Mui Ne

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April 15, 2005:
The last two days have been just dreamy. Cristel and I departed on a very early morning bus from Saigon and headed north east towards a small fishing village called mui ne. As with any small fishing village with beautiful beaches, the character of the town has changed a little in the last few years. Fortunately for us, the PV equivalent is north about 4 hours, and the high concentration of resorts and tourism has landed there and not here. But there was enough attention paid to Mui Ne to make it very comfortable.

Journal Continued:
We arrived around 1 pm in Mui Ne after a long bus drive. I have to say, I haven't yet had a comfortable bus ride anywhere in the world. I know mother said that riding the bus builds character, but I am more inclined to believe that it instead engenders a sore ass and a bad back.

Journal Continued:
Then we got little moped taxis to drive us and our bags to the hotel of our choice. This seems a little extreme, loading our bags on and us, but today I saw a moped with a fridge strapped to the back so clearly we have underestimated the carrying power of those machines.

Journal Continued:
The first day we mostly recuperated from the heat in Saigon. Stifling ... I think the word is. We walked along the beach and sat under the Vietnamese version of a palapa. Then we had great fresh seafood... I had Chinese greens and shrimp all stir fried. Tom Xao Rau Miong. I must remember this phrase because I definitely want that again.

Journal Continued:
At night we crawled stealthily into our mosquito nets and prayed that the beasts couldn't find the few holes that were in the top of the nets. They did.

Journal Continued:
This morning, we started with a long walk along the beach, followed by fresh fruit breakfast and then swimming, reading, swimming again. Around noon the wind picks up to about 5-10 knots (I don't know what that means personally, but it is a strong wind) I considered joining all the kite boarders and windsurfers out on the water, but was advised that the morning is
much better for beginners.

Journal Continued:
That was fine since we decided instead to take a little tour of the area in a 1960's US Army jeep abandoned when the soldiers left. I have to say, those jeeps have held up remarkably well. They aren't comfy, but they sure do run.

Right: Cristel and our tour companion, chatting with some young chaps who offered us a chance to slide down the dune on a plastic sheet. "Do you want to lie down?" They asked. It was good that they were only 7 years old, otherwise we might have been offended. We taught them the phrase, "Do you want to slide down?"

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Journal Continued:
In the jeep, we went up a stream called the fairy stream to see a waterfall. The entire way a young boy walked with us and chatted, practicing his English which was quite good. Then he sang a Vietnamese song for me... possibly the national anthem... I filmed his voice. He was a little camera shy when he was
singing.

Right & Below: Cristel in some sandstone canyons formed by the wind and rain over many years.

Journal Continued:
We finished off with the red dunes at sunset. To be honest, compared to morocco, the dunes were not that spectacular, but it was nice and such a surprise for the area... at least for me.:

Journal Continued:
When we came back, we were covered head to toe in sand particles stuck to us in sweat and sunscreen, so a shower was due. Followed by another $4 dollar massage for us both. Of course, this time it was really needed, walking up a sand dune is hard on ones' feet.:

Above: Vietnamese fishing boats. They go out in the morning and come in for the afternoon when it is hot and perhaps when the fishing isn't as good.

Left: The market. Here you can find every kind of seafood, fruit and vegetable. :

Right: A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up...

Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. :

Right: Cham tower. The Cham were the great South Vietnamese civilization that were ultimately conquered by the Viet people. Only a few miles from Mui Ne beach. A little history tucked in amongst the dunes.

Journal Continued:
Tomorrow is still up in the air, though I think that we are going to go to another smaller fishing village down the coast, or take windsurfing lessons or both, followed by a trip back to Saigon. The day after tomorrow we head to danag... really Hoi An, but we first have to fly to Danang. Around Danang was where Stormy was stationed, so I suppose I will get to see some of his old haunts. If I get to monkey mountain and marble mountain, I will for sure. He spent a while in those places.

Right: A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant

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