Jan 20 1:45 PM (VIETNAM) DANANG

By gosh, I finally touched down in DaNang at 5:30 PM yesterday. Whew. The process of immigration was smooth as can be. After securing my luggage onto a cart, I exited the terminal to find Thong and a taxi driver waiting. Then it was a short drive to Dong Duong hotel, which is extremely close to Thong's house.  Due to the domestic flight problems, I basically lost two days. So, we sat outside discussing alternate plans.

 

WITH THONG AKA DAMN GUIDE

 I will leave tomorrow at 11 AM for Hue. After several days there, Khanh will drive me to Dong Ha, which I'll use as a base for Nhi Ha humanitarian work. He'll head back to pick me up Jan 27, after which I'll be in Hue for several more days. On Jan 30 I'll find transport back to DaNang. Then, the following day, we will use a hired car/driver to visit Thua, Duong, and The's and Son's graves. That's a general itinerary, the details of which I'll share as things unfold. 

After finally sleeping in a real bed last night, I was up and going at 5 AM. I walked over to hang out on the sidewalk with Thong and his wife.

DAMN GUIDE

 

MRS. DAMN GUIDE & FRIENDS

At 9 AM I wandered into a shop beside Thong's place for a haircut.  The guy cleaned up my beard, too. Not bad for about $6.




 


I like this hotel. The decor is interesting, the rooms very nice, and the massive breakfast buffet exceptional. The manager, Hien, is a very sweet and accommodating lady.


Dong Duong Hotel

Oh, we went to Mr. Mann's jewelry store to exchange U.S. for Vietnamese currency. The rate is pretty decent right now. $1 US equals 24,550 Vietnamese dong. I'm a dong millionaire. 🤣


OK, I'm sure that Thong is waiting for my return. Tomorrow is a transit day to Hue, then Khanh and I have a full schedule every day until I depart for Dong Ha/Nhi Ha. There will be a lot of action, folks, so stay tuned!

Neil

 


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