Welcome to Vietnam

Arrived Nha Trang late afternoon after travelling what seems like forever. Finally in Nha Trang airport after flying from 3 countries. Wow made it to Vietnam.

I didnt know what happened to me, when I arrived Saigon I had to collect my luggage so I can load it up for my connecting flight to Nha trang, 45 minutes by plane away from Saigon. Since the plane to Nha Trang is small, unlike the international planes, I had to pay for my excess luggage. While checking in my things, the guy at the counter told me I have 11kg extra so he pointed out a counter opposite him, and told me I have to go there and pay. So, he issued me a paper that indicates the no. of kilos I have to pay. There were 3 other people in the counter, when it was my turn, I handed over the paper. The guy run through it and told me I have to pay 150,980...as if I didnt hear it, I asked again...yeah right, 150,980... for a moment I couldnt speak - I was shocked, my heart skipped a beat, my mind blank! There was a guy standing next to me, who saw the surprise on my face, smiled at me and said...thats 10USD. Believe me, when I came to my senses I broke laughing.... 1USD is equivalent to 15,980VNdong... hahaha...so I paid and was overwhelmed with the first surprises during the first moments in Vietnam.

As expected the plane trip took 45 mins., When we arrived in Nha Trang, we took another 45 mins road ride by Bus. The bus was huge, the one that you can run around inside when you go gaga. There were only 6 people including myself, so the more I was really tempted to run around, but I felt my energy level going down after on the road, on the plane for 2 days. Its not funny!

The people impressed me so much, it seems that they smile at you on anything you say or do. When I arrived to my hotel, the people already knew who I was, amazingly! So, I checked in, without any words, apparently the only word they know in English is my name (I dont even know if my name is English!). After they gave me my keys, I looked around to see if there are bellmen who will take my luggage to my room. There were only 2 very cute girls behind me. I am petit myself, but these girls are smaller than me. So, I looked at the girl seated behind the desk and ask her about my luggage. She pointed the 2 girls behind me. My eyes grew with amazement. So, ok fine, thats their job. This is another surprise.

I looked at my key, there is a number written 357. I look back at the lady and ask where it is, and she told me in the 3rd floor. Da! I knew that! but how to get there. She told me to go up the stairs! Huh there are no lifts!!!

As I drag my ass up to the staircase that looks like going straight to the clouds, the weight of my body is getting heavy and heavy. I felt filty and I was dying for shower. The room was not a hard find apparently its just 4 rooms away from the staircase. As I got into my room, there was an unusual feeling that rush into my spine. Hmmm.. something was telling me I am into a rollercoaster. They said everything comes in three... sat in my room waiting for the third surprise! What a way to welcome myself to Vietnam.