Quick swim before lunch

Where is Da Nang?

Click the following link, so see where Da Nang is on google maps: Where are we?

After an amazing day in Hoi An, shopping, eating, beauty treatments and laughing with a bunch of great people, we are now enjoying sensational tapas and cocktails at Mango Mango. . It's been a really hard day.

Mango Mango

Twisting by the Pool

Checking out the new Silver Shores Resort today. Specially designed for the Chinese market. Fabulous pool with marble bar stools in the pool. I love to sip my cocktails in the water - saves having to get in and out of the water, a creates a seamless transition between breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

See the photo - now that's what I'm talking about.

Katie doesn't like it!!!!! - because they didn't have Vietnamese coffee and she needs it badly today. I think the Armagnac free pour has done her in! In my role as trip advisor I suggest she has an early night tonight. I would also like to advise some of my fellow Chinese pool goers to put on some sun screen and hats etc... In fact I might just go and gove them some sun smart advice right now.

Scored Another Upgrade!

When we checked into the hotel in HCM we were both immediately upgraded to an executive suite which was bigger than our houses in Aust. Each suite has 2 gigantic bathrooms, lounge, dining and kitchenette.

That is a nice way to start a visit to Vietnam.

Furama Resort

Face your fears #1

Yesterday, fuelled by Mary and encouraged by Julia, I was forced to face 2 fears. The first, eating Pho (noodle soup with seemingly everything chucked in) for breakfast, and then crossing a busy street in Da Nang, and purchasing cigarettes for Mary off a street seller who spoke little to no english. Of course, I was best placed to take the voyage, because I would be "so good at it".

Success - I was not killed by the Pho or the busy street !

Don Cipriani's Dinner

Dinner last night @ Tim's restuarant

Some very hard work...

After a slightly hectic start to the day at Ho Chi Minh Airport (extensive packaging of our duty free alcohol and a delayed flight), yesterday we experienced a very warm welcome to Da Nang. Our hosts have a gorgous abode 'Ocean Villa' - very luxurious palace in the city near the beach.

We experienced vietnamese coffee at a quaint coffee huht on the beach and I have instantly fallen in love...strong full bodied flavour served icy cold over condesnsed milk, stirred into a creamy taste explosion. It will be very hard to accostom myself back to coffee in Oz after such luxury.

Next was an outside bungalow massage by the pool, which whilst at first seemed to be more of a 'breaking bones expedition' was impressively relaxing afterward. A quick dip in the pool followed by a walk home along the beach and we were ready to head out for our first night out in downtown Da Nang. For dinner, we tried a range of tapas, coconut calamari (sensational) and tempura prawns, which are wrapped in a crunchy noodle. The table of 5, including two bottles of wine cost $75aud.

Tonight we will dine in chef timo's italian restuarant - very exciting!

Must go now, being attacked by waht the locals call "butterflies" but are really like dragonflies the size of small dragons.

Ciao, Mary and Katie

A tough lunch..

I little hard to adjust to our new setting.

Scored an Upgrade!

So,we have been upgraded to seats 3E & F - a big move forward from 18 E & F!!!! It is amazing what a little polite conversation, the correct outfit and a big smile can achieve. I also advised Katie (in my role as trip advisor) that we must arrive early, and lo and behold - bingo an instant upgrade!!

We are flying on an A320 Airbus - with bottles of wine costing on $A7. Here is a photo and a few interesting facts about our plane

A320

• 26 June 1988 – Air France Flight 296, an A320-111, crashed into the tops of trees beyond the runway on a demonstration flight atMulhouse-Habsheim Airport, France. Three passengers were killed.

• 14 February 1990 – Indian Airlines Flight 605, an A320-231 carrying 146 people, crashed on its final approach to the Old Airport,Bangalore. 88 passengers and four crew members were killed.^[97]

• 20 January 1992 – Air Inter Flight 148, an A320-111, crashed into a high ridge near Mount Sainte-Odile in the Vosges mountains while on final approach to Strasbourg at the end of a scheduled flight from Lyon. This accident resulted in the deaths of 87 of the aircraft's occupants (five crew members, 82 passengers).

• 14 September 1993 – Lufthansa Flight 2904, an A320-211, coming from Frankfurt am Main with 70 people, crashed into an earth wall at the end of the runway at Warsaw. A fire started in the left wing area and penetrated into the passenger cabin. The copilot and a passenger died.

vietnam flight outfit

for the trip advisor, stylish but cool and modest. i definately cannot compete with this tropical extravaganza.

21

There is something lucky for us about the number 21. Today is the 21st. we were in row 21 for the flight. I got room 221 (when Mary got a mouldy 250) and just now Mary has won roulette, of course with #21. Do do doo do.

And so it begins...

Darwin we have arrived, and we think your carpet is just groovy!!!

Style Guide

We have probably spent more on these 'style' magazines than on the clothes we will actually have made from them.

Fashion

Off to buy a cossie (like the one above) for my poolside activities and get my hair cut into a 'trip advisor' style. Any suggestios anyone?

I am really looking forward to the free pour activities with this guy!

Other Angel Cakes that will not be coming

These 'angel cakes' will not be coming - but will be checking this blog with gusto (pictured is Rich, Louie and Madyson).

Who will be following our journey?

Well, of course Richard will be checking in regularly! This photo shows a vintage version of Richard with son, Christopher in tow.

Given that Richard is a blogger extraordinaire, there is no doubt that he will be chomping at the bit to be the real advisor and provide numerous bloggy tips throughout our journey, and beyond!

Wine practise

So I'm practicing tonight ready to keep up with MG. Can I keep up? Comment below please. . Bets and bribes accepted. .

Breathtaking Hotel Pool Shots

During our trip we will focus on photographing every hotel pool we come across and make a coffee table book. I am happy to sit and watch, and test out the pool side service, whilst Katie organises the photo shoots. Oh yeah, I suppose you want to know what I'll be wearing - see photos LOL!

Our Coffee Table Pool Book Project

This will be the must have coffee table book on pools of the world!

Trip Advisor Dream Outfits

I am planning to wear these outfits and accessories - which I see as quite befitting a trip advisor taking this sort of journey !

Please feel free to offer any fashion advice to us as we still have plenty of time to pack and even get our dream outfits tailor made whilst in VN.

What to Wear to the Wine Dinner?

Katie wants to know what to wear to the wine dinner with the French wine maker from Champagne and the Armagnac "free pour". I advise that she first of all study the origins of Armagnac - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armagnac_(drink) and only then decide on the appropriate outfit.

See the photos above - perhaps something along these lines could suit the occasion?

I myself. will be wearing something cool, comfy and casual. Probably also something that will protect me from mossies and allow seamless changeover between airconditioned comfort to hot humid tropical weather. We may get time to practice this type of dressing in Darwin!!!

Dammit Darwin.

You have five days to get your shit together Darwin.... Please go from this: 

to this...

Article: Cyclone in Darwin

Furama Danang

In the last few days of working and real life, its were we are going that will get us through..

 

http://www.furamavietnam.com/

Cyclone Warning

Weirdly enough, there is currently a tropical cyclone warning for Darwin - we are scheduled to arrive in Darwin on 21 Feb! Given the damage that Cyclone Yasi wreaked on Nth Qld, I wonder if we should be rethinking our flight plans?

Who is Going to Be There?

These two are the lucky people we will be staying with! They can't wait and neither can we.

Tim and Julia have been in Vietnam for 6 moths or so and will be our tour guides for the duration of our trip.

That doesn't mean that my role as Trip Advisor will be usurped - I will still provide loads of advice etc.. even to those loved ones that are not travelling with us!!

Who's Not Coming

Now this is my Godmother, Norrie and my daughter Olivia. Sadly, they will not be coming on this trip, as Norrie is dead and Olivia has three young children who need her. She will be able to follow my adventures though, and not miss out on any of my pearls of wisdom and ongoing advice by tuning into this blog!!!