Dive in!

6-12.12.11

Hanoi-Nha Trang

After one regrouping day in Hanoi, we took the night bus towards south. I headed straight to Nha Trang (35hours) while Jasper and Elise jumped off at Hoi An. I was in a bit of a hurry because I was to meet my good ‘ol friend Antti (aka Tadzi) in Nha Trang on 9th. Also, I wanted to take the Open Water diving course beforehand so we could go diving togheter.

Once I arrived to Nha Trang, I was greeted with a shitty weather. It was raining every day and the visibility in the water was poor at best. It didn’t really matter because I was way too preoccupied trying to cope with all the diving techniques and safety measures to really have time to appreciate anything I saw 🙂

The course was pretty intense (3 days) and included A LOT of reading and doing quizzes online. Also, it included two pool dives along with two times two actual boat dives. Have to say, diving is one of the coolest things I have done and I can’t wait to go diving in one of the good places, like in Thailand. Love the “dead mexican” where you fall backwards to water from a standing position in the back of the boat.

It was the three of us on the course: me, Naomi (AUS) and Achim (GER). Cool gang I really enjoyed diving with! Also our instructor, Ross (UK) was a fun guy and very professional. (Thanks for the pic, Naomi!)

Maybe too professional as he only had this one beer with us! 🙂

Oh, there is Antti! He arrived just in time for my graduation.

Right! Dr. Vodka and the wifey paid a visit the day before Antti came.

Drank some “whisky” for a change 🙂

After three days of hard work (waking up 6:30 every morning!) it was finally time for some hedonism and decadence with Antti. Bia hoi!

Bia hoi (street draft) has got to be the worlds cheapest beer! At 15(euro)cent for a 0,4l glass will not set your budget back, no matter how much you drink ^^

This has got to be the coolest urinal I have seen! Only available in this particular bia hoi establishment.

This is from another Bia Hoi place. We playfully call it the piss closet.

For the last day we rented a motorbike, went to eat some delicious and cheap noodle soup and enjoyed the cold weather the best we could.

We also stumbled upon this crazy bridge made entirely of wood! The sound was terrifying as we sped across it, the planks jumping and clanking. Also it was two-way with nonexistent siderails. Always an experience.

Also found this cool graveyard on the way. One for each religion: buddhism, hinduism and christianity.