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DAY THIRTEEN
Today was supposed to be spent snorkelling the reefs around the various islands situated off the Nha Trang coastline, but again due to the difficulties that I may have trying to swim with an arm raised out of the water, we opted for a day trip visiting Monkey Island and Tranh Beach, which we spent a little more to be sure of a worthwhile tour. Early pickup from the hotel for a forty minute, edge of your seat, white knuckle ride from a bus driver who clearly had aspirations to be a racing car driver was the first part of the trip that we could've done without!
A catamaran cruise to the islands was extremely entertaining- there was a extortionate amount of selfies being taken at the front with pouting being the desired look. There were also family shots, wannabe modelling shoots etc, but all by Russians. Now, I haven't spoken of this yet in earlier blogs, but the Russians are buying property up in Nha Trang at an extremely quick rate, and of the tourists there, I would say they probably make up 80 percent of travellers. This may be controversial, but they refuse to smile, look like they like they are ready to murder everyone ( even the men!) and I genuinely think that fun is illegal in their country. It wouldn't surprise me if there was corporal punishment involved, as I'm convinced that you could be sentenced to death for enjoying yourself. The family pictures all looked like there was a huge famine in their country, or that they had been given news of only having months to live. I suppose everyone is different, but by the great hammer of Thor, I couldn't live in that country.
Approaching Tranh island, we were treated to a picture postcard moment from offshore, beautiful blue water, white sandy beaches, towering palms-that was to change. First of all we walked up a trail inundated by trinket sellers, food sellers and island staff trying to coax the touring parties to take part in such activities as horse riding, playing on swings, elephant riding etc. Bearing in mind, when we paid they said everything was included...clearly not!
Next venue was the ostrich and deer pen( cost you to feed them), and also a poor sun bear suffering a worrying case of malnutrition, being led around with a muzzle and gloves on his hind legs. Every time he even shifted direction, opposite to that of what the trainer wanted, he copped a truncheon to the body. We walked on hoping to see something better than this, but found ostrich riding. Now, in most circumstances I would've had a go of this, but they were being zapped for moving without instruction....now I must admit, there aren't exactly the most tame of animals, but electric shocks..hmmmmm. I found it very amusing when an obnoxious Russian tourist had her hat pecked of her head, then the ostrich began to peck the hat mercilessly, just pausing every now and then to eyeball the hats owner...respect to the ostrich.
We were then led to the orchid garden, which promised to be nice, but on count back, there were about 4 flowering orchids. We were hoping at this point that surely, surely this tour was going to get better. Oh no, it reached dark depths. Next up was a bear show....
They rolled the bears out into a little amphitheatre, and there started balancing on wheels, rolling on wheels, tumbling etc. I thought, okay, maybe they treat them okay....nope, not at all. Every time a bear performed a trick they were expected to go back to a pre designated box. One of the bears decided he wanted to be in the sun, next thing it was like police brutality at a riot. He received an almighty walloping. Poor little b****** ....so we exited and decided to go for a walk down the beach, viewing the beautiful islands, turquoise waters and the large amounts of rubbish dumped on and off land. I'm not sure about the education being provided in Vietnam about rubbish and pollution, as it is everywhere and obvious in that the shores are covered in dead coral. I would have thought that before tourism hit Vietnam, it would've been a divers paradise. Sad to see.
Lunch was then served- you have had to deal with my constant recommendations on food, but stone the f***ing crows, this food, I'm sure was recycled from a garbage bin. Truly awful, and served with warm soya water, off red wine and warm rum. The rice was okay....
We were then given free time to spend money with the parasailing and jet ski hire companies....how very considerate!
We left the island thinking that Eco tourism was dead, and we weren't let down on Monkey Island. We both loved the thousands of monkeys roaming free on the island, but again, the place was like a rubbish tip. I have put a picture in the photos section so people can get an idea if how bad it was. Activities on the island were go-carting, scuba diving and not to mention ' monkey dog racing'. All for a price of course.
Monkey Dog racing was again, beyond the ridiculous ( please see photos). If it was done au natural, it would be quite amusing...what's not funny about a monkey on a dog, but the dogs we recovered in welts and bare patches of skin, showing huge scars, and the monkeys were chained to the dogs dressed in outfits. Every time they acted out against the monkey dog behavioural code, they received a quick zap! Again we walked away from this. Finally it came to leaving, which presented the best part of the tour! Loved the monkeys, not so much the lack of Eco tourism...in fact it was completely and utterly backwards.
A few bevvies at the posh sailing club was followed by Yens again. This time, as wet old them how much we thought of their food, and that I left them 5 stars on trip advisor on the last visit, they gave us a few of their recipes. Nice!
- comments
Tommy Irving Fu#$@ng monkey/bear/bird idiots... I would have been angry tommy at all that...
Ronald Haha!!! I told them tommy...I seh! Told them tommy wouldn't be happy..not one bit
Meat Russians...well I never!