A STOP OVER IN NHA TRANG

As beautiful as Vietnam is, 5 hours on a bus is 5 hours on a bus and we were very happy, though weary, travellers when the bus stopped outside the offices of the travel company.  A taxi ride from the Bus company's office to our hotel was included in the fare, so there was no problem of walking the streets pulling our luggage, looking for a cab.

The Nha Trang Beach Hotel is located just off the beachfront road, with a 6th floor, sea facing room, our view was amazing.  The room was large and spacious, tastefully furnished with air conditioning and a huge shower cubicle, easily large enough for 2 (no more details on that, if you don't mind!).  The main facilities of the town were within walking distance and there was that oh so important ATM machine just outside.  We unpacked, had a shower and went looking for somewhere to eat.  Just across the road was a restaurant called 'Selene' and we thought this may be a good place.  See the review of the restaurant for more details but it's a pity we couldn't bring the restaurant with us.

Men in discos are exactly the same the world over

What we didn't know about the location of the hotel is that it is about 300 yards away from a beach front restaurant and night club called The Sailing Club, a rather plush establishment which has its own band and disco.  From 10.30pm to just after 2am we were regaled with the latest in techno music while the Nha Trang trendy were making big boxes and little boxes.  It was the same the next night, only this time it was the local Celine Dion soundalike who kept us awake with power ballads and blues music.  While we would recommend this hotel, ignore the fabulous sea view and book a room at the back of the hotel.  The view may not be as good, but you've more chance of a good night's sleep.

With just a day in Nha Trang to break up the journey to Hoi An, we booked places on a boat tour of the islands.  The tour guide who came with us certainly had everyone joining in the fun, though it cost 5,000 dong (at 32,000 to the pound) to swim in the water and another 10,000 dong to get off the boat at the islands (everybody has to get off while the crew sort out an afternoon snack of fresh fruit).  I know it's only pence, but it rankled that they were taking every opportunity to relieve us of money.  On the journey back to Nha Trang, the crew brought out a home made drum kit or plastic barrels, pans and pan lids, and, together with the assistance of an electric guitar, we sang our way through songs of all the nations of those on board (England's was 'Yellow Submarine!) though it was interesting to note how few Australians knew the words to Waltzing Mathilda.

Back at the hotel, we were planning our trip to Hoi An to find it was an 11 hour overnight bus trip or an 11 hour night train where you could stretch out a bit though sleep was questionable.  Then there was the 1 hour 15 minute flight from Nha Trang to Da Nang and a 20 minute cab ride to Hoi An.  Guess which we booked?

That evening, we were unable to eat at Selene's so we tried The Sailing Club, a huge complex with terraces open to the air where customers could eat.  The kerosene lamps on the table were a romantic, if slightly smelly, touch.  At 10 o'clock the local smoothies made their entrance as the band started up.  They even played a couple of songs which Denise and I could jive to and we received a round of applause as left the dance floor, though I think this was either directed to Denise for showing her skill at avoiding my feet or in gratitude for me leaving the dance floor.  Being an onlooker, I thought it was interesting that, no matter where you are, it appears that the actions of men in discos are the same the world over.  You have the group of young girls dancing together when the said  smoothies make their entrance onto the dance floor, joining in the dancing with the girls who pointedly ignore them.  After a couple of minutes of being ignored, the smoothies dance their way to the edge of the dance floor and return to their seats, probably to keep face by swapping stories of how they could have pulled but they didn't fancy the one they were with!  A few minutes later, up they get and try again with another group of girls - with the same result!  Oh, how I smiled at their antics, until I remembered I did exactly the same in the late 60's/ early 70's (apart from the boasting bit 'cos I am a gentleman).

The next day, we climbed into the cab for the trip to Da Nang and the short flight to Hoi An.  I'm becoming quite fond of those little planes (for aviation buffs the planes are ATR 72's with Pratt & Whitney engines, each with a 586F six-bladed Hamilton standard propellor and a take-off power output of 2,475SHP, but you knew that already, didn't you?) but one Australian complained that I was winding him up when I saw his boarding pass and told him his seat was in the rear gunner's turret!

Was Nha Trang worth the 5 hour bus trip?  It's a more convivial beach side resort with a lot more activities than Mui Ne Beach, so would say yes, though you have to choose your hotel location carefully.

Next stop Hoi An and the dress and shoe shops.  Oh joy!