Chapter 4.1 - Arrival in Quy Nhon

8:00 am

I wake up to the singing of schoolchildren. I believe that in Vietnam, the state invests the most money in schools and police academies. I know this because I noticed during yesterday's trip that these facilities often looked really flashy. Almost unreal in the rest of the surrounding context.

I'm still tired, so I set an alarm for 10 am. Because I'm afraid I have to leave the room at 11 am.

10:00 am

I pack my backpack. When I'm done, I go to the lobby and ask if it's okay if I stay in the room until 1 pm.

No problem at all.

Now it's 11 am and I don't want to leave again. Well, I still have two Banh Mis from yesterday. I'll eat them now. I wanted to go to the hairdresser's, but I don't feel like it right now :D

I'm probably going to Quy Nonh or something like that.

Right now I'm looking at my digicam and wondering why I even brought it. I've taken all the pictures so far with my phone. It's currently just unnecessary ballast. And while we're on the subject of technology.

The online portals that vehemently claim that you need a travel adapter for the power outlets in Vietnam: I can't confirm that so far. If I ever need mine again, I'll let you know.

1:25 pm

I have arrived at the bus station. I'm sitting on a small plastic chair and waiting for it to be 2 pm. Then I'm going to Quy Nonh. The bus looks bigger than the last one.

2:33 pm

I'm finally on the bus. The seats are more comfortable and I have more headroom than last time, but there are no curtains to create a little privacy. I cover myself. We are definitely late. It was supposed to leave at 2 pm. However, it looks more like we're going to be standing here for a while. In the past hour, packages have been arriving non-stop by scooter or transporter and loaded into the bus's cargo hold. No kidding, there's even a whole motor scooter in there.

When boarding the bus, everyone takes off their shoes. I'm already familiar with that. The driver asks me to board first and wants to see my ticket. He points to my seat. 13A, second-to-last row, bottom...

I noticed yesterday that the men who smoke cigarettes always have a little piece of plastic in front of their cigarette. What is that? Probably an extra filter. Titi had something like that too...

Now banana boxes are being piled up in the last row of the bus. Vietnamese people get the most out of everything. I've realized that after a week here in the country.

2:53 pm

We finally start driving. The sun shines through the window. Looks like I won't arrive until 10 pm, if the traffic cooperates. I put in my earplugs now, so everything sounds a bit quieter. Of course, there's at least 10 honks in the first 500m... I just hope my few nuts are enough for the 7-hour trip.

2:57 pm

We pick up a family of five from the side of the road somewhere. Of course, with a crate of bananas.

5:00 pm

I slept a bit. It was okay, but my throat is dry again. First, I'll refill some fluids. We're winding through mountain roads. Impressive sight. Google says it will take 5 hours and 11 minutes to drive.

5:16 pm

We take a break after about 2 hours of driving. I don't think I'll get anywhere before midnight...

Don't need to go to the bathroom, but I'll have an omelette and a coffee.

5:58 pm

We continue. From now on, it's another 5 hours. When the bus driver is about to leave, I realize that I left my cap behind. I jump out of the bus and get it. Just in time. Phew.

I took another Banh Mi as provisions. I think the rest of the trip will be relaxed. It's slowly getting dark here in the mountains.

I put on my Airpods and enjoy 50cent as we cruise through the night.

9:47 pm

I just realized why the bus has occasionally stopped briefly in the last few hours. I observed how the driver handed one of the many loaded packages to a man on the side of the road. It's all about business :D Gmaps says there's still 1 hour to go until the destination.

10:41 pm

Arrived. Let myself be talked to by a taxi driver first. His colleague drives me on the moped for 2 minutes into a dark alley. I have no idea where my hostel is supposed to be. He wants 50k. I feel cheated. Well, just always use the Grab app everywhere. That way you're on the safe side. I'm sure the price would have been a maximum of 20k. Ole is coming to pick me up :D I'm excited

3:59 am

I'm in bed. Ole, Peer, and Julian have ordered food and bought beer. We were sitting on the promenade. I'll take a walk in the sea first. The skyline in the background is really beautiful. We even got a little rain when we were about to leave. Finally at the beach :)

It's late, I'm tired.

Good night, my dear ones