Chan May - Vietnam

US Hangers

Japanese Bridge

DA Nang Beach

"App Store"

Today we are at Chan May, in the middle of Vietnam. A small port, with not much here, but convenient for vesting. Today we had a coach trip to Hoi An village. This is an old trader port going back to beyond the 14th Century.

We drove via Da Nang, which still has remains of American Hangers at the old air base, and then into the village. We visited quite a few places, bought some silk, and had a meal by a lake. Some nice beaches around, some posh Hotels, and lots of western tourists enjoying the sunshine.

Pictures include the covered Japanese Bridge, Marble mountain (the marble comes from elsewhere now), some rivers and fishing nets on the way, and the main street and some signs seen in the village.

In the evening local dance and music entertainers came on board, we are staying here overnight and have another tour to Hue tomorrow.

Hong Kong for the day

Today we spent the day in Hong Kong. It was very foggy on arrival and for much of the day. A small bird joind us for the approach the night before ....

We caught a shuttle from the new Cruise Terminal at the old Kai Tuk airport to Telford shopping mall, where we bought Octopus cards and used the MTR to go and catch the Star Ferry. We then did the No. 15 bus to the peak for a few foggy views and a nice lunch at the Peak Restaurant, and then did the peak tram down to Central, with another bus to the Star Ferry again.

Then a spot of shopping for souvenirs and cough mixture, an abortive trip to M&S, and then back to the ship for dinner and lifeboat drill. It was voted a pleasant though slightly obscured day!

On Board for another day at sea

Three pictures today: Firstly our two bags that we painted in Naha in Japan. They look quite good! The other is part of our extensive (now) fridge magnet collection, including the one of the DMZ in Korea!

 

Today Helen is off to Gym; Charles is off to learn Cantonese …. The weather is warming up, though it is quite misty. We have Visa application forms to fill in for Hong Kong, and have already done the ones for Vietnam where we get off the boat to go to Cambodia and Angkor Watt. And we are looking at another cruise around South America for 2016..

Shanghai - China

Our night view from our cabin

View from our balcony

Today we did a small tour of Shanghai on a bus, and went to see the Bund with all the pre-war buildings, Nanjing road, The French Quarter with all the restaurants, and People's Square.

We were moored up right in the center, opposite the Pearl Tower. The night picture is taken from our balcony before we left. In the afternoon we sat outside and watched the world go by, including a whole stream of barges. We also did some shopping to get some drinks and crisps, and got a rather attractive gold waving cat powered by solar cells.

We have two days at sea, and the next stop is Hong Kong.

Dalian - China

Today we spent the day in the Port of Dalian. This used to be part of Russia, then Japanese, until after the second word war.

 

There is not much remaining of the old city; today it is just skyscrapers and very modern. We went on a shuttle bus to the friendship shopping mall, that was mostly expensive western and Chinese goods. Of course, there was a coffee shop!

 

We popped down to the supermarket in the basement, and got some soya and chili sauce. Strangely, fridge magnets have not caught on here, so we did not get one! It was very cold, and the temperature was around freezing.

 

Just out Dalian we head southwards again to warmer climes, and this is the most northerly part of our journey. That is the Island picture above! Our next stop is Shanghai.

Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square – Beijing

On the second day we had another coach trip to the center of Beijing to see the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.  Another early start because of the distance involved in driving from the port!

First stop was a long walk for two hours to see the Forbidden City, the home of the Emperors. Everything is related to the number 9, so there are 9x9 studs on the door.

Then lunch at the Novotel in Beijing followed by a walk to Tiananmen Square. Security was quite tight due to a meeting of the People's Congress. Mao's Tomb is also there.

There are much less bicycles in Beijing these days, and many more cars. Helen took a picture of Tesco, but we were not able to see if the Clubcard worked!