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Nha Trang

We had to drive to Nha Trang from Dalat, because there is no train or plane from Dalat to Danang or Hoi An. It was a strange case of "you can't get there from here." Not that we didn't appreciate our brief stay in Nha Trang. The seascape at Nha Trang is hypnotically beautiful with the mountains, the islands in the mist, the palm trees and sand. I could just stare at the landscape for hours. Even if the beach is littered, it was stunning. We could not afford the cost of resort life in Nha Trang, though. I realize now that my uncle Hao, who came to Nha Trang in July, must have stayed at the four-star Ana Mandara Resort. His pictures of the beach look exactly like the catalog pictures of the resort. There were 3 four-star resorts in Nha Trang, all with rooms running between $150-$300 US Dollars per night.

I was perhaps mistaken in saying that you will not find pristine areas here, you can find them if you can afford the price.

Cham Towers

Yesterday on Jeffrey's birthday, we toured Cham Ruins. We saw the Po Klang Garai Cham Towers on the road between Dalat and Nha Trang. The towers rise precipitously above the flat delta plain and fertile valley between the Dalat mountains and the beach at Nha Trang. They were built in the 13th century as temples to the god Shiva and still are used by the local farmers to pray for fertility. The towers showcase the Chams' understanding of step pyramids. They are formidable red sculptures standing high above the windy plain of palm trees and rice paddies.