Dragon Boats on the Perfume River, January 21st

This day was another with a busy morning and a lazy afternoon and evening for us at least. We decided to skip a walking tour of a wet market and the chance to climb 116 steps to the top of a monument.

We started off with a ride on a "dragon boat". I was imagining something like the boats used in Hong Kong at the dragon boat races. What we went on wouldn't win any prizes in a boat race but it was a nice ride anyway. Of course, captive tourist that we were there were things to buy on the boat and we did. Jim got 2 new shirts. His size wasn't available on the boat, but they were delivered to the hotel later in the day.

We walked the grounds of a Nguyen mausoleum after the boat ride. I shared some glimpses of that below. This was another place where people gathered to take pictures. Selfies, posed, all kinds of cameras. Seeing them all, mostly women but a few men dressed in their finest was fun. 

After the mausoleum we stopped at an incense shop. We got some incense and a holder here. Jim picked out the scents. I spotted a silk painting that had to come home with me. I probably put its picture up when I get it framed and in place. Doesn't this place look so bright, cheerful and welcoming?

We had lunch again as a group. The food was brought out family style. See below that the meal included 10 items. Our group meals were always this way with 9 or 10 items on the list. I do wonder if the people of Vietnam eat this way at home. Preparing so many dishes for one meal sounds like a whole lot of work for a family cook like me. My cooking habits were formed in the old days when a plate for dinner had a protein, a starch, a serving of vegetables and maybe bread of some kind. That's just 4 things. I loved all the dishes on the list but the best here was the pumpkin soup. Loved it!

The day after this we were on the move again. More about that later.

Back with more again soon.

Take care and stay cozy!

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?

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Take care and stay cozy!

Looking Out on the Morning Rain

Looking out on the morning rain

I used to feel so uninspired

And when I knew I had to face another day

Lord it made me feel so tired

From Aretha Franklin's hit "Natural Woman"

It is all gray and drippy outside my window this morning. I am not sad but I do find myself uninspired this morning. I have lots going on and my thoughts are circling in my brain without coming to any resolutions. More want to do's on my crafting list, travel plans Jim would like to have scheduled RIGHT NOW, forming a business with my sisters, too many things. It will all be okay and I know that but this morning with a lower air pressure because of a storm headache and rare gray skies here in the desert I am just going to wallow in not doing much today.

Do you ever have days like this too? Does the comment feature work on this here blog? Test it out and tell me somethin'. Bring some sunshine into this blogger's day with your thoughts. 

PS If you now have an earworm going, I'm sorry but it could have been from a worse song. Spend the day feeling like a natural woman.

In a couple months the Palo Verde outside my window will be covered in yellow flowers and the bees will be loving it. I look forward to that every year. I will be sure to show it to you then.

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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 18th Hoi An

This was a busy day. It started at a silk factory. We saw silk worms in all stages, a loom set up to weave silk fabric, a custom tailor clothing shop, other ready to wear goods and beautiful hand done embroidery.

After walking through the Hoi An Market we ended up in a restaurant for a cooking class featuring Vietnamese flavors. I'm leaving you a link > Ms Vy: Hoi An Restaurant Pioneer - Hidden Hoian to learn more about the woman behind a restaurant chain and our cooking class. She didn't teach us but one of her earliest and most enthusiastic employees did.

In our class we learned how to make a spring roll with rice paper, which can be temperamental when rolling. By following great directions, I got mine rolled up without any cracks. We also marinated some chicken that was grilled in the restaurant and served with a very delicious mango salad. One last thing we did was a fried pancake that was so good! In Vietnam these are used kind of like a tortilla to hold more foods inside. We had some pork, shrimp and fresh greens in ours. We brought home recipes for all of this but haven't tried any in my own kitchen yet.

I would love to get back to Hoi An someday and spend more time wandering the market and of course enjoying more food!

Back with more again soon.

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!