We get to Nha Trang basically 4 hours after leaving Da Lat on Monday, 20 December. I'm amazed given the state of the roads - quite a few landslides and having to drive on what I'd call very bad farm roads and the fact we have a 30 minute break. New roads are being built and I'm sure once finished the trip will be much quicker. For now you drive through small villages with the driver having his hand fixed on the horn button.
After being dropped at the hotel I head off to meet up with Laurelle and Tony. The receptionist wasn't able to tell me where the hotel was so instead took me on her motorbike - so kind! It was no more than 3 minutes away on bike so nice and close for the return journey.
Great to see some familiar faces again. We caught up over lunch. I was amazed how many times we were interrupted by children selling goods - books, wallets, smokes, drinks etc etc. If I owned a restaurant/cafe/bar in Vietnam I would ban people who are selling things to enter.
I started to feel pretty tired so headed back to the hotel for a sleep, being up since 5.10am is taking its toll on me!
We met up again at 6.30pm and headed to the beach for a drink. There is something so soothingly hearing (and seeing) the waves crash against the sand.
I had an early night and left the others to it.
Tuesday morning after breakfast in the hotel we met up at a bar to teach English to a group of Vietnamese adults. What an interesting experience this is - they are so eager to soak everything in.
We go for lunch with a guy who was also there teaching - good Indian. Get a few tips from him on Nha Trang as he has been here quite a few times.
I have a couple of hours chilling and doing research for my Mekong trip. Seems like it's nearly impossible to arrange from here so will be one of the first things I do when I get to Saigon on Thursday.
I met up with Laurelle and Tony mid-afternoon and we head out to the Thap Ba Hot Spring Center. Getting there is like a comedy show - our taxi driver takes us somewhere else first then decides to stop in the middle of the road to ring his friend who can translate for us. We are tooted at by everyone but that doesn't seem to bother him. Anywhere else in the world we would have had someone come up to us telling us to move it quickly!
After slopping around in cool mud, hot showers and warm mineral water baths we decide to head back to our hotels. Our taxi driver is waiting for us when we leave and runs off to get his car. I feel bad that he has potentially been waiting for us the whole time – the things people do more money.
When we reach back to our hotels we are all thirsty for beer and a little peckish. We go to a place that has super cold beer and glasses that have been in the freezer - perfect!
For dinner we go to one of the places that gave us a hand-out. There is no worrying about recycling here, every bar/restaurant gives out many flyers every day to entice customers. Sitting upstairs is brilliant for getting away from the constant stream of people trying to sell things.
Wednesday (22 December) I had a very quiet day. After having a long breakfast on the hotels roof terrace I wandered around the streets and headed to the beach for a couple of hours. Got myself into a book and settled into the sand.
Early evening I had a drink on the roof terrace before heading out for my last meal in Nha Trang. The food here is definitely more touristy than local. I'm looking forward to getting back to proper Vietnamese food tomorrow in Saigon.
Thursday morning I'm up super early, 5am, to catch my 7.45am flight to Saigon. I discover no hot water, not the best start to the morning. The taxi finally arrives close to 10 minutes late. On the drive out of the city I'm amazed how many people are around from young children on their way to school, to ladies doing tai chi on the beach, to "dodgy brothers are us" selling their goods. No wonder people need to sleep during the day.
The drive to the airport was 30 minutes, I had thought I might cat nap but with the amazing sky line (sun coming up) and things to see that wasn't going to happen.
After check-in got an iced coffee. Amazing how all I drink now is coffee, a few months ago (pre-Europe) it was only tea I was having. How things change - I can't function without it!!!
I've had a good time in Nha Trang, next time I visit will be for longer and I'll stay at more of a beach resort.
Saigon here I come - know it's going to be a shock to the system after being in towns.
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