I was woken this morning to knocking on my door at six, I belligerently got up and opened it to one of the women that arrived last night who mistakenly must have thought it was her friends room, she shuffles off with no apology or sign of penance – rude cow!
Today i am going to Vung Tau and I am looking forward to this brief escape, I have developed what at this stage is just a sore throat and I hope does not develop into anything more, there does seem to be a “flu” going around but I think mine is more the case of too many cigarettes, pollution and trying to sleep with the air conditioner – room is cool, turn it off – wake up sweaty, turn it on – room cools down again, throat dries out, turn it off – etc. The ideal way to combat this is to sleep with the window open and the air conditioner on but apart from the energy waste it still seems to dry my throat out too much.
I got to the wharf at eleven thirty for the midday boat, because I didn't look around at the ticket window to notice there are two companies running services, I ended up with a twelve thirty ticket - keep pushing my buttons Saigon, I am not going to crack. Finally I'm on the boat and someone else is in my seat and doesn't want to move - don't posture with me buddy I've been here a month and today is not the day to give me attitude - keep pushing my buttons Saigon..........
After a smooth comfortable hour and twenty minutes we arrive at the wharf at Vung Tau, I duck into a Lotteria in the treminal for some fried goodies and to give the bike rider feeding frenzy that has engulfed my fellow passengers outside the terminal time to calm down - rookies. I step outside almost unnoticed and start the walk towards the main part of town. Immeadiately a wash of calm descends - the occasional bike goes past, ships float by in the harbour, a gentle breeze, the temperature is a perfect twenty four...........I have arrived!
I stop at the "Aussie Pie Shop" for a coffee and get some general advice from a couple of old Aussie gents. I keep walking into the heart of the town, there is a vibrant green park that runs all the way along near the waters edge, there is no beach but I hate beaches anyway, sunburn and sand in the crotch is not my thing. Out of curiousity (and to soak up some air-con before I walk on to find a cheaper hotel) I go into the Rex Hotel that stands near the water front to check out the rooms and she shows me the "sea view" room, dammit, I owe myself a little treat, I wasn't going to stay at one of these kind of places but my room on the fifth floor overlooks the garden, pool and the entire harbour. Anyway it's only one ten for two nights, that's not too expensive, did I mention the view?
After my late night and early morning I am worn out so I take a shower and lay down for a while. The excitement is too much and I can't sit still so I head down to the pool for a swim, my back feels great after the swim and oh how good is the water?
Now I'm hungry so I shower up and head down to the bar pool which is full of hot young cleavage bearing girls in mini skirts jiggling as they lean over to take shots playing pool as the Eagles belt out "Life in the Fast Lane" and "The Last Resort" - Apt!
The scene is too cliche' with old white guys circling like sharks so after one beer I head out to find some good food. It is sunset and all along the ocean wall there are people gazing into the dying light eating ice creams and holding hands.
I find a great outdoor restaurant full of locals chowing down on real Vietnamese food - this is what I'm talking about. For ten dollars I get a great beef and garlic stirfry with chips and two humungous fried chicken legs, yes I may have over done the fried chicken today, two beers and a pack of cigarettes. A thunderstorm bursts the night sky to life and a torrential rain drives everyone inside under the covered section of the restaurant, the old lady who runs the place keeps coming up to me with her rosy cheeks to make sure everything is ok - oh how it is!
The rain has cleared and my belly is full so I meander through the streets - with hardly a bike to be heard, it is beautiful - back to the Rex for some long craved rest and sleep.
