On the central coast of Vietnam is a small city called Danang. A short way south of the town is China beach made famous by the television program of the same name. This was our next stop on our tour of Vietnam.
The bus dropped us in Danang and we haggled a moto lift to get us to China Beach. It was furter then we expected and carrying my heavier-by-the-day pack on my back and clinging with my legs to the motorbike for about twenty minutes was not so fun. And the midday sun was unbearably hot even with the breeze brushing past. I think all the weight of the driver, myself and my pack slowed the journey down somewhat.
We had already chosen to stay at a guesthouse called Hoas Place, a lonely planet recommendation. It is really just a small cheap hotel painted beachy colours with basic amenties. I loved it. It is run by a Vietnamese man and his wife- they have been there for 15 years and have attracted a cult following from travellers who love the laid back vibe and honest hospitality. It is all family meals, beer and interesting conversation, particularly when Hoa is drunk and sneaking cigarettes behind his watchful wifes back.
A very short stroll to the beach leads you to a 30 km stretch of clean white sand and rolling 
waves- not good for surfing at this time of the year Nikki but in Monsoon season the waves get very high (don't know the surfie speak height and so forth). The beach is pretty deserted but you can see that in a few years it will be cluttered with resorts. We spent a few days splashing about in the ocean, relaxing under beach umbrellas, playing beach ping pong and warding off the many pushy villagers trying to sell marble cheap necklaces. I eventually bought one to get rid of them and promptly broke and I lost it straight away. At least I got some peace and quiet then. It was worth it.
The days were burning hot. I didn't venture off the beach much. One afternoon I took a wander to nearby Noun Nhoc, a little village that sells marble statues. It was like I was in the desert getting there. My aim was to buy some toiletries but the entire town sells marble. Every shop. It took a lot of searching to find mint toothpaste and womens sanitary products. The marble statues were amazing, and yes you could buy stone dragons there Darwyn but, of course, they were so heavy, even the small ones were impractical to carry with me on my travels.
A few days there and it was time to move on. Steve leaves in less then ten days and wants to find surf (as if) and I have to head south to meet Meka in Saigon. Next stop Hoi An.
Ah winter, and work. Gotta love it. Enjoy your fun in the sun Kez (with or without all your sickness you are seriously one envied sister), and make the most of it while it lasts!