Our trip to Danang was good. I begged our driver to go slowly and to be very careful when he passes. The traffic is absolutely nuts. At one point a bus overtook us and a huge truck was coming in the opposite direction. It squeezed in just in time. Actually, the traffic isn’t nuts. The drivers are! Kamikazee driving is the norm here and we’ve just about had enough of it! When given the option of going over the mountain pass into Danang or through the tunnel, it was a no-brainer. Forget the view. Let’s just get there safely.
We had a great visit to the Museum of Cham Sculpture once we arrived in Danang. Founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient, this collection is the finest of its kind in the world. The sandstone carvings, including altars, Ganeshes, and images of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu are exquisitely detailed and were a real treat. It was astonishing that the artifacts date from the 7th to the 15th century. Our guide kept touching them as he explained their significance and it drove us nuts. Finally I lost my patience and asked him to keep his hands off! If these were in the British Museum they would be behind glass and closely guarded!
We arrived at the Sandy Beach Resort on Danang Beach. Our bungalow, consisting of two adjoining rooms, is incredible – deep tubs, comfy duvets, and beautiful high, beamed ceilings… tennis courts, badminton – we were in heaven!! Upon arrival we were sorry that we were staying for only one night. Things, however, quickly went downhill. The tennis courts were under repair (the lines were painted on incorrectly and they were being redone). They were, therefore, out of service for the day. Ryan was so disappointed he began to cry (he was so looking forward to playing some tennis!).
We decided to go for lunch. The prices at the resort where rooms can go for as high as $360 were astronomical (we didn’t pay a third of that for 2 rooms as we were staying here as part of our tour). We decided to get on the resorts bikes and drive outside our resort to a restaurant that had more reasonable prices. Of course, the bike lady wouldn’t let us leave the resort with them (although there was nowhere to ride them on the property). We summoned the manager. He gave us permission. When we arrived at the resort gate, the guards were, “No, no, no bikes”. We were, “Yes, yes, call manager”. Eventually they let us out of the compound. We couldn’t believe how lucky we were when the restaurant right across the street had a woman who spoke English who could help out with ordering for Brendan. No problem, she said. While ordering an old lady with betel stained mouth came up to us and coughed right in my face. We should have taken our leave then, but we were quite optimistic that we would be well looked after. Steamed rice and glass noodle soups for Brendan and I. What could go wrong? Well, we couldn’t eat it. The cook was younger than Brendan and managed to put raw meat into our glass noodle soup, the fried rice was served with uncooked vegetables and squid in it. The coke was served warm, as was the beer. The whole thing was an unmitigated disaster. We managed to escape this excuse for a restaurant for under $10. We learned our lesson. We went back to the resort. At least the beach and pool looked great. One dip in the pool and it was obvious that they had no idea about the quantity of chlorine (eye-singe-ing, that how much). We asked about the badminton racquets that were so prominently advertised in the lobby. There was even a picture. Sorry, no badminton!?! Hmmm, let me see how this “4-star resort” is stacking up on its promise of tennis, beach sports and pool: tennis courts closed for painting, no badminton racquets, pool over-chlorinated, bikes available, but cannot leave the property (where the heck are you supposed to ride them then?). At least the beach was great and the ocean incredible and safe! We spent tons of time in the ocean. When we emerged from the ocean, we noticed 2 Vietnamese couples playing tennis. You have got to be kidding! Ryan went to the desk where he was informed it was closed for repair. He pointed to the courts in use and the desk clerk just shrugged. Of course, I called the manager immediately. The same one we had spoken to earlier about the bikes and tennis court. He changed his tune and agreed to let us play tennis (and no charge for the lights). This hotel, the Sandy Beach Resort in Da Nang, is run like the staff inherited it from their rich uncle with no training whatsoever. We are looking forward to posting our tripadvisor report upon our return. The good news is we are heading to Hoi An tomorrow!
Deb: Despite all the trouble this was one of my favourite days yet! The ocean was amazing and we had such a wonderful time for hours in the waves. We all had a blast. My favourite thing was watching Brendan because he thought that he was being so radical every time that he rode a wave. The sky at sunset comprised of deep purple and bluish grays. The clouds were phenomenal. After I took a long walk on the beach and had all the Vietnamese shouting, “Welcome to Vietnam! Where you from?” I live for this! Tennis with Ryan was great, though he whooped both Joe and I 6 – 0 each set. The live music at dinner was excellent. Joe and I danced a slow song then Ryan danced with me. I was tickled pink. Ryan is almost the same height as I am! Then we were invited to join the band, karaoke-style. A Korean woman went up and belted a beautiful piece. Then a Vietnamese woman travelling from America gave her impression of a cat being run over by a bus mixed with fingernails on a chalk board. It was all the motivation that Deb needed! Up she went and crooned Leaving on a Jet Plane. It was terrific. You should see the video!
One of my best laughs for the day was when Brendan commented how gross it was that the old woman at lunch was chewing ‘beetles’. He actually thought that her mouth was thoroughly blood-stained because she was chewing beetles. That explains the look on his face when he was watching her. His expression was that of total disgust and disbelief. I laughed until I cried.
Ryan met some Vietnamese guys (university age) and played soccer with them. They’re will all be meeting again at six-thirty tomorrow morning to continue the match! I want to get up to do a beach walk (although it will be a miracle if I actually get out of bed at that time!). Life is good.
We had a great visit to the Museum of Cham Sculpture once we arrived in Danang. Founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient, this collection is the finest of its kind in the world. The sandstone carvings, including altars, Ganeshes, and images of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu are exquisitely detailed and were a real treat. It was astonishing that the artifacts date from the 7th to the 15th century. Our guide kept touching them as he explained their significance and it drove us nuts. Finally I lost my patience and asked him to keep his hands off! If these were in the British Museum they would be behind glass and closely guarded!
We arrived at the Sandy Beach Resort on Danang Beach. Our bungalow, consisting of two adjoining rooms, is incredible – deep tubs, comfy duvets, and beautiful high, beamed ceilings… tennis courts, badminton – we were in heaven!! Upon arrival we were sorry that we were staying for only one night. Things, however, quickly went downhill. The tennis courts were under repair (the lines were painted on incorrectly and they were being redone). They were, therefore, out of service for the day. Ryan was so disappointed he began to cry (he was so looking forward to playing some tennis!).
We decided to go for lunch. The prices at the resort where rooms can go for as high as $360 were astronomical (we didn’t pay a third of that for 2 rooms as we were staying here as part of our tour). We decided to get on the resorts bikes and drive outside our resort to a restaurant that had more reasonable prices. Of course, the bike lady wouldn’t let us leave the resort with them (although there was nowhere to ride them on the property). We summoned the manager. He gave us permission. When we arrived at the resort gate, the guards were, “No, no, no bikes”. We were, “Yes, yes, call manager”. Eventually they let us out of the compound. We couldn’t believe how lucky we were when the restaurant right across the street had a woman who spoke English who could help out with ordering for Brendan. No problem, she said. While ordering an old lady with betel stained mouth came up to us and coughed right in my face. We should have taken our leave then, but we were quite optimistic that we would be well looked after. Steamed rice and glass noodle soups for Brendan and I. What could go wrong? Well, we couldn’t eat it. The cook was younger than Brendan and managed to put raw meat into our glass noodle soup, the fried rice was served with uncooked vegetables and squid in it. The coke was served warm, as was the beer. The whole thing was an unmitigated disaster. We managed to escape this excuse for a restaurant for under $10. We learned our lesson. We went back to the resort. At least the beach and pool looked great. One dip in the pool and it was obvious that they had no idea about the quantity of chlorine (eye-singe-ing, that how much). We asked about the badminton racquets that were so prominently advertised in the lobby. There was even a picture. Sorry, no badminton!?! Hmmm, let me see how this “4-star resort” is stacking up on its promise of tennis, beach sports and pool: tennis courts closed for painting, no badminton racquets, pool over-chlorinated, bikes available, but cannot leave the property (where the heck are you supposed to ride them then?). At least the beach was great and the ocean incredible and safe! We spent tons of time in the ocean. When we emerged from the ocean, we noticed 2 Vietnamese couples playing tennis. You have got to be kidding! Ryan went to the desk where he was informed it was closed for repair. He pointed to the courts in use and the desk clerk just shrugged. Of course, I called the manager immediately. The same one we had spoken to earlier about the bikes and tennis court. He changed his tune and agreed to let us play tennis (and no charge for the lights). This hotel, the Sandy Beach Resort in Da Nang, is run like the staff inherited it from their rich uncle with no training whatsoever. We are looking forward to posting our tripadvisor report upon our return. The good news is we are heading to Hoi An tomorrow!
Deb: Despite all the trouble this was one of my favourite days yet! The ocean was amazing and we had such a wonderful time for hours in the waves. We all had a blast. My favourite thing was watching Brendan because he thought that he was being so radical every time that he rode a wave. The sky at sunset comprised of deep purple and bluish grays. The clouds were phenomenal. After I took a long walk on the beach and had all the Vietnamese shouting, “Welcome to Vietnam! Where you from?” I live for this! Tennis with Ryan was great, though he whooped both Joe and I 6 – 0 each set. The live music at dinner was excellent. Joe and I danced a slow song then Ryan danced with me. I was tickled pink. Ryan is almost the same height as I am! Then we were invited to join the band, karaoke-style. A Korean woman went up and belted a beautiful piece. Then a Vietnamese woman travelling from America gave her impression of a cat being run over by a bus mixed with fingernails on a chalk board. It was all the motivation that Deb needed! Up she went and crooned Leaving on a Jet Plane. It was terrific. You should see the video!
One of my best laughs for the day was when Brendan commented how gross it was that the old woman at lunch was chewing ‘beetles’. He actually thought that her mouth was thoroughly blood-stained because she was chewing beetles. That explains the look on his face when he was watching her. His expression was that of total disgust and disbelief. I laughed until I cried.
Ryan met some Vietnamese guys (university age) and played soccer with them. They’re will all be meeting again at six-thirty tomorrow morning to continue the match! I want to get up to do a beach walk (although it will be a miracle if I actually get out of bed at that time!). Life is good.
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