Yesterday is over, and tomorrow I fly, so that makes me in between, right? As much fun as we’ve had, Swan and I agree that two weeks is too much. From having to lug around big-ass suitcases to running out of new things to see and do, it just makes more sense to stay less and do more with each day.
Anyhow, when we reviewed the list of things to see and do in Da Nang, we had already done all of the ones we wanted to do. So, we just stayed in the neighborhood and walked about, taking it all in. We found a new place for lunch, then visited our favorite beach bar again. The big excitement of the day was not being able to log in to my blog. I could still access LTG on the ‘net, but I couldn’t perform my admin duties like writing new posts. Yeah, maybe someone’s prayers had been answered. Anyway, I contacted my blog host, and after an hour or so, they found a solution. And here I am again with the kind of content you’ve come to know and loathe love.
We planned to go back to the 501 Bar, which we had discovered the night before, to give their food menu a try. Alas, they weren’t open for lunch. Along the way, I had spotted a place that featured “American BBQ,” so we retreated there for our lunch.
Oh, well. We knew we had some authentic barbecue in our future — our dinner plans were for Dirty Fingers.
I took a nap and finally got my blog access restored, then we showered up and headed out for some dinner at Dirty Fingers. It’s a couple of kilometers’ walk to get there, but that only enhances the appetite.
Service was outstanding, and the food was as good as it looks. If I lived here, I’d be a Dirty Fingers regular for sure.
We decided to hoof it back to the 501 Bar for our nightcap. Owner Karl wasn’t there last night, but we still had an enjoyable visit.
Oh, and I’ve switched to Google Maps to find my way around. Just for shits and giggles, I checked out an alternative route home:
The map app did give us an easy walk back to the hotel, and that’s where our night came to an end.
From the October 2016 LTG archives, I’ve landed in Thailand for the first time as I continue to explore where my future may lead me.
Today’s YouTube video discusses five reasons people avoid visiting Vietnam. I didn’t consider it as a retirement option, so I never came before my move to the Philippines. I do enjoy it here, but the Philippines is a better fit for my life’s final chapter.
To the humor we must go:
And now for the rest of the last day. No real plans other than a river walk. Yep, ready to go home.
Don’t ask me…
Okay, so that Korean sign says (line by line):
• men/women golf-club rental
• high-quality luxury goods
• premium clothing
• clothing for golf
—basically, you’re back in Itaewon, where everything is crass and tacky.
…I haven’t got a clue.
The neon (with hearts) says: “Da Nang! I’m glad I came to Montana.” I assume that’s a “Montana” sign on the right-hand edge, too. I see a “Mo.” And right below it, in hangeul, it says, “Monta…”
On the blue “Ann Market” sign, the white-font Korean says, “Convenience store, supermarket.” Down lower, the yellow-font Korean says, “Da Nang Specialty Items.”
A kiss for luck[,] and we are ready to order.
I could’ve sworn the neon on the wall said, “Feed me BQ and tell me I’m dirty.” Took me a sec to realize it said “pretty.”
A heaping helping of grilled meat platter.
I hope the slaughtered sentient beings went down easy. But don’t visualize their suffering, no, don’t do that. Don’t imagine how each of those animals had a mom and a dad, how they had lived in peace on a farm somewhere, how they had inner lives—thoughts and dreams. Science only just discovered that cows are tool-users. But don’t let any of that bother you, you… filthy cow-eater. PETA has a special place in hell all ready for you and everyone like you! Now, pass me that burger.
A closer look of our dinner for two.
I assume “of” = “at.”
But we both agree, Da Nang is a nice place to visit, but we wouldn’t want to live here.
From what I saw, it’s got its touristy parts, but it’s also got plenty to explore if you can get past the heat and humidity (of which there didn’t seem to be much this time around). I don’t see how you could possibly run out of things to do there.
That’s at least an hour too far.
Good luck walking over the ocean… unless you’ve got Jesus-y superpowers.
I do enjoy it here, but the Philippines is a better fit for my life’s final chapter.
Overall, did the Vietnamese seem to have gotten over America’s role in their history? Or is that more of a generational thing, with the older, resentful generation now dying out? I normally complain about how the younger generation of Koreans has forgotten history, but maybe in Vietnam’s case, youthful forgetfulness of the past is a good thing from a white man’s perspective. I dunno. You tell me. I can’t imagine the same level of forgive-and-forget in a heavily Muslim, Middle Eastern country. But what do I know?
The food looks better than the food in the Philippines to be sure.
you mention that PI is a better fit than Vietnam. Just curious as to what does the PI do better than Vietnam? Maybe I should reframe the question. Why is it a better fit? Mainly language?
A bit of apples to oranges, I suppose. Barretto is what, 20K population and Da Nang is 1MM+
I’m sure there are Vietnamese beach towns with populations 50K or less that would be a good comparison.
I wrote:
“Feed me BQ and tell me I’m dirty”
Sorry—BBQ.
Safe trip home.
Brian, it is a better fit for ME. At this stage of my life, I’m too old to start over. I may have decided differently if I had visited here before I retired eight years ago.
Language is a big part of it. Back home, the signs are all in English, and almost everyone has some English ability. I’ve sometimes joked that Barretto is like one of those retirement villages in the USA. Of course, our caregivers are a lot sexier! I’ve been surprised at how many young Westerners I see here in Da Nang, including women. Makes me feel even older than I am. There are other retirees out and about, but I’ve noticed the expats I’ve encountered aren’t all that friendly. Then again, neither am I, so there you go.
Barretto is part of Olongapo City (population 265,000), so all the amenities I need can be found there. It is nice that Barreto is separated by a 5K mountain road and retains its small-town vibe that I’ve grown accustomed to. Like the “Cheers” song says, “sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…”
Bottom line, it all depends on what you are looking for. I’m sure I could live in Da Nang and be happy, but I’d miss my old life in the PI. Oh, and there is no Hash here, or wide-open spaces where I can hike off pavement (other than the beach).
Scotsman, lots more food options here in Da Nang, quality is similar to back home.
Kevin, I never knew Itaewon was crass and tacky. Although I hear it is best avoided on Halloween.
Cows are like human females, they love to be eaten. And it is my pleasure to do so!
I think what I’d miss most if I lived here would be the ability to easily escape the city and enjoy a rural hiking vibe. If that exists here, I didn’t see it. Now, if I lived a ways out of town, like in Hoi An, that urge could be satiated.
Yes, I do that the war memories are generational. Most of the population was born after the war ended. I’ve personally only heard it mentioned once (other than on tours) by a local. He talked about the My Lai massacre and how those responsible were never held accountable. I have a friend who lives in Saigon (HCMC) and I asked him if the older folks have bad feelings towards the Americans in their midst. My friend told me he brought that up with an elderly neighbor who just laughed and said, “why would I be angry? We won.”
Kevin, I never knew Itaewon was crass and tacky. Although I hear it is best avoided on Halloween.
The fish doesn’t realize it’s surrounded by water, either.
May your trip back be problem-free. Sorry about your cryptic loss.
Kevin, I recall sharing some nice meals with you in Itaewon. I understand the vibe there is a lot different these days.