Despite the less than satisfactory weather (yes, it’s raining again!), I have left Vietnam with a feeling of unfinished business, despite being in the country for close to 2 weeks. Whilst I was a bit dubious about the overtly touristy town of Nha Trang, from what I have seen of other parts have left me with a definite desire to come back and explore more. Yes, there is beautiful scenery, there are amazing beaches and stunning food but it’s the people who mark this country out as being something special. They all seem so genuinely happy and friendly. The only thing that is not top drawer is the singing!
In my hotel last night there was some staff party which of course included a good deal of karaoke – most of which was sung very loudly and completely out of tune. It was truly a dreadful noise. If this happened in the UK, the perpetrator of such an excruciating sound would have been left in no doubt about his inability to hold a tune. Here though, the worse the noise became the more the audience seemed to enjoy it. Extraordinary!
On the other hand, the filipinos are known for their musical talents so I am looking forward to listening to sounds that are more pleasing on the ear. I remember listening to Bohemian Rhapsody sung in the lobby lounge of some hotel in Manila by a local group shortly after it had been released in the UK (that dates me!). Freddie Mercury would have been proud of them.
It has taken me exactly 12 hours door to door to get from Hoi An to (rainy) Manila even though the places are not that far apart. But what with a long transit time in Ho Chi Minh and excruciatingly long immigration queues in Manila, by the time I got to my hotel it was too dark and late to do any exploring. I did, however, find a 7 Eleven to stock up on a few beers and some orange juice where I was accosted by 2 young lads asking for money. So not a lot has changed here then. A wise decision I think to scuttle back to my residence and leave the exploring until tomorrow in the daylight.
Philes, the trepid explorer!
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