Da Nang, Vietnam – 10-12 November 2023

I had a weekend trip to Da Nang with Kylie and Charlotte (16 months) - great weather and a very easy weekend away from Hong Kong!

We took the HK Express afternoon flight on Friday 10 November 2023.  Super quick (2 hours) and easy.

The view from our two bedroom apartment was amazing!!

 

After breakfast we spend the day at the pool.

Saturday late afternoon we went into Hoi An for a wander around and dinner.  Everyone and their mothers were there!  It was madness!!!!!! So very hot and humid.  We couldn't wait to get out of there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For dinner we went to Morning Glory, a favourite for both Kylie and I.

 

 

Sunday (12 November 2023) after breakfast we headed back to the pool.  Within a few minutes of getting there the heavens opened.  We were both like "it will pass".  Well it did not pass!!!  We gathered our things and walked super quickly back to the restaurant.  We were all absolutely dripping with water.  Thankfully we were provided with fresh warm towels.  Within half an hour we were back at the pool again. 

Before leaving our room we enjoy the view one more time.

Goodbye Vietnam, I shall return!

London, United Kingdom – 27-28 October 2023

We land into London Heathrow (from Oslo, Norway) on Friday 27 October 2023, 25 minutes early at 6.20pm. Let’s hope we don’t waste the time getting to the gate.

Immigration goes smoothly despite the long lines. A refreshing change from a few years ago.

Within an hour of landing I’m walking into the hotel. Amazing! Totally not expected given the walk from getting my suitcase to the bus station, then waiting for the bus.

On check-in at the hotel the front desk member upgrades my room to a club lounge room. Woo hoo! Will save me a pound or 2!!

I drop my suitcase and head straight to the club lounge. It’s packed! The food is being packed up as I arrive. I just grab the first things I see and pour a large glass of wine.

After a work call I head back to the room.

As I open the curtains on Saturday 28 October I see a plane coming into land. I knew I was close to the runway as I had heard the planes last night but not this close.

 

Post breakfast I walk down to Tesco’s express. It’s so nice to see the sun again and it’s warm (well compared with Oslo).

I purchase one or two things more than what was on my list. Soooooo cheap compared with Hong Kong!

It’s a quick bus ride back to the hotel.

Time to head into Covent Garden. Yes! The front seats on the top deck of the bus are free.

As soon as I sit down my be-hind feels wet, a lady behind me immediately calls out that the seat is wet. Yep, it sure is. You could have given me warning....

At Hayes and Harlington station I change onto the Elizabeth Line.

It seems like everyone is out today! I weave in and around people on the way to Covent Garden.

 

 

Casey (an ex-colleague) is at the table when I arrive. After a few minutes chatting we look at the menu and discover no alcohol. Right ok. We are told due to regulations they can’t sell alcohol, yet with the afternoon set you get a glass. Go figure! We decide to go elsewhere.

Steak, sides and bubbles ordered.

It’s a great couple of hours catching up. We wander back toward Covent Garden for macaroons.

I do the reverse trip back to the hotel where I pick up my supermarket purchases and finish packing. I’m doing ok for time so decide to take the bus to the airport. Super easy!

Check-in goes smoothly, as does security. Strangely there is no immigration, so I head straight to the lounge.

 

We pull back from the gate right on time at 6.20pm. Goodbye, for now, London. I shall return!

Autumn Leaves in Oslo, Norway – 24-27 October 2023