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Published: June 30th 2009
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Like a flash it was the weekend and time to escape the city for a couple of days. We boarded a ferry and headed up the river to the beach resort of Vung Tau. The journey was pleasant although we hit some heavy waves as we got nearer to our destination. As each one hit the boat you would have though it had hit a rock, but this seemed normal to the other passengers (apart from one or two children who gave a yelp with each wave).
On arrival we went across the road to Ned Kellys. This is an Australian themed bar where the walls are decorated with the signatures and messages of Australian service men, or families of, many of which had been deployed to Vietnam during the war and had returned again later. Our main/only reason for going was to get brunch. There is a good selection on the menu, but all revolve around sausage, bacon and eggs. It was a nice bar and the food was excellent, not a scrap of food left on any of our plates.
We took a taxi to our hotel/chalet and got checked in. A quick change into shorts, t-shirt
and sandles then it was off to the beach. Our accommodation was right on the beach front which was highly convenient. We found some traditional deck chairs (have not seen them since I was a kid) and got settled for an afternoon of relaxing by the sea. We had an enjoyable time with some cold soft drinks and just watching the world go by. Kids played football on the beach (they will play anyway given half a chance, using a variety of objects for goalposts). Some local people were in the sea, but I only ventured upto my ankles. The water was very warm (ok, so I am used to Aberdeen beach and anything will appear warm compared to there but it was a nice temperature). I could easily have gone for a swim but decided the world was not ready for the whiteness of my skin, too much glare from the sun. The Vietnamese people pretty much go in the water fully clothed, jeans and t-shirt are accaptable swim wear (beats speedos). There is a nice family atmosphere here and reminded me of beach visits when I was young (for years I was sure the only way to have
corned beef and tomato sandwiches was to also have it with sand).
We had some fresh squid cooked for us. By fresh I mean it was swimming in a tank and they killed and cooked it for us. The meat was less rubbery than squid I have had before, probably due to the freshness. The flavour was out of this world though. The perfect afternoon snack to accompany the surroundings.
Later an elderly woman struggled along the beach selling fruit, which we also had. This is traditional vending, although she was clearly struggling with the heat. It is nice the people here still have their traditional ways, but it is also a sign of the extreme poverty through Vietnam where people will do and sell anything to make money. There are some beggers, but generally people will rather offer a service than just ask outright for money.
Later than evening we went for a traditional Vietnamese meal (sorry, but I do not know the name of the restaurant). The setting was fantastic, we sat outside with the sea gently lapping against the wall. The view was fantastic, but we were constantly monitoring the oncoming storm. Our meal
was accompanied by the distant lightshow of thunder, but as the meal went on the thunder got closer. As if by fortune though, the storm only arrived just as we finished our last dish. This was an extremely good value restaurant with 5 of us eating for a little over £40.
From here we were going to watch dog racing but decided the smell of wet dog was not a pleasant one, and did not want to witness them doing doggy paddle so we went to a bar to play pool instead. Tequila Sunrise was a lovely little bar, with a free pool table and 80's rock classics on the screens. We spent the rest of the evening taking it in turns to play pool, sometimes against locals but mostly just amongst ourselves. Drinks here were very cheap also, we spent around £12 all night.
Then it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep, via a taxi journey from a Formula 1 want-to-be. It made a change for the driver to be able to get upto speed compared to the usual gridlock of Ho Chi Minh City.
The following morning we went for a
walk along the beach before going back to Ned Kellys and then onto the ferry home.
On our way back though, the ferry ran into engine problems so we had to wait for another one for us to transfer to. A mid-river boat transfer ensued. British health and safety would not have allowed it, but here anything goes. The two ferrys were tied together and the passengers proceeded to cross from one to the other. Well, it adds some adventure to the journey. All safely on board our new boat, we continued up the river back to Ho Chi Minh City.
All in all it was a lovely weekend. Vung Tau makes a pleasant change of pace to Ho Chi Minh City and we all returned feeling thoroughly relaxed. The weather was fantastic and the town has plenty to offer. I hope to go back and explore more of the town, there are some very traditional buildings I would like to see. On top of the hill you could almost think you were in Rio with the statue on top peering out to sea. Again, I did not manage to get up close but that will be one
for another time.
I have now taken some photos and my Vietnamese basics are coming along nicely.
And so ends my first week in Vietnam.
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roger coe
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vietnam life
looks like a good time was had by all great to see how the other half live,trust you to find a fry up looked tasty made my mouth water,enjoy the rest of your stay keep up with the blog makes good reading.