Wasn't sure what we would wake up to this morning after a horrendous storm overnight (never heard such loud thunder!) - plus the fact we hadn't seen the area in daylight.....but the day was beautiful and the resort amazing! Our garden view room would have looked over the golf course but since Novotel have sold it the golf course is barren and brown. Not sure what's planned for it.
First stop was to the concierge to reconfirm our pick up tomorrow morning by a World Vision representative for trip to visit our sponsor child. All good - very exciting!
After lovely buffet breakfast spoke at length with Phong at hotel services to organise our return trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Air conditioned bus seemed a feasible option so she booked it and gave us directions to the bus station to pick up and pay for tickets. We hopped on a couple of the hotel push bikes and rode the kilometre or so but once we found out, through very limited English, that the journey would take 7-8 hours we decided to cancel and attempt Plan B. After an ATM and supermarket visit (always interesting in another country - tanks of live fish and lobsters!) headed back to resort. Phong's services were required again - this time train! Sounds (?!?) reasonably comfortable with VIP (!?) seats and shiould be about 5 hours. Time will tell! She even organised for our tickets to be delivered to the hotel and for transfer to the station.
We really enjoyed spending the remainder of the day relaxing - laying by the pool, swimming, having some lunch, reading. Became windy and cooler so pleasant to be outdoors. The grounds are meticulously maintained - manicured lawns and tropical plants. Actually overall pretty sure staff well and truly out number guests!
Had a work out in the gym and decided to get room service for dinner.