The trip over Hai Van Pass to Hoi An

Joy, Bill and Alexander hired a car and a driver and headed to Hoi An.

Firstly we stopped off a fishing village not far from Hue.

 

The cool guys inspect the boats.

 

These fish are heading for fish sauce.

Shrines in the village.

View of the bay.

 

Vietnamese coracle fishing boats. Must be tricky to manage.

 

Lang Co.

Now at the top of the Hai Van Pass, between Hue and Danang. It is the highest pass in Vietnam and it is also known as the Pass of the Ocean Clouds.

Danang in the distance.

 

Looking back over the direction we came.

 

China Beach near Danang. The R&R spot for US forces during the Vietnam War.

Coracles are also use by lifesavers here.

 

We head for the Marble Mountains...

...but first our driver wants us to visit one of the very many marble factories. "All the different coloured marble comes from the mountains". Very strange since they aren't mining them now.

The mountains were an important religious spot for the Cham and the peaks became havens for communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War, due to their commanding view over Danang airbase. This is the Tam Thai Pagoda.

 

 Close up of the Pagoda

Penguin bins believe it or not.

 

A temple in a grotto. 

Inside the grotto.

A hot and rough climb was rewarded by a great view towards the sea. This strip of beach is lined with many huge upmarket hotels. Goodness knows who stays there.

The Linh Ung pagoda on the mountain.

Statue of Buddha.

 

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