Nha Trang - just what I was after!
Trip Start
Apr 01, 2008
1
4
20
Trip End
Jul 24, 2009
Nha Trang,
Vietnam
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Nha Trang is probably Vietnam's most popular beach resort. It gets a bit of a reputation for being touristy and culture-less, but I actually really liked it! (who wouldn't want some comforts and cocktails?!). I've been hanging out for pools and relaxing for months, so once we'd booked our boat tour and flights, we went straight to the Louisiane Brewhouse which also dubs as a pay-as-you-go kind of resort where you can hire loungers, swim in the pool, drink etc. I was perfectly at home reading my book and sunbathing. Of course the catch..
A few other 'party boats'
. for nicer surroundings, you have to pay for it.... I think my $50 a day budget is a bit more flexible than first thought (well at this stage anyway...)! Also being a tourist magnet, there are lots of hawkers/touts and you get constantly interrupted to be sold books, chewing gum, tissues, you name it... can be a bit heartless to blatantly ignore them, but if you start a conversation, well they've basically made the sale or else you could be stalked! 2nd day we spent doing a Mama Linh's boat tour which is advertised in the Lonely Planet (of course the Lonely Planet...) as unsuitable for families or recovering alcoholics... need I say more. Started the day with 5 Irish lads in our van (in addition to Paddy) who I think were still drunk from the night before. Headed off to one of the islands for snorkelling, which I have to admit wasn't the most eye-catching I've seen in my lifetime, but the water was so warm I wasn't complaining... Visited 3 other islands and enjoyed a 'floating bar' which meant floating in tubes in the ocean drinking all the potent red-wine that you could consume in a limited space of time (which for me wasn't that much), and this in addition to the steady consumption of Tigers on the boat. Also got to enjoy 'live music' (the drums were actually made from plastic buckets) and the comedic talents of a kinda irritating MC. But it was still a great day, fantastic weather and good banter (contrary to initial sterotyping a couple of the other boat-goers were a good crack)
Pre-sun...
. We also hired a jet ski in the afternoon and had a blast... I thought I was a dab hand in the water, but nope, total wuss. Continuous screaming for the duration (and when I was behind the wheel...pitiful). I have tanned up considerably already, the Irish went a nice shade of pink, and the Asian tourists who were also on the boat stayed the same colour (as they spent most of the trip hidden under the shelter, sleeping and listening to music on their phones... was kind of incomprehensible to me why you would do a boat trip in that case?). Of course there were other passengers too, but this is what I noticed most! Few extra notes: food has been decentish so far. Kinda hit and miss as not sure what to expect sometimes and prices can vary (not as cheap as originally anticipated - although I don't think we would have paid more than $10 for a meal so far). I really miss cereal! We did cave though, and got fish and chips last night... i know, naughty : ) But after a few beers, I think only Western food could have done the trick and was surprisingly satisfactory. The service is usually the most memorable part of the meal, in fact the ditziest waitress i have ever encountered, serenaded us (badly) and then giggled uncontrollably as she smothered us in compliments. Ah well, I'll take it. Have not seen a cockroach yet (touch wood) which is surprising for the heat, but some massive spiders, beetles, and numerous lizards, oh and quite a few shackled monkeys which is not so nice
'Live Entertainment'
. Have also met/seen all sorts of characters travelling so far... and continue to spot them along the route of the trip...created a few nicknames to make it a bit more personal: Lizard King, Kawasaki, Mc Slickster, African Queen (i actually think she's japanese)...and you get a lot of people who probably came here backpacking to Nam in '83, never left, and are still here backpacking away... we say this good naturedly of course, we just need some entertainment along the way! Anyway, we flew to Danang and came down to Hoi An early this morning in a rather interesting taxi ride. So I'll write about this tomorrow as it has been the total undoing of me... I am in shopping heaven and will not allow myself to enter another clothing shop! The tailors, the shoes... oh don't get me started. More stories and will upload photos tomorrow.
