Vietnam 2010

Nov 17, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Did nothing today!  Rain, if not poured most of day.  Rained so much that the road was covered in water!  Spent most of morning sitting at travel agent office talking.  Was going to book tour for tomorrow but he suggested not to as the weather is not going to change!

Met the Belgian woman at 1 pm at beach as we were going to stay there and maybe sail, but raining so went for lunch and then back to hotel.

Napped for most of afternoon and then out for dinner! 

After dinner walked to supermarket and actually got there and back without getting rained on.  But 30 minutes later was pouring.

Nha Trang is a very nice place, even in the rain.  But there are many huge hotels being built. 

The city is very typical of Asia with many little shops and restaurants on the streets.  With the sidewalks used as parking lots for motorbikes and the odd car!  The traffic is not as bad as Ho Chi Minh, and I am sure they have more traffic lights here than in Ho Chi Minh!

The food is similar, but much more expensive than Da Lat.  You have to look hard to find a meal for about 35,000 dong, but there are some. 

Had dinner with Belgian at a small place 2 blocks away where the food is excellent and not expensive, so we have been going back.  Breakfast and dinner!  Great coffees!  Big and hot!

Nov 16, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Very cloudy but no rain.  Went to the beach and rented a chair for 30,000 dong (1.50)  Nice as it is secured and the people are not allowed to come inside to sell you things.

The sun was very hot when it did come out.  The swimming was nice.  Big waves breaking right at the shore.  The first time I got hit, almost lost my bathing suit.  And after it was full of sand!  The water is not clear at all.  A lot of sand stirred up by waves and much silt from rivers.  Water felt great though.  The place is a restaurant with a swimming pool and micro brewery.  For the price you have access to the pool and showers, so very nice.  They make beers so did try one that said it had a hint of passionfruit!  Very good, and just a little bit fruity!

Went to meet friend from Belgium arriving from Dalat, but she was late as there were some bus problems.  Only 1 hour late.

Went out for dinner and then back to hotel.

Nov 15, Nha Trang, Vietnam

Another slow day.  Got up and headed out to find some coffee and breakfast.  The first place I stopped ended up having great coffee, but the eggs and bread were 'empty'!  

Walked along the beach for a bit.  Early in day so not many people around.  Several large cafes along the beach so asked for a banana and chocolate pancake, ended up with banana and honey!  I guess the chocolate was 'empty'!  Not sure as they did not say anything.  The staff did not seem to happy.

Beach is very nice with gold coloured sand.  The islands and fishing boats in the distance are great to sit and just look at!

Walked further along the beach and found many places where the water had washed away the sidewalk!  Amazing.  According to the travel agent I talked to, a few weeks ago the streets were flooded and the roads going north are not in great shape.  The train tracks have been washed away as well, so either long bus rides or plane!

Found some Hobies!  Getaway and Wave!  Going to give them a try in the next couple of days.

It is very hot and humid here, so just sweat a lot when walking.  

By the time I finished walking it was starting to get late so headed back to hotel for shower.  Never did get a swim in!  Tomorrow is another day.

Dinner with a couple of beers and I was ready for bed!