Day 70 Double D
We are moving back to Da Nang today but it’s so sunny we decide to spend the day at the beach… again.
When we venture back just before 5pm, Pete suggests that we go for a final beer at Bamboo House.
There we meet an 80yr old Canadian and his wife – Dave and Di.
We’d previously spoken to them in the Purple Lantern one night – so I sit with them ignoring Petes anti social instincts.
They introduce themselves as Double D. Full of energy and stories about how they travelled at 55 – just like we are doing now.
They are staying in rhe room and homestay we were in last year. AND will be in our hotel in Da Nang next week.
After good chat and 1.5 beers we go back to Mr Hoas and have grilled scallops. Wow.
Day 71 Hotel
Best buffet breakfast I think we’ve ever had. Which just about makes up for..
1. The rooftop pool being out for maintenance. There is another on floor 3.
2. No shower, only a bath.
3. Glass walls on the bathroom- with a dual blind. That you can see through!
The hotel is 2 mins from the beach. But we need to sort washing out first
We have our first gym visit in weeks. Love it.
Then we walk the entire length of the beach to the non tourist end.
Some random man stops Pete and makes grabbing signs.
He eventually tells Pete to hold on to me.. as I look like a movie star.
I’ll take that.
Petes asks what horror film. Twat.
We find another Chickpea Eaterie. But it’s no where near as good. It’s her mom’s apparently.
We are in their garden. We get bitten like mad and the food is just okay.
We head out of the evening and there is a very teeny street market on our street – Pete get his sausage kick.
1 pint turns in to 2 as we people watch on the beach.
Day 72 Run
Finally back running after waking myself up snoring just after 6.30am!
There is a great promenade and I stick to that.
Pete can still only so walking, but his pain seems to have gone for now.
We have a decent beach day.
Petes in the sea, jumping the waves as usual.
It’s so warm even I get into the sea.
But as I make my way out to Pete, trying to surprise him, massive waves knock me under.
I jump up and my bikini top doesn’t, it’s around my waist.
Poor man next to me, gets a right eyeful.
We ate at Bikini Bottom so Pete can get his favorite sizzler steak plate in the evening.
It was the Bikini Top that was the problem today.
Day 73 Food festival
We work out at the gym after breakfast, with plans to head to the food festival.
It’s a typical day of coconut coffee and beach walks.
At night we go to the festival.
On the way we see soo many people exercising.
Watching a group do something like Thai chi, I get grabbed by the religious cult leader…. think Watch Tower equivalent.
At the festival there are so many people and the worst loud, dance music as usual, making for chaos.
Who here wants to listen to hard dance music?!?! It’s all families and oldies.
I have pani Puri from a stall.. except they seam to have forgotten to fill them, right rip off.
Then I decide on a totally delicious clam porridge, makes up for it.
Pete has fab Indian samosas… then possible the worst sausage bahn mi ever made.
Call that evens.
We have to leave before our ear drums burst.
Day 74 Roof pool
The pool on 19th floor is now open.
Can’t see any view as thick thick sea fog!
But it’s big and we spend nearly an hour swimming as we have it to ourselves.
We have iced matcha, looks like an ice cream, and coffee from the hotel and Pete does some work afterwards – still no sun.
We head out and walk along the beach and the sun comes out and burns Petes face and my nose.
The very first time we’ve not carried bloody sun tan lotion.
We spot Simon and Nat and join them on the beach for an hour.
We didn’t know this would be the last day of sun for a while.
Day 75 Dragon Bridge
We finally made it to Dragon Bridge. Bloody freezing in the wind.
Which got wilder and wilder!
We ended up escaping into a Mall.
Taxi back!
Pete goes off to meet Simon and Thomas his mate at a bar – Dirty Fingers.
I decide it’s a boys night.
Bath and a tonne of mango for me.
I just get comfy with my book and a beer.
Then I get dragged out to the pub as Nat and the kids join them.
Turns out it’s owned by a Brit and is mainly Aussie and Brit expats.
Day 76 ManThai Beach and Temple
Aa it’s another grey day We decide to walk along the beach towards the White Buddha.
We come across a temple at the very end of the walk.
We dont make it to the Buddha or even the marina!
But this place is lovely.
We end the walk with a drink stop on the beach.
Pete gets a strange fruit in his ginger tea. He ate it though.
We have a massage at KopSpa.nonce back. I’m bruised.
I knew I was in trouble within 1 minute. Fingers like pointy torture instruments.
Day 77 Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel
We have to leave our lovely Cicilia hotel. But only to go next door.
I manage a run on the beach before we go and the waves were mesmerising.
The Golden Lotus is still a good Hotel but not as nice as Cicilia. But we get afternoon tea!
And we have a shower at last!
Weather still not playing fair.
It is the best gym so far, so we need to make the most of it. It actually has a view and isn’t just a converted room.
I go shopping – vintage. I go alone, and find a shop called Mori Vintage.
I NEED a bit of a break. (from Pete).
I buy two jumpers as it’s cooler of an evening now. They are totally random asian designs. Love them.
We try Vietnom at night – the staff use sign language!
They employ deaf people mainly, but all staff sign. Different.
Food is fabulous.
Day 78 Da Nang River
Still overcast.
I have a great run though before breakfast – it is perfect running weather.
We get a Grab into the city river area.
It’s very much like any other city, so we try and stay by the river.
We do find a little hidden coffee shop.. but the coffee is not as good as our local gem.
We risk the Greek at night, even though it’s ran by Vietnamese.
Turns out they do great mousaka!
Day 79 Shopping
As its still grey.
We head out to the other vintage shops nearby. All disappointing sadly.
Pete does find a shop on Google that sells footbal kits. Its a trek but he’s hoping to find a Da Nang top.
We were planning to go see a game as like Plymouth they are bottom of the leauge.
Aww.
But they arent even playing at their own ground just now. It’s an hour and a half away. So a no go for us.
Pete does find a cheap England kit. But nothing for Da Nang.
Not a total waste.
Day 80 Ditto
Weather getting to be a drag.
We do our usual beach walk. Which doesn’t get tired. It’s such a great beach.
Simon and Nat invite us for dinner and Nat lays on a fabulous Vietnamese spread.
We are stuffed with beer, fish, beef, sticky ribs and the largest prawns we’ve ever eaten!
Lovely to eat with good company and a taste of home life.
Day 81 Sun
Finally we get a sunny day..normal service resumed.
Beach walks, smoothies and listening to the waves.
We get to see the fisherman hauling in there catch.. which tuns out to be nothing! ????
At night we eat at the Viet Nom again!
Day 82 Man’s Bar
Similar day as the sun is still shining!
It’s a Bank Holiday here celebrating the liberation of Da Nang.
We end up staying ‘out out’ at night and in a very touristy tourist bar.
It has a wall of TV screens with ‘man’ stuff. Football x 3, live rodeo, a bikini competition and Tom and Jerry.
And a range of female singers doing 80s rock ballads.
Feels designed to keep boys happy from 5 to 100 years.
Day 83 Last Night in Vietnam
We spend the last sunny day on the beach of course.
Simon and family pop along and we share a last pizza and beer.
So long Vietnam!
