Beach and Boozin

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As far as I could tell, the two primary activites in Nha Trang were soaking in the Vietnamese sun and partying at night. The city is located about a third of the way up from the southern point of the country, right on the coast. Poplular with both Vietnamese and foreign tourists, especially the British, there were tons of hotel options. I spend both my days renting beach chairs ($1 for the day) and reading and relaxing on the beach, sometimes under the shade of thatched umbrellas (see photo). It was also nice that the two places with chairs, The Sailing Club and Cafe Louisiana, had security guards, so generally I wasn't too worried about anyone running off with my things. There were all day boat trips to the nearby islands and water sports, but I was ready for a couple leisurely beach days, particularly after my six hour bus trip from Dalat.

My second day, I ran into an American couple from Kansas, that I recognized from dinner at Le Rablais in Dalat. We ended up hanging out for most of the afternoon and later for dinner and drinks. They were actually only the second set of Americans that I had met after almost a week in the country. We went for dinner at a place where you actually picked out the live fish that you were going to eat for dinner. Since we arrived "late" around 8.30, the pickins were slim, but we still had an awesome fried grouper (see photo). Overall it was a nice little "break" from the tourist schedule.


Travel tidbits:

* La Suisse Hotel was off on a quiet street just blocks from the beach and the nightlife. Staff was helpful, and both days they brought out little treats (cake and pineapple) after beach time.
* Note of warning: Generally, hotels will make bookings at your next hotel in another town for free. However, be sure to clarify if there will be any charge (service, or for the phone call) before asking for help with any reservations outside of town. I got hit with a $3 charge for a two minute phone call to Hoi An to book a cooking class.
*The three happening places in town to go out, in sequential order are Guava, Why Not Bar (happy hour goes from 5pm to midnight) and then Nha Trang Sailing Club for dancing right next to the beach.
* Ngoc Suong had great fresh seafood that you can pick live from the tank.
* Pavillion at Ana Mandara was also a good meal for gourmet dining, but expect to pay Western prices. I understand from a Food and Wine Magazine article that the chef leads market tours two days a week.

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Photos

Barber
Would you get your hair cut with this guy?

Comments

[Lucia]

wish
Dear Andy: Reading your travel adventures makes me wish I was quite a few years younger. Had I been born 30 years later I think I would have gone around the world several times. Have a great time and continue to write, your blog is interesting and fun. Lucia

[Becky]

Looks great!
Andy - thanks for the update! It looks so nice on the beach under the umbrella - I wish I was there, too! Hope you are enjoying yourself and getting excited about school, too! Keep in touch and safe travels! xo

[Mark Steele]

AHHHHHH
I am in cold San Francisco stressed out for work and wishing I was there with you hanging on the beach! Don't do anything I wouldn't do! So you can do pretty much anything, lol.

[ashish]

food
food was so incredible in vietnam... they have this rice dish cooked in a clay pot similar to bibimbop (korean).. amazing. glad you're enjoying yourself.. you have a tough two years ahead in b-school. wait, no you don't!!!