Nha Trang by Motorbike

The not so popular, and bar galore city of Nha Trang surprisingly became a great solo trip and an adventurous motorbike adventure. Nha Trang is the pulse of the young backpackers lure lined with happy hours, ladies nights, punch bowl discounts, and plenty of drunken company. I made my way through the main street only for a minute before meeting what would soon be my new pals for the next two days. Alya, Paul, and Stew. We made our way through the unexciting town and quickly decided to grab a beer to waste the rest of our afternoon, and then, into the night. I was with professionals. Booze bargaining professionals that is....all night I followed my friends chasing after the punch bowls. Let me be clear, the red bull, vodka. whisky, gin, coke mix stirred in a large bowl served with 4 straws. Now, don't get me wrong, I came and drank many of these punch bowls in college...but it has been awhile....feeling good we bar hopped the night away. At some point, deciding we would all rent motorbikes and seek out a waterfall 40 kilometers away the next day; yeah right! 

The morning came too quickly, and I was out of Excedrin, but I kept my promise and met the wild ones for an early lunch expecting a sure rain check. Oh no, within an hour we each hoped on motorbikes and made our way through the city streets, into the outskirts, along desolate coastal roads, onto a busy highway, and into hidden villages pushed far back from any paved road. We had to stop for directions dozens of times, which also meant we were invited to sit for tea dozens of times...so we did...and the sun kept shinning and the journey to the unknown, and non-existent waterfalls just kept getting better. We cruised through cows, pigs, rice fields, thick mud and grass, every other mushy and dirty collection on these off roads. When finally, an English speaker appeared and pointed us to the waterfalls. 

The waterfalls were only the excuse to ride....but, they were well worth it. We headed back into Nha Trang with a belly full of sea food from a local hot pot restaurant, a few beers, sun burnt, and ready to crash from the events of the last 24 hours. The journey, full and fun spirit of my friends, and the feeling of controlling a motorbike on my own made for another experience that I will never forget.