Dandering Around DaNang
Dandering? Aw, let me use that as a synonym of 'drifting', 'gallivanting', 'wandering'! Roaming without an itinerary - all left to 'chances', by breaking away from my group!
For that is what happened here hehe!
Yep, I didn't really come to this place to tour-around, as I usually do. I joined a group of friends for a benevolent Christmas Day Program - but, with an itch to look beyond!
Shhh, huwag na maingay. Silip-silip lang naman ang ginawa ko!
Not a bad idea, right? Aw, I stuck with our scheduled activities 100%. But there were chances - like during lunch breaks, I'd sneak away to look around and/or shoot pics!
That said, everything I will tell you, were most likely unplanned or unintended. As we say in Tagalog: kung ano lang ang nakita, natagpuan, naranasan. In short: whatever!
This gave me a different kind of thrill. So let me tell you about some of them!
First, a briefer on the not so obvious things (to many Pinoys) about this destination.
About Danang
Is it Danang or Da Nang? It is both, with "Da Nang" (Đà Nẵng) as a formal, legal, and learned form, while "Danang", or even sometimes "DaNang" is acceptable especially in the travel/tourism, commercial sectors, the press, social media and 'we' travelers!
Don't worry, you won't trigger raised eyebrows for using any of those spellings hehe - unless probably, if you were writing to (or in behalf of) the Vietnamese authorities!
FYI, I've seen contracts and receipts interchangeably using Da Nang and Danang. It is a 'no issue'. As a Viet friend told me "if that is how foreigners want to write it, okay"!
It's the same as Việt Nam (written: Vietnam), Hà Nội (Hanoi), Hải Phòng (Haiphong) or Sài Gòn (Saigon) - although this last one became Hồ Chí Minh City or HCM to us!
So, let's freely use Danang or Da Nang like they were the same, for indeed they are!
Where is Da Nang? Oh, I've been wanting to say this - since many of our kababayans don't hear much about this place - this city is on the east coast of Central Vietnam.
As I said in my previous story, if you draw a horizontal line on the map, starting from Danang going right, the land mass you will reach is Zambales. Ay, Pangasinan yata!
Basta, banda doon!
What's the weather like in Danang? Ah eh.., parang Pilipinas din! As an example, the whole of Chirstmas and Boxing days were gloomy cool, nice for outdoor walks even at noon, but not too great for pictorials, since an elusive Mr. Sun only briefly peeked!
As I see (and feel) it Danang's climate/weather profile seems to be similar to that of Cebu City. Even the average rainy days are similar according to wikipedia! Balhin ta!
How about life in general? Oh well, culturally they're probably very different. Danang is a communist country and Cebu is not. Danang has better public infrastructure (to my eyes), and it is growing too fast economically, than Cebu. Baka 'intervention' yan.
I do not know much about how those things work. Basta alam natin, if they want to push the development of any place, they will, without waiting for the normal course of economic factors to take shape. So we do not know how/if things get sustained.
Anyway, for us roamers, now is the best time to visit Danang as tourists!
Is Danang a good tourist destination? You bet! Actually, (again) it is similar to Cebu City, which is more of an entry / exit point towards exploring the great nearby spots.
Sample? The heritage sights of Hội An (about 30kms away), Mỹ Sơn (about 70kms away), are not Danang na. But they have no airports there. Saan ka lalanding, aber?
The Hai Van Pass is in Huế (by its border with Danang). But, its Phu Bai Int'l Airport (HUI) is about 65kms away, while Danang International Airport is only about 27kms.
Plus, the city center of Hue is even farther northwest to about 80kms. So therefore, sorry na lang si Hue as mother city of Hai Van Pass, it is still best to go via Danang!
Me ganyan sa atin, alam nyo ba? Try searching for Sohoton Caves & Natural Bridge Park. You will find it is in Basey, Western Samar - the capital of which is Catbalogan.
Hahanap ka naman ngayon ng flights to Catbalogan, wala. The province does have Calbayog City - which is about 175kms away from Basey. How long is that, 5 hours?
But, Basey is actually less than 1 hour from Tacloban, Leyte. So, saan ka lalanding? In fact, from McDonald's Tacloban to San Antonio, Basey is only 13minutes by boat!
Ganun yun!
Oops, let's go back to Vietnam, ba't ba tayo nauwi doon sa Samar?!
So, is Danang a good tourist destination? My heartfelt answer is: GO! Now na!
Let's move around to see more.
The Beach
First thing in mind is the beach, as this is where I stayed. All I can say now is: WOW!
But that's it muna! I have a separate (long) entry about Danang's beach/es, because it is a rather lengthy story - with analyses and comparisons to some of our beaches.
Getting Around
Then there is transportation... ay, this is Vietnam, and as many say, Scooter is life!
I think this is the place where I saw so many Vespas in my young life, so far hahaha!
The xe ôm (habal-habal) is very common among both locals and tourists, since that is the cheaper - but the fastest - way to move around. All kinds of scooters are used!
There are Public Buses too. Okay rin as they're the cheapest. But also the slowest! I like them slow when touring around to see places clearly. Kaso lang eh "no English"!
There are Rented Bicycles aside from Rented Motorcycles - both are still common, but, a local told me, those are slowly disappering in favor of the xe ôm and/or Grab!
Oh I like the Cyclo - parang pedicab natin, but the driver is at the back. They are still very common at or near the tourist spots, yet still used by locals like at the markets.
Taxi
Well, for this visit, when I was not with my group, I relied mostly on Grab and these:
I cannot recall who, but someone told me that Vinasun taxis can be trusted. I do. So far, no issue. I remember, I also kept using them in Ho Chi Minh City on my last visit!
Alam ko me magtatanong, kaya sasagutin ko na: "oo Fortuner yan" hehe! They have all kinds of taxi service, and they also have their own ride-hailing app (parang Grab).
Yet, you can still call, or ask your hotel to do so, or flag them down on the road side! Meron Lexus, Land Cruiser, Camry, and though I probably won't try, meron din Wigo!
I hear they're a taxi-only (4-wheel-vehicles only) company. But who knows, I wouldn't be surprised if they do -at least their app- also serve the motorcycle-hailing services.
Street Sights & Scenes
Aw, since we're already on the topic, let's talk about things I saw on the road. Look!
Undergrounded / No More Black Spaghetti!
Yep, unlike many places in our country, Danang now practices "undergrounding" - at least on new roads, so no more 'black spaghetti'! Well, Davao has already attempted!
If you're wondering, "undergrounding" is that style of installing electric, CATV, phone lines, etc., underground (usually still at street sides), instead of "aerial" (atop posts).
Aw, on older streets, they still have the crisscrossing wires, just like what we have.
I do enjoy looking at everything and comparing them to what we have. Like these:
Why 16?
That blue signage at right says: "Parking, except for vehicles with more than 16 seats". Ay, napaisip talaga ako ng what could be the significance of 16? So I asked my driver.
He told me something like "big bat, no beautiful bits" and I understood that. Can you? I guessed, he meant: "big buses would cover/block the view of/to the beautiful beach"!
"Big bus, no beautiful beach" - yun ang ibig nyang sabihon!
Kung sa atin pa "bawal mag-park ang sasakyan na mas malaki sa van"! Ganern yan, kasi nga naman, matatabunan mahaharangan ang magandang tanawin. Ayos diba?
So, the "16" is not really a definite basis. It's just that vans usually have a maximum of 16 seats. Ba't hindi nalang sinabi na "bawal ang bus"? Abaw ambot ah! Malay ko!
At bakit, agraviado ka? Hayaan na natin sila oi! Walang basagan ng trip!
Pay Attention
Now, how about that signage above the street (and is that a solo traffic light)? That red sign "chú ý quan sát" means "attention" or "beware". Maybe it is meant to warn drivers to be vigilant, observant, aware of road conditions up ahead? Hmm, may be.
Update: a family member called to tell me that indeed, that signage says so. That is a lighted box signage, where the whole phrase will be flashing/blinking, together with the yellow traffic light beside it - only when there are road accidents or emergencies. Wow!
I was told further, that there are many of those in many cities all over the world. But we only see them functioning during emergencies. Okay, now I know. Many thanks!
Akala ko nga camera yun. Solo yellow stop light pala, with a solar panel above it.
That's the best thing with traveling. I learn about many things - even if those things I did not know, I have already seen pala, or are/were already around where I live. Aliw!
Here is another interesting find, and first time for me to see anywhere in the world!
Let's see if you have eagle-eyes! No, not the "no parking" sign - that is very common. Something else. If Pinoy ka, malamang this may also be your first time to see them!
Maybe you've been seeing them, but didn't care enough? Kung sirit na, see below!
Và Xe
This is the same picture as above, I just highlighted the thing we're talking about...
Nothing like that in the Philippines so far, right? Yes, those are phone numbers, pero for what? Para saan? Ah I asked my driver and he even smiled before answering me!
He educated me that Vá xe means fix motorbike/car tire. Call those numbers if you need help when your vehicle conks out on you! Ang galing di ba?! Na-aliw ako. Cool!
Ingenuously uniquely creative, yet fast, therefore effective-advertising, and clean!
Di ba? The numbers are on the curbside. Yes, the gutter! Technically inconspicuous, so they do not necessarily add to the clutter that people see. Yet, easily accessible!
Imagine nga naman.., pag nasiraan ka nga ng sasakyan, hindi ka naman hangad ng hangad. Bagkus, sa kalsada ang madalas tingin mo, sa baba, sa barandilya. Yun na!
Magaling magaling! Mahusay!
Here's another scene worth reflecting-upon, compared to traffic situation at home.
Assumed Motobike Lanes?
Not sure if that is by law or just a protocol, I noticed most motorbikers (not all), stay on the two outer lanes. Some would (at times) stray to the inner lanes, but I haven't seen any that keeps swaying left-and-right like they commonly do in the Philippines.
Well, I think it's not even a protocol. It's more of a mindeset or an attitude?
I'm not sure what to point out, but it felt like motorbikers in Danang are a disciplined bunch. Di tulad sa atin, ang tatanda na pero parang mga bata na "tinatahi" ang daan.
You know what I mean, right? Those motorbikers who keep swerving left and right? Tapos, mayamaya, ayun makikita mo nalang nakabulagta na ang mga gi-ahak. Sila!
Roundabouts Have Traffic Lights?
Oh, I said last night, that "there are many roundabouts in Danang". Too many actually, and we know they help ease traffic bottlenecks, right? There's one in that pic above.
Look at the picture again. It's a rotunda at left. But you can clearly see, in front of us was a traffic light. I asked the driver if all rotundas have those. He said "only some"!
I don't drive anymore, so I can't be an "expert" on that one. But, a nice topic to reflect upon. There might be some wisdom in 'why they placed traffic lights on that rotunda'!
By the way, there is that "Attention" solo-traffic-light again not lighted, meaning not in use (buti naman). It's that solo light (with what looks like a vertical peg), at the tip of the overhead bar. Can't identify it? There's a set of 3-lights (red, yellow, green); then a timer (it says 18 seconds pa); another set of 3-lights; at the end is the "warning" light!
Here here, for clarity, I cropped only the traffic light from that picture above.
That solo traffic light at the right-most end. Yellow daw yan, so parang "hazard light".
Speakers
Oh yes, they have speakers on their traffic posts too. That thing fascinates me, but I don't know if we still have them anywhere in the Philippines. A funny effective thing!
I remember, in the late '80s, you will just suddenly hear "oy misis na naka-pula, na me dalang Uniwide na plastic, bakit ka tumawid eh red light pa ang pedestrian. Tabi muna"!
Then a traffic officer would approach the misis to penalize them. Weh, during those times, I saw people executing push-ups or squats by some corners, as their penalty!
I think that was fun, funny, yet effective as deterrent to violating pedestrians hehe! It was a reason I would go to Quezon Ave. cor EDSA, Monumento or Quiapo to watch!
I think wala nang ganyan ngayon. I do recall, it was 'attacked' on TV, Radio & Dyaryo by folks like Charito Planas and few others. Kesyo inhuman daw, etcetera, etcetera!
Anyway, I know many traffic corners still have speakers today, but I guess (including that one above) they're only used during road emergencies. Wala na ang "hoy misis"!
Let's move on.
Noontime Traffic Is Fine
Here's a photo I took along Bach Dang St., after crossing the Dragon Bridge:
Later na natin pag-usapan ang tulay na yan, 'wag kang atat! Look at that road muna. I already knew, but driver told me too, that this is one of the busiest in Danang, from morning until midnight, especially in the early evenings. So, bakit maluwag ngayon?
Ahehehe, baka dahil nalaman nilang dadaan ang aking kamahalan. Nagsitabi muna sila, baka magalit si ako whaahehehe! Seriously, driver said "lant time, people eating"!
Lunchtime daw, nagsisikain ang sangkatauhan! Kaya, swerte ko (aba madalas yan)!
Reminders
But there are interesting road signs. Look at the pic again. Aw, dito na lang sa baba:
Leftmost arrow points to some kind of a reminder that says something like "drinking beer or alcohol can cause traffic accidents". Of course I am guessing, but it's like that!
It says "lam uống rượu bia, hiem hoa tai nạn giao thông". The first part 'uống rượu bia' is I think "drinking beer"? And the end part 'tai nạn giao thông' means "traffic accident".
Why such a reminder on that part of the road? Hmm, you will know in a little while!
How about the two middle arrows (pointing up and to the right)? Those are the lane assignments for vehicles using this one-way street. Cars: left lane, bikes: right lane.
Note, they even specify motorcycles from bicycles. Note too, they abide by that rule. Eto nanaman ako... hindi katulad sa atin, kung saan-saan sumusuot ang mga "bikers"!
That's the very essence why I decided to include my trips abroad, even if this blog is on Philippine Travel, because we're able to compare and contrast the good and not!
There's one more yellow arrow, the rightmost. And, it points to an important signage (for them), which should be a clue (for us tourists)! It starts with 'tuyến đường cấm'.
Sorry I haven't studied this language yet. But I can decipher some expressions. Like that one says "bawal dito ang..." and it's followed by a list of items and/or activities.
I'm not too sure, but let me attempt: bánh giày means: selling shoes? The others are bad (or illegal or prohibited?) magazines/books. Baka pornographic yan kung sa atin!
Basta in general, bawal magtinda. The last two items are good indicators for us on what to avoid: bèo bám khách is harassing or pestering customers; chèo kéo khách is aggressively soliciting (from) customers. Therefore, me mga ganyan. Iwasan yan.
See that? It's just a simple reminder for them - but we tourists can learn from. How? Well, the presence of such reminders mean: me mga mandarambong sa lugar na ito!
But the street looks beautifully calm and serene. Nasaan ang mga nagtitinda nang-aalok ng kung anu-ano? Ayy, mamayang gabi pa sila maglilipana sa kahabaang ito!
A Pleasure District
This portion of Bach Dang St., which is a river front, is a 'red light district'. Not really openly sleazy like Fields Ave. in Angeles City but many folks call it "red-light-district"!
Almost every ground floor unit in this long row of buildings are either bars, cafes, or restaurants, plus massage parlors, or a combination of some or all - for the tourists!
All are near or within hotels of all categories, or buildings with hotels - and many are steps away to night markets, kiddie rides (na parang peryahan), gardens, and parks!
Look again, during the day this area seems calm & quiet. But by sunset way into the night, it will sizzle with every color, sound or aroma to make your tourist soul happy!
Thus, the peddlers also come to entice you with just about everything bogus - from fake rubber shoes to 'private tours' or 'private shows'. Kaya bawal na maglako dyan.
That's the essence of that big red reminder above. Bawal sa kanila pakalat-kalat na lalapit sa turista magbebenta o mag-aalok ng kung anu-ano. Kelangan may pwesto.
Now, kung mabibiktima ka pa ng mga iyon, shonga ka na lang talaga!
San Miguel Ba Yan?
Aw, look up at that picture above again. You should notice what kind of beer that is! If you don't, FYI lang.., SMB or SML, pati na Red Horse are also big in all of Vietnam!
Yes, they even have a brewery in this country, though I think it is in Nha Trang.
Anyway, as I said above..,
Danang's Bạch Đằng St., especially the northern part is a tourist haven, day or night.
I took a picture of that corner restaurant, Bamboo 2 Bar, as it is a 'tourist landmark'. Many visitors and drivers commonly refer to it when discussing routes / directions!
Before that, or onwards, or into the perpendicular streets.., everything is touristy!
Dikitdikit tabitabi na yan.., kainan, cafe, massage, jewelry, hotel at kung anu-ano pa. Ayan, meron pang signage that say "if you drink and drive, mauubos ang pera mo". Da!
This area, by the way, is one of the best places in Danang to have a stroll, whether it be in the early morning, midday or evening (aside from the beach, of course). Look!
This, is the riverfront or riverbank or riverpark of Bạch Đằng St. All hotels, bars, pubs, and restaurants are lined on the side of the street where I stood to take that picture.
And it is like that, along the entire length of the street - which is probably about 5 or more kilometers. That's the river out front, and that place across is still Danang City.
Beyond that, many blocks pa after those buildings and houses, is the beach where I stayed, nakaharap sa East Vietnam Sea or South China Sea or West Philippine Sea!
To the left, as in malayo pa rin, maybe 4 kilometers northwards, is the mouth of that river, emptying out to Danang Bay. Think of it as in nakatayo ka sa JP Rizal sa Makati, facing Mandaluyong at kunyari Pasig River yan sa baba. Malayo kaliwa ang Manila Bay.
Like that yan hehe!
Pero grabe ang ganda na ng kapaligiran on both sides of the river. They've improved it significantly into admirable commercial and tourist areas with gardens and parks.
There is more!
But I wasn't on tour this time. Mga nakaw na sandali lang ang pasyal ko!
In fact, with that long a story, I only covered 3 roads: Võ Nguyên Giáp - by the beach; Võ Văn Kiệt - the rotunda and traffic light approaching the Dragon Bridge; and a part of Bạch Đằng St. - everything else above, from the light traffic at noon! Imagine that!
I haven't even talked about the bridge, the parks and gardens. Next sila, promise!
But let's end this with a trivia: I haven't seen any 7 Eleven store yet! A friend told me there is already 1 in Danang! They started in Vietnam (HCMC) just last year (2017)!
One more trivia! All of Southeast Asia is Spiritual. So I kind of expected to see this:
Look at the yellow arrows I drew on the taxi's dashboard. They point to two different religious icons or whatever they are called on this side of our continent. Interesting!
Both are representations of Buddha, but kind of 2 different religions, I think. The one at left: I often see in 'South Asia'; while the one at right: I often see in 'East Asia'. Na!
Vietnam is part of Southeast Asia and a communist/socialist/whatever! Hmmm...
The question that kept ringing in my head was "does my driver have 2 religions?" Ah I didn't dare ask. I avoid the topic when with strangers and people I do not know well.
It would seem absurd for my driver to believe in (or practice) 2 religions hehe, where in fact, Vietnamese folks are mostly atheist, right? Oh, maybe they place the images as just decorations - not as a religious belief. Or, maybe they put those for the riders!
I mean, those things might mean nothing to drivers, but they put those anyway, as a courtesy to their passengers - who could be practicing either religion? Pwede yata?!
That's an interesting matter that I would surely like to know-about soonest!
But let's cut it here first, and continue on my next blog entry. Pramis!
For that is what happened here hehe!
Yep, I didn't really come to this place to tour-around, as I usually do. I joined a group of friends for a benevolent Christmas Day Program - but, with an itch to look beyond!
Shhh, huwag na maingay. Silip-silip lang naman ang ginawa ko!
Not a bad idea, right? Aw, I stuck with our scheduled activities 100%. But there were chances - like during lunch breaks, I'd sneak away to look around and/or shoot pics!
That said, everything I will tell you, were most likely unplanned or unintended. As we say in Tagalog: kung ano lang ang nakita, natagpuan, naranasan. In short: whatever!
This gave me a different kind of thrill. So let me tell you about some of them!
First, a briefer on the not so obvious things (to many Pinoys) about this destination.
About Danang
Is it Danang or Da Nang? It is both, with "Da Nang" (Đà Nẵng) as a formal, legal, and learned form, while "Danang", or even sometimes "DaNang" is acceptable especially in the travel/tourism, commercial sectors, the press, social media and 'we' travelers!
Don't worry, you won't trigger raised eyebrows for using any of those spellings hehe - unless probably, if you were writing to (or in behalf of) the Vietnamese authorities!
FYI, I've seen contracts and receipts interchangeably using Da Nang and Danang. It is a 'no issue'. As a Viet friend told me "if that is how foreigners want to write it, okay"!
It's the same as Việt Nam (written: Vietnam), Hà Nội (Hanoi), Hải Phòng (Haiphong) or Sài Gòn (Saigon) - although this last one became Hồ Chí Minh City or HCM to us!
So, let's freely use Danang or Da Nang like they were the same, for indeed they are!
Where is Da Nang? Oh, I've been wanting to say this - since many of our kababayans don't hear much about this place - this city is on the east coast of Central Vietnam.
As I said in my previous story, if you draw a horizontal line on the map, starting from Danang going right, the land mass you will reach is Zambales. Ay, Pangasinan yata!
Basta, banda doon!
What's the weather like in Danang? Ah eh.., parang Pilipinas din! As an example, the whole of Chirstmas and Boxing days were gloomy cool, nice for outdoor walks even at noon, but not too great for pictorials, since an elusive Mr. Sun only briefly peeked!
As I see (and feel) it Danang's climate/weather profile seems to be similar to that of Cebu City. Even the average rainy days are similar according to wikipedia! Balhin ta!
How about life in general? Oh well, culturally they're probably very different. Danang is a communist country and Cebu is not. Danang has better public infrastructure (to my eyes), and it is growing too fast economically, than Cebu. Baka 'intervention' yan.
I do not know much about how those things work. Basta alam natin, if they want to push the development of any place, they will, without waiting for the normal course of economic factors to take shape. So we do not know how/if things get sustained.
Anyway, for us roamers, now is the best time to visit Danang as tourists!
Is Danang a good tourist destination? You bet! Actually, (again) it is similar to Cebu City, which is more of an entry / exit point towards exploring the great nearby spots.
Sample? The heritage sights of Hội An (about 30kms away), Mỹ Sơn (about 70kms away), are not Danang na. But they have no airports there. Saan ka lalanding, aber?
The Hai Van Pass is in Huế (by its border with Danang). But, its Phu Bai Int'l Airport (HUI) is about 65kms away, while Danang International Airport is only about 27kms.
Plus, the city center of Hue is even farther northwest to about 80kms. So therefore, sorry na lang si Hue as mother city of Hai Van Pass, it is still best to go via Danang!
Me ganyan sa atin, alam nyo ba? Try searching for Sohoton Caves & Natural Bridge Park. You will find it is in Basey, Western Samar - the capital of which is Catbalogan.
Hahanap ka naman ngayon ng flights to Catbalogan, wala. The province does have Calbayog City - which is about 175kms away from Basey. How long is that, 5 hours?
But, Basey is actually less than 1 hour from Tacloban, Leyte. So, saan ka lalanding? In fact, from McDonald's Tacloban to San Antonio, Basey is only 13minutes by boat!
Ganun yun!
Oops, let's go back to Vietnam, ba't ba tayo nauwi doon sa Samar?!
So, is Danang a good tourist destination? My heartfelt answer is: GO! Now na!
Let's move around to see more.
The Beach
First thing in mind is the beach, as this is where I stayed. All I can say now is: WOW!
Getting Around
Then there is transportation... ay, this is Vietnam, and as many say, Scooter is life!
The xe ôm (habal-habal) is very common among both locals and tourists, since that is the cheaper - but the fastest - way to move around. All kinds of scooters are used!
There are Public Buses too. Okay rin as they're the cheapest. But also the slowest! I like them slow when touring around to see places clearly. Kaso lang eh "no English"!
There are Rented Bicycles aside from Rented Motorcycles - both are still common, but, a local told me, those are slowly disappering in favor of the xe ôm and/or Grab!
Oh I like the Cyclo - parang pedicab natin, but the driver is at the back. They are still very common at or near the tourist spots, yet still used by locals like at the markets.
Taxi
Well, for this visit, when I was not with my group, I relied mostly on Grab and these:
Alam ko me magtatanong, kaya sasagutin ko na: "oo Fortuner yan" hehe! They have all kinds of taxi service, and they also have their own ride-hailing app (parang Grab).
Yet, you can still call, or ask your hotel to do so, or flag them down on the road side! Meron Lexus, Land Cruiser, Camry, and though I probably won't try, meron din Wigo!
I hear they're a taxi-only (4-wheel-vehicles only) company. But who knows, I wouldn't be surprised if they do -at least their app- also serve the motorcycle-hailing services.
Street Sights & Scenes
Aw, since we're already on the topic, let's talk about things I saw on the road. Look!
Undergrounded / No More Black Spaghetti!
Yep, unlike many places in our country, Danang now practices "undergrounding" - at least on new roads, so no more 'black spaghetti'! Well, Davao has already attempted!
If you're wondering, "undergrounding" is that style of installing electric, CATV, phone lines, etc., underground (usually still at street sides), instead of "aerial" (atop posts).
Aw, on older streets, they still have the crisscrossing wires, just like what we have.
I do enjoy looking at everything and comparing them to what we have. Like these:
Why 16?
That blue signage at right says: "Parking, except for vehicles with more than 16 seats". Ay, napaisip talaga ako ng what could be the significance of 16? So I asked my driver.
He told me something like "big bat, no beautiful bits" and I understood that. Can you? I guessed, he meant: "big buses would cover/block the view of/to the beautiful beach"!
"Big bus, no beautiful beach" - yun ang ibig nyang sabihon!
Kung sa atin pa "bawal mag-park ang sasakyan na mas malaki sa van"! Ganern yan, kasi nga naman, matatabunan mahaharangan ang magandang tanawin. Ayos diba?
So, the "16" is not really a definite basis. It's just that vans usually have a maximum of 16 seats. Ba't hindi nalang sinabi na "bawal ang bus"? Abaw ambot ah! Malay ko!
At bakit, agraviado ka? Hayaan na natin sila oi! Walang basagan ng trip!
Pay Attention
Now, how about that signage above the street (and is that a solo traffic light)? That red sign "chú ý quan sát" means "attention" or "beware". Maybe it is meant to warn drivers to be vigilant, observant, aware of road conditions up ahead? Hmm, may be.
Update: a family member called to tell me that indeed, that signage says so. That is a lighted box signage, where the whole phrase will be flashing/blinking, together with the yellow traffic light beside it - only when there are road accidents or emergencies. Wow!
I was told further, that there are many of those in many cities all over the world. But we only see them functioning during emergencies. Okay, now I know. Many thanks!
Akala ko nga camera yun. Solo yellow stop light pala, with a solar panel above it.
That's the best thing with traveling. I learn about many things - even if those things I did not know, I have already seen pala, or are/were already around where I live. Aliw!
Here is another interesting find, and first time for me to see anywhere in the world!
Maybe you've been seeing them, but didn't care enough? Kung sirit na, see below!
Và Xe
This is the same picture as above, I just highlighted the thing we're talking about...
He educated me that Vá xe means fix motorbike/car tire. Call those numbers if you need help when your vehicle conks out on you! Ang galing di ba?! Na-aliw ako. Cool!
Ingenuously uniquely creative, yet fast, therefore effective-advertising, and clean!
Di ba? The numbers are on the curbside. Yes, the gutter! Technically inconspicuous, so they do not necessarily add to the clutter that people see. Yet, easily accessible!
Imagine nga naman.., pag nasiraan ka nga ng sasakyan, hindi ka naman hangad ng hangad. Bagkus, sa kalsada ang madalas tingin mo, sa baba, sa barandilya. Yun na!
Magaling magaling! Mahusay!
Here's another scene worth reflecting-upon, compared to traffic situation at home.
Assumed Motobike Lanes?
Not sure if that is by law or just a protocol, I noticed most motorbikers (not all), stay on the two outer lanes. Some would (at times) stray to the inner lanes, but I haven't seen any that keeps swaying left-and-right like they commonly do in the Philippines.
Well, I think it's not even a protocol. It's more of a mindeset or an attitude?
I'm not sure what to point out, but it felt like motorbikers in Danang are a disciplined bunch. Di tulad sa atin, ang tatanda na pero parang mga bata na "tinatahi" ang daan.
You know what I mean, right? Those motorbikers who keep swerving left and right? Tapos, mayamaya, ayun makikita mo nalang nakabulagta na ang mga gi-ahak. Sila!
Roundabouts Have Traffic Lights?
Oh, I said last night, that "there are many roundabouts in Danang". Too many actually, and we know they help ease traffic bottlenecks, right? There's one in that pic above.
Look at the picture again. It's a rotunda at left. But you can clearly see, in front of us was a traffic light. I asked the driver if all rotundas have those. He said "only some"!
I don't drive anymore, so I can't be an "expert" on that one. But, a nice topic to reflect upon. There might be some wisdom in 'why they placed traffic lights on that rotunda'!
By the way, there is that "Attention" solo-traffic-light again not lighted, meaning not in use (buti naman). It's that solo light (with what looks like a vertical peg), at the tip of the overhead bar. Can't identify it? There's a set of 3-lights (red, yellow, green); then a timer (it says 18 seconds pa); another set of 3-lights; at the end is the "warning" light!
Here here, for clarity, I cropped only the traffic light from that picture above.
Speakers
Oh yes, they have speakers on their traffic posts too. That thing fascinates me, but I don't know if we still have them anywhere in the Philippines. A funny effective thing!
I remember, in the late '80s, you will just suddenly hear "oy misis na naka-pula, na me dalang Uniwide na plastic, bakit ka tumawid eh red light pa ang pedestrian. Tabi muna"!
Then a traffic officer would approach the misis to penalize them. Weh, during those times, I saw people executing push-ups or squats by some corners, as their penalty!
I think that was fun, funny, yet effective as deterrent to violating pedestrians hehe! It was a reason I would go to Quezon Ave. cor EDSA, Monumento or Quiapo to watch!
I think wala nang ganyan ngayon. I do recall, it was 'attacked' on TV, Radio & Dyaryo by folks like Charito Planas and few others. Kesyo inhuman daw, etcetera, etcetera!
Anyway, I know many traffic corners still have speakers today, but I guess (including that one above) they're only used during road emergencies. Wala na ang "hoy misis"!
Let's move on.
Noontime Traffic Is Fine
Here's a photo I took along Bach Dang St., after crossing the Dragon Bridge:
Ahehehe, baka dahil nalaman nilang dadaan ang aking kamahalan. Nagsitabi muna sila, baka magalit si ako whaahehehe! Seriously, driver said "lant time, people eating"!
Lunchtime daw, nagsisikain ang sangkatauhan! Kaya, swerte ko (aba madalas yan)!
Reminders
But there are interesting road signs. Look at the pic again. Aw, dito na lang sa baba:
It says "lam uống rượu bia, hiem hoa tai nạn giao thông". The first part 'uống rượu bia' is I think "drinking beer"? And the end part 'tai nạn giao thông' means "traffic accident".
Why such a reminder on that part of the road? Hmm, you will know in a little while!
How about the two middle arrows (pointing up and to the right)? Those are the lane assignments for vehicles using this one-way street. Cars: left lane, bikes: right lane.
Note, they even specify motorcycles from bicycles. Note too, they abide by that rule. Eto nanaman ako... hindi katulad sa atin, kung saan-saan sumusuot ang mga "bikers"!
That's the very essence why I decided to include my trips abroad, even if this blog is on Philippine Travel, because we're able to compare and contrast the good and not!
There's one more yellow arrow, the rightmost. And, it points to an important signage (for them), which should be a clue (for us tourists)! It starts with 'tuyến đường cấm'.
Sorry I haven't studied this language yet. But I can decipher some expressions. Like that one says "bawal dito ang..." and it's followed by a list of items and/or activities.
I'm not too sure, but let me attempt: bánh giày means: selling shoes? The others are bad (or illegal or prohibited?) magazines/books. Baka pornographic yan kung sa atin!
Basta in general, bawal magtinda. The last two items are good indicators for us on what to avoid: bèo bám khách is harassing or pestering customers; chèo kéo khách is aggressively soliciting (from) customers. Therefore, me mga ganyan. Iwasan yan.
See that? It's just a simple reminder for them - but we tourists can learn from. How? Well, the presence of such reminders mean: me mga mandarambong sa lugar na ito!
But the street looks beautifully calm and serene. Nasaan ang mga nagtitinda nang-aalok ng kung anu-ano? Ayy, mamayang gabi pa sila maglilipana sa kahabaang ito!
A Pleasure District
This portion of Bach Dang St., which is a river front, is a 'red light district'. Not really openly sleazy like Fields Ave. in Angeles City but many folks call it "red-light-district"!
All are near or within hotels of all categories, or buildings with hotels - and many are steps away to night markets, kiddie rides (na parang peryahan), gardens, and parks!
Look again, during the day this area seems calm & quiet. But by sunset way into the night, it will sizzle with every color, sound or aroma to make your tourist soul happy!
Thus, the peddlers also come to entice you with just about everything bogus - from fake rubber shoes to 'private tours' or 'private shows'. Kaya bawal na maglako dyan.
That's the essence of that big red reminder above. Bawal sa kanila pakalat-kalat na lalapit sa turista magbebenta o mag-aalok ng kung anu-ano. Kelangan may pwesto.
Now, kung mabibiktima ka pa ng mga iyon, shonga ka na lang talaga!
San Miguel Ba Yan?
Aw, look up at that picture above again. You should notice what kind of beer that is! If you don't, FYI lang.., SMB or SML, pati na Red Horse are also big in all of Vietnam!
Yes, they even have a brewery in this country, though I think it is in Nha Trang.
Anyway, as I said above..,
Danang's Bạch Đằng St., especially the northern part is a tourist haven, day or night.
Before that, or onwards, or into the perpendicular streets.., everything is touristy!
This area, by the way, is one of the best places in Danang to have a stroll, whether it be in the early morning, midday or evening (aside from the beach, of course). Look!
And it is like that, along the entire length of the street - which is probably about 5 or more kilometers. That's the river out front, and that place across is still Danang City.
Beyond that, many blocks pa after those buildings and houses, is the beach where I stayed, nakaharap sa East Vietnam Sea or South China Sea or West Philippine Sea!
To the left, as in malayo pa rin, maybe 4 kilometers northwards, is the mouth of that river, emptying out to Danang Bay. Think of it as in nakatayo ka sa JP Rizal sa Makati, facing Mandaluyong at kunyari Pasig River yan sa baba. Malayo kaliwa ang Manila Bay.
Like that yan hehe!
Pero grabe ang ganda na ng kapaligiran on both sides of the river. They've improved it significantly into admirable commercial and tourist areas with gardens and parks.
There is more!
But I wasn't on tour this time. Mga nakaw na sandali lang ang pasyal ko!
In fact, with that long a story, I only covered 3 roads: Võ Nguyên Giáp - by the beach; Võ Văn Kiệt - the rotunda and traffic light approaching the Dragon Bridge; and a part of Bạch Đằng St. - everything else above, from the light traffic at noon! Imagine that!
I haven't even talked about the bridge, the parks and gardens. Next sila, promise!
But let's end this with a trivia: I haven't seen any 7 Eleven store yet! A friend told me there is already 1 in Danang! They started in Vietnam (HCMC) just last year (2017)!
One more trivia! All of Southeast Asia is Spiritual. So I kind of expected to see this:
Both are representations of Buddha, but kind of 2 different religions, I think. The one at left: I often see in 'South Asia'; while the one at right: I often see in 'East Asia'. Na!
Vietnam is part of Southeast Asia and a communist/socialist/whatever! Hmmm...
The question that kept ringing in my head was "does my driver have 2 religions?" Ah I didn't dare ask. I avoid the topic when with strangers and people I do not know well.
It would seem absurd for my driver to believe in (or practice) 2 religions hehe, where in fact, Vietnamese folks are mostly atheist, right? Oh, maybe they place the images as just decorations - not as a religious belief. Or, maybe they put those for the riders!
I mean, those things might mean nothing to drivers, but they put those anyway, as a courtesy to their passengers - who could be practicing either religion? Pwede yata?!
That's an interesting matter that I would surely like to know-about soonest!
But let's cut it here first, and continue on my next blog entry. Pramis!
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