As usual the tour was full. All Vietnamese, although they were one family half were US Vietnamese and the other half were living in Vietnam. Kay, a Vietnamese lady but living in Washington DC was a real estate agent and quite sharp. She seemed intrigued that I was travelling alone. Our first stop was the oceanic institute, in reality it was just a shabby aquarium. A bit sad really, there were all sorts of sea creatures, some large sharks, turtles and rays, all in tanks that were far too small for them. I did hope that this wasn't the shape of things to come. Luckily it wasn't . The next stop was the Ponagar Cham Towers, these towers were built between the 7th and 12th century to honour Yang Ino Po Nagar. The local buddhists of Nha Trang uses this place for prayers and worshipping and there were hundreds of incense sticks burning in the actual temple. So much so the inside was black.
It was in the process if being renovated and sat on a hill overlooking the harbour. The interior of the temples was quite spectacular. Unfortunately the English speaking guide had a rather unfortunate command of the English language which I think was limited to 'yes' this was the answer to every question. After the stop off at the aquarium we had picked up an Australian couple. Phil and Marie from Melbourne. Phil had worked for Mars (the confectioner not the planet) and had done exactly the same as me in that after 30 years he had called it a day in corporate life and left. He and Marie were well travelled and had even visited Matlock and Skegness. How better can it get!
In addition Phil had a Ducatti so immediately we had something in common.
After the temple we visited the big Buddha and Pagoda, it sits on the hill overlooking Nha Trang. The pagoda was founded in the late 19th century then renovated in 1940. It is located on Trai Thuy hill and is the largest pagoda in Nha Trang. Tens of thousands visit each year to see the pagoda and the 79ft tall white Buddah statue that towers above it.
Once again I got conned. Because our guide was pretty poor at keeping us educated I asked another young chap a question about the Nazi swastika that appeared on various of the temples I had visited over the last few weeks. It transpires that although it looks like a swastika it is in fact the other way around and is the Buddhist symbol for the sun (again- every day a school day!) This young chap gave me his life story, he was an orphan,had been adopted by the monks, got up at 4am every day, worked at the temple and pagoda and then went to school in the evening. Spoke four languages and lived in the temple. He then offered me 10 postcards for 200,000 dong. Even in England that would be on the steep side!
I offered 10,000 and he snapped my hand off. It transpired that no one worked at the temple. The naive traveller makes a comback!
After the culture we were going to the beach. About 30 minutes on the road we pulled into a complex on the beach that has about 200 metres of undercover seats, hammocks and deck chairs. Bai Dai beach is a stretch of white sands about 10km long. The sea was loverly and warm. After a dip I sat and chatted to Phil and Marie over a few beers. Lunch was included but if you wanted any of the various shellfish you could purchase them and have them cooked. If it's not got a backbone I'm not interested so I stuck with the fish, rice and veg. We headed back at about 3pm. A very nice tine was had by all.
Ever conscious that the travel agent had not really been on the ball so far I checked with the Hotel owner about my ticket for the night bus to Saigon tomorrow evening. He is a loverly chap, so helpful. While the hotel is basic, I would stay there again just to see his smiley face and helpful disposition. Despite his best efforts he couldn't help so I decided to walk down to the Sihn cafe booking office. They tried to convince me that I had already been given the ticket in Hoi An. I tried to convince the that I hadn't.
I had to go back to the hotel for my passport but eventually I left with a ticket for the bus. It left at 8.30pmo the following evening.
Had a great evening, started at the OZ bar then across the road to the Oasis bar, great cocktails only 35,000 dong. Great music. This really is like being in Spain .
But much cheaper. I beat my record last night and had a good meal and session for £5.81 two beers, 6 cocktails and a Vietnamese curry
Tonight may get messy.Had a delicious Vietnamese chicken node dish. The cocktails are
serrved in Jam jars and after the first one are POTENT......
The next update may be some time....
As I sit in the Oasis bar they are playing 'you're in the army now'
There is a certain irony there. The country has been ravaged by a pointless war in our lifetime, yet, now the Vietnamese seem to have forgiven and moved on, welcoming tourists wherever they are from. Right enough, they will rob your eyes out when you get here but said that, what's the Thai's excuse. No one subjected them the the atrocities of war but they still shaft you senseless..
Far be it for me to take sides and I recognise that the Vietcong were evil bastards but all is fair in war I suppose. Except My Lai.!!
Fuck, this jam jar is potent, I'm becoming philosophical and that just won't do.... Travel is such an education. You see the other side first hand. Of course there is propaganda but at least having seen both stories you can make you're own mind up. I do like this country, I like it a lot.
Xx
I stagger back to my hotel at midnight. Pissed as the proverbial newt. That will never do. Or maybe it will.
Photos will come later. Can't be assed at the moment. Far too busy!!!
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