Ho Tram October '07

We needed to get away from the city for a little while so we high tailed ti to Ho Tram for the weekend. Ho Tram is only 2 hours from city on the east coast of Viet Nam and just north of the Mekong Delta. We hired a driver for $80 and make a quick exit from Ho Chi Minh at 6:00pm Friday night. Everything takes 10 time longer than it should in this country and the journey was no exception but we arrived in time for dinner, beer and bed. On awakening Saturday morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the high end restaurant and then hit the beach. Not as beautiful as many but still nice and peaceful with quite a bit of local life to observe.

Fishermen go out in coracles (round wicker boats) paddling expertly over the waves and into the shallows where small shoals of fish reside and stay there most of the morning before returning to sift their catch before transportation to market. The odd motorbike goes up and down using the beach as a road but apart from that it is very quiet and a perfect weekend getaway.

We spent lots of time drinking in the bar and playing cards and listening to an assortment of music on the laptop, in between spells of burning time on the beach. Allison is now red all over and I’m tanned to the point of looking ridiculous.


The room has cable and I was able to stay up most of the night watching England’s fantastic run in the rugby world cup come to an end but a valiant effort it was. A shout out for Tom who was at the game in Paris as a guest of his rather presumptuous kiwi relatives. At least we made it to the final eh? I’m sure a good time was had by all.

Presently sat by the pool dreaming the day away forming plans for future travels in SE Asia. Bring it on! Allison just woke up and wants to know where all the wine has gone. Oh, and she’s hungry, again. Back to Ho Chi Minh in 2 hours.