November 17,

Today was another sunshine day! 🙂 So we got around having our Javas and went down to breakfast. I had Hoi An bread and Jeff Banana Pancake. We finished and loaded up on the scooter, because we want to go to the Hai Van Pass. The day was clearer, and my back was good along with my cough semi better.

It took us around an hour to arrive at the pass, which is 490m altitude (1,608 feet). The area is very much touristed! Lots of people meandering about, with all manner of tourist shops & restaurants; and a few buses, cars and scooters. The area is situated in a lower area with two mountains rising up around it. The biggest mountain is the Hai Van mountain. But there is also the Hai Van Gate, which was a military defense fortress with bunkers, and has been such since at least the mid 1400's AD. It was also used during the French-Vietnamese and American-Vietnamese wars, according to the placards. We walked about, mostly taking in the views back down to the ocean, and the snake of a road we took to get up here. Da Nang's tall buildings can just be made out because of some haze still in the air. We could also see the train track below that we took a few days ago. We were finished looking around after 30 minutes, so we left and went back down toward the city. First we did stop at a cafe and had a drink, it is hot. I had a lemon ice tea, and Jeff a lemonade.

Now we drove back to our place. We were hungry, so we went to Circle Restaurant. I had a Bacon Avocado Juicy Lucy, and Jeff had a Blue Cheese Garlic Juicy Lucy. They are hamburgers but so much more. The restaurant grinds their own beef, forms two thin patties that have cheese sealed in between them. The result is the best burgers we have had since we left USA! They were super excellent!!

Finished we went back to our place and had a siesta. Supper was light French type. I talked with my mother and her husband. Then we stayed up to talk with some of our church brethren back home. Bed by 2330

     November 18,

I woke up at 0600, Jeff was already awake. We watched the last of the Chief's game. Bummer, that one was! But pressure is off now for perfect year. Listened to a hard rain shower – it is supposed to be rainy the majority of our time here. Another bummer!! We skipped our Javas and went to breakfast: me- fried eggs and white coffee, Jeff- banana pancake and lemon juice. Talked with my sister. Jeff received our Shopee order- it's like Vietnam's equivalent to Amazon. It had his shirts from Decathlon store; and our Carmex, which we haven't seen since South Africa. Talked with Jeff's sister, our B-I-L, and one of our nephews. That was a nice surprise.

For lunch took our places bicycles and went to Circle Restaurant. We really like this place. I had a BLT with avocado and fries and Jeff had a bacon and egg sandwich with onion. Then we went to the Viettel Phone store to check on Jeff's phone plan. Then to convenience store.

Back at our place just in time to miss the next downpour. Lucky with that! Had a siesta, watched You tube, and then my back started a slow spasm! What is up I did not do anything!! C'est la vie. 🙁

We did go out and get some grilled sausages – they were like the ones we loved so in Phu Quoc! I used the TENS unit. Bed by 2100.

     November 19,

Total bummer day. I back/hip was screaming at me. So I mostly just stayed horizontal all day. We had our Javas and had breakfast with a young couple from England. They both just graduated University and are taking a four months travel break, before starting employment! Jeff and I were impressed. The food we both had was seasonal fruit plates with a drizzle of yogurt and dusting of oats. The fruit was apple, banana, white dragon fruit. It was a refreshing change.

Lunch was Jeff going to the local grocery/convenience store. We had bread, pepperoni, Gouda cheese, and a local pear. Finished and back horizontal for me. Afternoon turned to evening and we just repeated lunch for supper. Light food day because well we are not doing anything. It rained off and on, mostly off to be fair… would not have minded going for a walk, but did not happen. I used the TENS unit all day and kept on for bedtime. Bummer, Bummer!!