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Cham Towers- Nha Trang
Kelly poses by the huge pillars outside Nha Trang was just what we expected- built up, with high rise hotels on the sea front but very tourist-friendly nonetheless. Reminded us a little of Majorca or other such locations where the ex pats outnember the locals. Arriving early we got a room at what the guide book told us was 'one of the best guesthouses in all of Vietnam'. We weren't diassapointed with the PerfumeGrass Inn- the staff were lovely, it was good value at $12 with breakfast and had a good location. We also took them up on the offer of taking us by motorbike to the nearby Cham towers (the only thing we were bothered about seeing really)- and it was well worth it as they were quite spectacular. After that, we enjoyed a lazy day lying on the beach. That evening we met up with a couple that we'd met within our 2nd week out in SE Asia- Annie and Steve, which was cool. They gave us the lowdown on Cambodia and we told them what to do on thier way up the country. The following day we left for Mui Ne- a mere 4 hour bus ride...
Arriving in Mui Ne- it was all
Cham tower
View of main temple a bit of a dissapointment. We were expecting 9 kms of untouched beach, which we got to a degree- it was just that the road that backed onto the beach was full of resorts so there was no clear access to it, other than if you stayed at one of these places. Plus it rained a bit (too be expected at this time of year) and it was windy. BOY was it windy! If you liked kireboarding or surfing, it was the perfect spot for you- because every day the waves were mega waves and there were water sports galore.
Once we got settled we basically just chilled out. Sea food and BBQ meals were the name of the game and on the 2nd night we teated ourselves to a slap up meal at one of the many resaurants opposite our guest house. Delicious BBQ mixed meat, vegetable and sea food kebabs with drinks and a dessert came to a whopping 6 quid. Bit pricey we know, but we felt we'd earned it seeing as we weren't realy spending any cash on anyhting else there. Needless to say, we went back the night after.
A couple of lazy
Cham tower
Detail of Hindu markings around the doorway of the main temple days on and we found ourselves in the capital city- Ho Chi Minh. Again, the only thing we really wanted to do was the Cu Chi tunnels around 50kms out of the city. The city itself was pretty manic- mopeds and motorbikes outnumbered the cars by about 20-1 and crossing the roads was a little more difficult that Hanoi- but the seasoned travellers that we are now, meant that we found it a breeze.
The Cu Chi tunnels were pretty interesting- the guide we had showed us some of the makeshift weapons and booby traps that the VC layed for the Americans as well as a brief history surrounding the war and how the locals in Cu Chi used the tunnels (originally from the 1st Indochina war against the French) to hide from those crazy septic tanks (read: Yanks). We then got to try crawling through the tunnels (which were a squeeze crouched down- and these were the ones widened for us fatty Westerners!) and the highlight- to play Rambo by firing some guns. Oh yes, guns, real guns firing real rounds- big ones and small ones. The Vietnamese staff began selling bullets like they they were penny sweets!
Cham Tower
Detail above the doorway of the main temple Of course, knowing that this was not your average 'holiday' experience (couldn't see this taking off at Butlins), Amers had to have a go. He did however pussy out of firing the AK47 and opted for the Colt. It was a bit of a pea shooter compared the small hand cannons that some of the others were trying but an experience nonetheless. Not sure i even hit the targets but it was a buzz unrivalled by even the finest sea side shooting arcades on the south coast. The adrenaline pumping through me was almost as deafening as the bloody mahince guns that were being fired off all around- it was MENTAL.
Then that night, which was our last night we were looking forward to a nice meal and a good few bia hois at a roadside place we'd discovered. The meal however was a bit of a disaster- the steak we ordered was the rarest of the rare and pretty inedible. And then the drinks that followed were interesting to say the least. We got talking to a Vietnamese pair (a student and a middle aged chap- didn't work out exactly what he did for a living). They were
Life's a...
Nha Trang beach- view out to the South China Sea very nice and hospitable buying us drinks which we also did in return. It turned out to be a very drunken night with plenty a beer swilled, stories told (most lost in translation) and even the odd snail eaten. Oh yes, it was one of those random nights that seem to just happen out here- they take you by surprise and become fine memories and great fodder for the likes of the blog. It was a nice way to round off Vietnam.
We were actually pretty sad to leave Vietnam- it has been a great experience- lots of different sights, smells, sounds and tastes- the country is so varied with landscapes and climates from one end of the spectrum to the other- matched only by it's chequered and quite tragic history. A real gem.
But, onwards we must march! Back to Thailand for a short stopover before we venture into Laos and then Cambodia. Stay tuned.
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Emer
non-member comment
Hi you guys
Kelly and amers, Emer here you have me salivating keeping up to date with all your travels. I'm so so jealous and delighted for you guys at the same time. Travelling is the life really isn't it?? I really need to go again reading through all the stuff that you have been up to... Hope you both keeping really really well and happy and healthy x x Keep those photos coming and stories brilliant brilliant brilliant Take care talk soon Emer x