Day 11 - Da Nang: More Pagodas and Italy

We started off in the morning by visiting the Imperial City in Hue. I have to admit though, I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought I would be. I think it's because I've seen such other beautiful sights in Vietnam that I wasn't too thrilled about seeing another rich person's abode. In fact, I think I've felt this way about since my visit to India - seeing these massive structures for Kings while the people of the country suffered. I kept thinking about this crazy Imperial Gate and how long it must have taken for the people to build this from scratch!

There were several pagodas withing the complex and we were told that they too were very special to the Emperor. Every pagoda that I go to is different and I'm amazed at how much devotion was given to the Buddhist religion. These structures are so intricate, and still so well maintained. Here are some of the pagodas we visited today:

1. The Mieu Temple (in Imperial City)
2. Thien Mieu Temple (in Hue)
3. Linh Ung Temple (Da Nang)
4. Linh Ung Temple 67m Buddha (Da Nang)

1) 3)

2) 4)

While we were driving through Da Nang today, I suddenly felt a little homesick and nostalgic. We took the scenic road from Hue to Da Nang because we had a bit of time today and our tour guide decided it might be nice to go through the mountainside. We took this huge tour bus up the mountain and then back down and it took about one and a half hours. It reminded me of my honeymoon in Italy while we drove through Cinque Terre - and it made me miss my husband a little. :) I remember him driving our little Alfa Romeo up the mountain and laughing at him because his knuckles were white from holding the steering wheel so tightly. The roads were narrow, the Italian drivers were nuts and we were just married...*sigh*

The mountain driving also reminded me of the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia where we took a trip last year. It was very lush with greens and you could see that the people are really trying to preserve the natural beautiful of the mountain. Unlike the mountain roads in Italy and eastern Canada, though, the road in Da Nang had few stops to take pictures.

We stopped by a little road stop where they had some of the war ruins. I didn't quite witness a wedding but I did manage to snap a picture of a bride and groom while they were doing their wedding photo shoot! So maybe my goals are somewhat complete?? :)