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Published: February 6th 2013
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We awoke early to bright sunshine so decided to get up and go for a walk. Even though it was 7.30 in the morning and we were next to the sea it was so warm and felt uncomfortable. We saw lots of the traditional fishing nets and boats children playing on the beach , some folks doing their morning exercise and then took a road inland through the town where like most towns people were out drinking coffee and chatting. Returning to the hotel we had breakfast, being a Vietnamese hotel the breakfast wasn't quite what we were used to but there was enough to eat.
We left the hotel just before 9 and started the drive to Na Trang. This was probably the most scenic part of the journey there were more fields of mostly rice and the towns or villages were smaller or more spaced out. Fishing and growing rice are the main industries in this area, our guide told us of how the rice was grown and harvested too much detail for here but from every single rice grain sown about 250 grains of rice are harvested, pretty good crop to grow but most is hand harvested few
machines here. On the coast are lots of fish farms, mainly shrimp, they are trying to farm lobster but haven't yet managed this. The roads are getting busier with the bendy buses and mobile home buses that are always overtaking us sometimes quite dangerously. Our driver is very skilled and patient and let's them go by. Hui tells us that there was about 30 accidents a day that resulted in death on the roads in Vietnam, this has been reduced due to speed restrictions but not all drivers take notice of this. We have seen one accident whilst here where a bike was on its side but no one was hurt.We stopped for lunch in a resort right next to the sea, I had a lovely prawn and mango salad, Steve's rice and fish was not so good, first duff meal for him. After lunch we took a walk on the beach and pulled ourselves across a small lagoon to the sea. Totally unspoilt with white sand, pity we had to move on, the sea was perfect temperature for a dip.Two more hours on the coach and we arrived in Nha Trang. There were some beautiful views on the way
and monuments and large golden Buddhas but it was good to be out of the coach and in a hotel. We were going to walk but it is so hot so decided to swim instead in the hotel pool. Steve went for a workout in the gym and I wrote this. We then showered and sat by the bar outside and had a happy hour cocktail, this was starting to feel like a holiday. We met up with the others and took a taxi to the sailing club which is a Sandles resort. It is an amazing place right on the beach and we so felt like the rich and famous. There were beds where you could have a massage, intimate dining areas or like us virtually on the beach. We ate a really delicious meal, I had sea bass and Steve had Salmon washed down with a bottle of Marlborough Sav Blanc, the first we've had for some time, some even had dessert of white chocolate cheesecake but I was full and couldn't eat the passion fruit and coconut mousse I had ordered. Coming back from the sailing club the whole area was lit up with the celebrations for
Tet. There was a concert going on and you just drive in on your motorbike, some young people we almost collided with as they were so intent on getting to the action. The whole place was buzzing and alive but we crashed out and watched a movie and not a good one, are we getting old? being sensible? or just knackered?
Day 2The views from the window are brilliant apart from the massive telecommunications tower right outside. We did wake early but not good a sleep as the Russians who occupy most of this hotel were noisy! However we had a reasonable breakfast not really feeling hungry there was plenty to eat just not our usual muesli.
We left the hotel at 8.30 to drive to Po Nagar Cham Towers built in the 7th century. They are still not sure how the bricks were formed and cemented together, as there were no ovens for baking bricks, someone thought the whole building was set alight. Set in gardens these temples are for worship to a female god can't remember her name. As usual it was very ornate inside and when some people are living in corrugated iron shacks it seems
incongruous.However the views from here are lovely and the setting is very peaceful so if the 'peasants' have time and the money to get in, they can at least rest here awhile. From here we drove to the coast to take a boat to Mieu Island. The weather was perfect, blue skies and sunshine. We arrived at the fishing port and took a walk through the small village, not picturesque but a real working village. The rubbish in the sea by the port was enough to stop you wanting a swim. Meandering through the streets which allow bicycles but no cars is difficult as there are so many people living and working there. They get their water from a well and the road is very muddy where the well is. Some houses are quite smart, others in a state of disrepair, others you just wouldn't live there and some are quite stunning a whole mixture. All food except fish is brought to the island but some locals are really making a very good living looking at the house of the restaurant owner. From here we pass a temple to the whale god, all fishing villages have these or so we
are told and then make our way along a wooden floating jetty to a rope raft that takes us to where the boat is now moored. We then set out towards Swallow island where we will be able to snorkel and swim. Meanwhile on board there is a lady that is available to manicure or massage very reasonably and in turn we all have something, I have a combined manicure and pedicure not as good as Sam's but very cheap 250, 000VD which is about £7.50, Steve has a back massage. We arrive at the Island and go for a swim or a snorkel and the water is warm and reasonably clear, Malcom sees some pretty coral and Steve sees a few fish but although the snorkelling isn't great the swimming is and we could have stayed there all day just floating and swimming. Lunch was aboard the boat and we had huge prawns and salads and rice and spring rolls of course. The sun continued to shine as we headed back so on returning we decided to sit on the beach. The hotel had sunbeds with towels waiting and a drink was bought to us, this was probably one
of the most enjoyable and relaxing days so far and it felt like we were on holiday.
We went for a Happy Hour drink in the bar with the group and then Mal and Fiona joined us to go to 'Good Morning Vietnam' an Italian restaurant which served delicious authentic Italian food, made a change from rice and noodles. Returning to rest ahotel we passed all the festivities, streets closed off in celebrations for Tet. Nha Trang is so different to anywhere we have seen so far in Vietnam and almost has a Mediterranean feel about the angina knew have enjoyed being here.
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