The plan was to do couple of tours around Da Nang so we opted to organise our own transport. We negotiated a taxi to take us to 3 locations and that came to a total price of 500,000 Vietnamese dong or about $30. The first stop was Son Tri Mountain or Monkey Mountain. I was dubious about visiting some of these pagodas but was suitably impressed. I have never seen so much marble in one place. Leaving Monkey Mountain we headed to the Zone Five Military Museum. It wa...

We booked the resort shuttle to Hoi An. It is only about a 30 minute ride (about 25k). As we left the resort I realised there is an abandoned US air base just across the road. It is the Marble Mountain Air Facility used by US Marines (helicopters) and 5 Special Forces Group. All that seems to be left (only looking from the outside) are the bomb proof hangars, the fence and guard towers. I am sure there is more inside if I was bothered to try to look. The area we ...

After a bloody long day we woke up to it ******* rain, not a good start we thought. The rain eased off about 7.30am. Wandered to breakfast to be presented with a fantastic array of food. Went for a stroll outside the resort to see what is around, not much is the answer. The resorts are fantastic but it is not like Kuta Beach or Seminyak where you have a great choice of bars and restaurants. We grabbed a cab to downtown Danang to have a look around. Now for the tr...

Even though the plane departs at 11.15 we needed to be at the airport NLT 8.30 to check in. We got up at 6.00 and got organised, headed to our favourite coffee shop in Darlinghurst and ended up being in line with Marcus Graham the actor. Got to the airport just after 8.15 and then remembered the Sydney Airport Xmas madness. Have to say the smart gates when working are very efficient. Spent an hour in the QANTAS club (it was packed). First leg QANTAS 8 hours to Si...

Sunday we drove to Sydney and checked into the Hilton. We have stayed here before and enjoyed our stay. Had a stroll around Darling Harbour and dinner before early night. On Monday decided to get the ferry to Manly and have lunch. The weather was actually cool and blowing a gale. We still sat outside on the ferry and I always get a kick out of seeing Sydney Harbour. Cruised past the old Maritime School Mosman, Georges Heights, Quarantine Station on to Manly. Had ...