4.3.23
Today was another train journey, 8am Dong Hoi to Danang, 5 and a half hours.
Luckily John looked at train tickets online a few days ago, we were shocked to find all the soft seats had sold out, so we had to book a 4 birth sleeper cabin, no bottom bunks left.
My theory that you’ve got to do everything while you still can certainly applied today.
First challenge was the clambering up into the train, then delicately getting up onto the top bunk while trying to look like a pro.
The British couple beneath us had been travelling since Hanoi, a 15 hour journey in total to Danang.
They’d been lucky enough to have the sleeper to themselves.
Nowhere to put our huge cases, so left them in the corridor by some hand basins and hoped they’ll still be there in a few hours.
Nice to have blogging catch up time, ate a whole packet of cashew biscuits, great to feel hungry again and then I fell asleep while watching Mafs.
My tummy is surviving on immodium and feeling pretty good.
I was so convinced we were sharing the sleeper cabin with Jack Whitehalls dad, he sounded just like him. I had to google and compare glasses and hairline. No, it wasn’t him, but very close.
The Raon hotel in Danang insisted on booking a car for us from the train station, originally at 1.30, then on checking messages when it didn’t turn up, 2pm on their next message.
I told them we’d arrived, they said they’d contact the driver, ok, 5 minutes, he arrived just before 2pm. It was hot and boring being asked over and over if we wanted a taxi. Even more annoying was that the taxis were cheaper.
When we checked in there was the Spanish inquisition about taxis to the airport, to collect my daughter Lauren, what time, we don’t know exactly, how long does it take?
This went on and on and then they wanted to book our taxi trip to Hoi An. Given their track record so far I gave up and told them it was all ok. Don’t worry. We’ll sort it.
The Raon was only Β£8 a room, fab photos, fab reviews.
It didn’t explain that the pool was in the lobby by the lift π or that beach side involves going round the corner via the building site.
Rooms are huge, modern, but a bit of patchy damp and our net curtains are ripped, but overall for the money and for just one night….
But.. The messaging is relentless.
I’ve stopped replying.
The temperature was much higher here. Time to dig down in the case, under the hoodies and walking shoes and get the shorts and flip flops on.
We went for a wander along the seafront, John had a chicken burger, I braved an iced coffee.
It’s much more westernised here, a huge sprawling city with lots of high rise.
We checked out where the nearest HSBC ATM was and headed there over the dragon bridge and withdrew some cash.
From here it was either 45 minutes walk back to the hotel, or 35 minutes to the airport..
We were much too early to meet Lauren, so did a detour to get away from the noisy traffic with no pavements and scooters everywhere. We found ourselves back on the main road.
We had been looking out for balloons, but just missed a guy on a scooter selling some huge animal ones. Luckily a language school were giving some out.π
We were still way too early.
We killed time having a drink overlooking the traffic amid the noise.
Later, down a dark alleyway a few minutes from the airport, were a couple of lovely quirky quiet little cafΓ©s.
Typical.
Only about 30 minutes more to wait for Lauren.
Then the message.. I’m here!!!
Amazing, lovely cuddles and a taxi to Raon.
A different desk guy.
Yayyy. No questions, just a simple check in.
We went off for a stroll along the prom, stopped for average food, just a drink for me, at a very empty place and soon after saw all the buzzy little stool eateries.
So lovely catching up but still felt really weird.
Don’t think it had sunk in yet that she’s really here, but it was just wonderful.
