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Published: August 6th 2010
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Nha Trang #1
View from my hotel window Nha Trang (8/3/10)
Danang (8/4/10)
Hoi An (8/5-7/10) I am sitting at a bar/cafe in Hoi An, Vietnam called Treat Cafe. My current treat is the host/waiter incorrectly belting out the lyrics to
Hotel California in broken English. Another treat is the jumbo Larue and Saigon beers from 10,000 dong (which translates to about 60 cents). But probably the biggest treat is appreciating being here on this journey. I must admit, however, that the last three days have been the loneliest so far, and I am taking a moment to be with that-- crying a little, smiling a lot and finding and appreciating beauty by myself.
I once wrote in college, "To truly be alone is to find a beautiful leaf and have no one to share it with." I had six at the time. I guess the current equivalent would read, "...to visit a beautiful beach in Vietnam." I've been to three.
The first was Nha Trang (8/3/10). I ended up here on accident. I was trying to go north but was limited by public transport. Unable to move on, I stayed the night.
Now... The bus ride to Nha Trang SUCKED! There were 13
China Beach
docked boats on the sand of us crammed in a van for four hours. One lady looked like yoda and had a festering wound where a finger use to be. Christine, John and I were the only ones who didn't get car sick down the windy road from Dalat. (I don't know how I didn't!) The windows were rolled up with the hopes the broken air conditioner would kick in and people were throwing up left and right. I supplied plastic bags for the barfers, especially the girl behind us who was choosing to yack on the floor. My biggest concern was our luggage on the floor behind her. Meanwhile, Yoda kept putting her stumpy, smelly claw on John's shoulder.
When we reached Nha Trang, it was the promised land. A truly romantic getaway. I was glad Christine and John could spend their anniversary there. I made myself scarce so they could enjoy their time together. I then made arrangements to fly north, ate and headed to the beach.
The afternoon sun was more forgiving than the high heat of the day, and I enjoyed the silky sand and warm waters of the South China Sea. I made friends on the beach with
a French/Belgian student. I was impressed he was here doing volunteer work. Thank God people from other countries learn English. I wish learning multiple languages was ingrained in our culture.
My second beach was a 50-minute flight away to Danang (8/4/10). China Beach was where American GIs went for R&R inbetween tours of duty in the surrounding jungles and nearby Monkey Mountain. I enjoyed the powdery white beaches along the South China Sea. They were pretty vacant until the afternoon when all the locals flooded in. I had fallen asleep in a hammock-chair after a pineapple snack and some coconut milk, and was surprised to wake up to a bustling beach.
I spent most of my time in Danang at a bar/restaurant called Christy's Cool Place. My LP said it was the local hangout for American veterans. I ate there for breakfast, lunch and dinner and only discovered warm beers and high food costs. No veterans. I was pretty disappointed. I will be back in Danang (airport availability) on my final day in Vietnam and will try Christy's one final time.
And now I am in Hoi An (8/5-8/7/10). It is my favorite village in Vietnam. It
is one of the few in the area that was spared during the war. I am staying in Old Town which is along the Thu Bon River. My hotel neighbors the bustling market and the bridge leading to the beach, (which I hope to relax on if time allows).
The ancient architecture and narrow streets make Hoi An feel like a movie set. It is such a romantic city. While I can appreciate it alone, I would enjoy it ten times more holding the hand of someone special.
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Leslie Bianco
non-member comment
VietNam ~ Barf bus, etc
Can I first say the pix were fan-friggin-tastic? Just beautiful!! Having said that ... I think I would have died having to listen to Hotel California (in ANY language, broken or not!) ... that is probably my all-time most hated song!!! I don't know why, just always NEVER liked it. :) Barf bus ... OMG OMG O. M. G. how did you NOT heave??? Just the odor alone, coupled with the fingerless lady and hot air??? You and the Warner's have guts of steel!!!!!!! As always, looking forward to the next installment!! Thanks for letting me travel vicariously through you ... <3