After getting allocated my room, a much needed shower and a small snooze I walked down to the esplanade for a stroll on the beach. The sun was out, the weekend locals were enjoying the sea. I rolled up my trousers, took off my flip flops and wandered down the waters edge reflectting on the trip so far. I like Vietnam, I like it a lot. My only concern is that the experience has been too short. I really don't feel that I have seen the real country or the real people. I make a pact with myself that I will return and do it a different way.
While a perfectly nice place Nha Trang is without doubt the Costa Del Vietnam. Busy with tourists, pedlars, high raised hotel blocks and a general feel of development and catering for the holiday maker. Maybe I'm being pretentious but I don't feel like a holiday maker, I'm a backpacker exploring!
As I made my way off the beach I stopped off for a drink and a bite to eat at the 'boat club' an upmarket seafront bar and restaurant. As I put my flip flops in it dawned on me that save a couple of days trekking in the north of Thailand I hadn't actually worn shoes for over a month now.
I had Vietnamese chicken samosas, yummy. The view out over the south china sea and the eight islands was beautiful. Tomorrow I had already organised a tour to the sights around the city so I'm going to be a holiday maker, just for the day.
There was a place on the beach front called the Louisiana Brewhouse which, as the name suggests brew beer. It is a very stylish place, there is a pool and sun loungers that you can use if you are eating or drinking there.
I tried a pint of the local brew, very pleasing and sat in the sunshine for an hour.
Walking back to the hotel in then late afternoon I decided to cross the busy main road. There are quite a few pedestrian crossings which appear to serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever, other than to give the motorists and motorcyclists something to focus on as they try to run you over. Each time you cross the road you take your life in your hands.
Almost every step there is someone wanting to sell you something, take you on the back of their motorbike of find some way to get you to part with your Dongs. I must look like some sort of retard smiling and saying 'no thank you'
'where are you from' was invariably the response. 'UK, Chesterfield, it's in the middle' I shouted over my shoulder.
Passing a massage and hair salon I decided that I was beginning to look like action man with eagle eyes again and could probably do with a trim of the hair. Cheap again, included in the price is a head massage, not as good as the ones I had in Borneo but nice all the same. It takes the stress of the day away and this backpacking lark is very stressful. ;-). This particular establishment had an added bonus. The bed you laid on to have the hair wash and head massage had some vibrating functionality and fair made me jump when it kicked off. Pleasant it was as it moved up and down my body. Not as good as the real thing though!
In the evening the place really comes alive and the name costa del Vietnam is truly deserved. Walking into town I collected more flyers than you could shake a stick at. A colleague at BT has a partner who's aunt has a Thai restaurant in the town so I was going to search it out. I didn't get that far when the rain came so took refuge in the 'why not' bar and restaurant. Had a great Vietnamese chicken curry and the drinks were two for one!!
Tomorrow I have to be at the tour office for 8.30 so I intend to have a steady night, despite the fact it is Saturday.!
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Location:Hung Vuong,Nha Trang,Vietnam
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