Nha Trang,
Vietnam
Thursday, October 18, 2007
We took a 12 hour train from Hoi An to Nha Thrang hoping to out run the rain. The south of Vietnam is supposed to have nice weather in October and Nha Thrang boast a huge beach. After getting completely bitten alive on the train, thanks to its filthy seats and we were in 1st class!!!! We arrived in shortly after 9pm. We jumped in a taxi and asked him to take us to a particular hotel. We got there only to realize the hotel no longer exists...it closed down 3 years previous. Tired, hungry and a bit barmy from our join the dot legs we went into a Mexican restaurant to eat. Point to note, never order Mexican food in Vietnam, they haven't a clue! The owner sort us out with accommodation three doors down in a brand new, straight out of the box hotel... This was sheer bliss and the beds were unbelievably comfortable. Next day we headed off to find the infamous beach, it was rougher than cladagh (near our home) on a November's night, plus it was crawling with rubbish. By total accident and no knowledge whatsoever we stumbled across the largest seated Buddha and white reclining Buddha placed up on top of a hill. These were amazing (see photos). Inside the seated Buddha is a temple but we couldn't take any photos. Next day I headed off to the 'Natural mineral spa and mud bath'. It is luxury, they pump mud into a bath, which is carved outside on the side of a cliff and you lie in it for about 30 min. The you go through all these hydro jets, swim in the 38 degrees pool and get a back massage off the power waterfall...I was in heaven. I headed off for a Vietnamese massage only to have the masseuse walk up and down my back, crack my neck and then smile and say 'you feel better', I didn't realize I had been feeling bad!!!!
Fiona and I then headed to another beauty centre (as it was National Woman's Day in Vietnam - not that we knew what that was about) and had some facials and back massages. At this stage I was missing a layer of skin!!! Final stop, we went and had our nails done, mine was quiet simple and straight forward, Fiona ended up with boiling wax being poured over her feet!! Ooch! After being battered, whacked, hit on the head, walked on, bruised but feeling great, we went for dinner!!! This is the life of a traveler...what a day!
