Hello from Nha Trang Vietnam,

For some reason, the main bus station in Saigon is off limits to photographers. I certainly saw nothing that looked like a military secret, but a cop put a stop to my shutterbug activities as I waited for my deluxe bus north. Nha Trang, eight hours north of Saigon has suddenly become a vacation destination for young beach lovers avoiding Bali since the terrorist attack last year. The clean and un-crowded beaches are comparable to those of Kuta on the island of Bali. The slow pace and casual attitude of residents in this tourist town encourage relaxation. The infrastructure is rural small town, augmented by many sea side modern hotels these days. When I found the quite nice $42 Lodge Hotel (probably 3-4 star) I settled down for a comfortable three night stay while exploring the interesting city and its sights.

During the war this area had been a staging area for the US military. The airport with its long runway is a remnant of those times. Today, people who visit Nha Trang often come to see the old monasteries and the famous giant white Buddha statue erected to honor the memory of several nuns who set themselves on fire protesting the "Vietnam War." Connectivity in the Internet cafes I tried drove me nuts. Working two hours at two different places I finally managed to get out a single e-mail message; not even worth the fourteen and twenty cents per hour they charged.

Transportation around town by moto or cyclo costs one to two dollars per hour. While walking along the sidewalks every ten minutes or so someone would yell out "Motorbike?" or "Go moto?" or "You moto?" or "Ride moto?" I walked most of the time, but did enjoy a couple tours on the wide seat of the tri-shaw "cyclos." Plans to take buses all the way up to Hanoi were quickly revised when I saw the dilapidated quality of vehicles making the trip. Checking out alternatives I discovered the twelve hour train ride at $67 might have been O.K, but when I learned a Vietnam Airlines flight would get me there in under an hour for $97 I went soft again... must be getting old... or maybe dealing with the still infected ear has sapped my resolve. 

Peace

Fred L Bellomy

 

Nha Trong Vietnam: The White Buddha conceals a giant brass bell. The monument commemorates the immolation of several Buddhist nuns protesting the war.

Nha Trong Vietnam: A guy takes a nap his shoulder poles on the ground.

Nha Trong Vietnam: A peace memorial.

Nha Trong Vietnam: A peace memorial.

Nha Trong Vietnam: Waste not, want not. Ordinary buses serve cargo as well as passengers. My deluxe buss from Saigon served only passengers.

Nha Trong Vietnam: The White Buddha. It has been sculpted on top of a giant brass bell and commemorates the immolation of several Buddhist nuns during the Vietnam War.

Nha Trong Vietnam: At the river entrance.

Nha Trong Vietnam: River traffic in the harbor.

Nha Trong Vietnam: A seaside monument, to what I don't know.