HCMC to MUI NE

After 4 days of manic Saigon, we decided to head to the coast for some much needed beach life. It was a very long 5 hour coach drive away and our driver used his horn everytime he overtook or went past someone. It sounded like he was trying to start a road rage war and was really annoying! We got to our hotel 'Grace Boutique Resort' that was right on top of the sea, had a beautiful garden, an infinity pool and its ơn little beach....bliss! We were given an upgrade to the room with the best view and had coconuts brought to our room to drink. The view ứa stunning, right on top of the shore and even just laying in bed, we were looking out on to the ocean. Falling asleep to the sound of the ocean waves was awesome.......the real ocean, not a relaxation tape! :-) Mr F we for a walk to get barrings and came back 2 hours later only to say there's not much around! 

  

View from our room during the day

                                                        

                                                   

       View from our room at night

View form the terrace where we had breakfast

                                           

That night we went to a kebab place just down the road called 'Sindbads' which is rated number1 on trip adviser. We had the tastiest, most delicious chicken kebabs and instantly agreed to eat there every night as we were both fed up of rice and noodles.
Our days in Mui Ne consisted of the same routine and activities everyday....breakfast, beach by the pool, swim in pool, chill in room with a film, out for a kebab, bed....in that order! Infact we liked it so much at the hotel that we booked to stay another 2 days, keeping our upgraded room....result!

                                                Some coracle's going out to catch fish

                                                 

Boys having a good time on the beach

Mr F tucking into a chicken kebab

 There were lots of these which was good coz they ate all of these........

                                                               .......Big mossies!

We had little lizards come into our room, which the boys named 'Lenny'

And they weren't the only things to come in our room.....lucky this bat was only a baby!

One night when Sindbads was disappointingly closed, we went and had burger and chips instead and went back for lunch the next day.....

Mrs F with a large chocolate milkshake

And a picture of Buddha with a milkshake and burger!!

 Breakfast at the hotel was awesome and filling, we rarely had lunch. Between us we had: 2 croissants, an omelet, large bowl of cornflakes, a french baton, 3 yoghurts, a fruit plate of water melon, grapefruit, pineapple, dragon fruit and banana, fresh pineapple juice, tea and coffee.....and that's just 1 set of 6! We had a complimentary fruit juice that was different everyday brought to us by the pool and fresh cut flowers and fruit in our which was also different everyday. 

The hotel owner, Loan (pronounced Lo-Ann) run a tight ship with all her staff who were always maintaining the garden and keeping everywhere pristine. Loan was very lovely and even offered to cook for and dine with us after we told her we were having a break from rice and noodles. After accepting her kind offer, we were hoping it wouldn't be anything like toads or turtles that were abundant in all the local restaurants and feel obliged to eat it! But it was a very lovely 3 course dinner with Loan and 2 other couples staying at the hotel. We had beef salad to start, crumbed fish with pasta and veg for main, creme caramel for desert and lots of red wine :-) It was a really enjoyable evening with  good conversation.

  

We woke up one morning to find a German couple had arrived at the hotel. We đin't actually see them, just their towels that were reserving the sunbeds so assumed they could only be German! We understand this is their national tradition, but it was 8:30am and there were only 5 other guests at the hotel!

Our last day we spent playing around in the pool......

Is this just the best mango you've ever seen!!