30/9/2006
5am start and we are heading for the airport. The news on the Typhoon overnight had not altered . Travel Indochina who were our travel agents were excellent in changing our trip around and fixing flights etc. The airport and roads are starting to get very busy as the sun comes up to start another day.
Hanoi has changed dramatically over the last 3 years but when you get into the "Old Quarter" it is as if time has stood still. Overall the change is for the better for the people of Vietnam but it has rubbed off some of the "Old Charm" that I remember.
The flight to Saigon was bumpy over the Quang Dong Province and we quietly hoped all would be well for the people below getting ready to meet the Typhoon. Touchdown in Saigon ( Ho Chi Min City ) at about 9am and we set off for the 4 hour trip to Phan Thiet to a resort named "Seahorse" Rain is falling heavily as we hurtle along the highway with lights flashing and horn blaring at anyone who got in the way. We pass endless stalls selling Dragon Fruit and rice all along the highway. Dozing on and off as we continue to our destination Seahorse Resort Mui Nei.
We arrived about 1.30 pm after passing hundreds of boats ordered in by the Government due to the oncoming Typhoon. Boats bobbing everywhere up the rivers and tucked in coves. The Resort is beautiful with extensive gardens and waterways. Bungalows 50 metres from the beach was where we stayed and Luxurious would describe it in one word. The afternoon saw us swimming in the ocean and watching staff build a sand wall to try and protect the beach edge from the King tide that was due in the next few days. Seahorse Resort is a winner in my book!
1/10/2006
A restful nights sleep after the early start of yesterday. Breakfast is a grand affair with all the trimmings you could think of. This morning showering in the outdoor bathroom was an experience as you listen to the frogs and the breeze blowing softly around you. Probably interesting for the frogs also!
A trip into Phan Thiet was a real pleasure. Bustling people and noise, colour and activity was abounding through the streets and marketplace with many fishing boats bobbing along the river. This area is a bit off the tourist track so it was light on for tourists but i think it will not be long before this beautiful place will be "Found".
Who turned on the waterfall? Down came the rain so heavily that it would knock a small child over. It continued into the evening so we lazed around and watched the world go by. Alains birthday today and we headed off to a local restaurant to celebrate. Its a pizza place so right up Al's alley. Beers , pizza and good company, what a way to spend an evening.
The next few days saw heavy rain belting in off and on but the temperature remained hot. Staff from the resort continued to sandbag the edge of the Resort and we guessed the water had risen by at least a metre over the past 2 days.
Trails of Indochina were the in country contact for us and they did a magnificent job in placing us at Seahorse as it truly is a "Little bit of paradise".
