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Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

May 24, 2015 by David Herd

Japanese Covered Bridge

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast is Hoi-An featuring wonderful French colonial buildings including this beautiful Japanese covered bridge which dates back to the 18th century. Probably the most photographed place in Hoi-An.

Crossing the bridge

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

I’m not sure what the ladies are selling.

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

This is my favourite photo.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

The culture & heritage is mostly from the Cham people whose kingdom originally stretched from Hue South to Phan Thiet (South of Nha Trang) – the Champa’s most likely originally from Java. The original Cham political capital was Tra Kieu, the commercial capital was Hoi An and the spiritual capital was My Son (Hindu). The Cham people were Hindu, and by the 10th century the influence of Arab traders to Hoi An resulted in some converting to become Muslims.

The second major influence was from the Chinese, firstly from traders but especially the escaping Ming Dynasty armies who after settling in Hoi An for some years moved further south and created Saigon as a major trading port.

Beautiful faces

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Hoi An is midway between Hanoi & HCMC, you can fly into Danang then take a taxi south, on the way make sure you visit Marble mountain where you can watch beautiful statues being made and perhaps even order one to be shipped home.

 

Here I am at Marble Mountain just north of Hoi-An.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Marble Mountain Vietnam where the statues are hand carved by certified and regulated stone mason artists. These artist begin a lifelong apprenticeship from a very young age and spend their life learning the trade.

Travel Tip. Hoi-An has the reputation as the place to go to have clothes made, I think one of the best strategies is to take some of your favourite items and have them copied at a fraction of the price you would pay at home.

 Hoi-An French colonial buildings

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

One of the many Hoi-An French colonial buildings.

Please click on Google + to help my ranking.

Fu kien restaurant

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

A typical Hoi-Ann street scene.

 Beautiful buildings

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

There are so many wonderful buildings.

 Lanterns

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

There is a photo opportunity around every corner.

We asked where he was taking the duck?

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

He said I am taking it home to eat it.

Hoi Ann timber delivery

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Firewood for cooking I imagine.

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast Hoi Ann market

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Morning gossip at the market.

Banana anyone?

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

It is a hive of activity on the waterfront.

Happy faces

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Non la (palm-leaf conical hat) is a traditional symbol of Vietnamese people.

Great looking kids in Hoi Ann.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Another couple of great Vietnamese smiles.

China Beach

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

During the war the Americans used the name China Beach to refer to the beautiful 30 km sweep of fine white sand that starts at Monkey Mountain and ends near Hoi An. Soldiers would be sent here for some R&R from bases all over the country.

Pothole shopping for art

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

 Pothole aka John Martin shopping for some genuine reproductions. 🙂

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

Hanoi to Bangkok

 Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

It was the start of the Sars problem.

Thanks for visiting my Hoi-An French colonial buildings photo blog, one of my favourite places in Vietnam, however the image that sticks in my mind most of all are the beautiful faces of the people and their children in this amazing country. Have a look at some of my other Vietnam posts.

                         
 

For a great hotel rate in China Beach just book through THIS LINK.

Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Here are some of my most popular posts.

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Australian seafood

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Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

August 29, 2013 by David Herd

Paraty is only 3 hours from Rio.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil is a small town backed by mountains on Brazil’s Costa Verde, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.  Without any doubt this wonderful village is one of my favorite locations in Brazil.

Once a year, when the great Rio De Janeiro carnival takes place, the coastal town Paraty which is located 250 km south west to Rio, holds a unique carnival called the Mud Carnival.

The carnival preserves the ancient local tradition when the Indians smeared their bodies with black mud for medical reasons, and held ritual ceremonies in order to bring cure to the ill. It differs to Rio carnival where the participants wear beautiful coloured costumes, in Paraty the carnival is based on the simplicity between men and nature.

Relax on the beach

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Brazilians love the beach and in Paraty they relax by the sea.

Great view in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

So many wonderful sights in Brazil.

Peaceful paradise Paraty short drive to Rio

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

A peaceful setting opposite our hotel.

Off to the beach we go.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

A happy family heads for the beach.

Paraty was founded in 1667

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Distinctive Portuguese architecture & Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

  Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Paraty is one of my favourite places in Brazil.

Earning a buck in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Paraty is located on the Costa Verde (Green Coast), a lush, green corridor that runs along the coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, it has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, renowned for the historic town and the coast and mountains in the region.

Where are all the customers?

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

It must be siesta time.

Lots of boat trips in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

OK, let the party begin.

Beautiful sailing boat

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

What a classical shape this beautiful craft is.

Boats at the jetty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

All the boats line up along the wharf waiting for customers.

Waiting for customers

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Pick me, pick me he cries.

How do you reach the top shelf?

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

There must be a ladder here somewhere.

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Red wine, graffiti and guitars.

Beautiful Brazilian girl.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Check out this wonderful Brazilian girl doing the Samba in Paraty.  

  You sexy thing.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

  How sweet she is. 🙂 

My favourite photo

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

  It’s Probably not hard to guess why this is my favourite photo, a rose between two thorns, I don’t think so. 🙂 Paraty grew in the 18th century as a strategically important port for exporting the gold mined in Minas Gerais. When shipments in nearby Rio began to attract the attention and ambition of pirates and privateers from rival European powers, the Portuguese began using Paraty as their safe port for getting their gold to Lisbon.

Beautiful old colonial buildings.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

This church is one of the most photographed buildings in Pataty, it features among the towns architectural landmarks, the waterfront Capela de Santa Rita, a whitewashed church 

Please click on Google + to help my ranking.   

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Every time there is a high tide the water flows in and all the Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil turn into rivers. 😀

 Dinner & vino in Paraty

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Sudzi & I enjoying dinner in Paraty, I can’t wait to visit this wonderful Brazilian gem once again.

One of Sudzi’s photos

Cobblestone Streets Paraty Brazil

 Sudzi is actually a professional photographer back in Australia.

Let the games begin.

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

I decided to be colour coordinated with the wall.


 

The good ship Lolipop 🙂

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Ok time to explore the surrounding islands.

Waiting for the bus to Rio

Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil

Although the Cobblestone Streets of Paraty Brazil is only a short drive to Rio there are so many people I know who have never made the trip, they have certainly missed out on a wonderful experience. As I said earlier Paraty is only 3 hours from Rio so do yourself a huge favour and put it on your itinerary.

 
 
Magnificent Brazilian girls dancing Samba in Parity.


 
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Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

 

 

Check out these great posts


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 6 photos