Nha Trang seemed beautiful driving in on the back of the bike, wide tree-lined avenues all the way along the coast.
Alas, on closer inspection, we found that the wide avenues become noisy traffic mayhem next to the beach - ruining any chance of a relaxed, clean-feeling sunbathe or dip in the choppy waters. The town seemed much like Mui Ne - resort-ridden and soulless.
We had some difficulty with the hotel and a taxi... in brief, our romance with Nha Trang was brought to a halt by the combined efforts of cockroaches, various rip-offs, and being held hostage with our passports locked in the hotel safe. We weren't allowed to leave only two hours after checking in, despite offering a large sum for the room service. We put our foot down and got the hell out eventually, stayed somewhere else and checked out the next morning, headed for Jungle Beach.
Jungle Beach was everything we'd hoped for - and despite a sudden rainstorm, we finally found the relaxed beach weekend we'd been hankering after. As guests you have the choice to stay in a little bamboo hut, or a larger one down by the water, or for the really adventurous - a bed out in the jungle sheltered only by a sweeping mosquito net.
We went for the little hut to be closer to people, as we were feeling social, and enjoyed the company of other travellers sitting around the large communal dining table. Meals are included in the deal and a bounty is spread out at lunch and dinner for everyone to share together. The rain finally let off and we played volleyball and boarsurfed and beachcombed with the others, and watched the Scottish head carpenter at work on the roof of a new bamboo structure. Itching like mad, Matt had to be stern with me as I counted no fewer than SIXTY-FOUR bites on my ankles from Lak Lake!
I look forward to returning and trying the outdoor beds - hoping to spot a pygmy slow loris in the nighttime forest!
Finally we tore ourselves away and headed away at dawn to Hoi An...
Love, E.
No comments:
Post a Comment