sam heart travel

Day 1 - Centre Hotel Da Nang Our Da Nang adventure started with a late arrival at the Centre Hotel (around 10 pm!). It's perfectly located – right in the heart of the action, surrounded by foot spas and coffee shops, just east of the Dragon Bridge. We booked it for our 9-day stay, and its central location was a huge plus. Harris, one of their super friendly staff, greeted us as we hopped out of our Grab car. He whisked our bags away and helped us check in. The 24/7 reception area is gorgeous – modern and bright. They even have a souvenir shop and spa with discounts for hotel guests. We'd booked three airport rooms, but the last one was on a different floor. Gracia asked if we could all be together (we were a family/friend group), and luckily, they had a vacant room on our floor! Even better, they upgraded me to a Super Deluxe room – score! Our fifth-floor room was practically next to the elevator – super convenient! Harris showed us in, but the key card was a bit temperam...

Banh Mi Bliss in Da Nang: A Culinary Adventure Da Nang, Vietnam – a city that effortlessly blends ancient charm with modern vibrancy. After a truly satisfying bowl of pho, we weren't quite ready to call it a day. Our stomachs, however, were whispering sweet nothings about Banh Mi – that iconic Vietnamese sandwich featuring a crusty baguette filled with a delightful array of savory ingredients. For the uninitiated, imagine a delicious symphony of textures and flavors all nestled within a perfectly crisp bread roll. Our friendly server at Pho Co pointed us towards a small kiosk nestled beside Lee Convenience Store. It was the quintessential Banh Mi shop: baguettes proudly displayed in the window, fillings meticulously arranged, and the unmistakable "Banh Mi" sign beckoning hungry passersby. Tiny plastic chairs and tables lined the street, offering a perfect spot to enjoy our culinary conquest. We approached the tiny, bustling lady running the show and ordered a Banh Mi...

Day 6 - Da Nang Travel Diary: Hoi An - Beckons - Ancient Streets, Herbal Tea, and a Spa Escape Hey globetrotters! Day six was all about saying goodbye to Da Nang's coastline and diving headfirst into the historic heart of Hoi An. After our morning escapade in the coconut boats, we were more than ready for a change of pace. From Basket Boats to Ancient Town: A Lucky Lift Around 12:30 PM, as we wrapped up our coconut boat tour, our driver offered to take us directly to Hoi An's Old Town. Talk about a lucky break! We gladly accepted, promising to compensate him for the extra distance. A quick 30-minute ride later, we arrived in Hoi An, ready to explore. A Warm Welcome and a Taste of Local Flavor Our first order of business: finding a restroom for Mom. A nearby spa graciously allowed her to use their facilities free of charge – a truly kind gesture that set the tone for the day. With our appetites calling, we sought out a popular chicken rice eatery recommended by TikTok foodies. ...

Da Nang Bound: A Sleepy Flight and a Smooth Landing 7:10 pm: Boarding time! Our flight to Da Nang was the only one scheduled that evening – usually, there are two flights daily, one in the morning and one at night, but we opted for the later one. By 8:00 pm, we were soaring from NAIA Terminal 3, leaving the hustle and bustle of Manila behind. The flight itself was remarkably uneventful. So uneventful, in fact, that I barely registered the takeoff! I must have dozed off almost immediately. I woke up and drifted off several times, taking advantage of the "no seatbelt" sign to stretch my legs and use the restroom. Considering we were flying through a typhoon, the lack of turbulence was a pleasant surprise. Even the flight attendant's soothing voice during the announcements was a calming influence. Three hours later, and with the knowledge that the Philippines is an hour ahead of Vietnam, we touched down in Da Nang at 9:00 pm. The start of our Da Nang adventure! Xin C...