I wake Xmas day to the sounds of waves crashing on the beach, much better than the horns beeping in Hanoi
I go for a walk along the beach looking for breakfast, there is quite a swell. It’s not exactly cold but there is a strong breeze yet people are on the beach in their cosies and hitting the water.
mmmmm.....Swell
I am informed by a local I chat to who is also amused at their enthusiasm that they are Russian - that explains it, this would be summer for them.
After a huge breakfast I return to my room, the only thing Xmas means to me is family and since I can’t be with them we catch up on skype.
Massage time and I find a Spa which looks promising however the actual massage itself is average but my back does feel better. Now it’s time for coffee, I stop at a stall on a street corner and I get talking to Minh, a local “Easyrider” tour guide.
For fifty dollars he is picking me up at my hotel at nine tomorrow morning and taking me out of town for the day sightseeing. I paid half as a deposit (I hope he shows up) but I’ve been out with “Easyriders” before and only ever had a great time.
On my way back to Hanoi I intend to head north to Hoi An to catch up with an “Easyrider” friend I’ve been out with the last two years, Mr Hoa, and do some more touring with him.
Then I drop by “Something Fishy” for another burger and a beetroot fix before returning to my room for a movie and to rest my back.
Day transforms into night, it's the same photo
On dark I wander out for dinner, along the way I stake out some cheaper hotels, it seems I may stay here for New Years Eve, another week. One of the pitfalls of not being a plan maker, everywhere else I have considered to see in the new year seems to be booked out.
I am drawn toward the water and have dinner at the sailing club, watching the large waves breaking not more than a few metres from my lamb rogan josh and sex on the beach. (Unfortunately the second did not involve nudity or sand)
On the walk back to my room the park by the beach is full of couples sitting on benches in the darkness canoodling, just sickening (jealousy).
There is some sort of performance happening of which I have no idea but has drawn a crowd, I watch confused for a while then retire.
