Hello from China Beach in Da Nang.

We got the 13:30 bus from Hue to Da Nang proper and decided that we'd like to stay in China beach as its a little cheaper and we could work on our tans! The only problem was that the only way to get there (its 12kms outside. Much too far to walk!) was by motorbike. Now Kirsty has NEVER been on one before and to say she was a little apprehensive is a huge understatement! Not only did the bike have to take one of us but also our backpacks and the driver. There would not be enough room or so we thought! Our backpacks jammed in the front inbetween the drivers arms and Jules and Kirsty (after much pleading with them that if she got on one they would have to go really slow and she would be gripping them like crazy!) on their respective bikes we were off! Kirsty got brave enough to rest her hand on her leg for about 15 seconds then thought "oh my God I'm on a bike" and grabbed the drivers waist again. Jules was pretty cool. Think she liked the feeling of the wind in her hair and straining bugs through her teeth.

We finally got there, Kirsty checking that all her limbs where intact, slightly windswept but alive. Our hotel was in darkness (they were having a powercut) but said they had a room for $6 which we took. After dumping our bags we headed off for somewhere to have dinner. The manager said that we were about 2mins from the beach so we decided to go have a quick look first then eat. Whilst we were walking down a dark road we heard the faint sound of waves and started to get a bit excited. It was too dark to see the beach but told ourselves that we'd have a good look tomorrow.

Just on the beach there was a small place to eat so thought we would eat there with the sound of the ocean. After ordering our dinner we started to talk about what we would do tomorrow. Sunbathing and swimming kind of summed it up. Dinner came and we've never seen prawns this big before. They were massive! And vert tasty!

Next morning we were up fairly earlyish and on came the bikinis. The weather was superb. Blue sky with not a cloud to be seen. Sunlotion and sarong in hand we headed off to the beach. We both decided that this is the best beach we've seen since we've been away. The sand is snow white and so fine-just like Bournemouth! And it stretches on forever. The sea is so blue its amazing and the swell is great fun!

After a long day at the beach we headed back to our room to get ready for dinner. After a feast of calamari, prawns and rice it was time for bed and started to look forward to another day lying on the beach.

Woke up bright and early and once again on came the bikinis. But the weather had turned against us. It was overcast and threatening to rain. We had a quick look on the weather website and it looked like this was how it was going to be for the next few days so we've decided to head to Hoi An tomorrow. Went to the beach anyway, in the rain, with a few locals giving us very strange looks!

So its goodbye for now and we'll see you in Hoi An.

Love and miss you all lots

Kirsty and Jules

xxxxxx