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> Boat to Market, Hoi An, Vietnam       The big, everpresent smile passing underneath the Hoi An River bridge on way to morning market. Baskets full of fish and that relaxed low crouch on the stern of the small boat, showing such comfortable stability from a life near and on the water.
> Another Hoi An Sunrise, Hoi An Viet Nam       Clearly Hoi An was one of my favorite places along my journey, where weather patterns and the close proximity to the coast create fertile ground for dramatic sunrise colors. Ocean haze presents diffractive layers changing colors moment by moment as the morning unfolds. The bustle of river activity always seems to offer at least one human counterpoint to this gentle unfolding of the day, even in a less active moment such as this.
> Betel Nut Boat Lady, Hoi An, Vietnam      After things settle down at and around the market from the morning's frantic rush, there's sometimes a few moments for a break, waiting for the next frantic rush. Not immediately obvious perhaps, but black teeth again indicate betel nut chew. The river seems always active for transport and commerce, and this woman looks quite comfortable there, with ample experience perched at the bow of her little boat. Most propulsion in these little boats near shore came from pushing the long staff into the riverbottom below.
> Fish Baskets, Hoi An, Vietnam      Hoi An is a most pleasant little river town with great beaches only a short ways away, but the real reason people visit is to have new clothes custom made. Zillions of tailors compete for your business to make custom clothing within a day or so at incredibly inepensive prices. The biggest problem is deciding which shop to give business. Designs are drawn from samples in each store, catalogue or copied from garments you provide. Not a shopper or looking for any clothing myself, I was compelled nontheless to have gifts made for my daughter, and a couple well needed replacements for my own pants worn thin along my journey. But I enjoyed the area most notably for the river scenes, excellent market with dramatic morning river commerce, and very mellow and convenient beaches. Development will grow this area quickly, especially with such good beach potential. So get here soon. River activity is non-stop, but especially good early in the early morning when all the fish and food is brought fresh along the river and roads, creating a characteristic Vietnamese cacophony of activity. Here in later morning after things quiet down a bit is a great time to catch a smoke in the shadow of bigger boats, with baskets now empty from earlier morning transit.
> Bamboo Basket Boat Beach, Nha Trang, Vietnam      On a beach at the northern end of Nha Trang, looking south down the coastline. The city of Nha Trang proper lies on the other side of the point, to the interior, while the tourist sector extends south from well below the other side of the point down along the beach. These bamboo basket boats are probably tenders for the fishing boats buoyed offshore, but could also be lieing in wait for trips to sea on their own, up or down the coast. Can you imagine trying to control one of these, especially in less than calm water?
> Vietnamese Cargo Vessel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam      The paradox of Vietnam is it's vibrant form of communist capitalism. The economy is cranking, one of the strongest stories in the developing world. Saigon is technically just one district of Ho Chi Minh City, but most locals still call the whole city Saigon. The energy and enterprise in both Saigon and Hanoi is captivating. Some travelers I met previously seemed to have a hard time with the Vietnamese people compared with other more mellow SE Asia personalities, but I think they were confused by the drive of Vietnamese people, and being put off never pursued interaction beyond this exterior. I found most everyone on a mission to get things done, but always more than happy to engage with huge smiles and personal interest if the slightest effort was made to engage. Among the nicest and most interesting people I have met in all my travels, with never a harsh word for being American - actually surprisingly quite to the contrary...
> Occheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia      Looking from the less developed southern end of Occheuteal Beach, toward what is called Serendipity Beach at its northern portion. Serendipity is where most foreign visitors congregate in a low key assemblege of on and near the beach huts, restaurants, and slightly more upscale facitlities. As one walks the length of the beach from Serendipity toward this spot, the composition of facilities and people you see becomes more local, with a good mix right in between. Nearer to this end facilities diminish, and the beach takes a more natural flavor. Further south behind this point lies Otres Beach, another serious step down (at least for now) in terms of activity level and facilities. A perfect place to chill and avoid more serious trappings, while still able to feed and lounge and drink and swim.
> Fishing Boat, Occheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia      Beached fishing boat and one coming in, traps and nets on the beach. Continuing livelihood for locals and great fresh food for the beach, offered almost continuously by ladies walking the shoreline as you lounge with your tropical drink. Although not as dramatic as some of the karst strewn southern Thai beaches, the mellow and mixed crowd dyanamic makes these Cambodian beaches and islands a most attractive alternate experience.
> A small city, Bacolod is still a significant port for exchange of major goods.
Fishing Boat, Occheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia     

Beached fishing boat and one coming in, traps and nets on the beach. Continuing livelihood for locals and great fresh food for the beach, offered almost continuously by ladies walking the shoreline as you lounge with your tropical drink. Although not as dramatic as some of the karst strewn southern Thai beaches, the mellow and mixed crowd dyanamic makes these Cambodian beaches and islands a most attractive alternate experience.
> Fishing Boat, Occheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia      Beached fishing boat and one coming in, traps and nets on the beach. Continuing livelihood for locals and great fresh food for the beach, offered almost continuously by ladies walking the shoreline as you lounge with your tropical drink. Although not as dramatic as some of the karst strewn southern Thai beaches, the mellow and mixed crowd dyanamic makes these Cambodian beaches and islands a most attractive alternate experience.
Fishing Boat, Occheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville, Cambodia     

Beached fishing boat and one coming in, traps and nets on the beach. Continuing livelihood for locals and great fresh food for the beach, offered almost continuously by ladies walking the shoreline as you lounge with your tropical drink. Although not as dramatic as some of the karst strewn southern Thai beaches, the mellow and mixed crowd dyanamic makes these Cambodian beaches and islands a most attractive alternate experience.
Photo by: photographie-irie · see photo in gallery
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