to make their own way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Guests with mobility concerns should evaluate their stamina and ability before joining the tour. Shoes must be removed at the Royal Regalia. Photography is prohibited in the Royal Regalia and mosques, and cameras and handbags must be left at the entrances. 

The weather is hot, humid and rainy throughout the year.  In May, the average low is 76 and the average high is 91.  The average rainfall in May is nine inches and it rains about 18 days.  The sunshines on average six to seven hours a day.  Brunei is located at the southern edge of the area affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, so it is generally not affected. The typhoon season runs from May to December, with the probability peaking in December. 

What we really did - The country is very clean and the buildings are impressive.  We went to a mosque that was next door to the Prime Minister’s Building and were able to photograph both from the parking lot.  We traveled to and visited the Royal Regalia seeing the memorabilia from the coronation and the history of the sultan’s life.  He played golf, rode horses, and was a good athlete.  He has three families, although only the family with the queen is on display.  We saw the carriage the sultan was transported in, photos of his father transferring power to the current sultan, etc.  We rode past the Royal Polo Ground, stable, glimpsed an amusement park and the sultan’s palace, etc.  

I don’t recall glimpsing his sister’s residence or coach diamond arch. 

The second Mosque we were able to photograph from outside is above and the first mosque we took a picture of is below.

                                    This building is the Prime Minister's building.

Pictures of three of the Sultan's horses of which we saw many.  Our guide commented she had not seen so many horses previously.

Royal Regalia - we had to take off our shoes to enter.  We did see luxurious items from the sultan’s lavish coronation and other celebrations, including a royal chariot, ceremonial swords and a model of the palace. 

                    Picture of the sultan's stable above and the entry to the sultan's estate below.

                                    Government building across from the Royal Regalia.

                                            Royal transport for the sultan.

Day 126 Fri May 19, 2023 Bintan, Indonesia

Day 126 Fri  May 19, 2023  Bintan, Indonesia

This was a long and boring day primarily spent riding through lots of plant life along the roads.  Uploading pictures takes forever and I am primarily writing a description of my day and hoping to add photos later.  

My report:  We went to a camping-type resort first thing in the morning.  I walked around and saw the basic A-frame type housing, a basic pool, ponds, a horse, archery targets, ATV’s etc.  We drove a lot between each stop.Our next stop was the Banyon Tree Shrine with information listed above the picture below.  I have pictures from inside the shrine, of school children, and village houses on stilts.  We drove again and some other passengers and I stopped in another temple before we walked along the street of vendors selling the usual stuff.  We drove again and went to a buffet lunch and then headed back to the ship knowing we were going to be very late.  We left the restaurant at 1:15 and the trip back was about 1 hours, 15 minutes.  All aboard was 1:30 and we were to sail at 2:00.  We were late and there were all kinds of stories as to why.  The bus did not break down, the people running the tour just disregarded the time table.  

ORIGINAL INFORMATION I USED TO CHOOSE>  BNT-003 Tanjung Pinang City Tour  Explore the highlights of Tanjung Pinang, the culturally diverse capital of the province. Visit two vastly different temples in the ethnic Chinese settlement of Senggarang.  We did not see a massive, gold-covered statue of the Goddess of Mercy in yet another Buddhist temple.  We did not look out over a blue lagoon from atop the towering sand dunes at Busung.  

{Delve into the diverse culture of Tanjung, Pinang, the provincial capital of the Riau Islands which flourished as a trading post as far back as the  3rd century.  NO Within the city limits, you will find the ethnic Chinese settlement of Senggarang, much of which was built on stilts over the water .  As you will see, the roots of the banyan tree have taken over much of the aptly named Banyan Tree Temple, while the temple Vihara Sasana is known for its decorative archways and ornate roof carvings.  NO Guan Yin may be even more impressive, as it is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia.  NO Its towering statue of the Goddess of Mercy is coated with 22-carot gold.  NOFood will become the focus as you browse the traditional market with items ranging from freshly ground spices to sea snail crackers.  NO You will also visit the sand dunes at Busung, which overlook a blue lagoon.} WE DID NEXT TO NOTHING THAT IS LISTED HERE IN THE ORIGINAL INFORMATION.  

We did do most of what was listed in the overview so at least I knew in advance I was not getting my money's worth.  Tourism village is an exaggerated description.  We were served food under a pavillion.  

Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.  Wear flat comfortable shoes and sunglasses.  

Bintan Regency is a part of Indonesia.  It is located on the Riau Islands and has a population of about 390,000.  Islam is the dominant religion with close to 87%, Buddhism is just over 5% and Christianity almost 8%.  

The weather is hot, humid and rainy throughout the year.  In May, the average low is 76 and the average high is 91.  The average rainfall in May is nine inches and it rains about 18 days.  The sun shines on average six to seven hours a day.  Brunei is located at the southern edge of the area affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, so it is generally not affected. The typhoon season runs from May to December, with the probability peaking in December. 

The Banyon Tree Shrine was built in 1811.  Once a palatial two-story structure it served as an official
government building.  The house was abandoned in the mid-19th century and a banyan tree subsequently grew over the house, enveloping the crumbling structure.  Much of the house was torn down to make way for a road and the surrounding concrete structures.  Entrance is pictured below.

                                    School children near the Banyon tree Buddhist temple.