August 23, 2026

On our fourth port day in Nha Trang, Bosco, Terri and I took a quick 50 minute flight north to Da Nang, Vietnam to do some deeper exploring inland. Downtown Da Nang spans the Hans River, that opens out to the Da Nang Bay and the East Vietnam Sea. Today, Da Nang is one of the quickest growing cities in Vietnam, known for it's youth (median age is just 35) and dynamic environment.

Once we landed we did a quick checkin at the hotel and then went to the 3D Art Museum. This place was alot of FUN! It took a minute to figure out how to use their QR Codes & App. But the images really sprang to life once we figured out the subtletles.

After the Museum, we headed downtown to check out the waterfront area around the Dragon Bridge and grab some dinner.

It was great to see the city lighting up and it was pleasant around the waterfront area, but the crowds were starting to gather for the weekend show. We lucked into the best dinners of our trip, by checking google maps, for a highly rated Banh Mi Sandwich place. Turns out it wasn't even a restaurant, just a family cart that was doing a brisk business selling just 4 types of sandwiches and fruit juice.   OMG was that sandwich YUMMY! I want to find again and again!

On weekends, at 9pm the Dragon Bridge comes alive as the Dragon actually breathes fire then sprays water out it's mouth. We watched from our hotel, The Fivetel's, rooftop pool overlooking the River Hans as it was still very Hot and we could avoid both heat and crowds, this way.


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    Looking out over River from Hotel Rooftop Pool

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    Boats all getting in position for 9 pm show

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    Fire Breathing Dragon!

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MARBLE HILLS, DA NANG, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 23, 2026
Just about a half hour outside downtown Da Nang are Marble Hills .These five stone hills produce a huge amount of various colored marble that have been made into all kinds of statues, furniture, jewelry and knick knacks. Inside the cavernous spaces of the Hills, lots of temples and shrines have developed. Before getting to the base of the Hills, our driver asked us if we wanted to stop at a Marble Shop, bearing the wares of this marble. The place was huge - with soo many choices! And guess what their prices all have an option to ship to the USA! or I figure any where else in the world! A sales person escorted us through out the spaces. No heavy stones for me despite how pretty!

NHA TRANG, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 23, 2026
Nha Trang was our first port in Vietnam , back on the 12th of August. My first impression, was OMG it's HOT here! I have been saying that a lot in Southeast Asia, but it was over 100 degrees that first afternoon. NhaTrang does not get many cruise ship visitors, because they have no docking facilites, we had to tender into a resort marina, about 15km, North of the City. It is however, a popular beach town, and was bustling with tons of Russian visitors. The beaches and cheap prices are probably the biggest appeal, besides the fact that Vietnam is also a communist country. There are flags and communist markings all around.

Singapore - Little India

By Pat Patick • August 11, 2026
Little India is a neighborhood in Singapore that I wanted to explore becase I love Indian food and their Temple's have such unique gods and Architecture, super colorful and detailed. Below is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore's first temple dedicated to Veeramakaliammam or the Kali , a fierce incarnation of Shiva's wife and the "Destroyer of Evil" .