Toes in the water, asses in the sand...

Finally!  Beach and sun!!

We have been in Nha Trang for 4 days now.  We are about 500km north up the coast from Ho Chi Minh City.  It a little less hot, but the sun is shining and it is warm enough to spend hours on the beach.  There are a number of other "backpackers" here, and living here is quite a bit less expensive than both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

View from our balcony

The view the other direction

Andre had been sick for a day or two and we found a pharmacy that hooked him up with some day/night cold pills for about $1.75....they seemed to do the trick.  So, we haven't been up to much other than getting to know the local restaurants and bars and things to fill our days with.  The next few days will be filled with more site-seeing than the past few..but it has been great just taking in the landscape and the relaxed pace of Nha Trang.

The local food has been quite good and neither of us has been sick.  We have come to enjoy Vietnamese coffee; their version of a press served with hot water and a side of sweet milk (sweetened condensed milk).  I guess it's their version of the Spanish Latte's we have at home...but no steaming or frothing.  But still, quite delicious!  There are also numerous fresh seafood bbq restaurants.  They set up a makeshift bbq with coals and a grate out on the street and market fresh seafood.  You pick what you would like, it is weighed, and bbq-d for you.  From what I hear, it is very fresh and delicious (I have to take Andre's word on that one).  The mussels are about 50 cents/100 grams, and $1/100 grams for king prawns...a bit less than Vancouver!

Vietnamese "Milk Coffee", Mini-Presses and Sweet Milk

Fresh Seafood at restaurant

Fresh Shellfish

Andre's BBQ Mussels

The street front BBQ

We have also found that a good amount of alcohol is manageable on a budget. :-)  Most spots have happy hour until 8 or 9 with beer anywhere from 75 cents - $1 and vodka for $1.50.  I found a great Bellini at Guava for $1.50 all night! The best find so far.  Many places offer a free drink with your meal, just to get you in the door in hopes you will stay for a while.

Live music at Guava: Harmonica guy from Australia, Singer/Bass from Canada, Drummer from San Francisco, and local Guitarist/Blues singer from Vietnam

A few beer and glasses of wine over friendly games of Spite and Malice (of course Dre wins 3 in a row his first time playing)

A book he just couldn't put down

So, aside from beach and food and drink, not much to report right now...