Hi from Nha Trang, on the southern coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang is a resort town with miles of beaches and lots of Aussie's looking to party. Seeing as I am not much of a beach person, and not looking to party my way across Asia...it's just been alright.

It was a long journey here from Hoi An. My last day in Hoi An, it rained all day. I was soaked when I picked up my suit (it looked good and fit perfect of course) and mailed it home...$30 by sea. I again was soaked when the moto bike picked me up to take me to the night bus, so I started the 12 hour trip wet and cold, probably why I have a cold now.

We made it here with no real issues, and took a boat cruise yesterday. We did some snorkeling and swimming, and also some drinking (it was pretty much a booze cruise). Our guide was really fun and entertaining. He went by "Funky Monkey," and he was the lead singer of the "Nha Trang Boy Band" that performed for us on the boat (it was just all the guys who worked on the boat). They actually were really good and entertaining.

Last night I felt a little sick...probably because JS made me eat some dirty street food, and today I am still recovering a bit. It's been the laziest day yet on the trip. We did manage to walk along the beach watching the huge waves crash in, but it was a little sobering because we saw an unconscious girl pulled from the water. We're not sure if she was breathing or not. We tried not to crowd around like all the other slack jawed onlookers (we were just slack jawed onlookers from 20 yards away). There was no ambulance, just a taxi that came to pick her up.

Anyway...tomorrow is off to the central highlands and the town of Dalat, where we will probably do some motobiking around.

Some observations of Vietnam:

All the food looks so nice when it's prepared. We had flowers at one table...but I later learned they were actually vegetables you could eat.

When eating, they just bring out each meal as it's finished. It's quite common that one person is done eating before the other even gets their meal.

They will never bring you your check at a restaurant until you ask.

When you use the bathroom at a restaurant, it is most likely the family's only bathroom and shower. There are usually toothbrushes, soap, etc. The same goes for boat tours...most the owners live on the boats at night.

Rats can't bother you.

Same with people asking if you want "moto bike" every 3 seconds (at least in Nha Trang).

Vietnamese are (in general) more friendly (they know what a line is) and more likely to know English than the Chinese.

Anything (restaurant, hostel, tour company) that is mentioned in the Lonely Planet guidebooks is eventually copied.

This country is full of Aussies.

Any 6 year old could kill me at any computer game that exists (internet cafes are always full of gamers).

Anyway....it's almost dinner time. Hope all is well back home. Stay in touch!