December 4,

I awoke by 0730. Jeff just had been up since 0645. I was awake again from 2-4 am – for whatever reason. We had our Javas and then breakfast of yogurt and crackers with PB. Packed up and showered. Jeff did a WhatsApp with the hostess and we can stay in the apartment until 1430 for an additional 100,000 Dong ($3.94). The normal check out is at noon, but our train is not until 1529. So four dollars for two and a half hours of not hauling our luggage about. We were okay with that. And she was okay with it – must not have anyone coming in after us. We just hung out. I blogged and Jeff read.

At 1230, we went out to lunch at Com Ga Ngu Vi (Five Spice Chicken Rice). We ordered and shared a roasted chicken order and sprite each. We were given a clear chicken broth consume, as a starter,simple but fresh and good. Then the roasted chicken and rice with two dipping sauces – a mildly, sweet, dark soy; and a spicy rice vinegar. Good meal! We paid 115,000 Dong for the whole meal ($4.53). Finished we meandered up half a block and across the street to Aloo. Here we ordered some dessert. I had avocado and mango ice cream, Jeff had coconut ice cream. That was 40,000 Dong ($1.58). We walked back to our place, having a small spot of rain. I just noticed a half a dozen drops. We relaxed I finished the blog and Jeff did the final edit. At 1420, Jeff sent a WhatsApp to our hostess. A different lady cleared us and we caught a Grab taxi to the train station. We arrived at 1500, and our train was due in on time. We were left out to go to track #3 at 1510. These stations are so small we all just walk across the other tracks! I also realized no one checked our tickets! 1515 our train came rolling in. We boarded. Train left one minute late at 1530. We noticed the only other foreigners boarding here were a couple – I had seen them before, somewhere I think??

We found our seats and had a single lady sitting across from us. We both actually think the seats are more comfortable. In one of our seats was an official train folder with a train menu, rules of the train, and an advertisement. It mentioned about how the –

  “…. North-South railway line of Vietnam Railways was honored to be voted by Lonely Planet  – a famous travel guide publishing company – as the top 8 most beautiful and worth-experiencing railway lines in the world. This is not only an honor for Vietnam Railways Corp. but also an opportunity to promote the brand and promote Vietnamese tourism to the world. … We wish you an enjoyable experience on your journey with Vietnam Railways!”

And then it quoted the Lonely Planet some, describing the countryside. It did mention how there are trains daily from HCMC to Hanoi and vice versa – 1,730 kms length (1,075 miles), and that it takes 32 hours on this Reunification Line. I thought the article was fascinating.

Our car was only half full, but of course there was a loud boy in our car. The scenery along the way was pretty much the same – except the railway seems more elevated, almost like a dike. Maybe this area is more prone to flooding – outside of purposeful flooding of fields that is. I don't know… I still have lots of questions around the farming scene in this area!?! Also the tracks seem to be being worked on more along this stretch and they do seem rougher. The train moves more – “rocky-rolly” action. We did slow down in quite a few spots. Sunset happened but due to cloud cover it was not noticable. We arrived into the train station around 1740, like ten minutes late. This actually surprised me with so many slow down places. Anyway…

Welcome to Tuy Hoa!

We exited the station to the awaiting, hungry group of taxi drivers. It is a smaller group as this is a smaller town, but still. Jeff bartered with one and he accepted. We don't have far to go, and we arrived by 1755. We are at Apec Mandala. It is a 27 story jobber. Inside the lobby, the security guard helps us by talking with our meet person. As we wait, we watch a set up for a photo shoot that is going to be happening. Our lady hostess took our passports to be copied. Then she escorted us to the 13th floor, which is unusual as most places don't have a 13th floor. It is usually 12, 12A, and 14. We are let in a studio place. It looks like the pictures: a kitchenette (kettle without mugs – we won't be getting any from her), a wardrobe, a table, a bed, and a love seat. There is a great balcony with a sea view and a sitting/lounging nook with the sea view. Lovely! Then the bathroom… it is next level. We have a tub with a sea view window!! How cool is that! Our hostess wanted payment and Jeff had to go with her to the ATM to get the full amount. I unpacked a bit. When Jeff returned we went out in search of dinner, and we got caught in a gusty wind and rain burst. Needless to say, we just went to a convenience store and got instant noodles and water. Back at our place, we were making our soups and discovered one was a savory porridge. Both were good. Finished unpacking, and I took a bubble bath! Bed by 2130.