Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) @ Da Nang in Vietnam

In the five days I was at Danang, one prominent landmark that was frequently within sight would be the Dragon Bridge, which was named appropriately due to its unique eye-catching design! 

Spanning 666 meters long across Han River, the bridge, in the shape of a dragon bouncing in and out of the water, was opened in 2013 and provided the most direct link to Danang International Airport. 

As it was within walking distance from our hotel, Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang, I can say I would be within close proximity of the bridge, be it on it or near it, every day since my daily jogs were in the vicinity. 

Tail-end of the Dragon Bridge. 

Maybe we came at the right period as there wasn't much rain and even though it could be hot in the afternoon, night time brought with it a cool breeze that made walking across the bridge a very nice experience. 

I don't know much about bridges but I guess all the pylons served an important role of stabilizing the bridge well used by many motorists. 

Scenery a the Dragon Bridge; unlike many tourists, I chose to stay at the city centre instead of the by the beach. Having said that, I have plan to book a hotel by the beach for my next visit in 2025! I am unsure how my mom would take to that since she doesn't enjoy the beach.

More photographs for your viewing pleasure; the building that stood out would be the Courtyard by Marriott, with its large portrait constantly changing LED messages, including the striking flag of Vietnam!

From the bridge, you can also see Haian Riverfront Hotel Da Nang! Look closer towards the left and you would notice a cathedral spire; that's the location of the pink cathedral.

Towards the left, you would notice another cathedral spire and that's An Hai Parish Church, which is also known as the second pink church, albeit less famous than the original one. Those who prefers to stay near a shopping centre can consider Melia Vinpearl, which is right next to Vincom Plaza Da Nang. 

On the opposite side of Dragon Bridge, you would notice another captivating bridge that cut across the Han River; the 731-meter long Tran Thi Ly bridge. That ferris wheel was part of the Da Nang Downtown theme park, operated by Sun Group, the same entity that brings us Sun World Ba Na Hills and Sun World Fansipan Legend. 

Going to the other side of the bridge, which was super near another place of attraction; the Son Tra Night Market where my tummy was blown away by the cheapest lobster meal I ever had! 

Head of the Dragon of the Dragon Bridge - honestly, it was more golden yellow in person but some of the photographs I took showed that it was more orangey. 

Colors changed even more at night when LED lights were activated. Maybe I should consider a time-lapse in my next visit, maybe across one hour or so. 

Awww, the eyes were in the shape of a heart! Anyway, the Dragon Bridge is more than just the shape. On weekend nights, there will be a free performance, where the dragon head will come to live! It wouldn't move but both fire and water would on display! More on that in a separate post! 

Alex walking behind me and complaining the wind was too strong, too cold! I am so praying the weather would be the same when I revisit in May 2025. But, I am not hopeful.

The performance would take place at 9pm on weekends; so please be prepared for a massive crowd in this area then. Remember, there will be fire and water, so being so close to the head might not be such a great idea. 

Finally, a panorama of the Dragon Bridge to end this post.

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Address

29 Cầu Rồng, An Hải Trung, 

Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam

Map

As above.

Click here for my 8 Days' Itinerary to Danang (The City of Bridges) & Hoi An (The City of Lanterns) in Vietnam

Woong Kee Beancurd - 旺记祖傳豆花 @ Penang in Malaysia

What do I love most from my 2013 trip to Ipoh? It's the soya beancurd from this funnily named store called Funny Mountain! Hence, when I saw the A-board poster claiming to be Ipoh Famous Taufufa, I was super excited! 

Turned out to be a different shop and the name was Woong Kee Beancurd. I searched on Google Maps and it turned out to be reputable in Ipoh, with a rating score of 4.5 from over 1,100 reviewers. In comparison, Funny Mountain had only a rating score of 4.1, albeit from over 2,500 reviewers. 

It was a simple shop managed by an elderly grandma and a young chap, although there were counter seats available for those who prefer to hide from the heat outside, and enjoy the ventilation from the ceiling fans. 

Beancurd - first up had to be the signature beancurd, with options on the types of sugar. You can choose from ginger sugar, white sugar, black sugar, chrysanthemum sugar and even osmanthus sugar! 

We went with the black sugar which was actually gula melaka. You can also opt to have toppings like rice balls, peanuts, glass jelly and red bean. But no, I shall go with the basic! Smooth beancurd, but like the yamada beancurd that I recently blogged about; the bean taste wasn't pronounced and that to me was a disappointment.

Sweetness was thought to be diluted until I realized I had to scoop from the bottom as gula melaka was a lot denser! Honestly, for just RM 2.50 a bowl, I shouldn't be complaining about the lack of bean taste. 

Soya Bean Milk - I can't resist soya bean milk, and only the classic one given that I am a traditionalist! From the menu, and the different colored bottles, the round containers, there were black soya bean, blue flower soya, dragon fruit soya and also carrot soya! 

Tasted much better than the beancurd, with the nice soya beans aroma that's important! However, the texture wasn't as thick as the soya bean milk from Michelin recommended Whampoa Beancurd in Singapore. 

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Address

471, Jln Penang, George Town, 

10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Beancurd (Bowl) - RM 2.50

Soya Bean Milk (Bottle) - RM 3.50

Click here for my Five Days 

Itinerary to Penang in 2024

Bomba Street Art - Beacon of Hope Mural @ Penang in Malaysia

You know where is the ancestor of street art wall murals in Southeast Asia? I would say it has to be Penang, and all the more I believe in it when I chanced upon a lane called the Bomba Street Art, simply because it was right beside the historical Central Fire Station! 

I actually started from this side; which would be deemed the exit. There was an explanation that this bomba street art was officially known as Beacon of Hope Mural and included 18 murals that symbolized firefighting operations.

Literally deserted of any visitors! 

This lantern didn't feel very Malaysian but the main star was the mural which showed two firemen diligently fighting a raging fire with the powerful water hose. 

I only recognize Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who finally managed to make a political comeback after being ousted from the main political party, UMNO, more than twenty years ago! 

Reminder on the emergency number for Malaysia.

999, which was similar to Singapore! 

p.s. the antique phone wasn't working.

The murals were nice but not impressive; my eyes were more captically by the wind spinners that marked the start of the bomba street art that was along the 50-meter long street. 

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Address

MBPP Walkway @Lebuh Pantai, 119, 

Beach St, Georgetown, 

10300 George Town, 

Penang, Malaysia

Map

As above

Click here for my Five Days 

Itinerary to Penang in 2024

Umbrella Alley @ Penang in Malaysia

Nowadays, it's quite easy to make a place popular; just make it visually impactful even if the materials used are commonly used products so that influencers would swarm there to take photos and videos.

That's what I felt when I accidentally stepped into the umbrella alley when I was in Penang a few months ago. Hung across the alley was a line of rainbow-patterned umbrellas, resulting in a aesthetically beautiful canopy that hardly sheltered you from the rain.

My first thought was that businesses in this alley required a "push" to draw business and it appeared be doing the magic even though it's just off the most famous Armenian Street in Penang! 

As I was alone, I decided to revisit in the daytime, bringing along Alex, who had not seen it then. Back in 2016, I don't recall the umbrella alley existed. Anyway, Alex didn't seem quite impressed.  

Since I was there and Alex didn't seem keen to have his photographs taken; I shall let him to be the photographer that day! And boy was I impressed as I didn't seem as hideous in the two pictures he took using my phone.

Even this photo with a cat mural was decent! Anyway, this umbrella alley provides a nice backdrop for your photographs and you may consider visiting if you are checking out the wall murals along Armenian Street. 

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Address

55, Lbh Armenian, George Town, 

10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Map

As above. 

Click here for my Five Days 

Itinerary to Penang in 2024