train ride to Nha Trang and more adventures...

This time the train trip was in daylight hours, the upside is that we got to see some beautiful country, the downside is we were awake for most of the 12 hours. After a few hours everything was the same same only slightly different. Passed many rice fields, hard working farmers bent over working in the paddies. The people we saw and saw us were always happy to wave , we would probably scare our tourists by doing that back home. Our not so friendly train server was happy to see us leave as she took our sheets and rolled up our pillows at least half an hour before our departure. Steve and I took our bags and waited quietly by the train exit door. I don`t think she liked us having our own cabin as we kept opening the window for pictures and fresh air. We were met at the station by someone from our hotel staff, who took us to our room. Nice, almost on the top floor with a big comfy bed with a spare one too. Fell asleep shortly after washing off all the train grime. Awoke to see where we actually were. Another fine city with lots of history and many people allways helpful to spend our Vietnam Dong. I have to say that it does bug me that there is a double standard and all prices are split in two, one for the foreigner and one for the Vietnamese. It does not matter whether it is the train, bus, food, rickshaw, resturaunt, hotel or bike rental! The positive take is ... thank goodness it`s all really cheap. Our room is at a good hotel, nice location for 20 bucks a night, and one block from the beach. The beer is only 50 cents, it`s the wine imports set us back from 10 to 15 bucks for a good french boujalais or the ole faithful chilean. The soups here are good but I have to say the Thais win hands down, the spring rolls are out of this world at a whopping 1 to 2 dollars for 6 to 10 per serving. We rented a moped for$ 6.00 and cruised the city. We were a little nervous at first because when you get your new ride the gas tank is empty, literally we ran on fumes and bought a bottle of fuel in case we couldn`t make it 3 km to the petro station. We went to a very cool pagoda with a buddist temple and were greeted by many little scammers to help relieve of us more dong, we politley bought some inscence for the temple but were quick to shoo the rest away and told them we are aware of their games. We would much rather give our dong to the elderly and limbless than the young and able. It might sound a little harsh but once you've been here you'd understand. Some of the buggers did not want to even accept our handouts unless it was of a larger sum, the nice needy ones were happy to take anything we gave. Can you imagine getting snubbed by the begging buggers? I did not take it too kindly and gave them The Rosi`s nasty look. I know I have'nt perfected it but I think I will get a few more opportunities to practice. Back to happy thoughts... The sleeping budda was beautiful, the temple devine, and the monks' tombs make you speechless.Yes even me! We went to their natural hot springs for a mud bath then walked threw the mineral hydro spray, layed down in their mineral water and later enjoyed a cool off in the cool temperate pool. It was incredibly bouyant in the green sulfur smelling mud. We could float like this forever. Another cool experience by the Debowski`s. Then we went to relax at a fancy resturaunt on the beach called the Sailing Club. It was a great meal with people watching, tiki torches, and a bonfire on the beach. This beach still needs a liitle clean up as there's dead wood and crap floating in. The two rivers on each side flow into the ocean so the brown muddy water isn`t that inviting. The next day we rented a better bike with two mirrors, a headlight that worked and took off out of the city to the countryside. We really stood out in a small village and found it to be a mix of emotions for both them and us. The younger people would wave and say hello while we got many scowls from the elders. I don`t think they take to the westerners as the trendy touristy areas do. We were happy not to get a flat tire out in the boonies, that`s for sure. We later wandered around the city boardwalk and saw many families, lovebirds, boys playing soccer barefoot on concrete, and a group of local men playing volleyball, while the ladies were working on cleaning up the beach. Steve watched a show on crocodiles, so later when we were out for dinner he decided to have that for supper, I had a bite and we both thought it tasted kinda like gamey pork. The lotus leaf salad was fabulousa. Had an interesting ride on the elevator with some chambermaids and the older lady that manages the hotel, one of the ladies t-shirt was stuck in her bra and the older lady laughed and then she turned to me and rubbed my chest, full on frontal!!! Have to say it caught me off guard. Once again I was speechless. Now this is a lovely historical city but unfortunatly it too has a pollution problem, all the mopeds and their exhaust has taken a toll on me as I have come down with a ear-sinus infection. Thankfully I have brought a stash of antibiotics along. Thank you Dr Borchert for the fix! Steve has taken good care of me and brought me two cups of tea , soup and juice to get me up and running for our bus trip further south to hopefully fresher air and cleaner beaches. Mui Ne here we come.