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After an early start we boarded our 6:25am train for the long journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang. The train was pretty basic and rather dirty. As we passed the 'toilet' I quickly made the decision not to drink much water on the way! We soon realised we were in the middle of a carriage of Vietnamese tourists, all from one large tour group. This meant loud, regular updates from their tour guide throughout the journey, especially when we were trying to sleep. We bought lunch for about £1, got knows what it was but the rice was alright. 7 hours later we were being fought over by taxi drivers desperate to take us to our hotel.
After checking into the King Town Hotel we ventured out to Rainbow Divers to check the arrangements for tomorrow. A very different operation to Larry's on Con Dao, Rainbow was commercialised and run more as a money-making business. But they were friendly enough and we were hopeful about the forthcoming diving.
We spent the rest of the day wandering around the crowded, noisy streets. This is known at the beach party capitol of Vietnam and with good reason. The beaches in the centre were beautiful but crowded with tourists, sun beds, people selling drinks, mango and massages and the focal point of the main beach was a series of inflatable slides in the water. Looking out to sea, no one could fail to notice the large Vinpearl sign in large white Hollywood styled letters. Vinpearl is Vietnam's answer to Disneyland, with a theme park, several hotels and a cable car adjoining the island to the mainland.
We headed out for dinner at Veranda, a local restaurant a stone's throw away from the sea, recommended by the Lonely Planet.
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