Caving in before we Bustle it to Perth

 The final day of the Intrepid Tour of the Southwest Western Australia saw an early start with a group improved breakfast. I was keen to do a little bit more than cereal for the first morning of 2021. After all it was the new year and I was on holidays. We had prepared ahead the day before picking up some Hash Browns, Eggs, and Bacon to go with the planned pancakes. It made for a worthy new year morning feast for new years day. From there the day started with a tour of the local caves. A good experience run by a local indigenous community. I've not seen too many cave experiences during my travels in Australia. The guide knew exactly how to get the best sound out from a didgeridoo in the amphitheater sized cave. 

After the caves it time to really head for home. With a drive onto Busselton and its famous long jetty. Happy to say I walked it's length. It was a fair walk considering it was the peak of summer. And well considering the crowds I was lucky to still be able to get a seat on the train ride back. Doing the reverse had been impossible to arrange as the trains were sold out for most of the day. This was another sign that during Covid locals were traveling locally, leaving the urgency in the surviving tourism operators to make their money whilst the sun shined in that week over Christmas and New Years.

A Tip for Buying from Tourist Shops overseas.

Always remember as the buyer you have a lot of price negotiating power in the tourist shops in Asia. The power to walk away.

It is important not to lose this position of power. Although very hard to lose the advantage, it is possible to lose it. For example someone in my tour group lost the advantage by merely dropping a lid in a shop. It's harder to negotiate when a part of the product is strewn over the floor and you're standing next to a "you break, you buy" sign.

Meanwhile, totally unrelated, I bought a Tea set. Managed to get 20% off.

Gonna take you on a ride on a Viet Night Train

I sitting up watching time slide by on what is now a night train to Nha Trang. We're due in about 1am .

I skipped the Chicken'n'Rice. Didn't know the vintage. And I've seen bigger pigeons. So sandwich dinner followed by Tolberone.

We've only got one small issue. When do we get off! Stations are barely signed. Oh, and the tour guide gets motion sickness on Trains at night. Fun fun fun!

Delayed in Da Nang on the Way to Nha Trang

Forget Sleepless in Seattle. I have a new movie concept. Delayed in Da Nang! Of course playing the role of me in the blockbuster will be Bruce Willis! Trademark the saying "Oy zoy oy motherf3r... !"

Oy zoy oy basically means OMG. The spelling is not like that. Just the sound. It's as close to a swear word as we've learnt. Which suggests just how much Vietnamese we've learnt.

Our train onto Nha Trang was supposed to be at 11. Arriving in time to get some dinner and go out for a drink.

So much for that idea. A 4 hour delay meant the train didn't arrive until after 1am.  In time only to find 2 rats chasing each other around the train carpark whilst waiting for a cab to the hotel. Can't fix it. Just roll with it!

After a short sleep it was straight onto our highlight tour of the trip. A boat ride to one of the island villages off the coast, and then lunch and snorkeling.
 

Of course by day 2 of Nha Trang the tour group had found it's own favourite bar. The Sailing Club.

Hoi An... Looking is Free!

Sin chow! The one word we've mastered. Spelling not included!

Hoi An is great. Best stop so far. Ancient Town is great for food and walking. And then when you're tired of that there's a leisurely 4km ride to the beach. All flat, no hills and very little wind. Just have to deal with the humidity. This is 5 shirts a day country!

Shop vendors are aggressive. But as they say looking free! I just make sure I'm comfortable with what I buy! Decision was made. No cheap tailored suit. I could of. But reality was I just don't use enough. And you need time to explore options.

Importantly I have completed the much anticipated cooking school here in Hoi An. Spring Rolls, Green Papaya salad, Caramel Eggplants in a Clay Pot, Fish in a Banana Leaf, and Chicken and Sweet Soup. I have the tips in my head. For how long I'm not sure.

Which ever Hue you look at it

Hue. A city in the middle of Vietnam.

Was once the capital. So yes indeed we're talking Grand Palaces and kingdoms. I guess having seen Cambodia and Thailand I was better prepared on what to expect.

 

The history is focused in Hue. Alas the tourists are not. Not when there is a bar called Browneyes.

A big night was had by a few of us.

My $1 fortune teller knows all!

According to my $1 old lady fortune teller I will be meeting a 32 year old girl next year. Possibly a doctor.

I will be having 2 kids. 1 of each. The boy first. 

Also confirmed my mum and dad love me very much. I will be living until I'm 85-87 and own a big place by 45. In 7 years.

I also need to forget about the 27 year old girl I met when I was younger. I had better warn you. You're marrying another boy. I must let go. You're having a boy!