Damn, it’s been cold. I’ve become acclimated to the heat of the Philippines, and my body hasn’t responded well to the chilly winds at my current nearly mile-high altitude. All I have are shorts, but I’m thankful for that long-sleeved sweatshirt I purchased in Da Nang. Anyway, this too shall pass. We are heading down the mountain to Hoi An this morning for the next phase of our Vietnam adventure.
As for Ba Na Hills, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this place (other than my visit here last year). It’s got a unique beauty, and the buildings bring the vibe of a French village from long ago. If you are curious about the history of this area, here’s a good place to start.
We covered a lot of ground taking it all in yesterday, and I’ve got the photos to prove it:
Dropped our bags at the Mercure Hotel (the only one on the mountain) and had three hours to kill before check-in. Here’s the sights we took in as we wandered about:
It was time for some lunch (and beer), so we headed to the brewery.
After lunch, it was time to check into our hotel rooms.
Rooms were clean and comfortable. I got in a blog post and a nap before it was time to head out and meet up with Jeff and Davina again. I was surprised that so many places were closing at 6 p.m. (or earlier). I guess it really is the slow season, but damn, why book a room on the mountain if there is nowhere to go at night?
Speaking of dark, I woke up at 4:30 and peeked outside the window. I asked Swan if she wanted to take a stroll with me for a better look around. She did.
Well, we made it back to our room without seeing any walking dead, so there’s that. It was a really creepy morning, though.
And now I’m writing this post from the lovely town of Hoi An. I’ll tell you all about the getting here and how things are going tomorrow.
The last post in the LTG archives from August 2016 features a recounting of meeting the American Ambassador to Korea in my new suit, having some birthday shots with friends at Shenanigans, and a brief mention of my upcoming trip to the Philippines that would include my new Korean girlfriend. They call that bringing sand to the beach. We’ll find out how that went soon.
Today’s YouTube video is all about where I am now. I visited here for a few hours last year and knew I wanted to come back when I had more time. Let’s see how two nights work out for me.
Maybe I can put a smile on your face with these:
Okay, time to get on with my vacay!
Nothing like being greeted on the TV screen.
The screen says “Divina,” so is her name Davina or Divina?
It felt like a zombie apocalypse.
Have I got a video for you! Go to Netflix, look up “Love, Death, & Robots,” click over to Volume 3 (basically Season 3), and watch “Night of the Mini Dead.” It’s very short. I recently reviewed the whole series, for what that’s worth. The review will be there when you get back home.
That guy in the back looks familiar.
And no belly to rub because he ain’t Podae!
Swan and I shared this platter.
Barely enough for one ravenous Kevin.
Looks to have been a great time at Ba Na Hills—an interesting mix of cultures and civilizational histories. Looking forward to images of Hoi An.
re: the “sheep lies” joke
Good God, that one’s older than I am.
Looks like a very cool (pun intended) place. Mainly domestic tourists or does it cater to the international set also?
The last post in the LTG archives from August 2016 features a recounting of meeting the American Ambassador to Korea in my new suit, having some birthday shots with friends at Shenanigans, and a brief mention of my upcoming trip to the Philippines that would include my new Korean girlfriend. They call that bringing sand to the beach. We’ll find out how that went soon.
Did I miss the missing link?
Kevin, no, you didn’t miss it, I did. I was in such a rush to finish that long-ass post, I forgot to add the link. I edited the post, but you can read it here now if you please. Sorry for the fuck up.
Brian, the tourist crowd at Ba Na Hills was quite the international mix. Tour groups filled with Europeans, Asians, and lots of Indians
Kevin, I’ve always spelled it “Davina” because that’s how it sounds when spoken. I’ll have to ask her to confirm.
Thanks for the link! I need to start using that Netflix account I’m paying for again. It’s queued up for viewing when I get back home.
Yeah, I noticed how slender that dude was. And tall!
Not much food on that platter for sure, and honestly, it wasn’t that good. The sausage wasn’t warm enough for my liking.
Good God, that one’s older than I am.
And so am I! Yeah, I need to try and find some fresh material.