A Mui Ne tour.

OK, Mui Ne is above and beyond what we have experienced so far in Southeast Asia. As I write we are sitting beside the pool under cloudless skies, the local folks are friendly and helpful, municipal buses run regularly up and down the strip from the fishing village through to the town of Plan Thiet, the food is good and cheap, as is the beer, and the frenetic pace so typical of Asian towns is completely absent. Big recommendations.

*****

Kim and I took the local bus into Phan Thiet yesterday. We disembarked at the Co-op, a newish supermarket in the centre of town. We picked up a few items to augment our already delicious breakfasts and enjoyed a short walk around town, stopping for lunch in a restaurant packed with locals. Kim ordered a dish that looks like squid, but when it came to our table, worried that it might be clam. Not to worry. It was frog and it was delicious. We re-boarded the bus on the wrong side of the street and had to ride all the way to the far end of the run and wait at the depot while the staff their had lunch before we could return to the beach. The bus ride was the highlight of the trip.

*****

Today we got up early and went on a tour of the sights that are usually packaged as part of a day in a jeep; visiting the fishing village, the red sand dunes, and what is called "The Fairy Stream". The cost with the tour companies is around $20 per person, but we did it using the bus system for a little over a dollar each. Below you will find some snaps.

*****

The Fairy Stream is a rivulet that over time has cut a course through an area of white sandstone, creating these beautiful hoo-doos. Later, shifting dunes of red sand have moved in, piling high atop the sandstone. It is only here that the buried rock is exposed.

Some hoo-doos.....

.....with the red sand piled on top.....

.....

.....

.....the obligatory selfie.....

.....a stream-side passion fruit blossom.....

.....? but also beautiful.....

.....not to be outdone.....

.....a view of Mui Ne harbour.....

.....and the view across Mui Ne harbour to Mui Ne beach.

Tomorrow, Nha Trang.