First Swim in a Tropical Sea – 31st May 2008

First Swim in a Tropical Sea – 31st May 2008

I had my first swim ever in a tropical sea today. A group of VSA volunteers, and some pediatric doctors and nurses from New Zealand who are working here for a couple of weeks, organized a trip to a beautiful beach about one hour travel north of Quy Nhon. We all piled in to the back of a little open truck and bumped our way across the plains then up the coast until we got to a beach that is a favorite of the local VSA team. After an interesting trip we arrived at an almost deserted beach with scraggly trees, wonderful big rocks, white/golden sand and blue seas. Although it was windy it was wonderful to swim in the gentle surf. Unfortunately there were microscopic things in the water that sometimes gave a little sting like a mosquito bite but it did not detract too much from the pleasure of being cool for the first time in ages.

The water seemed very salty and was unbelievably clear. I borrowed a snorkel and mask and enjoyed looking around the rocks but unfortunately there was far more plastic rubbish in the water than fish. We are going to Jungle Beach, a few hours south of Quy Nhon, in July. I hope that I am able to have a better snorkeling experience there.

While we had a picnic lunch some Vietnamese people arrived. The other volunteers correctly predicted that, although there were miles of empty beach, they would come and sit close to us. They selected a place right alongside so they could watch us with undisguised fascination. Apparently this happens every time – we must be very interesting!

On the way home we watched people working in the paddy fields. I will never eat rice again without respecting the amount of backbreaking work that goes into producing it. Planting, fertilizing, weeding and dyke maintenance is all done by hand. Sometimes we see mechanical ploughs but usually this is also done with a buffalo, a large cow or a person pulling a heavy wooden plough through the thick mud. Today we saw a man moving water from one field to another using a bucket. Given the amount of water involved this seemed like a massive task.

On the way home we stopped to look at two ancient Cham towers in Quy Nhon city. I really need to make a visit to the museum so I can learn more about them. In the evening I had my first Vietnamese karaoke experience. This involves sitting in a small, stiflingly hot room with the other volunteers and staff while people take turns to sing in Vietnamese or English. For most participating enthusiasm was more apparent than talent. “Fabulous!” During the afternoon I packed for my trip to HCMC. I am looking forward to seeing it again but I am not really ready to leave Quy Nhon again so soon. It feels like I have just unpacked from Hanoi.