Part 70: The White Buddha....
I'm so easily pleased sometimes. It was the first time I slept in a bunk bed at hostel with curtains all the way round the bed, which seemed to make a big difference for some reason; I had a really good nights rest. The way I see it, you get to appreciate all the simplicity's whilst you are away from home for so long and tend to make the most of the all little things - it goes a long way.
We were up in time for freshly made French baguettes and fruit for breakfast which was an added bonus too; a welcome change from dry toast plus It was the nicest bread I had for a while.
In the common room another new batch of backpackers arrived including a really cool dread locked young Chinese guy called Sam. He was a 19 year old traveller who had cycled alone from Beijing! A distance of nearly 2000 miles!!
He'd been on the road for 3 months already and planned to cycle to Ho Chi Minh city, then up through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Iran and eventually end up in Turkey. It was pretty astonishing for someone so young to have the courage to do all that alone.
He was an incredibly infectious young guy that could not stop smiling. I loved speaking with him about his travels, although, he did seem to have a few visa issues with certain countries, but was determined to not let that stop him from achieving his goal - incredible stuff; he left quite a mark on me. My faith in the young generation had been restored.
Both me and Jack were contemplating where to go today and decided on visiting the famous Peninsula; home of the giant white lady Buddha statue, just on the outskirts of De Nang. According to Leon she stands on monkey mountain, and a majestic 70 meters high over looking the South China Sea.
He went on to explain that the best way to get there was on the back of a taxi motorbike - but before we even had a chance to make up our minds - a quick phone call later, two motorbikes pulled up right outside the hostel. For the price of $4 they agreed to take us there, wait until we had seen all the sights and then bring us right back; a no brainer it seemed.
We jumped on the back of both motor bikes, donned the helmets (which barely fitted my head) then sped off, weaving in and out of the busy traffic through the streets of Da nang. What better way to take in the city - I was loving this even though there were a few times when I held my breath where we zoomed across what appeared to be a huge junction and 360 degree vision was needed to avoid traffic from every direction!
We carefully crossed the roundabouts with no rules on right of way and made it across the Han River Bridge, running red lights and zig zagging through the traffic but any worries where soon dispelled; these guys knew exactly what they were doing - we were in safe hands. Even if both drivers took several turns in overtaking each-other, showing off and waving as they passed! Absolute mayhem but thankfully we made it out the other side with no problems.
Thankfully It wasn't too long before we left the city and its traffic behind, driving along a huge stretch of coastline after passing over one of the many bridges.
There were rows of circular fishing boats neatly bobbing up and down in the sea to my right, and once we passed the busy stretch of hotels to my left there were contrasting poorer areas, and what a difference it was.
The long straight blue coastline stretches for 30km and you could clearly see why this was going to be an up and coming resort with its unspoilt sandy beaches.
Famously known as the spot where soldiers were sent for R&R during the war - sadly eating on the beach was their last meal before returning to combat! The Americans also set up base camps here.
I was just sitting back enjoying the picturesque ride as we got closer to monkey mountain on the Son Tra peninsula. The white statue or 'Bodhisattva of Mercy' was clearly visible as the road started to wind upwards; it didn't seem that big initially but that soon changed as we got closer climbing the coastline.
Almost glowing, this amazing statue is made from brilliant white marble overlooking the sea and Da Nang - It had the same feel as the Christ the redeemer in Rio.
She is Vietnam’s highest statue and is supposedly the guardian of all sea goers and fishermen protecting the area from typhoons and tsunamis, and since its construction, the area hasn't suffered any major typhoon incidents.
Our friendly drivers dropped us off right on the stair way and would be waiting to take us back after we had seen all the sights - this was the perfect way to do this. No guides or schedules, just at our pace.
The gigantic white buddha against the blue sky backdrop was almost to bright to look at, but jaw dropping nonetheless - and the small scattering of mainly Asian tourists didn't detract from the surrounding area's beauty with its pagodas, statues of mythical creatures and carvings throughout the landscaped grounds.
There was a feeling around this statue that is indescribable, almost an aura of calm and tranquility, and if that wasn't enough the view overlooking Da Nang and the entire long coast line stretching as far as the eye can see was incredible.
Me and Jack sat on a wall over looking the sea absorbing the scenery and ambiance, enjoying every single moment; until a couple of Chinese girls started giggling, asking to take pics with us - and it wasn't just a one off either. We just went along with it whilst these random girls also wanted our picture for some reason.
I have seen my fair share of temples, spiritual monuments and coastal views, but here they all combine to make this certainly one of the most spectacular in Asia.
One last walk around to marvel at the Linh Ung pagoda and lady Buddha before we returned to the exact same spot where our two drivers were waiting in the scorching heat to take us back.
On the way down we were faced with a different perspective but equally enthralling view of the coastline and city, and very thankful for their speed as the breeze cooled us down. There was even more traffic in the city now especially with it being rush hour. I high fived a couple of motorists who were shouting to get my attention in the congestion, laughing their heads off as they did so.
We eventually got back to the hostel late afternoon and It had been a brilliant day - once there we rested for a few hours, but were not done with the sightseeing just yet.
Da Nang is also renowned for its famous bridges over the Han river linking the old town to the new, and one in particular is shaped like a huge steel snake like dragon. Its 666 meter in length and 6 lanes wide constructed from bright yellow steel, and its unmissable apparently.
So we chose to head there on foot; a good hour away from the hostel to take a closer look. It was a pleasant walk if not a little sweaty and after a few wrong turns we arrived there to be met by this hugely impressive structure.
Each night at about 9pm, people gather in the plaza and line the sides of the bridge to watch the giant dragon's head spout fire and water, while various coloured LED lights illuminate the dragon's slithering body. The gas powered flame is a spectacular three minute show.
It's only recently been built and certainly acts as a huge tourist attraction that will no doubt be popular with visitors, especially as the area includes a wide riverfront plaza that stretches along the banks of the Han with dozens of bars and restaurants lining the road making for a buzzing night life.
Me and Jack found an English bar and watched the light show from there over a couple of ice cold beers.
It was an ideal way to end the day even if Jack chose to stay out long after I retreated back to my bunk and its comforting curtains for an even better nights sleep.....