p0nderosa: Vietnam

I had organised almost every aspect of the trip, but had left the last days open in case there was something we decided we wanted to do while we were here. I let my travelling partner take control of the last few days and she chose to do a two night trip to Nha Trang before heading to HCMC and going back home.

We booked the flights via Vietnam Airlines while on our trip which wasn't too expensive (approx $50USD) and as it was getting towards the end of the trip so we decided to splurge a little on the Sheraton. Lovely hotel, huge rooms, great view, beautiful pool and an amazing breakfast buffet. The first thing we did was order a burger and fries, it had been awhile since we had eaten any western food! Beware the pool seems to close at around 7 or 8pm and internet is available at kiosks for a fee.

There are quite a few activities on offer once you get to Nha Trang; beaches, sailing, hotsprings, diving and Vinpearl land. We only managed the hot springs on day one, they were very different from the hot springs I experienced in Japan - instead of relaxing, serene and private, this was more a fun affair. At Thap Ba once you pay the entry you receive a towel and locker key. Undress to your bathers and straight into a tub of warm mud. There are numbers of tubs/pools and you will be surrounded by loads of other people all having a ball. Once you have had enough of the mud you rinse off and follow the arrows to a mineral water shower/high pressure thing which you can walk though, and then to a series of hot mineral water baths and a waterfall. There is also a swimming pool on offer and cafes so there is quite a lot to do here for a few hours. Great fun.

That night we had dinner in the city at Lanterns restaurant where I fielded a very persistent waiter who proposed marriage to me numerous times. Besides the over friendly staff the food was quite nice, and also the restaurant supports the local orphanage.