DAY 72---CHAN MAY (DA NANG/HUE) VIETNAM

                                                                       HUMP DAY

Yes, our cruise is half over today.  

        We arrived at Chan May a little before 11am.  It is another hazy day with forecast high temperature in mid 80's.  I have a 5 hour tour departing at 1pm.  Our sailing experience in the Gulf of Tonkin has been very smooth.

Historical/Background Info:

        Chan May is in Chan May Bay located between two important cities in Vietnam.  It is an hour and 45 minute drive to Hue to the north and an hour drive to Da Nang to the south. 

        Let me discuss Hue first.  Hue is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945.  The population is 652,000.  A mayor attraction is it vast, 19^th century Dai Noi Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls.  The city served as the old Imperial City with palaces and shrines.  If you cruise the Perfume River you will see a myriad of monuments.  This cruise is included in one of the ship’s tours.  Hue has over 4 million tourist each year because of its monuments, citadel, palaces, and shrines.

        Da Nang is also a coastal city in central Vietnam with a population of 1.1 million.  It is known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port.  Da Nang is the fifth largest city in Vietnam and one of the country’s most important port cities.  It is a diversified industrial center, including machinery, electrics, chemicals, shipbuilding, and textiles.  Maybe some of your clothes were made here!  Tourism is also a vital part of Da Nang’s economy.

        During the Vietnam war (1959-1975) Da Nang was a major base for the US Army, Air Force, and Marines.  The air base became one of the world’s busiest aircraft hubs during the war, reaching an average of 2,595 aircraft traffic operations daily.  Over 70,000 US military men and women were based here during the war.  China Beach is also here.  It is the nickname US and Australian military personnel gave to a beach in Da Nang.  This is where many US troops went for “R&R”, rest and recreation though out the war.

LAST EVENING

                                      This was the featured merlot that I really enjoyed.

This is the veal osso bucco I had requested.  It was not so good this time.  Overcooked, dry, and chewy.

    Rebecca loved her lemon-thyme marinated tiger shrimp with spiced tomato chutney and rice.

                        This is Ronnel an assistant waiter.  He just came on 10 days ago.

I ate half of the banana & macadamia nut pudding without ice cream.  I have managed to lose 3 of the 5 lbs I gained.

The "Blazing Boots" show (our favorite) was amazing as usual.  I did not take more photos of it as they were in a previous post.  Unfortunately, there were not many in the audience probably for two reasons:  1)  the tours were long that day and late returning and 2)  This is the 4th time it has been performed and most world cruisers have seen it at least once.  It would be something new only to the segment folks.

TODAY

Not much here at the port.  There is a shuttle today going to a beach resort 25 minute ride from here.

                                          These two guys are just "hanging around" I guess.

        We got our hour in on the treadmills this morning.  We will go up to lunch at noon as I have to be out on the pier to meet my tour at 12:55.  The 5 hour tour will go to a museum in Da Nang which is an hour's drive.  Then to a market, to a Buddhist temple, to Marble Mountain, then to Marble beach for photos.

        As a result of getting back late I will be dashing to get showered and ready for dinner.  I may be posting today's photos on tomorrow's post as tomorrow is a day at sea and lots more time.

         Yes back late so photos tomorrow.