February 2025 – NorthAmericanDarrell

Phnom Penh, hostel experience!🫵🏻😎🏨

I stayed at the Poolside Villa hostel for a few days since arriving in Phnom Penh on February 18th, 2025.

I spent my first two nights in a private studio for $21 a night. When that room was booked, I moved into a dorm for $7 a night. A few people here are staying long-term in the dorms, and it’s easy to see how their monthly budget stays under $1,000.

Here’s what that looks like in real numbers:

$7 × 31 days = $217 for accommodation

$15 a day eating out for every meal = $450

$5 a week for laundry (washed, dried, folded) = $20

$30 a week for transportation = $120

That’s about $800 a month. Add insurance, a phone plan, and personal spending based on your lifestyle, and you’re still hovering around the $1,000 mark.

If you upgrade to a private studio for some breathing room, your accommodation jumps to about $434 a month. At that point, you could just rent a furnished apartment instead—studio or one-bedroom places can be found for $400–$600. With a little discipline on food (eating some meals at home), you can still stay near that $1,000 range.

Honestly, who wants to cook, clean, and do laundry?
But it’s there if you need it.

The hostel bar and restaurant are shockingly affordable:

Beer is $1.50 (or $1 during happy hour)

Most meals are under $5

Walk down the street,a nd you’ll find beers for $0.75 and full meals for around $5

Imagine lunch and a beer for $6—with an actual menu worth choosing from.

I’ve worked my way through the big breakfast, pancakes, curry chicken, and then went full local with Khmer amok (chicken in coconut curry) and lok lak (peppery stir-fried chicken with rice). Both are classic Cambodian dishes, and both were as good as anything I’ve had in proper sit-down restaurants.

This is what makes slow travel so powerful:
Low daily money burn.
Good inexpensive food.
Simple, inexpensive routines.
And a life that doesn’t feel like it’s constantly going to the ATM.

There are a shit ton of solid meal options in the $3–$5 range, and drink prices are just as friendly. Fresh noodle bowls, rice plates, curries, sandwiches, smoothies, iced coffees, fruit shakes—it’s all right there, all day, for pocket change.

Most places don’t feel “cheap” either. They’re clean, relaxed, and actually good. You’re not sacrificing quality; you’re just paying local prices. When a full meal costs less than a coffee back home, you stop thinking in terms of “treating yourself” and start thinking in terms of living normally.

The hostel itself has a perfect setup some a simple inexpensive stay. Studio rooms and door rooms are depending on your preference. Since the studio rooms are USD $21 and there is an adequate pool, so it is a no-brainer if you are on a budget.

It is also walking to “Score,” which is a great sports bar where I can catch a hockey game in the morning.

There was all the bar food and drinks you can find anywhere at half the price, including 75-cent draft beers for happy hour. I will remember this place forever as it is where I watched Canada beat the Americans on February 20th, 2025, on a Connor McDavid OT winner!

I could watch this clip 100 times, remembering that moment in Cambodia, and it wouldn’t be enough!

My next stop was Angkor Wat, Cambodia—a place that deserves its own blog.

You can read that full story by clicking the link below.

HERE.

Vietnam – 35 days cost analysis!⬇️🤑

I wanted to take the slow travel approach when I planned this trip.

Slow travel is a deliberate, unhurried approach to exploring destinations, emphasizing meaningful experiences and cultural immersion. Here are some benefits of slow travel, using my experience to date:

– I learned more about Vietnam and its culture beyond just the tourist traps.

– Slow travel can help you save money on accommodations, as I rented monthly and took local transportation.

– It allowed me to relish my surroundings, build a routine, and live like a local.

– Slow travel reduces stress levels as you are not always on the go (I took too many road trips).

– It promotes me visiting local restaurants and engaging in local cultural events (TET – Chinese New Year).

It is the polar opposite of an all-inclusive vacation resort vacation as you’re living like a local. This is a strategy that I need to prioritize now that I am taking a run at full-time travel!

Since I spent a lot of money on my road trips, it skews the actual cost of living in Vietnam. I can tell you without a doubt in my mind that I could live like a king for $2K a month in any of the cities in Vietnam I visited.

Here is the order of cities I would choose when returning to Vietnam:

1. Phu Quoc Island (one of the most beautiful Islands I have ever visited).

2. Da Nang (there was a huge EXPAT community, making it feel domestic)

3. Nah Trang (there was also a huge EXPAT community, making it feel domestic)

I would choose one of these for one month each the next time I return to Asia.

One month in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. I would just need to decide which cities in the other three Countries to keep my costs down with monthly rent.

Since I have visited all of these Countries, here are my current choices as of today:

– Thailand (Koh Samui – it is also an easy ferry ride to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, as they were all my favorite islands).

– Philippines (Siquijor Island – it was also my favorite place I visited).

– Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island)

– Cambodia (Phnom Penh – it is the only place I have visited, but it is very nice and inexpensive).

The key is to pick a place that can also access other places for inexpensive road trips. This keeps things from getting boring, being stuck in the same spot for the whole time.

I did well on the Vietnam leg of my trip, but there is always room for improvement. I took too many road trips, which brought the cost up. I knew I could do that, as it happened the first time I visited a new country.

Here is a summary of the approximate costs to see how they stack up against my USD $2K monthly budget.

~ USD 600 for accommodations ($420 for Homebase and $180 for road trip Airbnb’s)

~ USD 750 credit card bill

~$800 cash ($200 a week cash for incidentals).

~$2000+ (I would assume this is a bit higher, but this is a summary).

If I stayed in one city instead of touring, it could be a lot less!!

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – night market!

My first couple of days in Phnom Penh, Cambodia were incredible.

I honestly had no idea what to expect, but Cambodia needed a few pins on the map—so I went. I was already in Vietnam, which made it an easy decision. A ferry, a bus ride, and a seamless visa process later, I was there. Why not? felt like the right travel philosophy in that moment.

What I found was a city with its own rhythm and personality. Even the night market felt different from anything I’d experienced in other parts of Asia—familiar in structure, but distinct in energy, food, and vibe.

It was one of those stops that reminds you why saying “yes” to the unknown.

It is almost always worth it!

When you’re up against the night markets of Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the bar is set incredibly high. Phnom Penh’s night market didn’t have the same sheer variety of goods or the endless maze of food options you find in those places.

But what it did have was character—and one standout that stole the show for me: Amok chicken with rice.

That dish alone was worth the stop. Creamy, fragrant, gently spiced, and deeply Cambodian—it felt like comfort food with a story behind it. Even without the overwhelming spectacle of other Asian night markets, that single plate made the experience memorable.

Sometimes it’s not about having everything.
Sometimes it’s about finding one thing that hits just right.

Amok is a traditional Cambodian dish and is widely considered the national dish of Cambodia. It’s often described as a light, fluffy curry made with steamed fish or chicken, cooked in coconut milk and a fragrant blend of spices, then served in a banana leaf. The most famous version is Fish Amok, made with local freshwater fish. It’s a cornerstone of Cambodian cuisine—celebrated for both its flavor and its cultural significance.

To me, it felt like a distant cousin of chicken tikka or curry chicken… only better.

Maybe it was the setting. Maybe it was the custom bamboo-leaf bowl. Maybe it was the fact that I was eating it in Cambodia, where it actually belongs. But whatever the reason, it was incredible. Creamy, aromatic, comforting, and unforgettable—the kind of dish that stays with you long after the plate is gone.

Cumming, GA – Home 2003-2010

In 2003, I finally got off the road from my telecommunications job and took a desk role in Alpharetta, which felt both responsible and slightly suspicious.

I’d been traveling nonstop for about five years, and honestly, I was done. Fortunately, an old manager reached out and offered me a desk job supporting Verizon Wireless 3G operations for Georgia and Alabama as a Customer Support Associate (CSAM). My role was to make sure the Norel product behaved itself—and when it didn’t, I worked directly with Verizon to manage outages and issues.

Once problems were identified, I handled root cause analysis, presented the findings, explained how we’d fix it, and—most importantly—made sure it never happened again. In theory.

I was also responsible for ensuring new network components were introduced, upgraded, and deployed properly. It was a 24/7/365 operation, with other states backing each other up. Stressful? Absolutely. But it was also a great time in my life, and Georgia turned out to be an amazing place to land after years of living out of a suitcase.

What made it especially pivotal was the timing. I was in the middle of building a house in Edmonton while simultaneously being offered this desk job in Georgia. Two very different lives pulling in opposite directions.

I still think about that decision. I’m almost certain that if the Georgia job hadn’t come along, I would have moved to Edmonton. I was finished with road work—and road work was finished with me. I couldn’t keep up with the demand anymore, which would have meant losing my job. And since my U.S. work visa was tied directly to employment, staying in the States wouldn’t have been an option.

I loved that Edmonton house. I loved it even more because it didn’t have a mortgage.

Thanks to years of road work, favorable exchange rates, and converting USD to Canadian dollars at exactly the right time, I was able to pay for it in cash. 🤑 That part still makes me smile.

I can’t remember the exact model of the house, but I do remember the square footage and the builder. If this wasn’t the exact model, it was close—it definitely had a bonus room above the garage, which at the time felt like peak adulthood.

What I remember most clearly, though, is that I chose the worst possible color scheme. Think teal siding with brown trim. Not tasteful teal. Aggressively teal. The kind of choice you make when you’re more excited about square footage than aesthetics.

This was also pre-smart home, pre-everything. So naturally, despite the fact that wireless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi were already a thing, I ran cables everywhere like an absolute dumbass. Through walls. Into places that never needed them. All because I wanted security cameras and—wait for it—a TV above the TV. A bold vision in the early 2000s, and one that required way more effort than it deserved.

Looking back, it was wildly overengineered and completely unnecessary. But at the time? It felt futuristic.

I’ll write a separate blog about the Edmonton house at some point, because honestly, it was an incredible experience in my life and deserves its own spotlight.

But for now, back to the choice that actually got made—the house in Georgia. And no, that one was no slouch either.

These pictures were taken ten years after I moved out. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this ended up being the last annual maintenance trip I’d ever need to make. For years, I’d fly down, trim the bushes practically down to the roots so they’d survive another twelve months, and this time I would’ve finally fixed and painted the fence too.

Funny how you never know it’s the last time when you’re in it.

You can see the empty spot on the patio where the hot tub time machine used to live. That backyard saw a lot of good times. There was a fire pit, and a pergola-style gazebo over the hot tub, complete with lights and speakers—basically a perfectly engineered relaxation zone before I even knew I needed one.

The same guy who rented the house for over ten years eventually bought it as is. I gave him a fair deal and worked directly with him and his financer to get everything done smoothly. I was relieved to be done with the ongoing headaches of long-distance ownership—but I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss that house, and that area, quite a bit.

Some places just stick with you.

And of course…
GO Atlanta Braves! 🪓🪓🪓

Moorseville, NC – Home 2010-2015 (Acerage life)

In 2003, after nearly five years on the road in telecommunications, I transitioned into a desk role in Alpharetta, Georgia. The move provided stability, but more importantly, it set the foundation for more deliberate financial decisions.

I was brought in to support Verizon Wireless 3G operations across Georgia and Alabama as a Customer Support Account Manager (CSAM). The role was operationally demanding—24/7/365 availability—and involved outage response, root-cause analysis, network upgrades, and ensuring system reliability. It was high accountability work, but it also came with consistent income and upward mobility.

By 2010, the company secured the 4G contract for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and I was promoted to manage all three states. That promotion triggered a relocation to Mooresville, North Carolina, a growing area near Lake Norman.

Rather than renting, I took an asset-first approach.

I purchased acreage with an existing manufactured home and a three-car garage with a loft. The strategy was straightforward:

Rent the front house to cover the mortgage

Live in the loft above the garage at minimal cost

Maintain flexibility while building equity

I later acquired the adjacent lot, bringing the total to three acres, increasing long-term land value and optionality.

At the same time, I kept my Georgia property as a rental, using the tenant’s payments to aggressively pay down that mortgage. That tenant remained for over 13 years and eventually purchased the property as-is, eliminating renovation costs and maximizing net return. Rising home values and higher interest rates later made that outcome even more favorable.

This approach wasn’t about lifestyle—it was about leverage:

Stable W-2 income

Cash-flowing real estate

Minimal personal housing costs

Long-term appreciation

Living near Lake Norman was a bonus, not the goal. The real value was in structuring housing as an asset rather than an expense—something that has quietly supported every major move I’ve made since.

Bonfires, riding mowers, lake life, and a lot of beer, working on the yard!

The loft above the garage turned out to be an incredible setup—two bedrooms and a full kitchen overlooking the common area. It was functional, comfortable, and honestly better than most apartments I’d lived in, with the added bonus of costing me almost nothing to live there.

I poured a meaningful amount of capital—and even more sweat equity—into preparing the property for an eventual flip. I knew the 4G assignment had a shelf life, so the strategy was always clear: improve the asset while I was living there basically for free while waiting for the phone call from HR.

I also picked up the adjacent lot, pushing the total footprint to just over three acres. That added real utility—room to maintain, expand, and justify an endless stream of projects. More space meant more optionality, both operationally and on resale options. I could move them together or separately, which is what eventually happened.

But the real differentiator was the garage. Three full-sized bay doors and a bathroom turned it from storage into infrastructure. A legitimate man cave, yes—but more importantly, a flexible, future-proof space that made the property easier to live in and easier to sell for a tradesperson.

That’s the throughline: every upgrade pulled double duty. Livability on the front end. Liquidity on the back.

I eventually rented out the loft, so I added a temporary wall and split the garage accordingly. Two bays stayed with the house; one bay—with a washer and dryer—went with the loft. It was an absurdly good setup. Honestly, if Airbnb had been a thing back then, I would’ve printed money. And given where the market went, the property has probably doubled by now anyway.

But at some point, scale stops being impressive and starts being exhausting.

I was working 60-hour weeks, traveling across the Carolinas and Tennessee on short notice. At the same time, I was managing a rental in Georgia and had my Arizona condo leased out to snowbirds. I used to joke that I had “seven toilets for one asshole,” which was funny right up until it wasn’t.

The day I officially decided to sell is burned into my memory.

The septic tank was seeping. The yard smelled awful. I could see pools forming, and I knew that whatever was happening wasn’t going to be cheap or simple. I called someone out, and sure enough, the yard had to be dug up. One of the two septic fields wasn’t working properly—turns out a switch had failed, leaving one field to do all the work until it overflowed.

On top of that, the tank itself was full and needed to be pumped.

Shitter. Was. Full.

That was the moment it clicked: this wasn’t about money anymore. It was about bandwidth. I’d built something impressive—but I was managing it alone, and the margin for error had vanished. Selling wasn’t a failure. It was triage.

And honestly? It was the right call.

The septic repair itself ran about $5K, but the real cost was psychological. The idea that it could turn into a $50K full replacement was enough. On top of that, both the front and back houses needed new roofs, and every spring came with the annual termite situation. It was always something. Manageable in isolation—exhausting in aggregate.

Not long after, I was laid off after 18 years with the same company, which effectively decided for me. After more than 12 years in the South, I was done. I packed it up and moved to Arizona, where my condo was already waiting.

I knew my telecom days were winding down, which is exactly why I’d bought that condo in the first place—a soft landing spot closer to home in Canada. The timing worked. I was able to bank the sale of the acreage, move west, and reset without scrambling.

All told, it was a great run: seven years in Georgia and five more living the acreage life in North Carolina. I wouldn’t trade it. Especially not my time in Mooresville, better known as Race City USA, where most of the drivers and garages are based.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. lived about 15 minutes from me on his western ranch. No invites for me—but proximity counts for something, right?

Thanks for the memories, Mooresville.
No regrets. Just chapters, and those five years were amazing!

Hello Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

I always say that travel is as adventurous as the destination, and this was no different.

I woke up in Phu Quoc, Vietnam,m Airb, where I spent the last five days. I was packed and ready for the day:

1. Uber/Grab to the ferry terminal to catch my 9 AM 90-minute ferry to Hua Hin, Cambodia.

2. 10-minute Uber/Grab to the bus terminal for the shuttle to the Cambodian border. There was an awesome group of traveller that fought through the same cirumstances like champs too!

3. Two hours in the Cambodia immigration office, sweating my balls off.

4. 60-minute shuttle to Kampo, where most of the passengers were headed.

5A.115-minute Tuk-tuk to another bus station where my shuttle to Phnom Penh was waiting.

6. Two and a half hours to Phnom Penh.

7. Tuk-tuk to Airbnb – The host would not reply, so I could not check in.

8. Amazing mango salad and 75-cent draft, signing out my next step.

9. Tuk-tuk to the amazing poolside hostel where studio rooms are $2.

How is that for an adventurous day and 100% winning at the end of a brutal day!!

What a rush, not knowing if things would work out each step of the way!

Ferry transfer to the border shuttle bus. ✅

Finding an ATM for Cambodian currency and getting a visa approved. ✅

Tuk-tuk transferred from one Kampot shuttle station to the next while the Phnom Penh driver waited for me. ✅

Finding amazing accommodations for the few days I will spend here. ✅

As I blog here at my hosted site,l having breakfast, here are some random pictures and videos from the Amazing Race. Phu Quoc, Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. How is this now awesome?

Goodbye, Phu Quoc, Vietnam!

You are one of the most beautiful Islands I have ever visited!! 🙌🙌

Hello Cambodia, we are going to meet to get to know each other this week!

Phu Quoc, Vietnam – Amazing!

I arrived in Vietnam on January 14th, 2025, and left on February 18th, five weeks or exactly 35 days!

It has been an up-and-down experience, but mission accomplished. I found the areas I would and could live in for under 2 KK. Right off the bat, I know I could live almost anywhere in Vietnam comfortably on my budget. It is now up to me to weigh the pros and cons of each city when I decide to come back.

I will write a separate blog with my budget for each city, along with the probability of my returning.

Today, I want to focus on my last stop, the amazing Island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The hotel and Phem Beach are one of the nicest beaches I have experienced in the world. It has everything you would want for a long-term stay. I am unsure if it fits the vacation criteria, as it is too hard to get here for a week or two weeks from North America on a budget. Anything can be done by Daddy Warbucks, so do it if you can!

Here is my $15 a night Airbnb/hotel with a four-minute walk to beach beers:

53X around the sun ⤴️🌞⤵️ Addicted to travel! 🌎

We all love to travel and find a good deal, right?

That’s why I started this site—to share my love for saving money while traveling. It’s not perfect. The grammar might wander. The editing might be questionable. And yes, you’re absolutely welcome to judge me for any of it.

But it’s been a blast so far!

The best part? People have actually reached out—asking about deals, routes, points, and how to make trips more affordable.

That was always the goal. If you’re looking for ideas or help, you can reach me via WhatsApp or email through the homepage. I helped my first guest book his dream trip in 2026!

I also get that this site isn’t for everyone. We’re all different—and that’s fine. You can even wear your first-class slippers while sitting in coach here. No judgment.

I’ve come a long way… kind of.
I still like cake.
And I had the same number of people at my birthday this year.

Progress is progress.

I spent my 53rd birthday doing what I love, traveling in Asia and Europe!

(I had Pho and a beer this time around in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!)

After getting laid off in February 2024, I spent the next 12 months traveling, so I welcomed 53 times around the sun. I planned to wait until 55, but I’m giving it a shot now to see how it goes!

Mexico-Guatemala-Costa Rica-Peru-Chile-Argentina- Uruguay-Arizona-Philippines, and now Vietnam. I am traveling, trying to understand which Countries I can live in for my $2000 USD 2500 USD budget, and all of those passed the test. How confusing!!

We never know where our future will take us, but having the time, freedom, and financial freedom to travel has been amazing.

My Airbnb guests also left early on April 7th, 2025, so I headed home to Arizona.

Phu Quoc – Vietnam Island paradise!🌞😎

I wrapped up the first 28 days of my Vietnam adventure on February 11th, 2025.

During that stretch, I spent time exploring much of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/Saigon) and made my way through a wide swath of central and southern Vietnam—getting a real feel for how different each region can be, even within the same country.

What stood out most wasn’t just the places themselves, but how quickly Vietnam shifts in tone:
big-city chaos to quiet riverside towns, motorbike madness to morning markets, tourist centers to places that still feel almost untouched.

Every stop felt like a new chapter, not just a new pin on a map.

After two days of plane, bus, and ferry travel, I reached my last destination, the island of Phu Quoc.

It took a night bus and ferry, and a full day of travel, but I made it to Vietnam Paradise Island!

I took the train North, stopping in Nah Trang, Da Nang, and went as far as Hue, Vietnam. It was a great experience, but exhausting. My longest train ride was 18 hours.

After riding trains for what felt like forever, I came down with a pretty severe case of “fuck it” and booked a flight back to my home base in Ho Chi Minh City.

Sometimes slow travel is about patience and rhythm.
And sometimes it’s about recognizing when you’ve had enough of moving sideways and just want to reset.

The train had been great. The scenery was unreal. The experience was worth it.

But in that moment?
I didn’t want another platform, another timetable, or another overnight seat.

So I flew.

And honestly—that flexibility is part of the whole point.

The ironic part? The flight barely cost more than the train.

I loved the train—the views, the slow-paced touring Vietnam. It was absolutely worth doing. But clicking buy on that flight and being back in HCMC in a few hours later felt incredible.

Sometimes the best travel move is resetting—it’s the one that gets you home, rested, and ready for whatever’s next.

I started my bus and ferry journey from HCMC to Phu Quoc!

Below is the legendary night bus—the rolling cocoon many travelers use to reach their next destination.

No seatbelt.
No personal space.
No hotel was needed that night.

Once I wedged myself into that pod, my ass wasn’t going anywhere, but somehow… it worked.

It’s not luxury. a
It’s not comfort.
But it adventureturous to say the least.

The ferry is a lot more comfortable for me, and watching the water go by is great too!

Here’s the walk from my hotel to what might be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

No taxi, short walk, and no rush.

Just a few quiet streets away, warm air, and that moment when the sand finally appears and you realize this is part of your daily routine—not a $200 excursion.

This is what slow travel looks like in practice.

Phu Quoc was less than half price compared to most of the islands I visited in Thailand and the Philippines.

It is perfect for someone on a lower travel budget like me!

Nah Trang, Vietnam – Beachin’ place!!

I woke up with a train hangover from the long ride, sore throat, and my body just hurt. The good news is that a massage can be had for about $5., I was able to fix my body with a couple of massages.

$2 lemongrass peach bubble tea with an ocean view while listening to the Oilers’ pregame show.

I am also staying in an amazing Airbnb for $15 a night to catch up on my rest for a few days.

I eventually found a $75 flight to get back to HCMC to avoid another 10-hour train ride:

NAD for the bounce-back win in extra time!!

Where is Waldo – NorthAmerican Darrell (NAD)🤔

May 13, 2026

This week marks a full month back home in Mesa, Arizona.

I’ve kept things pretty quiet while working on paying off my three month trip to the Philippines. I am also putting together a smarter budget for next year. I spent far more than I planned—but honestly, it was worth every penny.

You can read my 2027 Philippines budget by CLICKING HERE

In other news; Arizona EXCESSIVE HEAT has officially arrived …

110F/42C+ and wow, it’s gonna be HOT for months.

April 22nd, 2026

I have been back in Arizona for almost a week. I had a quick four day visit with my Sister, caught a couple of Blue Jay games live and the Oilers won their first playoff game.

it’s good to be home!!

April 14th, 2026

After 82 days, today is my last day in the Philippines!

What started on January 15th in Tokyo, Japan has come to an end. I feel like I have been gone forever, yet it feels like it flew by at the same time.

It is going to be a long day is the only thing I am positive about now!

1.5 hours – Cebu to Manilla

3.5 hours – Manilla to Taipei, Taiwan

11 hours – Taipei to Phoenix, AZ

I leave at 3:30 AM Cebu time and arrive at 3:00 PM Phoenix time.

Door to door, that is ~30 hours of travel time with16 hours in the air!

April 3rd, 2026

Less than two weeks left in Cebu, Philippines until I head back home to Arizona on April 15th.

I haven’t updated this “Where is NAD?” blog in over a month—which, for me, is pretty incredible.

And honestly, that tells me everything.

It means I settled into a routine and I am content.

For a while, I didn’t even realize it… until everything shut down for Holy Week and it hit me—I had been living the same awesome day on repeat.

And to be honest, it was a pretty good routine for me:

Working out in condo gym

Coffee with the EXPATs from all over the world

Walk one of the malls and grab lunch

Weekly vitaility treatments that you can read about by CLICKING HERE.

Happy hour at TGIF/Social/Mango

Meeting amazing new people.

I would sub in some things on some days and other things on other days and just going with the flow of living life in Cebu. You can ready by “Life in Cebu” blog by CLICKING HERE.

Not a bad life for someone that cannot settle down!

But if I’m being honest, routine and I have a complicated relationship.
Give me too much of it… and I start to feel it.

Perfect timing too.

Still, I’m genuinely excited to head back to Arizona—and my little casita in Rocky Point, Mexico.

My sister is coming to visit the day after I get back. We’ve got Toronto Blue Jays baseball on deck and Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey.

That’s a pretty great welcome home.

And the best part?

I still have trips to Bantayan and Siquijor Islands planned before I leave.

Also, this isn’t a goodbye, it is see you again soon! 👋🏻

Before I know it, I’ll be right back in Cebu on August 19th, 2026, for a month… ready to do it all over again—just a little differently next time from my lessons learned.

LFG Oilers and Blue Jays!!

March 5th, 2026

After seven unforgettable weeks in Cebu, Philippines, I’m getting ready to sign one last month-long lease that will carry me through April 7th. It’s hard to believe this chapter is already winding down. From there, I’ll have one final week to soak it all in before making my way back to Arizona on April 15th.

Thankfully, this isn’t a farewell — it’s just an intermission. I’m already booked for four months in 2027! 🌴✈️

Looks like The Philippines isn’t done with me yet… and honestly, I’m perfectly okay with that.

I’ve just returned from an incredible four-day road trip to the breathtaking island of Siargao — a slice of paradise filled with palm-lined roads, turquoise waters, and that laid-back island rhythm you wish you could bottle up and take home. You can read all about the adventure by clicking HERE.

February 22nd, 2026

It’s been a month in Cebu, Philippines—and somehow it feels like I’ve been here way longer than that. Hard to believe I left Tokyo on January 23. The original plan was to return to Japan for a full month since I only spent a week there…

Fast forward, and instead I’ve settled into EXPAT life in the Philippines. I extended my lease until April 15th—and then went a step further and locked in a four-month lease for next year.

You can read why I extended my lease by CLICKING HERE.

Safe to say, plans changed but, for the better!

Philippines… did we just become best friends?

February 6th, 2026

Two weeks in Cebu, Philippines and all is well! Starting to Island hop which makes the Philippines amazing!

January 23rd, 2026

Eight days into a month-and-a-half-long adventure in Japan, and plans are already changing.

A buddy is leaving Cebu, Philippines, ten days early, so I’m sliding into his place—for free. I stayed in this exact condo back in 2024 and absolutely loved the area, so this felt less like a detour and more like fate tapping me on the shoulder.

I might come back to Japan and finish this trip.

I might set up shop in Cebu until the end of April.

There’s no real point in locking anything in—history suggests I get bored everywhere eventually.

What I do know with 100% certainty:

I just had seven glorious spa days in a row at my Tokyo Airbnb,

I’m leaving freezing and relatively expensive Japan.

This is what’s waiting for me in the Cebu area for pennies on the dollar.

(Quarters on the dollar just doesn’t sound right but, you get it!)

Some people will never be happy.
Some people will always try to find it.

I know which one I am, today!

January 15/16, 2026

After two-plus weeks in Rocky Point, Mexico, I was done feeling like crap to start 2026, and very aware that the beach beers can’t fix everything—especially when your brain is the problem. Loco Gringo!!

The original plan was to head back to Canada. Sensible. Responsible. Family.

That wasn’t enough to shake me out of the funk, so instead, I bailed on paid flights and pulled in my trip to Japan.

Fast forward two days: I’m sipping a Starbucks in Tokyo, 10K steps already logged, surrounded by smiles, neon, and efficiency as I have never experienced in my life—and I feel alive again.

Sometimes all it takes is changing the channel for me.

Life moves fast. If you’re not paying attention, you might miss it while waiting for the “right time.”

We’ve trained ourselves to postpone happiness.
Once I finish this.
Once I save more.
Once I retire.
Then I’ll live.

Why not now? So here I am two weeks early!

Sushi.
Ramen.
Sake.
Japanese BBQ.

But first…

Starbucks Coffee, Tokyo roast.

January 7th, 2026

It has been a quiet start to 2026 here in Rocky Point, Mexico.

A new year brings reflection and planning, and that is pretty much all I have done besides beach beers and tacos.

It is time to hit the gym and eat better, starting tomorrow-ish!

In the meantime …

The tortilla soup and burrito are from Compadres Restaurante in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point).

This town is full of imitations—but this place is the real deal.
Mexican-run.
No shortcuts.
No tourist fluff.

Just honest, classic food done right—and honestly, as good as it gets.

After dinner, head over to Zay’s Western Bar & Grill to catch the game—or grab the mic and sing a tune.

Because let’s be honest…
Travelers really are the champions of the world.

December 31, 2025

Another year gone! What in the actual FUCK!?

I had the amazing maids prepare my AZ Airbnb for my grateful guests and headed back to Rocky Point.

Next up:

Canada on January 15th (weather permitting)

Japan on January 30th!

Happy New Year:

www.NorthAmericanDarrell.com and his trusty assistant ChatGPT!

December 26–30, 2025

After thirty-nine days away and two Airbnb guests rotating through while I was gone, I finally made it home to AZ.

The weather is absolutely beautiful.

Just enough time to hit my favorite local spots, reset, and prep the condo for the next four months. That will cover the rest of the snowbird season, with two more amazing repeat guests already lined up.

This season worked out better than I probably expected.

And yet… I can still find a reason to worry.

Some habits travel with you no matter how many miles you log, as something always needs to be planned, perfectly!

I leave on November 30th to spend New Year’s Eve in Rocky Point: tequila in one hand, taco in the other, resolutions postponed indefinitely. Life is very bueno, mis amigos.

I regret nothing until New Year’s Day!

¡Salud!

December 17–18, 2025

The Long Way Home

After almost 40 hours of travel, I finally made it home to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco)—coming all the way from Hanoi.

Here’s how it unfolded:

11:00 AM – Grab (Uber equivalent) to Noi Bai International Airport

3:45 PM – Flight from Hanoi → Guangzhou

4-hour layover

13-hour flight from Guangzhou → Los Angeles

3-hour layover

1-hour flight from Los Angeles → Phoenix

(I planned to take the bus… but flying won this round)

6-hour layover

4-hour shuttle to Rocky Point

They say the journey is more important than the destination…

After this one?
Yeah. No kidding.

Still—The tacos and corona hits different after crossing half the planet.

December 7, 2025

I wrapped up my road trip through Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia, ending it in Bali—and Bali turned out to be exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

After months of movement and big cities, I found a sense of stillness during my five days there, especially once I got away from the more crowded areas. Quiet mornings, slower days, and space to breathe made all the difference.

I finally understand why Aussies practically invade Bali. It’s beautiful, relaxed, and incredibly affordable, with a quality of life that punches way above its price point.

This was just a short stay, but it left a lasting impression. I’ll absolutely be back—next time for much longer.

December 3rd, 2025

After two weeks in Hanoi, I was ready for a breather. I booked a quick side trip to Kuala Lumpur for a few days and officially dropped another pin—this time in Malaysia. 📍

One of the best decisions was hopping on the double-decker city tour bus, which made it easy to get oriented and take in the scale of the city. Kuala Lumpur’s architecture really stands out—modern skyscrapers sitting right alongside historic buildings, with the skyline anchored by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

It was a short stop, but a perfect reset: less chaos, great views, and just enough time to appreciate how diverse and visually impressive the city really is.

December 3rd, 2025

After two weeks in Hanoi, I was ready for a breather. I booked a quick side trip to Kuala Lumpur for a few days and officially dropped another pin—this time in Malaysia. 📍

It was a short stop, but a perfect reset: less chaos, great views, and just enough time to appreciate how diverse and visually impressive the city really is.

November 9th, 2025

I checked in my first guest of the snowbird season and then headed back to my pad in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco). Another season officially underway.

With that taken care of, my focus shifted to what’s next.

I’m now gearing up for my next EPIC adventure—heading to Hanoi on November 17th. Knowing there’s income coming in while I’m on the road makes these kinds of trips far more sustainable. That extra cash generated from Airbnb goes a long way when you travel often and travel far.

This balance—owning a base, hosting snowbirds, and staying mobile—is exactly what makes the lifestyle work for me.

Welcome to Arizona.

The Rocky Point Rally always attracts thousands of motorcycles from all over North America, and it was already in full swing when I arrived in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco).

It’s one of those events that’s amazing and annoying at the exact same time. The energy is wild, the bikes are incredible, and the noise… relentless. I was honestly glad I only caught the tail end of the final day, which was more than enough.

This was my second year in a row experiencing the absolute madness, and that was plenty to remind me why people love it—and why I don’t need to see the whole thing from start to finish.

Here are a few shots of the yearly visitors and their souped-up bikes. Love it or hate it, the Rocky Point Rally definitely makes an impression on how you see bikers!

It’s been a year since I started blogging, and the 2024 Rocky Point Rally was one of the very first posts I put out. Looking back at it now, it’s wild to see how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same.

I’ve come a long way since that first post, but I know there’s still a long way to go. And honestly, that’s part of the appeal to keep on blogging.

You can read last year’s blog by clicking HERE!

November 1st, 2025

After two and a half weeks at my pad in Mexico, I headed home to Mesa just in time for Game 7 of the World Series.

I needed a change of scenery after watching the Toronto Blue Jays blow a chance to close it out in Game 6. And then… history repeated itself. Game 7 didn’t go our way either. That said, it was still an incredible showing against the best team in baseball.

Credit where it’s due—congrats to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well earned.

Now it’s time to switch gears and prep my Airbnb for snowbird season. One chapter closes, another opens.

And as always—big travel plans coming soon.

Exactly two weeks after getting home from a month-long European adventure, I was already restless. Jet lag was winning, the gym was losing, and motivation was nowhere to be found.

The obvious solution? A quick reset at my place in Rocky Point, Mexico. That move never fails. Instant relaxation, deep sleep, system reboot.

Night one: watched a Blue Jays game and slept 12 hours.
Night two: Oilers game, followed by another 10 hours.
Add in a $15 haircut and hot shave, and suddenly life made sense again.

LFG Jays. LFG Oilers. And LFG daily trips to ProFitness to get fully back on track. 💪

September 29th/30th, 2025

Home sweet home! Mesa, AZ

Planes, trains, and automobiles—home edition.

Train from Paris to London.
Flight from London to Los Angeles.
Rental car from LA to Mesa.
eBike home after dropping the rental… because why not?

All just in time for playoff baseball and the start of the NHL season.

LFG Jays. LFG Oilers. 🚀🏒⚾️

September 28th, 2025

Later that day—and officially over the snobs in France—I hopped on the train from Paris to London to spend my final day there.

September 28th, 2025

I lasted less than one day in Paris. I have never met such rude people in my whole life than the French! No, I don’t “Parlez-vous français ?” Most people will not help you unless you speak French. I say most because I did meet a few nice people there but not enough to keep me around more than 12 hours.

Peace out!!

September 27th, 2025

Not sure anyone actually reads these updates, but they’ll be helpful if I bump my head. 😂

After missing two connections, I somehow ended up on a first-class high-speed train to Paris. Total accident. Absolute treat.

September 26th, 2025

After going back and forth, I decided it was time to leave Italy. I booked the final two legs of my trip and head to Belgium tomorrow via Munich.

It’s a 12-hour train ride, so I may stop along the way—depending entirely on how I’m feeling.

September 23rd, 2025

After a 12-hour travel day winding through Switzerland, I finally arrived in Venice, Italy. I missed Venice on my last trip to Italy, so this time I made it a priority—and it was absolutely worth it.

I found an amazing hostel for $20 a night and plan to enjoy a couple of days soaking it all in one seltzer at a time.

September 22, 2025

Traversing the Swiss Alps including the famous Bernia Express!

September 20th, 2025

Just when I thought Prague had locked down the title of favorite city, Munich showed up—and camping for Oktoberfest absolutely kicked the door in.

Are you fucking kidding me?!

Sleeping in a tent, waking up to beer songs, lederhosen before breakfast, massive tents, endless laughs, and a nonstop parade of good times. It wasn’t just Oktoberfest—it was Oktoberfest in pro mode, and it was glorious.

September 18th, 2025

My first full day in Prague was absolutely amazing.

From wandering the Old Town to crossing Charles Bridge and taking in the layers of history everywhere you turn, Prague makes it easy to slow down and just soak it all in. The city feels lived-in, beautiful without trying too hard, and effortlessly walkable—one of those places that pulls you in right away.

A perfect first impression, and the start of what I already knew was going to be a great stay.

September 17th, 2025

My time in Poland has come to an end. I spent almost a week here, with a quick side trip to Iceland mixed in, which made the stretch feel even more memorable.

I really enjoyed my time in Poland. The familiarity of the Ukrainian language, the food, and—most of all—the people made it feel comfortable and welcoming in a way I didn’t fully expect. It’s one of those places that quietly grows on you the longer you stay.

Now the trip is building toward what I’ve been looking forward to most.

Next up: crossing the Swiss Alps and then heading straight into the madness of Oktoberfest in Munich.

But first—just a quick stop in Prague.

September 13th, 2025

Back in Warsaw, Poland! After a whirlwind trip to Iceland, I wanted to spend a few more days relaxing. Next up, the Czech Republic.

September 11th, 2025

What an EPIC 48-hour road trip to Reykjavík, Iceland!

This was one of those fast, intense trips where you pack in as much scenery as humanly possible and run purely on adrenaline and awe. Endless open roads, dramatic landscapes, unpredictable weather, and that unmistakable Icelandic feeling that you’re driving through another planet.

Short trip. Spent most of it in the hot springs.

Big impressions on the lava flowing and,
absolutely worth every mile.

I spent my last day and the budget for these days at the famous Blue Lagoon hot springs.

Entry included one facemask; I went with white! LMAO!

September 8th, 2025

What a full week!! 4 planes, 2 buses, and 1 train!

Phoenix-Los Angeles-London-Faro-Portimão-Lagos-Porto, Portugal-Warsaw, Poland!

I am looking forward to spending a few days enjoying Old Town Warsaw as it looks amazing!

My next adventure is Reykjavik, Iceland, on September 11th!

September 4th, 2025

Holy Cow! I made it to Faro, Portugal, after a ~24-hour journey.

30-minute Uber PHX airport

1.5-hour flight to LA

8 fucking hour layover

10-hour flight to London

2-hour layover

3-hour flight to Faro

I took a few needed naps to address some serious jet lag! I toured old town Faro for a day, and took a 2-hour bus to the beach in Portimão and Lagos the next day at crack ass AM in the morning!

September 1st, 2025

The start of my most EPIC adventure yet!

Crisscrossing Europe by airplane and train on Standby for a month!!

Armed with an all-you-can-fly pass with Wizz Air and a EuroRail pass, the possibilities are endless!

I leave Phoenix on September 1st and arrive in London the morning of Sept 2nd.

My first all-you-can-fly flight choice was to Faro, Portugal, leaving that afternoon!

I will take the train North to Lisbon and Porto from there is the plan!

I hope to visit 7-10 new countries during September! 🛃

Taco Tuesday, April 19, 2025!

After just over two weeks at my pad in Rocky Point, Mexico, it is time to head home to Arizona!

I may as well have driven the shuttle!

I did everything I set my mind to during my visit, including eating well, going to the gym, and avoiding alcohol (for the most part). I did overdo it the last night, but that was well deserved, and I paid the price.

NO MAS Mexico until October!

I also had a very productive two weeks working on my website and my YouTube channel.

My site is ready for September 2025, where I will use my Wizz Airline pass and Europass train pass to blog while I crisscross Europe.

If I go crazy, will you still call me Superman!?

August 1st, 2025! Puerto Penasco, Mexico, casa!

After spending the last week of May, June, and July home in Mesa, I headed back to Mi Casa in Rocky Point, Mexico, for a couple of weeks of beach time.

Four-hour shuttle from home, who doesn’t love the beach?

My goal was to spend the Summer taking better care of myself at home in Mesa.

LifeTime Fitness Gym/Spa almost every day after getting home from Mexico, the last week of May!

I have been going to LTF for over 15 years on and off. I love it there! 🕺

I also took a break from drinking alcoholic beer! This was during the NHL playoffs, too!

It was a day-to-day calendar challenge; kicking its ass for 70+ days!

Check out the blog on how I did it HERE!

I pulled my cardio equipment out of storage and used it religiously every day for over 60 minutes before heading to the gym/spa. I would do intervals on the bike for 30 minutes and row for another 30 minutes.

(Rowing is the absolute best cardio as it works your entire body head to toe).✅

The biggest reason I swore off beer was due to my last trip to Mexico, Oilers playoff hockey shitshow that lasted a month straight. I needed to slow down and lose some weight, and had a plan headed back to AZ! I knew coming back to Mexico would be a challenge, so I put together a game plan to hopefully help. It was no secret that what I was doing in Arizona would also work in Mexico, so I am doing my best to incorporate it here, too.

I brought 24 yummy non-alcoholic IPAs from AZ!

I joined the best gym in town for the time I will spend here for a couple of dollars a day!

I ordered Tecate Zero last night with dinner, with some Clamato. Yummy, so I bought some too for the fridge!

My first favorite stop, Zays, served up Heineken Zero and my favorite beach sport, Tecate 0.0 Cheladas for the win!

I know there will be beer mixed in in the next couple of weeks, but if I stick to the plan, that is ok!

Out of the gates, looking good! Like golf, it’s all in the follow-through, but I suck at golf!! LOL

This will be a great character test, as there is not a lot to do in Rocky Point other than drink, eat, and go to the beach!

I will also leave for Europe in a month to traverse the Country for a month by plane and train, knocking off bucket lists.

I will also attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, the last week of September 2025, where real beer will go down! LOL

Late May, 2025

After almost five months away from home, I made it back to my amazing condo in Mesa, AZ! Every time I get home, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in AZ and this this complex. If you’d like to check it out, you can click on the link below.

My next flight is not booked until September!

🚫Mind the GAP!!🚫

Photo tour – Listing editor – Airbnb

It has also been a great reset from my travels getting back into a routine and getting back to the gym or as I like to call it “The Spa”. They have everything needed to work out and relax. Steam, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, inside pool, outside pool and lounge chairs to sit outside just like a five-star resort.

Memberships Gilbert | Life Time

I have been going to LifeTime Fitness for over twenty years on and off, starting in Georgia in 2003ish when I moved there.

I remember them building one near my office in Alpharetta, GA, and selling memberships out of a trailer. I am pretty sure they were $49.99 a month back in 2005ish.

Today, I pay $99 a month and am able to put the membership on hold when I travel for $15 a month. If I were to cancel, the rate for new members is currently $179 in AZ and $199 in GA, which is crazy.

I am going to have to be pretty broke to cancel “The Spa”. LOL

It is also a great time to be home and watch the Oilers!

Previous blog from the first week in April, 2025.

I was home in Mesa, Arizona, for exactly two weeks before I bolted for my pad in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico.

– My nephew booked my condo in AZ for a week.

– A friend needed a place to stay for a week and a half.

– I got a nine-day reservation on Airbnb, which is odd for this late season.

It is times like these that I am so thankful for my pad here in Mexico. It is only four hours away, and I keep my truck here for times like these when my condo is unavailable to me.

It has been great hanging out at the beach and coming home to the NHL playoffs.

LFG Oilers!!

Previous blog from the first week in April, 2025.

I made it home to Mesa, AZ, on the evening of April 7th!

How is this for my last week of travel (blogs hyperlinked)?

My flight home from Rome to Los Angeles was 12 hours, followed by an hour flight to Phoenix.

It is time to enjoy the HOT Arizona and Mexico Summer and learn to edit!

Previous blog from March 2025

After spending 70 days in Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore), I will then leave Asia for the last time this trip on March 21st. It was an amazing experience living like a local in each country. I would rate them in this order:

1. Cambodia (Super cheap and a large EXPAT community with easy access to Vietnam and Thailand).

2. Vietnam (Although it was not as inexpensive as Cambodia, $2K goes a long way each month)

3. Thailand (It is a super nice Country with amazing beach,s but it has become saturated with tourists and expensive)

4. Singapore (I only spent a few days in Singapore and do not need to return other than the airport, too expensive!).

I will start my European leg in Athens, Greece, and plan to crisscross Europe using my Wizz all-you-can-fly pass for three weeks. I have a flight from Rome, Italy, heading home to Arizona on April 7th. I cut the European trip three weeks short as I am ready to go home. You might want to check out this pass in the link above, as it is a spectacular adventure!!

That will total 84 days of travel this time around, which was fun and exhausting at the same time.

I visited these Countries the first time I used my pass earlier this year: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and the United Emirates. Starting next week, I hope to expand this list by four to seven Countries.

I am currently touring Athens, Greece, and I have booked my first two flights on my pass.

Headed off to London for a pint and some fish and chips on an eight-hour layover. I will be back at the airport and off to amazing Istanbul, Turkey for 20 Euro/USD!

It is a seven-hour flight, so I can catch up on my sleep in the air, which is how it should be done.

The standby flight options are endless, including Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East:

Hoi An, Vietnam – This river is incredible!

After a few days in Da Nang, it was time to shuttle down the road to Hoi An.

It was a $6, 45-minute ride from one Airbnb to the next, which is pretty wild when you realize both cities are this close and yet feel completely different. Da Nang has that big, modern, melting-pot energy. Hoi An leans slower, softer, and more storybook. It’s perfect when you start craving calm—or when Hoi An’s tourist buzz sends you back the other way.

Right now, I’ll call it a tie. Hoi An is winning on pure laid-back charm.

In Da Nang, the anchor is the Dragon Bridge. In Hoi An, it’s the river.

And that river is something else.

I’ve seen it on YouTube, but nothing prepares you for it in person. Hundreds of boats drifting by, glowing lanterns floating across the water, reflections dancing everywhere. It feels unreal—like stepping into a moving painting.

Hoi An is definitely in Vietnam’s top 5 for me:

Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Nah Trang, Hanoi, and Hoi An in no particular order.

Here are a few videos to give you a sense of it.
But honestly? Even those don’t quite do it justice.

The Dragon bridge – Da Nang, Vietnam!🔥🐉

It is almost impossible to watch YouTube in Vietnam without the Dragon Bridge as a must-visit.

Well, February 2nd, 2025, was that day for me on my second full day in Da Nang.

The Dragon Bridge only does its fire and water breathing show on Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM, so if it was going to happen, it had to be today.

Just like every other tourist trap, the lead-up was better than the actual show, but glad I went. I was able to walk to the bridge from my Airbnb in Da Nang as it was only two miles.

Here are some videos of the amazing walk:

Once I arrived at the bridge, I put myself in the middle of the maze of people to prepare for some pictures. I have to say that some Vietnamese people have zero clue about how normal shit works. They just parked in the front when they arrived five minutes before the show.

Here are some more videos before I threw a few of them in the river:

I am glad I visited, but it is just a tourist trap with a ton of people!

Da Nang, Vietnam – I could live here too!

After a 17-hour train ride, I blogged about here and YouTube videos here, I made it to Da Nang, Vietnam!

I planned to do voiceovers with the YouTube videos, but I have not grasped the challenge, yet.

Maybe if I start getting more views, I will step up my game! HINT!! LOL

I have 259 videos, and almost 10K views in the first month of my channel and my website:

Let me make this easy for you sitting on the fence. Here are the links you just need to CLICK:

www.NorthAmericanDarrell.com to bookmark and YouTube link to subscribe or here to buy me a beer!

I never thought anyone would buy me a beer let alone watch my videos, but it’s been a lot of fun:

YouTube pays for the advertising clicks, not the actual site visits so it is impossible to make money without millions and millions of views. Plus, YouTube pays you for the amount of ad views your video gets. If your video has a million views but no advertising on it, you won’t be making any money. If your video has a million views but only 10,000 ad views, you’ll be making money only on the 10,000 ad views.

OK – selfless plug complete and back to the regularly programmed blog on Da Nang, Vietnam:

There is a very North American feel to Da Nang. It is a hot spot for a lot of Europeans leaving the cold wanting a cheaper way of life in paradise from what I am told.

This was a microbrewery on the beach and the second one visited already with $5 pints of goodness. I had a $7 burger and fries with coffee and carrot cake for dessert for USD 23. It is not super cheap but for a beach. 🤑

One of the biggest things when traveling is the walkability of the area. Most nice beaches have a boardwalk or Malecon as they call it in Mexico. Da Nag is no different, but it just seems much more inviting.

Besides the countless inexpensive coffee/tea shops, street food, and restaurants there is hiking on the mountain in the bay. The hiking can take you to other remote areas on the beach along with a large statue of Lady Buddha on the oceanfront which looks spectacular from the boardwalk.

I have not visited there yet so here are pictures from the internet and the supporting blog:

“From the East coast, visitors can see an enormous white statue with a mountain backdrop, that is the Lady Buddha Da Nang. Located on the ground of Linh Ung Pagoda, she was sculpted by artisans in a Non-Nuoc marble village. Thanks to its huge size and importance in local belief, hundreds of visitors come to this statue daily. That makes it one of the top tourist attractions in the city. So why did people place it there? What does it mean? Or why Lady Buddha? are frequently asked questions. Now, all secrets are opened, to help visitors to know better about the monument and everything around it.”

My best travel days always start by hitting my 10K steps followed by a local coffee. This place is perfect for me as there are so many options for my morning walk/hike and coffee. Day one was absolutely perfect, but I replaced the coffee with two micro-brewery which is a great substitute for a couple of days a week!

The last video started with a roofie or in this case a 7% IPA! Look at that amazing view with the mountain in the background. Also, If you drive the opposite way, the amazing city of Hoi An is about a 30-minute drive making it a two-for-one destination.

NorthAmericanDarrell

Monthly Archives: February 2025

Phnom Penh, hostel experience!🫵🏻😎🏨

Vietnam – 35 days cost analysis!⬇️🤑

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – night market!

Cumming, GA – Home 2003-2010

Moorseville, NC – Home 2010-2015 (Acerage life)

Hello Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

Phu Quoc, Vietnam – Amazing!

53X around the sun ⤴️🌞⤵️ Addicted to travel! 🌎

Phu Quoc – Vietnam Island paradise!🌞😎

Nah Trang, Vietnam – Beachin’ place!!

Where is Waldo – NorthAmerican Darrell (NAD)🤔

May 13, 2026

April 22nd, 2026

April 14th, 2026

April 3rd, 2026

March 5th, 2026

February 22nd, 2026

February 6th, 2026

January 23rd, 2026

January 15/16, 2026

January 7th, 2026

December 31, 2025

December 26–30, 2025

December 17–18, 2025

December 7, 2025

December 3rd, 2025

December 3rd, 2025

November 9th, 2025

September 20th, 2025

September 18th, 2025

September 17th, 2025

September 11th, 2025

Hoi An, Vietnam – This river is incredible!

The Dragon bridge – Da Nang, Vietnam!🔥🐉

Da Nang, Vietnam – I could live here too!

My Airbnb in Mesa, AZ. BOOK IT!!