Ugh. Yesterday's post is up and today's isn't much... Awesome snorkeling and a beach stroll

Not a lot of pictures today; we went snorkeling around Cham Island which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Snorkeling and phones don't mix that we'll, just ask Tammie.

It was a great day in the sun and sea.

 After snorkeling Jammie and I took a stroll down the Da Nang beach promenade.

We stopped at a little cafe with a Koi pond.

While walking back toward the beach we came across a guy cutting up durian. I asked if I could buy a little piece so we could try it and he gave me a small chunk to try for free! So I got to try the world's stinkiest fruit. It definitely smells horrible and it does taste a little bit better, but there is no reason to ever have it again.

Jammie tried it too. She didn't think it was as bad as I did, but agrees we never need to do that again.

Jammie tried out some of the beach side exercise equipment

We ended our walk with a quick banh mi and headed back to our hotel for the night.

Tomorrow we are going exploring in the Bach Ma National Park!

Goodnight from Da Nang! Hopefully this posts properly tonight!

Birding and Hoi An

We woke up early for a morning birding trip on the rivers near Hoi An with our guide Huy.

After birding we had a breakfast of Cao Lau at the home of the boat captain.

After we finished up we went to try our hand at making  traditional lanterns that are everywhere in Hoi An.

After finishing our lanterns we spent the day exploring the city.

Tomorrow we are going to Cham Island to snorkel. I'll post again soon.

Nobody died today.

Today we started our day in a relaxing way with breakfast at our swanky hotel.

And then it was off to Hoi An for a bike ride through the countryside called "Real Vietnam". 25 kilometers in 37° heat (98.6° F) Started with a relaxing boat down the river to the rural areas.

When we got off the boat we met some peanut farmers harvesting their crop. Then the pedaling began!

We saw how rice crackers and fresh noodles are made. 

They have tilapia "farms" in the rivers. If you look closely you can see the fish.

We saw a traditional weaving operation run by a husband and wife team.

We visited a traditional home. 

We biked over a floating bridge. And then saw how bamboo basket boats are made. Jammie and I tried out paddling them.

Of course Jammie impressed everyone, but the lady who showed us was such a character! 74 years old! She tells us American tourists she is only Sexy One (or sixty one). I even got a kiss! 

We saw how the last inlay artist in Hoi An does his craft.

Shortly after we boarded a ferry back across the river to wrap up our day. The title to this post is referencing the fact that we started our group tour with 8 participants, but only 6 of us made it to the end. A Dutch lady got heat stroke and started vomiting. It kind of shook all of us. This heat ain't no joke! We drank gallons of water and Tammie and Louie persevered to the end! I am so proud of them! This wasn't an easy day! But it was really great. Jammie and I went on a food tour to try a variety of local dishes.

Tammie and Louie rewarded themselves with pizza!

By the way they have the same chef here as every pizza place in Kenosha in the 1980s!

Chef's kiss for Vietnam!

From monkeys to My Son

Crazy first full day! We started the day on the Son Tra peninsula looking for endangered Red-shanked Douc Langurs. 

The we went to visit the Lady Buddha. 

Next stop was the Marble Mountains.

Then an awesome lunch at a "rice restaurant".

Next up is the historical highlight of the trip, the UNESCO World Heritage Site My Son Sanctuary which were built from the 4th to 14th Century by the Cham people. The Cham are one of the 54 official minority groups within Vietnam.

Then walking through the ruins like in the Jungle Book a huge male Northern Pigtail Macaque which are apparently also extremely rare here.

We saw some traditional Champa dancers and musicians perform as well.

I might be a giant.

We finished the day with dinner in Da Nang, Bun Cha!

And then an amazing massage for me and Jammie... Sorry no pictures... 

Tomorrow we head to Hoi An for bicycling in the country-side, some more birding, latern making and exploring the ancient town, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.