Day 6 — A Day of Relaxation!

Today has been a quiet one, and much needed at that. Since arriving in Vietnam, six days ago, I have had a bit of a chest infection. I am assuming I caught something on the plane coming over from Perth, and two days in to our holiday, I had a raging sore throat. The sore throat has gone now, but I have been left with congestion and slight pain in my chest, which appears to be a low grade infection. It hasn't caused me too many problems during this trip, but drinking every day, hasn't particularly helped. I have also been without my usual vitamins that I take at home, which has clearly been an issue, especially fighting the symptoms.

Darrell went to the beach early this morning, so I went for an hour walk around Da Nang. This isn't the best looking Vietnamese city in the World, but it certainly has the feel of a beach resort. As I walked along the promenade in front of the white sandy beach, I could hear loud music playing out from the bars along the way. Whether this is from last night or the beginning of another fun filled day, for younger ravers, I have no idea.

After meeting Darrell on my way back, we did a bit of souvenir shopping, buying for people back home and had a leisurely cup of tea and coffee in one of the many coffee houses here. I had a rather refreshing Lemongrass, Lime and Kumquat concoction, which tasted pretty good if I am honest. Not a good on English Breakfast Tea, which, although advertised on the menu, in reality, isn't something they actually do. I think it's a trap to wind unsuspecting English bloggers in. Still, when I find some proper tea, I will certainly let you know!

To end our time in Da Nang, we went all out to have a feast fit for a Queen. We took a leisurely saunter down to the Walking Street in Da Nang, where we had traditional Vietnamese food at Bếp Bà Ba - Ẩm Thực Quê Nhà. Darrell chose a noodle dish and I went for Vietnamese Pho, which I haven't had since I arrived. Essentially, this is a beef noodle soup, and you add a variety of ingredients to the dish to suit your own pallet.

Now because I am suffering from a chest infection, I added chilli to the dish, in fact I added a shed load of the stuff and a bit of chilli sauce as well, and it blew my head off. Having said that, it was superb, the best food I have had since I came to Vietnam. The whole feast, cost a very reasonable 427,000 VND, which is about $25.00 or twelve pounds fifty pence. That was astonishing to me. When Darrell and I eat out in Australia, we often pay $160.00 for the privilege and the food isn't anywhere as good.

From good Asian cuisine, we walked to the B&B Bakery and had the most delicious chocolate cake, that I think I have ever tasted. The Bread and Butter Café is gloriously French in feel, just like much of Vietnam. The striking contrast between oriental and European food is stark, but oddly enough, they do sit nicely together, side by side. Being able to have some French pâtisserie after a bowl of Pho is just joyous for me.

Tomorrow we head to Hội An and the highlight of the trip for me. Da Nang is certainly an acquired taste, and although I love it as a Benidormesque place to visit, it wouldn't be top of my list of places to revisit. The enduring memory of this place will be meeting Chris and talking about old times, and that would be reason enough to return, if I was back in this neck of the woods. Until then, it's goodbye Da Nang and hello Hội An!

Goodnight from Da Nang!

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