Part 96: New challenges....

I boarded the plane to Vietnam with these doubtful thoughts still lingering in the back of my mind, but there was no going back - well not yet anyway, and despite the weather warnings, my flight to Ho Chi Minh international was really smooth.
I landed at 130am and collected my 3 month visa at the immigration office. No drama!
Then it just dawned on me, I had not booked any accommodation for the night, nor were there any busses to the center of Ho Chi Minh City at this hour. I considered sleeping at the airport and get the first bus in the morning, then book another bus to Mui Ne at lunch time to save money. But after an hour or so I decided to get a cab to district one (the backpacker quarter) and find the cheapest room possible, so at least I could rest and not look like a puffy eyed Zombie for my new employer - I was keen to at least give a good first impression. Deep down it was the correct thing to do, realising it was time to get myself into work mode - not backpacker mode now, and there was no time to get adjusted.

There were more pushy 'in your face' taxi drivers trying to force me into their cabs than I could count. Still a bit spaced out from my mind figuring out if this was the right thing to take this job or not, I opted for the taxi driver leaning up against the wall smoking a cigarette who wasn't trying to man handle me into the back of his cab.
'District one please' I said.
'No problem' he replied.
Once in the relative safety of his cab, compared to the others at least, he seemed quite chatty and friendly. I was quick to tell him this was not my first time in Vietnam incase he thought me easy pickings like so many unsuspecting backpackers.
He did seem to be taking the scenic route to the center though which usually means he's trying to score more money unfortunately.
'Why you go this way?' I said.
'Short cut' he replied.
I was to tired to argue so I went along with it.
Around 20 mins later we arrived at a busy district one and I got out of the cab to get my backpack out before paying him. Something I got into the habit of doing. Then when I went to pay him, whilst he was still in the car, he quickly snatched $50 out of my hand and sped off in a second. I was tired and made the mistake of not preparing the fee in a lower denomination, again which is something I normally do. Not that it mattered - he was long gone anyway! The journey which should have cost me $12 ended up costing me $50. I know it's not a huge amount of money, but to me it was. Sadly in situations like this, once some people see an opportunity presented to them, they will almost certainly take advantage.
I clutched my bags and continued to walk through the hoards and hoards of those annoying drunken barefoot backpackers that infuriate me so much!! I literally couldn't tell them apart, complete with mock beer vests, snap back caps, cut off denim shorts, cheap bangles around their wrists and sleeve tattoos!
One of them walked up to me and sarcastically shouted 'nice t-shirt mate' and slapped my chest in the process. I came so close to dropping my bag and losing my temper, but bit my tongue and kept walking.

I was on the look out for a private room as there was no way I wanted to share a dorm with any of these neanderthals, telling me how wasted they got in Angkor Wat!
I found a place slightly past the 'backpacker zoo' and was met with an angry looking night porter who shouted '9 dollar, you pay now!!'
He seemed really pissed off, and who in their right mind could actually blame him working amongst that carnage.
As expected, the room was pretty bad, but I didn't really care. Soon as my head hit the pillow I was out for the count.
It's always good to get up early especially since you know the majority of my favourite backpackers will be in their dorm beds fully clothed, sleeping off bad hangovers.

I found a good cafe for breakfast, then got on the 12noon bus to Mui Ne.
Due to some pretty severe traffic and road works, I arrived there 7 hours later - it wasn't the most comfortable journey that's for sure.
The bus dropped me off on the main beach strip just a few minutes walk from the new hostel, bearing in mind when I was last here, the project was nothing more than a construction site. Not any more! It was a brand new immaculate building, complete
with infinity pool restaurant, bar and amenities. The site looked amazing.
I was starting to feel a bit nervous and in the reception John the Australian guy who I met all those months ago greeted me with a big smile and hug.
'Welcome me old mate Vincey, welcome to the backpacker village' were his his exact words. He then took me around the site which really was as impressive as it first appeared. I had not seen a hostel quite like it anywhere before.
We both sat down over a beer and discussed lots of things, but basically John just wanted me to relax and take it all in for a few days to get used to my surroundings.
It was at that exact moment he introduced me to Steve, an English guy who was head of security. Turns out he was ex military and seemed a really nice guy based on first impression - me and Steve clicked almost immediately. Both John and Steve made it clear where the Hostel was lacking, and it was my job to create the vibe and atmosphere it was sorely missing.
Then after another beer John showed me to my room. It was just a mattress on the floor with no other furniture or aircon!! It was like a furnace in there, not helped by the tin roof either!!
After a promising introduction I was brought back down to earth with a bump. Welcome to the backpacker village indeed Vince.....