Nha Trang, Vietnam - Day 1

Good Morning Nha Trang!

Same routine this morning with one exception. I not only have a electric hot water kettle in my room, there is also a french press.

I had a lot of coffee and tea at home in Oaxaca, so rather than them going stale over 4 months, I brought a large baggie of each with me. I've been carrying them around mostly unused until now. At least for a few days here in Nha Trang, I can make coffee in my room without running out in the morning to find a coffee shop. I recently picked up a small strainer so I can use that for making my morning tea also. (The rooms dog themed cup in front of the dog themed tissue holder.)

I wasn't in any rush to leave my room, when I did leave, I actually had a plan. Go for breakfast, find a laundry and rent a VFast electric scooter.

As it happens there are no laundries near me, but there are a cluster of them where I had to go to pick up the motor scooter. 

After my breakfast pha (Vietnamese rice noodle soup), I booked a Grab bike to go rent a motor scooter. At the far other end of Nha Trang from where I am staying, close to 15 min ride to get there.

At the rental place, twice I was asked if I was a good driver and both times I responded, No, I am horrible driver. Then gave them the expected response, Yes, I am an excellent driver.

I found a coin laundry to do my wash. Tomorrow I will be adding a stop at the big clothes market to buy a couple more pair of undershorts and a couple more t-shirts. I only brought 4 of each with me, which means I have to do laundry every 4 days. Maybe I will buy 3 of each so I can extend my laundry visits to once a week. 

The nice thing about these laundries is that you don't need to bring soap. The soap is dispensed directly into the washer.

After the laundry I headed a little further down the rode towards VinWonders Resort and Amusement park. Along the way I spotted a fruit and veggie vendor that sold single portions of durian.

I don't have a picture, but I did make a short video of me eating the durian. You can see that at: https://youtube.com/shorts/7g4fKDTZ-gE

On my way in to the parking area I also came across a parking/charging area for Vin Motors elecric cars. This makes since since the park is owned by the person/group that makes the electric cars and mother bikes. You might have to zoom in on the pictures to see the extend of the parking/charging area.

I parked my motorscooter in a huge motorbike parking area. It was not possible to take a picture to give you an idea of how big this is and how many bikes are parked here. But, a video can give you an idea. See the video at:  https://youtube.com/shorts/QFoTMAwGLII

 

I made my way to the main gate of the park. Actually not the park. The park and several hotels are on an island accessible by boat or cable car. The entrance to the park is relatively inexpensive, about $40 usd. I had no interest in going into the park, but you can also buy a ticket for the cable car only. This takes you to the shopping area of the park. If you are familiar with Downtown Disney, something like that. The cable car only ticket is just over $7.50 usd

I get my ticket and headed to boarding area for the cable car. 

There was very little wait, maybe because I arrived later in the day. For people wanting to get the most for their ticket, they would come early in the day.

I boarded to car for the trip to the island. This cable car system is very similar to the cable cars I rode in Medillín, Colombia. My guess is that it is made by the same company.

We arrive at the island. Like Downtown Disney without Mickey Mouse.

I think the train is to take people into the park for those that bought full tickets.

Later in the evening I went out looking for a place to eat. I ended up having another pho. Not the greatest pho I have had. Even here in Vietnam it is not guaranteed to get good pho. The guy asked if I wanted a beer, I did. Somehow it got lost in translation and I ended up getting this very large dark beer served in a solid metal bottle. Not sure if it was stainless steel or aluminum. It was too much and didn't finish it. That is a full size drinking glass.

Later back at the Sweet Home, where I am staying, I went downstairs to get a pastry to top off my day. The pastry shop is also the office for the rooms upstairs.

 

This dog that growls ferociously from behind the glass door, acts way different in person.