Nah Trang

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So Lyndon ended off with us in HCMC and from there we were to go to Dalt which is inland and much cooler. We had read the bus trip was very scenic but also very windy. We had even looked at the expense of flying to avoid it, however, we had met people in Cambodia that had said that if we were going to go to Sapa, give Dalat a miss. Everyone had been saying how great Hue was so we changed the schedule and cut off Dalat and and added in Hue. This gave us a more streamlined path of travel and an extra day in Hanoi for shopping. We had wanted to go to Nah Trang by sleeper train but it was all booked up as the month of June is school holidays for the Vietnamese and the domestic travel market is very busy. The things that you find out too late! Sleeper bus it was to be. $10 each and you leave at 8pm and arrive 6am after supposedly sleeping all night. HA HA! The kids slept a treat as they found the pygmy sized beds plenty big enough. I slept after midnight from exhaustion and Princess Lyndon barely slept a wink. For those of us that have reached full size, to sleep you had to roll your feet out as they are in the space of the seat that is in front when it is in the recline position. There are three aisles and two tiers of reclining seats ( beds). I still think that it was not that bad and I loved starting the new day in the place we wanted to be. Our schedule to do Vietnam in 30 days is quite tight as this country is huge.
We arrived in Nah Trang on schedule to be mobbed by moto driver/ touts as we got off the bus. We headed off as quickly as we could to get away from them, but in the wrong direction. OOPS. Back thru them and down to the beach. I had an idea of the area we wanted to stay in and the plan was for Lyndon to camp at a cafe with the kids and have breakfast while I had a look at some rooms. We had a short list of places from Trip Advisor. Lots of rooms we see are nice but just not big enough for the 4 of us. We settled on the Ha Van Hotel that was rated very well on TA and got a great room for $30. All a bit tired so a day at the beach it was to be. Not sure what it was going to be like but had heard good things. Bathroom turned into a swimming pool when we showered as there must have been drain trouble and they had just cut another hole for the water in the edge bit of the shower. I wouldn't have minded if it just flooded a bit but it was really bad. Hotel didn't seem to care and as we were to be there for 4 days I thought we should move. Hassle I know but the hotel's attitude was lousy. Ella and I headed off and found a wonderful place down a quiet lane called the Axar Hotel. Only $20 night and the room was beautiful with a balcony. Bathroom looked amazing. Settled in again. Kids had a shower and this one flooded too!!!!
Lyndon had a look down drain and it was not even connected. Laugh.
Beach here is beautiful and we paid to go to a private area of the beach that had sun loungers and drink service. Now you're talking my style. Sailing Club and Lousiane BrewHouse are 2 private beach areas in Nah Trang and they keep them clean, keep most of the hawkers away etc. Well worth the $2 to use a sun lounge all day. Kids are happy as clams as town is not too busy and beach is beautiful.
We just wanted to have abit of a rest and do a few tours. We did a snorkeling trip to the islands which was pretty good. We were the only people on our boat which was a shame and our guide had no idea what we were saying but the snorkeling was great ( Hon Mun island). Went to 2 snorkeling spots. Ella was a bit of a whuss and Tane got cold but still loved it. Lunch on boat and then to a fish farm in the ocean where they had holding pens for sharks and eels etc. ( dinner) It started to rain as we headed home but still a really nice day but maybe not worth what we paid.
Also went to the Mud pools in Nah Trang called Thap Ba. Slopped around in a mud bath and then mineral springs. Was good fun for a few hours and the kids thought it was a hoot. That is after they were assured it was mud and not poo.
We have found the dining in Nah Trang only average, but maybe that is because we are in the tourist are. No good shopping and I am feeling ready, really ready! Have had heaps of trouble booking our train tickets, even at the train station but have been recommended a travel agent in Nah Trang by and American that owns a restaurant there. Vicky the travel agent managed to understand us and get us sorted for the rest of our Vietnam stay, even our Halong Cruise. $700 later we are just hoping she is the real thing.
So in all our 4 days at Nah Trang were very relaxing and just what we needed. If the shopping was better I would definitely be back. Again we have had trouble getting the train tickets we wanted so we have had to go to Hoi An a day later than we wanted on a day train. We booked a 4 berth First Class soft sleeper which was close to $90 for the 4 of us and was about a 9 hour trip ( was meant to be 7). I will leave all that to the next review.

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Photos

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Nah Trang Mud Baths

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Mud Baths

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OOPS!!!!!

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Hosing off

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Cable Car to Vin Pearl Land

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Our bargain room at Axar Hotel

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Yucky train to Danang