~ fishing's in the blood of this town ~
Aug. 01. Out from Barbara's Place bunk-room. Turn left and follow your nose. You can't miss it. Round past the 'heads' with it's commercial non-accessible wharfs. You come to the odd lane leading to the fishing port and fish market.
It's an overcast day. Nevertheless there's color around in the forms that float at ease in the harbor. Work horses of the local fisherpeople. Some made right here in Quy Nhon at the boat building yard that's near along from the fish market. Amazing. Refuel and sleep! There's more to this town than some would have you believe!
It's a hot day nevertheless. You stop in at the boat building yard. The guys there don't speak much of your language. But they're friendly enough. There's a cafe. Cool drink. Sit and observe. These boats are art. Practical. Blessed and the painted colorfully they hunt fish for the nearby fish market.
Further along Tran Hung Dao past the intersection with Dinh Bo Linh where the yard is you take another alley. The locals kids and their parents are obviously surprised to see a stranger. You clamber onto some moored boats to get a better view of the harbor. A couple of inquisitive children in the alley. One hangs back reticently. The other comes running full pelt at me. No 'hallo'. He's just interested to see what's going on. What I'm up to. For a moment I forgot too.
You double back. You want to check out the fish market you passed earlier. You see faces with flabbergasted expressions. This is not a tourist market. It's intriguing and delightfully simple. Workmanlike. The local people seem unconcerned and go about their normal business unaffected by my presence.
The market opens out to the wharf with it's steps down to the brine. As in many place gasoline is transported and sold from plastic containers. Or maybe it's diesel for the fishing boats. It's been a fascinating afternoon. Refuel and sleep. OK. But you don't know what your missing. Quy Nhon is changing fast. Like these sort of towns everywhere. By the time I get back for that necessary second visit, it might be a bit late. So, I'll not leave it too long!