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Published: November 20th 2008
Our favourite pho
A bowl of our favourite pho at Pho 63 on Dong Da street in Da Nang. This bowl of Tai Nam (a combination of roast and rare beef) includes flat, white noodles, chopped green onions and secrets herbs and spices in a simple broth. Marc has added lots of fresh basil and a spoonful of hot sauce, as per usual.We thought it might be hard to leave Vietnam after living here for 10 months, but this is getting a little ridiculous...
It’s been almost six weeks since we finished teaching, but a pair of unfortunate incidents finds us stuck in Saigon and in need of a new travel plan.
First, our computer broke down the day after we finished our contracts. We knew from previous experience with our Mac, it would be impossible to get fixed in Da Nang. We had to take it to Saigon. Within the week, we sold our motorbike, handed over our apartment and shipped home two boxes full of our belongings. We said goodbye to all the people and places we’d come to know after seven months in Da Nang and caught a plane to Saigon - the city where it all started.
Our plan was to get the computer fixed while we caught up with friends and be on our way to Cambodia within the week.
Well, it took three weeks to get the computer fixed. There was a problem with the main board and it needed to be replaced. Apple had to send three main boards from Singapore because
Traffic
Night traffic on the Han Son Bridge in Da Nang. the first two were damaged on arrival. Fortunately, Apple completely covered the cost of the $1200 repair even though we were past warranty.
While waiting for the computer's resurrection, we spent the first two weeks bumming around Saigon, Vung Tau and Mui Ne with friends - enjoying lots of laughs, the first three seasons of Weeds on DVD, flats of Tiger, idiotic casino outings, big Western meals, midnight swims and sleeping in everyday.
And then we spent the next 2 weeks dealing with a case of dengue fever, which I apparently contracted in Vung Tau. The fever, aches and rash ran its course, but the repercussions of the week-long illness landed me in the hospital for five days. In total, I was out of commission for about two weeks, but I'm almost 100 per cent now and we plan to be on a bus to Cambodia by November 24.
Somewhat stuck in Saigon but just happy to be dengue-free, we're trying to squeeze in as many fun and interesting activities as possible, like massages, pedicures, night market shopping, a water puppet show, a theme park, a trip to an orphanage, sushi splurges, lazy pool days, etc.
Da Nang by dusk
As seen from the peninsula. We've included a variety of photos from our last month or so in Da Nang, our time here in Saigon and everything in between.
Enjoy
The Smiths
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Isabelle
non-member comment
Great pics!
Hi guys! Krysta - I'm so glad you are feeling better - crazy stuff! Aside from the illness and the technical problems, it seems like you are having a good time: the pedicure - nice and cheap, the blond hair - not bad :), golf, the beach and of course the friends, the drinks and the food... Enjoy every minute!! We look forward to seeing you soon! Big hugs.