Monday 3/24/2008- Tuesday 3/25/2008:
We connected quickly in Ho Chi Min City, and we were able to catch an earlier flight to Da Nang, on a huge Boeing 777-200 ER airplane! We couldn’t believe that it was the same size plane that we flew to Asia on, from the states. Our quick 55 minute flight was over in no time, and we were in a taxi on our way to Hoa’s Guesthouse.
Hoa’s family spoke very little English, but we somehow got room 101 and confirmed our seats for family dinner at 6:30pm. We went for a quick walk on the beach and then returned for dinner. At dinner we met some people form Sweden, Australia and Brooklyn. The whole concept of a family style dinner where everyone in the guesthouse ate at the same time was great. We enjoyed getting to know one another, as well as hearing stories about their travels and adventures, as well as recommendations! After dinner we talked for a while with our new Aussie friends Natalie and John. After some cards and a few drinks, we called it a night and watched Superbad under our mosquito net (no malaria for us!) before going to sleep.
The next morning Dermot woke up at 6:30am, so that he could head to the internet café down the street and take part in his fantasy football draft. After the draft, Katie and Dermot grabbed breakfast at Hoa’s before taking a walk on the beach. While on our stroll on the beach, we checked out one of the luxury resorts before heading back home. There are a ton of luxury resorts being but up on the beaches between Da Nang and Hoi An. The waterfront is still very local and not built up, but in the next 2-5 years, it will be a shame to see the locals pushed out, while corporate companies take over all of the beachfront. After the walk, Dermot went for a quick surf and then we shared a taxi into Hoi An with John and Natalie.