"No more yankee my wankee! The Donger need food!"

Just in case you were wondering, this is what 2 million Dong looks like. Here's a close up "Uncle Ho" followed by a potrait and live version of me in 70 years.

I've made my way down the coast to Nha Trang in central Vietnam. Since my last post, we left Hue (once the capital) after 3 days and drizzly weather. It was low key as Christian (the guy that I have been traveling with since Hanoi) was under the weather during all of our time there. He went to the local hospital in order to rule out malaria (diagnosed with your run of the mill flu later) and let me just say that depending where you are in Asia, it's wise to do everything possible to avoid getting sick. Here's a picture of our toilet in our hotel in Hue followed by a picture of the hospital's "amenities".

We did a boat tour on the Perfume River which brought us by a number of kings tombs and pagodas.

Toured the Citadel which is Vietnam's version of the forbidden city and then jumped on the bus for a 5 hour bus ride to Hoi An (skipped the DMZ as I couldn't be bothered to walk around the tunnels/fields all day in the rain).

Hoi An is a lovely city (you were absolutely right Mizay) oozing with charm in a cozy and intimate colonial setting by the river (beach is 4KM away). Shopping is on the agenda for most and many come to get tailored made clothes/shoes. Christian got a suit and 3 shirts made for $85. For anyone looking to get clothes made, I would highly recommend Hoi An versus Thailand or Hong Kong per say, as the prices are right and accommodation at a 4 star hotel with all of the modern amenities will run you as little as $25 per night. Since Erin wasn't with me, I just took in the sights and will wait to come back with her in the future to go on our shopping spree.

We rented motorbikes for 2 days and visited the cham ruins of My Son

as well as rode up the coast to China Beach. This is supposedly the place where American soldiers were helicoptered into for some R & R during the war. We had the entire beach to ourselves (minus some military "life guards" and occassional fishermen) and even had sun (thank goodness as it had been almost a week since seeing a full day of sun).

The surf was mush otherwise insert photo of me ripping down a double overhead barrel here.

Stayed the night at Hoa's place who is a local legend in the area and then rode back the next afternoon before heading for Nha Trang on another painful overnight bus. The rain has been with us all day today so we are going to leave tomorrow (no sense in staying in a beach town when the weather sucks) and will head inland for the hills to Dalat. We'll try to get some proper mountain biking in as well as a tour with the Easy Riders. Stay tuned.

Vietnam has been absolutely wonderful! For me, regardless of the country that I am in, it's the people that make it tic. The scenery can be gorgeous, but if the people aren't friendly.... For instance, walking home from dinner the other night, Christian and I were invited off the street and into a house where we were promptly offered rice wine (this stuff was strong - after our host poured some into a small tea cup, he put some in his lighter just prior to using it to light his smoke:) We sang and clapped to "some" song as the host strummed his guitar and filled our cups numerous times. This would never happen at home (I know that I wouldn't feel comfortable inviting 2 guys off the street and into my house:(

Everything for the most part has been going my way. It sucks not having Erin but she is doing something much more important AND Vietnam will be here for us next time. Actually, our plan from the Philippines is to fly back to Saigon when we'll do the south together before heading into Cambodia.

FMP

Here are some of the many colorful faces and scenes found all over Vietnam.