November 22,

Up and about, having our Javas. We have noticed a group of 4-5 men – they are a moving crew! The hotel is being packed up!! Truc Huy Villa… not sure what is going on. Is our guy renovating, moving out, closing up? I have questions, but our guy does not speak/understand English enough to ask or relate to us. Anyway, we went down to breakfast and one of the three dining tables is gone. There is still a group of four still here. We had breakfast to ourselves though. Jeff and I both had the Hoi An Bread, but the meat was not chicken. It was a loaf type like spam(?). I did not enjoy it as much. We both also had watermelon juice and passion fruit and a banana each. As we ate we watched as the moving crew is trying to move the tables and chairs from the pool area. It takes three of them to move one table. The tables are small – like two feet tall and around, but very stout and heavy. Slowly, but surely the place is being packed away! It's kind of sad to see it.

We went back to our room and decided we would try to go to the beach today. We went down and borrowed two of his bicycles. It's only 1.7 miles to the beach but walking would have taken more time and been more irritating to my still tender back. It's probably 70% better, and my cough is rare now… because I passed that to Jeff. We made it to the beach and went over to it. The wind is blowing the sand, so not a good beach day. The beach has eroded away a lot. Big sand bags are in place to save some of it. They are like five feet tall and many times that in length – like big tubes! One family was taking advantage of the wind and was trying to fly a kite… it was not working out too well. A few other people were scattered trying to enjoy the ocean, but we saw all we needed to see after ten minutes. We got back on our bikes and went back to our place – it was in time as we got sprinkled on some. It unloaded shortly after that.

We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon relaxing and resting my back. I did not need the TENS unit anymore, just time. Around 1430, Jeff acquired a Grab taxi and we went to lunch, A6 Garden Smokehouse. As soon as we arrived they remembered us and we were seated at the same table, by coincidence. The waitress who had helped us before came over and thanked us for the review we had done. She remembered that we had sat here, what we had ordered, and how long ago it had been. That's a great example of service and hospitality! Anyway, two different waitresses (I think one is in training) waited on us. We both had the Smoked Beef Brisket served with grilled veggies, butter garlic toast, and BBQ sauce. The meat was so tender and smokey… good. 🙂 Yumm! Jeff had Pale Ale Beer, served in a “fuzzy logic” glass – it has a monkey holding and pondering a light bulb. I had Maison Castel Merlot! It was another excellent meal. We enjoyed the meal and the view of boats on the river. Finished but still hungry we again shared a bubbling bowl of mac and cheese. The meal cost us 1.5 million Dong ($59).

We walked back to our place, having to use the umbrella some for more spitting rain. Evening was just chilling out — until Jeff had a mild gallbladder attack, and frequent trips to the bathroom 🙁 🙁 That was not good! But system settled and we went to bed around 2200.

     November 23,

Today, will be our moving day. The moving crew for this place woke me up this morning, early start time of 0700. I did not sleep well, neither did Jeff. I opted for tea this morning, Jeff had his normal – hot chocolate. We went down to breakfast, both ordering the banana pancake and water to drink. The group of four came in – they are leaving also. It will be interesting to see if this place goes off of the Booking.com site. The owner/host came over and broached the subject of us leaving and wondered what time we wanted to go. We both reached 1100 check out, each compromising some.
Jeff paid (all told was 8 million Dong/ $314.73 for all 12 nights and all the extras) and then we went up and started packing. At 1010 the host knocked on our door, seems our taxi was here, but we were still packing. Jeff said it was supposed to be 1100. I said he will have to wait, as was evident in the shape of our room. We rushed and were done by 1030. The host helped us to the taxi. It cost 350,000 Dong ($13.77). We said our goodbyes and we are off. The weather is socked in with clouds and has already rained this morning. As we pass the coastline, the waves are churning masses of swells. So glad we cancelled going to the Cham Island place – if the ferry would even run in this!

We arrived in Da Nang at Richico Apartments and Hotel, our new place for a week. We got checked in and unload. We are in Building B (of A & B) on the fourth floor. We unpacked and were settled in by 1220. The place has an mid size fridge, dishes, and one burner stove. Unfortunately, there is not a couch – only two small stools; a coffee table; and a desk with one straight back chair. Jeff tried to see about getting another chair, but that was a no. Then Jeff went out turning in laundry (cost us 120,000 Dong for six kg / $4.72 for 13.2 lbs.) and to check out stuff as I started blogging. He came back with some groceries and we had PB & J sandwiches, and chips for lunch. Then I had a siesta, as Jeff read.

Around 1730, we went to supper. We had a spitting of rain on the way – just enough to need the umbrella. The restaurant we chose was Com Nha Linh – Eating Vietnamese Style. We had a set menu for two: Pork with HB Egg and Caramel Sauce; Sauteed Beef with Morning Glory & Garlic; Super-crispy, Deep-fried Fish; Sour Soup – had pineapple, tomato, okra, celery, and meatballs with fresh dill broth; Omelet; and Pickled Veggies — all accompany with roasted peanuts and sauces. We were also served watermelon. I had a lemonade and Jeff had a Larue Beer. It cost 350,000 Dong ($13.77)… 350K Dong seems to be a recurring theme amount today.

Finished we walked back to our place and I finished this blog as Jeff read. As I was blogging we heard a place right near us kick up their Karaoke! Hopefully, it won't be all night. We will both probably need ear plugs, though. Plan for bed around 2200.