We arrived in Saigon, and spending 2 nights in the Pullman Hotel - courtesy of Pat Sheahan who won the prize in a raffle held last year during the Long Tan celebrations. An interesting 5-star hotel in a convenient location. We were offered an upgrade to a junior suite - which we had no hesitation accepting. This upgrade included use of the "lounge" - where drinks and cookies are available throughout the day - and then a 2-hour buffet and cocktail session in the evenings. Other than using the "prize" - our main stop-over here was to visit the orphanage in Phu My - about 55ms southeast of Saigon. We had $1500 to donate to the orphanage in the form of needed daily supplies as well as cash so they could by essentials that we didn't ... read more

Well - I left one cock-a-doodle-do alarm clock behind - to find another at the new abode. This one isn't so loud - and it's not right outside my window. It was enough to wake me - and let me know that I will need to get used to this new mattress. Yes - a little bit of ache in the lower back. Now - it may not be the mattress. I have heard that as you get older - more aches and pains start to creep in. This morning is a new "adventure" - as I no longer have a bicycle to ride to Cua Dai beach. Free bicycles are standard with all homestays in Hoi An. Don't stay at one that doesn't have them - otherwise you are relegated the Shanks's Pony or a ... read more

In a way it was sad to be leaving the homestay. I had special treatment - meaning I got a good rate and also got invited to a few lunched provided by the staff. But I was looking forward to getting out of that room. I need more space. The unit we are renting is the same price as the homestay - except at the homestay we would get breakfast - and of course not have to pay for water or electricity, and get clean towels daily. Small pleasures to give up in order to have a nice "house" to live in. I go for lunch across the road at my friend's little local eating place. I am reluctant to call it a "restaurant" - just because it's lacking a few little things that are the ... read more

Got my early morning wake-up call from Nguyen Cock-a-Doodle-Do!!! Contacts in, drink of water, shorts and singlet on and it's off to join the stream of vehicles heading toward Cua Dai beach. I arrive at my special swimming beach and there are some Vietnamese taking their morning swim/bath. I do my stuff for 45-minutes - then I decide to go for a little extra bicycle ride through one of the little hamlets nearby. This one stretches all the way down to the fishing boat port and the wharf from where all the Cam Island boats depart (about 2km). Most hamlets consist of one main street - usually only about 3m wide - and off of this run little alleyways that are barely 2m wide. It's along these little alleyways that you find the "residential" part of ... read more

Not sure why - but the wake-up rooster got me woken up at 04.30am, Still dark outside - so not sure why he thought he could let fly with that horrible cock-a-doodle-doo. Perhaps he is a nightwatch-rooster and there was a fox in the henhouse. Anyways - I was able to go back to sleep again but it meant I did not awake naturally until 06.30am - which made me a little late for my morning swim. I try to get the same bicycle each day - after adjusting the seat for my height and making sure the tyres are capable of transporting a 100kg payload - but some other persons in the homestay randomly take bikes and change the seat settings - which means I never get the same bike 2-days in a row. It's ... read more