Minh Toan Hotel Da Nang

Last night I got smart & ordered coffee to be delivered to our cabin at 0600. The knock came at 0550 which was just fine. It is sure great having that 1st morning cup of coffee and now we do not have to 'fight' the crowds for coffee on the Lido deck. The coffee machines upstairs are pretty slow & they sometimes have urns of coffee available but not always. The service on this ship (and I assume all HAL ships) is certainly gone down, it is not a big deal ...

... We are still not sure whether you are allowed to do that at Da Nang Airport, but no trouble ensued. They stayed in our house because we were assured by several people that is was OK for our daughter to stay. They hired bikes to get around. Cath was a bit nervous at first, especially in the traffic, but was soon right into it. It was the first chance for us all to properly celebrate their engagement, and they had brought some very classy champagne with them. We drank the champagne sitting ...

... volleyball. I went in and played for nearly an hour even when it started raining very heavily.

Reluctantly, I had to go and I went to the reception to catch my taxi to Da Nang. Arriving at the station nearly an hour too early I plonked myself down and started reading. I got approached by taxi drivers and immediately said "NO THANKS" expecting them to start offering me their taxis. They went quiet and started the conversation: "where you from?"
Da Nang, Vietnam harryvs

... past few years are doing compared to the original parts.

Generally speaking, Hoi An is a really nice place. We felt very safe and was prob one of our favourite places in Vietnam, but there just wasn't that much to do sights-wise. Saying that we didn't make it to the beach and didn't get any clothes or shoes made which is what most people tend to do when visiting.

Next stop, Ho Chi Minh city.. we took a flight from Danang that afternoon.

... few minutes someone is offering a bike ride, a tour here, a bus ticket there, asking you where you're going, and I just want to walk and do it on my own!! You lose sight of why you're travelling independantly when you're being herded around to places you don't really want to go to.

For example, I wanted to take a river boat trip down the Perfume River (not sure if that name is entirely appropriate) and see the Thien Mu Pagoda, but it seemed ...

... demonstration. bit of a waste of an overhead mirror if ya ask me. the first dish we were shown how to make was a sea food salad with spicy prawns and squid, and lots of lovely fresh veg, all presented in a pineapple bowl! using the same ingredients we then had to make fresh spring rolls. but the coolest part of this was that we actually got to make the rice paper wrap that holds it all together! cant wait to give that a bash at home! this all came off pretty successfully for everyone ...

... been here. After dinner we walked back in the rain and hung out in our rooms. Andrew, Ash, Christa, and I all played this card game called Curenta. Its a rad game. Its a game that Andrew learned in Ecuador. Its great, and Ash and I rocked Christa and Andrew at it! ahah.
We got up the next morning around 7am and walked over for an amazinng continental breakfast. Ohh man I loved it. We all ...

... keep on writing about funny and important things.

Stuff to pray for:
-That my team continually grows together
-That we are diligent with our money
-That God will not let us become comfortable Christians, but ones that are searching for things to pray for and Love.
-That we would be kept safe and bring Glory to the father's name

... of Cham sculpture in the world. The Cham civilization occupied central Vietnam from the 1st to the 17th centuries. It was heavily influenced by India. The sandstone carvings reflect the numerous Hindu gods which were paid homage. The Cham culture was very similar to the Angkor Empire in Cambodia. Both reached their apex between the 9-13th centuries and feuded together.

More modern sculpture can also be found in Da Nang. Marble ...