Day 53 - Leaving Hoi An and travelling to Nha Trang

The bright lights of Hoi An by night. Such a great place.

Day 53 - 15th August

So a check out rush around by 11am was the highlight of my morning. My lost room key reappeared, I suspected Anne Banana all along and it was in her bed now. Everyone rushing by, frantically trying to get out reminded me of the Macallister in Home Alone on flight day. Within minutes, I was literally left home alone as everyone was out and I was stuffing clothes into my backpack with minutes to spare.

At the reception desk, I had to explain that I now had two keys to my room so technically I hadn't lost it and a reimbursement of my 120,000 VND was due. Five minutes and a pen and paper diagram drawing later, I had the money.

Mr Xe and his team wrapped all seven of our suits and shoes and boxed it up for us to carry. When we asked where he was after he disappeared for a while, he yelled out from the back 'I'm here!' in his funny voice. I'll miss that guy and those girls. They were a good crack. And they also gave me a free pair of shorts as a thank you, so a great bonus. (I did buy them ice creams and a pizza in return.)

We relaxed for the day, taking in Cargo one final time and waiting out until 5:30pm for our night bus. That dreaded journey was our last night bus with Camel Travel so I trying to remain optimistic.

And as if they plan it that way, 5:30pm came and no bus arrived. By 6:15pm, we were herded down the street, me carrying a backpack and a 14 kilo box on my shoulder, whilst trying to keep an eye on a mother and her three kids who were with us and trying to navigate the busy traffic. 

In true Camel Travel fashion, the bus was overbooked. Julie and I were split from the other three and had to go up the back, top bunk where two America guys were. It was hot up there and we passed the time with me teaching Julie geography and telling her a story I had to make up on the spot. She told me about Bubbi Bjørn (Danish for Gummi Bears) and attempted to teach me Danish - it went about as well as England's 2014 World Cup campaign.

Finally, we fell asleep but as per usual I was kept awake by horns, bumps and people snoring.