The bus from Da Lat to Nha Trang ended up being my first double-decker sleeper style bus, and even though the ride was only 5 hours long I was so excited!
The views coming down the mountains from were extraordinary, and, of course, didn't translate at all through pictures so I guess you'll just have to go see for yourself! We arrived in Nha Trang to more rain (of course) but entering the hostel room who should I see but Emma, Ailsa, and Katie from Ho Chi Minh! We all went out for dinner and drinks, then Emma, Jeremy, and I ended up staying out for a while to check out the bar scene and had a little Nha Trang party night.
The next day I woke up to see the sun, which I almost didn't recognize it has been so long. I spent a lazy day on the beach reading and took a long walk along the shore where I saw women cooking fresh seafood in pots hanging from woven grass baskets.
The next day was fantastic - Jeremy and I had signed up for a cruise of the surrounding islands and we could not have asked for better weather. On the boat I met Paul and David, two nice guys on a quick holiday from Ireland. Our first stop was at an island where we had two hours to snorkle or just and lay on the beach and stare at this:
Yeah.
On the beach I met Lisa and Suzanne, two wonderful girls also from Ireland. Then we got back on the boat for an amazing lunch
and I met some of the best guys ever: Magus and Simon from Norway and John aka: Nougat from Australia. After we ate it was time for the entertainment. The crew on the boat were great and so funny! They set up some instruments and put on a "boy band" show, one coming out dressed as a lady-boy. He/she sang and danced and attempted to make the male audience members as uncomfortable as possible. It was hilarious - he/she killed it and looked good doing it!
Then it was time to get the audience involved. Magus got called up to play drums,
Nougat was chosen to represent Australia and held his own despite not knowing any of the words to the song the crew picked (Down Under - Men at Work).
This guy sang for China
and this couple sang for Korea.
Then the crew put on Gangnam Style and all the Koreans on the boat got so excited they jumped up on stage to dance.
The highlight of the cruise came next: jumping off of the roof of the boat into the ocean and chilling in inner tubes around the floating bar, enjoying the scenery, the company, and the free drinks!
Back on the boat we headed to another island (where pigs roamed free around the bathrooms) for more sunbathing and water sports. Then it was time to return to the mainland for a much needed shower. After dinner I met up with Lisa, Suzanne, Paul and Dave from the cruise for drinks at the local backpacker bar, which was followed by dancing and chatting with strangers at the nearby "Why Not?" bar.
The next day I rented a bicycle and rode all around Nha Trang visiting temples and historic sights. First was Long Son Pagoda, a beautiful Buddhist temple with several large statues. This one of Buddha reclining,
and this one on top of the mountain which had a small chapel (for lack of a better word) inside. I ended up having quite a powerful experience there.
Po Nagar, a historic Cham (ancient Hindu) site was next. The ruins and surrounding greenery were beautiful.
Then I rode out to some natural hot springs, stopping for more street pho on the way,
(the best yet!)
and spent a couple hours relaxing before the long bike ride back to the hostel where I returned to find Lykke from Mui Ne and Da Lat!
My final day in Nha Trang was spent hanging out in cafés,
enjoying some of the best lattes I've ever had, making art
(Go ahead art therapy friends, analyze me.)
and writing. That night I left for Hoi An on my first (of many to come, I'm sure) CRAZY overnight bus, which had all the perks of insane drivers, was totally disgusting, and got going nearly two and a half hours late. (If you're reading this it means I've survived and a Hoi An post should be coming soon!)
