Week 2 here in Danang, well the weather has changed to overcast and wet days, which means no sun tanning at the famous My Khe Beach and dampens the enthusiasm of exploring the area a little. Again I went back to the barber for the usual head and face shave with razor, but today I also had the ear canals cleaned out, first time I have experienced this and yes by the barber. After the clean shave he then put on his head lamp turned on the bright light so that he could see inside of my ears and then with precision tools liken to what a dentist would use, he not only scratched the walls of the ear canal feeling very good, like having the back scratched, he also dug up the built up wax. I enjoyed this so very much, I highly recommend this and I will get this done again. I feel like a new man spoiling myself here in Vietnam taking care of myself easily and affordably, where back in Canada I would not probably due to cost, as I have been getting regular pedicures, head and face shaves, full body massages and now ear cleaning of wax. This ear cleaning which felt so good, cost me 20,000 dong ($1.05 CAD).

Most of this week has been overcast with showers, too wet to go anywhere especially by motorbike, one morning was sunny and a few hours later I got caught in riding in the rain getting smoking wet. Getting a full body massage here in Vietnam is very affordable, now guys if you are looking for a massage with a ‘happy ending’ it is one or the other. In other words do not expect a great relaxing professional massage with a ‘happy ending’, if you want such a great massage the women do not give happy endings. If you want a happy ending then the massage will be a 10-15 minute not so good of a massage but she will then focus on making you happy. So again its one or the other not both.

One afternoon I did ride along the sea side to a nearby Pagoda that is very visible from the beach, Phật Quan Âm, Linh Ứng Temple or Linh Ung Pagoda,which is one of three pagodas located in the favourable status in the city of Da Nang, forming a sacred triangle in the city. The other two temples are on Marble Mountain and at Ba Na Hills . I have been to Marble Mountain and now the last temple for me to view seeing all three in this sacred triangle would be heading to Ba Na Hills.
From the beach looks like just a tall giant white statue, which is called the Buddha Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, but once you arrive at this place there is much to see and breathtaking views. It is worth the ride to see this Buddha and many other Buddhas and Pagodas here, as I found it to be very beautiful and picturesque. Many old Bonsia trees also decorate the area with many white Buddha statutes.

Today being Saturday it was a sunny day so I went to beach and laid on the sand for some tanning and then I rode the motorbike to a tourist attraction called Hai Van Pass, which is a great road for riding bike and much scenery to photograph  When you reach the peak there are the fortifications built by the French and then later used by the South Vietnamese and the Americans, the pass forms an obvious boundary between North and South Vietnam as one can see at this peak seeing both sides. When I am riding bike I like winding roads and this road or pass is winding and great for biking, there are a few areas to pull over to photograph below and across the waters to Danang city. This Pass is on the way to Hue the Imperial City, which from the Dragon Bridge in Danang to Hue is about 1.5 hr drive and eventually this highway goes to Hanoi.

I highly recommend visiting Danang and finding accommodations near the Han River especially between the two bridges being the Dragon Bridge and Han Bridge, as this area in my opinion is the most exciting and vibrant. Firstly the spectacular view of the Dragon Bridge especially when it is well lit up at night with colourful light changes. Then you have the beautiful city skylines on each side of the river and again at night looks so impressive. On the Han river many authentic classic Vietnamese fishing boats, and the beaches are very nearby with the very well known and so called famous beach called My Khe Beach,

This area has many, many Hotels, Hostels, restaurants, coffee shops, many coffee shops and Vietnamese coffee is something else to taste, very delicious, usually served with ice but one can order coffee hot.  and many places to get massages either full body or foot massage along with spas for a relaxation of bliss. There is a big market, many shops from camera’s, clothing, jewelry to whatever you need or want. Yes I like this area very much, there are some vegan/vegetarian restaurants also as I am finding out many Vietnamese people here are Buddhists or follow the Buddhist philosophy as I do.

Thus many Buddhist Temple’s in the area also. The traffic is not too much of a concern but one still needs to be aware and very cautious crossing the street as there is a concentration of motorbikes that do not stop for pedestrians crossing the street but will avoid hitting you, if you also mesh into the traffic with an orchestrated finesse, by walking between the motorbikes as each one passes looking for gaps to step forward. Riding a motorbike, well this takes courage because there really are no rules, as you may be riding along a street and then see bikes coming for you on your side of the street, or crossing an intersection and having bikes travelling in all directions, because no traffic lights so again mesh into the traffic looking for the gaps to keep moving forward. Well end of week 2, look forward to week 3 and my last week here in DaNang…