January 20th, A Bus Ride to Hue

We started out this day on a bus ride to Hue. For today's travel we took the scenic route over Cloudy Mountain Pass. The views along the coast were stunning. I didn't even try to capture them through the windows of the bus.

Arriving in Hue we toured the palace grounds of the Nguyen emperors. I haven't been able to find a year when this complex was built but a few hundred years could be a vague but reasonable estimate. At the gate we went through to enter the compound we saw cannons and I was impressed by the amount of detail in the metal work. I've given you a picture of that below.

Walking further into the complex we saw older palace buildings, traditional music players and beautiful landscaping. All of the grounds are in various stages of restoration and very interesting to see. 

Our hotel room in Hue at Silk Path Grand Hotel was lovely. The bed was extremely wide. I think it was made of 2 full sized or 2 queen sized beds pushed together. You could get lost in it. For the first time ever anywhere, our room included fire escape hoods. I really didn't know whether to be alarmed or reassured. 

One other thing I nearly forgot about this day. I saw the coolest bridge ever. Leaving Danang to make out way over the mountains we stopped for pictures of this dragon bridge. Why can't we in the US have such cool looking bridges?

PS. Superbowl today. Will you be watching?

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

January 19th, Danang

Again, another lovely day. Lots of pictures to see below.

We started at a statuary business. Carvings of all kinds of sizes and stones was on display and being done. There were tiny figurines and 10 foot tall Buddhas. Any of it could be shipped anywhere in the world. We passed on the offer but were fascinated watching the process.

From there we went to a local farm. This place was run like a coop I think. Individuals had their own plots of land. Lots of fruits, flowers, veggies and herbs were growing and looking well cared for. We had lunch here and a foot massage afterwards. The center piece on our table and the last picture in this set is rice growing in the pot. Rice is a grass like wheat and the greenery on the table was such a nice touch. Also as an FYI the tree with the small yellow flowers is papaya.

After such a relaxing lunch we returned to the hotel for a lazy afternoon, dinner at the hotel restaurant and another night of sleep listening to the sound of the ocean.

Random flower picture taken at the hotel just because...

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Take care and stay cozy!

January in Vietnam, 5 Hotels

I was very impressed with the 5 hotels that Odessey Tours booked us and our group in for our time in Vietnam. They were all 4 or 5 star places. These were the kind of places I would probably never book in the United States mostly because of the cost. I am a simple person for the most part. With that said I did greatly enjoy the courtesy, friendliness and service at every place we stayed.

Where did we stay? I'll be listing them here just in case a trip is in your future and for future me to be able to look it up and remember.

1. Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake
2. Hyatt Regency Danang Spa and Resort
3. Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel in Hue
4. Victoria Can Tho Resort
5. Sofitel Saigon Plaza

The Hyatt Regency in Danang was my favorite of the 5. The room was lovely, and it was right on the beach. We could hear the ocean even with our room doors closed and sleeping there was so easy! For families considering a stay here you will be pleased to note that there are on site kid's activities every day. 

Today's pictures are some of the scenes from around the hotel grounds and our room. As you look at them imagine gentle ocean breezes and the sound of the waves. Feel yourself relax. Would I go back there just to stay at a hotel on a Danang beach? Hell yes! Not begging any pardon for those words either.

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Take care and stay cozy!

January 17th, Cham Museum of Sculpture, Da Nang

Continuing to share our trip through Viet Nam, on the 17th of January we flew from Hanoi to Da Nang. After arriving in Da Nang and before checking into our hotel we made a stop at the Cham Museum of Sculpture. (Link for additional information about the museum.) I hate to say this but... The sculpture was stunning but I don't think the museum is well enough organized to tell the story of the society that made them. Maybe without a guided tour that is just the way it is.

The bronze lady took my breath away when I first saw her. She was the only bronze in the museum, and I have no idea how she fits into the timeline of the other stone pieces.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!