One of the hard things about blogging on the road when you travel far eastward, is that you tend to conk out earlier in the evening. Combine that with early morning starts, and, well, I’m not making excuses, but uploading my photos is just about all I’ve been able manage.
So, with about an hour before dinner, and a bit of the day’s adventures behind me, I can try and write a bit.
I won’t try and catch up completely the last 6 days or so, which included our visit to Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City, but will try to get back to them in a future entry. If I have to go through all of my notes and write them back in Vancouver, I guess I’ll do that.
Let me try and describe the scene before me. We are in what they call a ‘Villa’ in the Nam Hai resort, near the town of Hoi An, in Central Vietnam. This place has been listed as one of the leading resorts of the world, and I can’t argue. As it grows dark outside, we can hear the surf of China Beach on the South China Sea, as well as my iPhone, which is connected to their iPod plug, playing some Chopin on the invisible sound system. The temperature is cool, around 24C, with a strong breeze, which is tossing the palm trees. Pam found a couple of fragrant Frangipani blooms on the front lawn and brought them in to perfume our laundry bag.
This ‘house’ (which is nearly as large as our condo back at home) has what I can only describe as a ‘room within a room’. A frame of dark wood encompasses a bed, lounge, desk, bathtub and white tapestries (almost like mosquito netting, but there’s no need for that). The bed faces the sand leading to the beach. There is an exquisite bonsai tree at one end, and indoor and outdoor showers of our own. The floor (aside from the inner ‘room’) is dark stone, with steps leading down to the back of the room and exit to the beach. The 60 Villas are laid out in 5 horseshoes, with the beach behind them. The complex includes 2 Restaurants and bar, Library, swimming pool, Spa, Gym and Tennis, Basketball and Badminton courts.
The only bad thing about this place is how short a time we’ll be here; just two nights, and during the day, I’ll be in Hoi An, attending a cooking class. Still, it’s an extraordinary resort, and even though some of the places we’ve stayed during this trip have been pretty good, they just can’t compare with this, which I’d say is about as luxurious a spot as I’ve ever seen. I could easily spend a week here, but that kind of a stay is something only a movie star or Steve Jobs could afford. I haven’t spotted him, but we haven’t ventured out to the main complex yet. Dare I say, we feel a little underdressed.
Thanks, David. I’ve passed on your recommendation for Nam Hai to Mrs Fitz who is planning our October visit to VietNam.
Have fun.
Cheers — Mike