The Start of our 2019 Adventure - Vietnam


We’re off !

Our 2019 winter adventure is to move to Vietnam for 3 months.  Quite outside of our comfort zone – but that was the general idea.  The goal is to live in a different country, not just tour in hotels.  So – like in Spain, that brings along a number of activities that one would not typically do if touring in another country (groceries, laundry, joining a gym, etc).  Neither Bob or I have ever been to Vietnam, nor the general area, so this seemed like a good fit.  We had heard that the country is beautiful and the people friendly – and frankly if this adventure is a total washout we could always go somewhere else or head home (unlikely).

River scene in Hoi An


So – heading off on a combined Delta/Korean Air flight from Edmonton to Seattle, Seoul and then to Da Nang airport in Vietnam.  We are planning to stay in a smaller city very near Da Nang called Hoi An.  Hoi An is a UNESCO heritage city, an ancient port, and apparently has wonderful historic buildings and is a bit of a tourist site.  As well both Da Nang and Hoi An (but more so Da Nang) have become popular with the digital nomad crowd who can work anywhere and choose to live where they want, which means that we should be able to find some western comforts if we want, and good internet is possible.

The flight over was long but heck, Vietnam is a long way away, so there was no way around that no matter what fare we chose.  We were on a combined Delta/Korean Air ticket which was very reasonable.  The long stints were all on Korean Air.  Total kudos to the folks at Korean Air.  The lunch they served was by far the best meal I have had on an airplane in years, and the best on an economy ticket ever.  



We chose the Korean meal which turned out to be Bibimbap a wonderful mix of rice, veggies, meat and flavour.  For the uninitiated they thoughtfully included instructions.  I have enjoyed this dish in the past but was appreciative for the instruction sheet which helped determine how much of the tube of chili past one should add to get the desired effect.




Had a several hour stop in Seoul airport which was clearly pretty new, spacious and had ridiculously fancy washrooms.  Have you ever seen any airport washrooms that look like those in a fancy restaurant lobby.  






I had worked for several months in Korea a lifetime ago and trust me the facilities did not look like this then.  Plus there was a mystery stall.  The sign on the door showed this – which looks to me like a bidet, and the toilet inside had these instructions.  Right then, no problem!

 

We had arranged for an airport pick up through our hotel which was a great call, and finally got to the hotel.  An issue for a few moments there though as the hotel was dark and a security gate had been drawn across the front.  While we were trying to determine what to do the lights came on and someone came out to open the gate.  Apparently they have staff that sleep in the lobby at night (the desk clerk had a hammock strung behind the desk.  Finally a room, a bed and sleep (in the horizontal position). 

View from our hotel room


We have a few nights booked here while we attend to the task of finding an apartment or house that will be home base for the next 3 months.

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