Thu Bon Hotel Da Nang

... However it was extremely inviting and warm, I could have stayed in there for ages but I needed to get back to the hotel, check out, head for Da Nang and catch my train to Hanoi. My feet were really starting to hurt when I arrived back at the hotel. The attractive reception girl giggled at me when I arrived back sweating, surnburt and tired. I went straight for the pool to cool off for my last remaining hour in the hotel. The rowdy Americans were in there ...

... up on the side of the main road and said the price that we had bargained him down to had just gone up. Apparently he’d spoken to the taxi base and they were insisting on us paying more. Again with all things in this part of the world it wasn’t the money that was an issue it was the false pretences he had gone to to get us into the car and then decided on the side of a busy road where few free taxis would be passing to hike up the price. On principal we all wanted to get out ...

... stop stalking us and bugger off! Found a nice hotel again who we managed to haggle to the price down from $12 dollars to $10 with air conditioning and a better view. Do love the negotiation here!<br><br>Hoi An is a lovely little town full of French colonial architecture and hundreds and hundreds of tailors! There are literally roads with dozens and dozens of tailors on going in every direction. We got ourselves a tailored shirt and two skirts at the 'A An ...

... now they are interesting to visit and see the old style buildings in which they're housed.At the handicraft workshop we got to see some traditional dance and listen to some traditional music. the instruments were very strange, especially the stringed instruments, resembling violins but very squeeky!! the dances were interpretative and one in particular was a little scary as the dancer was extremely enthusiastic and very strange looking!!!! myself and mark ...

... most horrible experiences we've ever had to see someone so distressed and made us feel really lucky to have each other for support.<br><br>Time to pick up the clothes today and my trainers are perfect! Pete's are being adjusted slightly, his shirt's fine and my dress is being altered for me. We put together a package to be posted home today which was a challenge for the local post office and ended up being parceled up in a recycled cooking oil ...

Blogs &#8211; weeks 20-22 &#8211; 21 July &#8211; 10 August 2009<br><br>We have both continued working as normal, but we also managed to get away for a 6-day break travelling through the Central Highlands region of Viet Nam. More of that trip later in the blog. Lifestart had its annual Christmas in July Dinner Dance and Charity Auction at the end of July, in Melbourne. This is Lifestart's single biggest fundraising event of the year and this year over $23,000 was raised, a record ...

Aww man, its lightly sunny, with a cool breeze right now. So good. I woke up this morning and went to the beach for an early morning workout at sunset. It was great! Than after workout we all went for a swim, Christa, KP, Audrey, Drew, and I. I had such a great time. KP and I worked out on the sand, and we actually drew a crowd. I was laughing on the inside ...

... them. One of the best feelings is seeing how happy you can make people by such a small gesture. I played with the kids and helped take care of some of the babies. It's so sad, because we were told that people stop by a few times a month to drop off babies they find on the street.. I told the woman that this is exactly what I want to do for a whole summer, and she said I'm welcome back anytime. Time for dinner - come back for pictures soon!

Will update locations and blog properly when I'm home. **** **** **** **** **** you Bangkok your traffic is complete ****, I'll take Saigon or Hanoi or even 18 wheelers on the Hoi Van pass any day over Bang****ingcocking traffic. What should take 45 minutes from my guesthouse to airport (should have slept at airport, paid $30 for executive lounge at 4am (get my full 4 hours worth) but I left some stuff when I was first in BKK) took 1 hour 30 minutes ...

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