[Description: Travel - Group - Asia - Documentary]

24 - 07 - 07, 6.30pm [Current Vietnam Time]



Sorry for the long absence. I've not had internet access for the past couple of days.



So, for the past 4 days we have been in Nha Trang, Hai-Lam's hometown. Progressing with the documentary over the weekend would have been overly difficult, if even possible, so we decided to take a trip and relax.



Let's start with Friday; We began the day meeting with two of our contacts, and assessing what we needed to do when we returned from Nha Trang. After this, we were relatively free. We took a walk, saw a few sights, and waited. Our train left station at around 1.30pm, and arrived at midnight. I had the pleasure of sitting next to a man that elbowed me in the ribs the entire ride, not exactly my idea of relaxing, but it was only a brief discomfort - the rest of the weekend was much more enjoyable.

Next day, 6am, we woke up and prepared for a day out amongst the islands. After a quick breakfast, we were picked up at the hotel and driven to the docks, where we jumped on a tour boat that took us out to the islands. It was sunny, warm and not terribly windy, and my first experience scuba diving. Very good time, and our instructors were very good (though Courtney was allowed much more leeway, seeing as she had her diver's license). We returned at about 2.00pm, and went out for a massage.



I've never had a medicinal massage. I have also never had a blind person massage me. These two combined are quite the experience, but add in the fact that the blind person giving me a medicinal massage does not understand what I am saying, and I don't understand him, and you have one hell of a story. Honestly, the massage was good; it relieved a number of muscle knots I did not know I had (and ones that I'm not sure were there to begin with). However, I am not terribly fond of callused hands squeezing the knots out of my back. So, the good balanced the bad, and overall it was more good. Definitely an experience to have in life - a blind Vietnamese medicinal massage.



After the massage, we headed to the Buddhist temple. This temple is overlooked by an enormous white Buddha statue that overlooks the city at all time. It's quite impressive. However, due to the complacency of the inhabitants, it is also a congregation point for beggars and street kids; a fact noted when we were assaulted by a few of the little ones. Cute buggers, but a little more playful than is usual for any Vietnamese child (according to Hai).





This was the first night we all really drank in Vietnam. After hopping a few bars and enjoying eachother's company, Courtney and Hai decided to return to the hotel. I, on the other hand, had met two English fellows and ended up pub-crawling with them till early morning (much to my next day demise). Suffice it to say, despite a good time and good conversation, I woke up with one hell of a headache.



On Monday, while I nursed a hangover (complete with upset stomach and aching brain), we did a bit of shopping. All three of us had our eyes checked and ended up buying new glasses (at a fraction of what it would cost in the states). Afterwards, we wandered (we had motorbikes again). Our first bit of wandering was up the beach, where we came upon a resort that was half done - apparently, the man who was building it was fully funded, and after building half of it, he ran away with the rest of the money. After this, we drove out to the countryside, took a look at a few rice paddies, and saw where Hai was born (and lived the first couple of years).



After a day of recovery (for me) and sightseeing, we met a tour bus back at the hotel and jumped on for a restless night of travel back to Ho Chi Minh City (the sleeper train was booked). It was a 10 hour bus ride, and was perhaps one of the most uncomfortable journeys within this entire trip so far (though worth it). We arrived in HCM at 7.00am.



As for today, it was relatively uneventful. We grow closer to having full permission to film in the Ho Chi Minh peace camp; we were told the paperwork would take approx. 2 weeks to go through, but it would definitely go through. Courtney tells me that this is better than she had hoped, especially in the film industry, so I have high hopes. Unfortunately, it also means that I will not be here for most of the filming. Not a complaint, just a circumstance. We also researched a bit more into the history of Agent Orange, and just pulled up the facts. Tomorrow, we scout out locations for b-roll, and Thursday we begin filming. Everything seems t be falling into place.



Well, I've had a few and sleep is closing in fast. Posts should come daily for the time being, so see you tomorrow.