MOTORBIKES, COCONUTS AND CABLE CARS – Part 2

We arrived in Nha Trang late on Saturday night. It was a 45-minute journey from the airport to the hotel. We were tired but glad to finally sleep in a comfortable bed — well, anything would have been an improvement after the night before!

A Room with a View

The following morning, we had to change hotels. After a short walk, we arrived at our new accommodation — and wow, the view was worth it. We had an incredible panorama over the entire bay.

We simply put our feet up and enjoyed the view. I am used to seaside views, having lived in Morecambe, but this completely outdid anything I have seen there. (If you have time, just search “Nha Trang bay view” — it really is that good.)

We went out onto the front, and I took my shoes and socks off, rolling up my trousers to go for a paddle. The water was warm and smooth over my feet, and the sand shifted beneath me so easily that I nearly lost my balance a few times. Thankfully, I stayed upright.

My hometown of Morecambe has a six-mile promenade, but it cannot compare to this. The scenery here is on another level entirely.

There are also no coconut trees in Morecambe, and it usually rains — so this was a welcome change. We took many photos and then enjoyed fresh coconut juice, served straight from a real coconut and drunk through a straw. Amazing.

Street Life and Sunset Rides

One of the great things about Vietnam is the street vendors. You can find giant lobsters and all kinds of delicious food being cooked and sold right on the street.

On Sunday evening, after supper of noodles, fried eggs, and smoothies, we decided to take what can only be described as a motorised carriage for two, with the driver seated behind us. It was a thrilling ride through the streets, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Snorkelling and Coconut Trees

On Monday, Helen wanted to go snorkelling. She booked a trip as her birthday treat (her birthday was the following Thursday), and she had a wonderful day.

Now, I am not really a “water person,” so I took the opportunity to walk the entire length of the promenade instead. I strolled beneath huge coconut trees, eventually sitting on some steps watching the waves crash against the sea wall. For a few minutes, I was taken right back to my childhood.

I also saw many kite surfers — it looks like great fun, but perhaps only for the truly adventurous!

I have a feeling a certain former Skerton School “Tarzan” will be trying it one day soon.

Cable Cars and Vinpearl Island

Just off the coast lies Vinpearl Island, which has many attractions. The only way to reach it is by one of the most spectacular cable car rides I have ever experienced. I have been on cable cars over mountains before, but never one stretched across the sea.

To say this was one of the best experiences of my life would be an understatement. The island itself was equally impressive. We boarded a small train that trundled through the clean, polished streets while we admired the crystal-clear water and the beauty of God’s creation.

We even had ice cream made right in front of us — fresh fruit crushed and blended on the spot. Another magical moment.

Helen’s Birthday Week

Sadly, this was our last full day in Nha Trang. As it was Helen’s birthday week, I took her to a Vietnamese restaurant. As expected, she had beef noodles and another dish, while Keith did what Keith does best… fish and chips — Vietnamese style (with a smoothie).

We returned to the beach one final time. The night air was cool. I was asked by two Chinese tourists to take their photo, and later by four burly Russians. They were very grateful. There are many Russians in Vietnam — some on holiday, and others, depending on your perspective, avoiding the war.

Sleeper Bus and a Run for the Plane

The next morning, we had a six-hour journey back to Ho Chi Minh City on a coach. Normally, you cannot sleep on a bus — but this was a sleeper coach, and it was very comfortable. We both managed to get some rest.

Our flight from Ho Chi Minh was in the early hours. We thought we had enough time to make our connection in Kunming, but we were delayed leaving Vietnam. As a result, we had to run through Kunming Airport like Usain Bolt.

It did not help that, upon reaching Chinese customs, we had to complete an online form requiring many details. Helen was slightly ahead of me, but I caught up — completely exhausted by the end.

Our departure gate, of course, was the last one at the far end of the terminal. As always happens when you are in a hurry, we heard our names being called over the intercom. We were, quite literally, running on empty as we boarded the plane.

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Devotional Thought

As we near the end of this book, I am reminded of heaven.

We live in a beautiful world. I have been to Switzerland, Vietnam, Indonesia, the USA, Canada, and many other places, but none of them compare to heaven.

John, in Revelation chapters 21–22, describes its glory. It is beyond imagination — beyond words. The greatest superlatives in every language cannot fully describe it.

There is only one entry into heaven: faith and trust in the finished work of Christ. God gave His Son so that we might have eternal life.

The offer is for everyone. Yet it still surprises me that many try to reach heaven through their own efforts.

It is like trying to fly under your own power to Vinpearl Island. Why would you do that when there is a cable car provided?

Some people do not believe there is a God. They believe we are an accident — the result of random mutation or cosmic chance.

But if that were true, then we would have no real value. Yet we are uniquely created by God and carry great worth.

A leading physicist once told Ray Comfort that design is merely an illusion.

Let me ask a few simple questions:

When you read a book, does it have an author?
When you eat a meal, does it have a cook?
When you see a painting, does it have a painter?
When you use an app on your phone, was it intelligently designed or did it simply appear?

You are not an accident. The invitation of heaven is open to you.

John 3

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (v.3)

“Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (v.15)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (v.16)

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (v.36)