Monsoons, Banana Pancakes, And Chickens As Road Hazards

Nha Trang although touristy does have some absolutely gorgeous snorkling spots. Bright schools of rainbow fishes darting through the waters over crumply corals and waving sea anemones. However there was one downer: Jellyfish. Good lord they were everywhere! Now the ones in these waters were small and essentially transparent. This meant you couldn't see them until they were about 6 inches from your face. The first time I was stung I didn't quite get why my arm hurt. It was like someone had whacked me with a ruler. But I couldn't see any marks so I swam on. Then it happened again on my butt and a couple more times on my neck and hands. Ok, I'm not a total dunce, something's in the water. That was when I saw them. 50 some odd bobbing little snot balls afloat all around me. Ok, enough of this. I'm getting me a wetsuit. Unfortunately the little guys must have read my mind because between me and the boat was a literal landmine of jellies. Sigh! Oh well, by the time I reached the boat I was absolutely determined to get that damn wetsuit. After donning my rubbery protection I leapt back in and was pleased to find myself immune to their stings. I felt invincible! At least until I came across that eel I hadn't noticed and it poked it's head out of it's hiding hole only two feet from my face!

Now it's supposed to be the dry season here. Key word being "supposed". The weather must not have gotten the memo because it seems pretty determined to drown Vietnam. This rain is of the firehose variety, comes down so hard it blasts everything away. But at least it doesn't last too long. And as it happened, it decided to bucket down while we were snorkling. Very weird to be completely wet on one side of your body and have what felt like millions of fingers pattering on your back. Kind of neat actually.

After snorkling we headed back to town for some grub. (Not literally, that's in Hanoi!) Because I've had a bout of tummy trouble, I've had hard time finding things that'll be gentle enough on the ol' tum. Luckily there's Banana Pancakes to the rescue! They're essentially crepes filled with sliced or whole banana and drizzled with honey or chocolate. Yum! And doesn't make me feel like I'm going to die later.

Last night we left Nha Trang on another overnight train to Hoi An. Ugh. That was one of the sketchiest, ickiest, nastiest trains I've ever been on. They don't even change the sheets! Had to get creative with my scarves + extra blanket in order to avoid having it touch me. Ick! This train was pretty rough. I shant even speak of the bathroom! Very... um, rustic. Emphasis on the rust. :P

But today we landed in Hoi An and it's lovely. We're staying in a great hotel that more than makes up for the night of non-sleep I had last night. And the town is gorgeous. It's a UNESCO heritage site so all its old buildings have been preserved. They're mostly filled with touristy gift shops now, but the buildings are still neat. Today Cat took us on a bicycle ride around the down and out into the smaller villages. Was super neat to be trundling along the roads on our rickety one speed bikes (couldn't get the seat tall enough for me tho!). And there were no other tourists around! Looovely. Except for that suicidal baby chicken that darted out in front of me. Seriously, the thing was maybe two inches from my front wheel. Wings flapping and legs akimbo as it strambled back to it's mum. Who knew chickens could be road hazards!

On the way back we stopped off in one of the tailors that Hoi An is famous for (there are over 300). Now we just stopped in to have a look. You know, not to actually buy anything. Well that was short lived because pretty soon all three of us were being fitted and sized for out clothing items of choice. Noukla and I are getting handmade jackets and Maggie is getting pants and a shirt. We go for our fittings tonight and get the final garment tomorrow morning. And all at a fraction of the price it would cost back at home. Crazy!

Tomorrow we trek off to see the Cham ruins of My Son (pernounced "meeee sun" by the locals).