Up Up and Away AND Salute!

Don't think you'll believe me but i swear its true.... I am learning how to kitesurf! Yeah, the browngirl who can't swim is riding the waves and the wind (okay well not quite but i'm getting there)! I'm in Mui Ne, Vietnam now, a lazy little beach/fishing village town where the conditions for windsurfing are excellent. I'd read that the season starts late October which is a good time to go (no rain). Plus the popular Nha Trang was a bit too touristy for my liking. So the plan was to hang out here for 2 or 3 days...

2 or 3 has now become 6! I absolutely love it here, i've met some really great people, all of which have something to do with windsurfing... my neighbor, a lovely French guy named Louie, at the hotel has his own school and after being introduced to the rest of the clan i couldn't resist.

May have to skip seeing one or two places i was planning on seeing, but i really don't mind, i don't want to rush around vietnam and i'd like to think i can see the places i've missed next time.

Turns out that there's a 10 year anniversary festival going on this weekend in the main town of Phan Thiet so i'm off for a little local cuisine and culture. I don't know how anyone could think that you could lose wait by traveling out here. it's just not possible. Last night we all got together to eat at Giardino's, THE only italian restaurant in the area run by the fabulous Max and Tony. I walked in and could just smell garlic and basil and all that is yummy. Tony and Max, ran a tight shop and the service was impeccable, the menu divine. I know it sounds a bit much but after 4 months in Asia where food comes out at different times, appetizers before the main, drinks after food, where you have to do a little song and dance to get a waiters attention it was so refreshing to have the whole dining experience. I couldn't resist and ordered a glass of house red. It's been so long since i've had a nice red, i almost cried... Foccacia was put out on the table to share , and i started off with a caesar salad, made with real anchovies, eggs, homemade croutons and pancetta. I knew I was going to drop some change at this place so i figured might as well go all out. For main i had their rigatoni puttanesca with olives, capers, red chilis, parmesan. Dessert of course could be nothing other than tiramisu and a white zambuca. Jess your dad would have been proud.

Who would have thought I would have had the perfect italian meal in Vietnam.