The Nam Hai

Here we are in The (teh) Nam Hai, one of many resorts that line the highway between Da Nang and Hoi An. You can frolic here for $525 a night--or more accurately, you cannot frolic here for $525 a night. Unless you are a travel agent with favors to cash in. Or you know a travel agent with favors to cash in. So, my hubby said "thanks to Jenny and her generous friends, I am extremely fortunate to be at a 5-star resort near lovely Hoi An absolutely free of charge".

You don't walk in a 5 star resort. You call 0 and have a cart take you anywhere.

The view to the beach from our private villa.

A lovely view of our porch :)

1st Class Flip Flops! Which, to me, are just as uncomfortable as 3rd class Flip Flops. Vietnamese have yet to discover the amazing Shoe.

A sitting area by the porch.

The villa isn't big, but it is very well designed. The bed, den, office, and bathtub are neatly arranged in a central area which can be closed off with curtains at night. Very romantic!

The outdoor shower, which I like very much. Especially in the rain.

This is an original ink in our villa--wish it was "complimentary," or easy to steal.

One thing you can always find at a resort is a beautiful pool. The Nam Hai has 3.


Breakfast is simply astounding. Even Hoi An's special local noodles, Cao Lau, was better at the resort. My god how we ate!

This must be their trademark flower. I have no idea how it gets pollinated--maybe it evolved so that passing elephants would brush the anthers against the stamen. Each one is incredibly beautiful, the kind of flower you want to see only once at the end of a long expedition. But they grow it like hedges.

Is there a herpetologist in the house??

No resort is complete without a huge, fat toad. So awesome! Especially to see it bound on super long, skinny hind legs.

The resort points to a private beach. Not a great one as beaches go--the sand is hard packed and the waves are rough. Should have brought boogie boards.

Mountains and island chains break up the landscape. Somewhere out there is Cham Island, with ruins and, FINALLY a place to break out my snorkel. Next time.