Truc Linh Villa Hotel Nha Trang

I could never understand why a woman would stay with a man who was abusive. Now I do. Not that Lam is abusive. But, when I have tried to leave, she does get violent. Making it impossible for me to leave. While there is the sense of violence, I don't feel I'm in danger, but I can't leave either.

So, then why do I, or the battered wife, not leave when the coast is clear? Because after I stop saying I want to leave she is as nice as can be, making me feel guilty if I left. If only she ...

the weather didn't however deter us from seeing the town, it just stopped us from doing the activities it is renowned for, such as snorkeling and island trips.

However we did visit a cool aquarium with sweet giant turtles, a giant budda which we got inside (never thought i would be able to say that) and some rocks (more exciting than it sounds), which have naturally stacked over x years to form quite spectacular formations, and we (read john) got to play spot the ...

... swimming pool to prove we can swim 200m and tread water for 10 minutes. Both passing we went through all the equipment and how to set it up. Now was where the fun starts, getting in the water with the equipment, it was like having an extra 10 stones on your back but when you get in the water it because light as a feather and you soon forget its even there. It was so weird slowly descending in the water and being able to breath, being so unnatural its a little daunting at the start ...

... our hotel went back to bed! I got up to enquire about cycling round Nah Trang- but got sidetracked by people at the pool, so spent the day there instead! It was really nice- a lot of building work going on around but still nice. We had lunch by the pool and then took a wonder along the beach opposite which was lovely. Except there were dead rats along the sea front, and dead mice, and just a lot of debris- kinda spoilt it. In the eve ...

... in the morning and for a split second thought we were in South Beach, Miami. We drove along the beach on the way to the hotel and saw beautiful parks lined with palm and coconut trees. It was before 6 am and already, hundreds of people were exercising on the beach, running, cycling and swimming. It was abuzz with activity before the sun starts scorching the day.

After checking into our hotel, dumping our filthy bags in our room ...

... They did however manage to rustle up some cabbage leaves, much to Toms joy and my distress!

I am happy that we are doing the sort of travelling that doesnt involve spending lots of money in restaurants just to have western food served up by a waiter that is to busy to chat.
We have many small vietnamese language lessons with curious locals over most of our meals!
It was reassuring to discover the reason we are often greeted with ...

... had a sleep in then headed for the beach.
It's a nice beach but unfortunately they haven't taken great care of it, and there is rubbish floating around ... so not my cup of tea!
We basically spent the afternoon at a bar with a free pool .... relaxing and drinking water for a change!
Then boarded our night train to Ho Chi Minh .... which arrives in at the unconvenient time of 4.10am!!! Fun!!

... day and night went in largely the same manner and by the following day we were ready to relax! So we hired mo-peds and went to the local mud baths and spa! A bit weird but excellent fun!
Although un-planned another night out - and subsequently watching the sunrise - ensued and we were then well and truely ready to move onto Saigon!

... Trang, got a taxi to a hotel, it was booked so the guy led us to another guesthouse, $10 for a very large room with a/c, tv, fridge, etc. Very nice. We spent the next day on the beach, paid for the shade and chairs, and relaxed at the nice beach...ahh such is life. We went on Mama Linh's boat tour, kinda strange tour not what we were expecting but still good. Snorkeled at the "protected" spot and paid extra ...

Just a quick entry this time. The overnight bus from Hoi An South to Nha Trang was something else! There were three double rows of seats that recline right the way back and you have to strap yourself right in. It felt like something from the matrix with everyone strapped in! It was fairly comfy though apart from that some turkey was snoring really loudly all night and everyone was getting annoyed and taking it in turns to wake him up and shut him up ...