Nha Trang - arrived on the night bus from Saigon (south). The night bus from Hanoi (north) was also just pulling in causing a little flurry of activity so early in the morning - 100 tired bodies looking for the nicest cheapest rooms. 50 touts looking for a little commission for making a catch. The two Edmonton girls and I headed to one guest house with a tout even though we both had our lists of preferred places. As usual, you get off the bus and are tired and just want the easiest place to dump your heavy stuff. Speaking of which, I must say, I am traveling with a bout half of what most are caring. I am very happy with the bag (wheelies) and the amount of stuff. I continue to leave stuff at each place so I can carry less and have my bag close without a fight every time. As usual I digress......check out a few close places - not so hot. Then found a great one - the room wasn't cleaned yet as the two German guys were just leaving - probably to get on the bus we just got off of.....great room - big open window overlooking the beach and my first own balcony......love, love it. Sunny and bright and airy. Even if the town turned out to be a dump, I was excited enough about the room to stay a few days.

The town/city is lovely. Gorgeous beach, beautiful hilly views and an incredibly landscaped beach front. This is Vietnam's premiere Beach Resort town. Miss Universe 2008 was held here. The City is clean and very touristy - just a welcome respite from the noise and pace of Saigon.

Canadians everywhere. Very odd the percentages.

I met a couple from Kelowna yesterday at the beach. He just retired and they are doing Asia for their first time. Very excited about everything. Today on the beach I was between two couples - both from Quebec, neither knew each other. The one couple have been traveling for 5 months a year since 1981. They have been everywhere. The other couple has been traveling 5 months a year for 11 years. Still pinching themselves about their luck with retirement. Both go to different countries for the 5 months to escape winter and are here (Vietnam) because it is so reasonable to do long stays.....vs Europe or the US. We sat and visited all afternoon. Nice. Then I met a Dutch women who is on her way home after volunteering for three months in Siem Reap at a school in the provinces. She wanted to change her life - try something completely different and she was thrilled with her experiences. She was a fashion designer/ store owner in Holland and was able to use her skills in Siem Reap teaching the kids hygiene and English and designing a doll for the mothers of the kids to make in the villages to be sold at the market to tourists. Lovely women - great experiences to share. Inspiring. We met later in town and had a nice visit. I will look her up on Facebook as she said there are a few You Tube videos posted from the school. 
Exorcise is really important here - I got up at 6:30 to head to the Beach to try and see some of the big numbers of people I had seen yesterday when we pulled in. I found that most were just on their way home at ^:30 this morning so will try and see it tomorrow, they do calisthenics and play badminton and soccer on the beach. Even the kids are out there in their school uniforms. I walked for a few hours to the end of town - met some girls on their way to school so walked with them. Giggly and shy and really wanting to speak English - cute.