–August 15,

This morning we started out with Muesli and yogurt/milk, after our morning Javas 😉.  Then we were deciding what we wanted to accomplish today. We wanted to drive to the port area. So we just chilled until lunch time and hopped on our scooter. Along the way to the port, we opted to eat lunch at the BBQ Chicken place.

We ate here before. It is a Korean chain – all around the world, with some in USA even. We saw this on their paper place mats. Interesting. We ordered set lunch meals: one the grilled chicken, and the other BB set 3 – which is very crispy, fried chicken two different glazed fried and one traditional fried. Both came with sides: chopped “sausage” (hotdog) and veggie stir-fried rice; creamy coleslaw; and a garnish of lettuce, tomato slice and cucumber slices. Also included drinks, we thought we had chosen water each, which we got but we also got a glass of Pepsi! What??🫨🤪 I would never order that drink. I did try it. In defense of taste buds changing… it was not as bad as I remember, but still, I prefer my Coke!👍

Anyway, we finished our lunch. Next we scooted to a homemade Ice Cream place, called Che To Co Ut. We had a scoop of two kinds. One was for sure Mango. The other one – maybe was Avocado? (We could not understand what the man was saying.) They were served together in a cute dish with a sweet, swirled, crunchy stick. We sat at a little kids table and chairs, that is so common in Asia, and enjoyed. It was nice on a hot, humid day.

Now we got over to the port. It is a small fisherman's working port. The boats are mostly painted in blues and greens. I did see a man unloading some cargo from a fishing boat. (Cargo seemed to be just nets(?) rolled up.) Also I saw some fish drying in the brutal sun of Vietnam. We head back to our place. Dropping off the scooter, we freshened up and then walked about this surreal town. 

Lastly, we went to a market here in Sunset Town that we had not been to. It is located on the street where the night street food places set up. It is, of course touristy, but it is pretty big and has wide variety of items, as well as varied selections of items. It is similar to a Walmart Marketplace back home. (The Kingkong Mart is like a Super Walmart. But both stores are tourist driven.)  Anyway, we browsed and did find some things to buy. The store did not have popping corn, which we have been wanting, but has lots of coffee! Probably will be what I get for my next coffee venture – if they grind it – we'll see.

We took our bounty back to our place and went for a swim. Then we took siesta time and relaxed. I did a bit of hand mending of a couple of items. Jeff was planning, of course. The afternoon turned into evening. Supper was a stir-fry with sausage and veggies over rice. We had a great sunset evolve in the sky. In the east, we had wild purple and greenish color play from it as well. The whole sky was active and changing. Brilliant! Then we saw, in the south, a cloud formation of a backlit “mushroom cloud.” That was cool!

To end a good day, we watched “our” nightly firework display. 🎆Ohh! Ahh!!

—August 16,

Awoke having our, morning Javas. Then breakfast was scrambled egg dish with sausage, red bell peppers, and a hint of our Sri Lankan curry we still have. It is still very aromatic!!! We made it into a Banh Mi! So good! We were debating what we might do today. Our host texted us about getting the condo cleaned – they provide two free services during our stay. We okayed this and found out it would be from 1400- 1700 when the housekeeper would come. 

Around 1230-ish we went out exploring some more and for lunch. We went down different steps and the outdoor covered escalators. Passing some things and places we have not been. We ended up going to Rova Hotel – the restaurant is actually called Tiem An Mami, which is 'Mami Hidden Shop' per Google Translate. We both had the Pho with rare beef. Yummy!! When we finished, we meandered a different path back to our place. 

At our place we straightened up a bit for the housekeeper — I know that sounds weird, right?🤔🤭🤣 Just as we were deciding what to do while the place is cleaned… I had some GI upset. 😲😑 Man, I guess it has been awhile, so one of us is due?!  Anyway, our housekeeper arrived around 1500-ish and we just went to the reception/lobby area (as I needed to be near a bathroom😔🙁.) The young lady was very nice and pleasant. We waited about 30 minutes. Jeff went up to check on the condo cleaning status. I stayed in the lobby, and just after he had been gone maybe one minute, the lady showed up. They obviously missed each other in the elevators! She saw me and politely said, “Bye, madam” as she signed out in a registration book. It took me a bit to realize what she said as her accent was so thick. Anyway, I thought that was very nice. Just then Jeff texted me to come up. When I got up to the room, it was clean and very nice. I laid down awhile, but could not nap. Jeff read and planned – he's figuring out options since our Vietnam plans will change some with only a 30 day Visa.

Sunset was not worth the effort for me. Jeff said it was probably the worst one we've had, so I did not miss out.  Jeff went to the night street food scene and got a Kebob/Banh Mi for himself. (He bought a baguette also.) Supper for me was a couple small pieces of the baguette. We also had some potato chips. They actually worked for me, sure I needed the salt.

Then I did a WhatsApp video with my mom to wish her and her husband Happy Anniversary. I was reminded by my mom that my niece's fiancé has a birthday today… So Happy Birthday to him as well! (I texted my niece to pass on our regards) We watched the fireworks— there were actually more – a different, and better display. We don't know if it's because it's Friday night?? Questions ❓  …  as always!