Sleeper bus is a misnomer. It’s more like a sleeper-if-your-legs-are-short bus. You lay down in a triangular plastic cover. The volume is about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, which was fine for me. However, it’s not high enough at the end because it’s slopes down at a 45 degree angle to the floor.
I had nowhere to put my feet. I could not stretch out or lie on my back comfortably. I would have slept better in a regular sitting bus. At least there I have leg room. I got about three hours of sleep on a 12 hour journey to Nha Trang. That was Saturday night, May 9.
It was a refreshing week in Nha Trang, the beach town of Vietnam. I caught up on sleep. I worked out twice. I walked along the beach several times and ran once. I ate well. I discovered that I love mangos. And I love Indian food–not spicy though!
I went on a boat trip on Tuesday, May 12. It was a lot of fun. We snorkeled, jumped off the top of the boat, drank pineapple mixed drinks while floating in the water, and tanned on an island beach.
One of our guides called himself “Funky Monkey.” He and his compadres entertained us at lunch, covering popular songs. Often they would pull girls from the crowd to sing lead. A girl from Canada had to sing “My heart will go on” by Celine Dion. And a girl from the US had to sing a song by The Bangles. A girl from Denmark had to sing a well-known children’s song (I forget the name–Frarashaka?). They ended the performance with “What’s up” by 4 Non Blondes–well done!
I was hassled many times by motorbike guys. It seemed like every street corner. But what’s the point? All the main rooms, restaraunts, shops, and bars were within a four block radius.
Transportation is normally inexpensive in Vietnam. To put things in perspective, it costs $6-$10 for a 12-hour bus ride. However, motorbike drivers often quote prices much higher than normal. And that bothers me.
So, one time I was walking back to my hotel, Phu Quy. It was just across the street about four buildings down. A motorbike guy waived to me at the corner. I waived back with a smile.
“Motorbike? Where do you go,” he said.
I said, “Phu Quy. How much?”
He smiled and said, “20,000 dong ($1.10).”
We both had a good laugh, reflecting on the inflated prices of motorbike drivers.
Wow…I never imagined parts of Vietnam could be that beautiful. The water looks amazing!