Viet Nam Surfing!

(10.5.30.08 Noble House, Room #305. Cat Ba, Vietnam 4:30pm)

Our first stop the following morning (9.21.08) was in Hoi An, where I had the option to stay however I decided to skip it and go to Da Nang. During the 1 ½ break I had breakfast and then we loaded back on the bus. We stopped again only a half hour later at Marble Mountain. I bought both my parents a Buddha made out of Jade Marble from mountain. Dad got a “happy Buddha” and mom got a “lucky Buddha”. We only had a 20 minute break there and I almost missed the bus because I was inside the mountain taking pictures of the caves and carvings. Thirty minutes later I arrived at the Sinh Café bus station in Da Nang where Mike, my couch surfing host picked me up. We went to a lil café to have some coffee and chat. I asked him if he would mind taking me to China Beach to see what the surf looked like, so we went home to drop my bags. We sat and talked with mom for about 20 minutes and were off to China Beach. We checked two spots: Tam’s Surf Shop and Hoa’s Guest House. There was no surf what so ever! Every once in a while a tiny lil wave would break but nothing you could ride. I spoke to some people at the beach that reported the surf gets better first thing in the morning and at night. We headed back to Mikes house for lunch and I took a nap while he went to his afternoon class. After school he picked me up and we headed back to the beach. I told him it would probably be too small for me to surf but big enough to teach him and some of his friends if they wanted. He was STOAKED! I rented a board from Tams surf shop and Mike my first International Surf Lesson. I started the same way I start a lesson on Maui, with a land lesson, making sure he knew everything he needed to know before we hit the water. The small inconsistent waves made it difficult for me to pick proper waves for him but after a few unsuccessful tries he caught his first wave! He was beaming as he paddled back out. A couple more and his arms gave out on him so that he could no longer paddle nor jump up. I decided to see what I could make of the surf. I taught him to use my camera and went at it. I was surprised that I was able to actually catch quite a few waves. Plus mikes camera skills made them look like decent waves! He went back in to talk to his girlfriend and I remained until the sun had set completely. However on my way in I stopped near a group of 6 Vietnamese guys and allowed them to play with the surf board. One after one, I motioned for them to climb on and I gave them a push. Two of them actually stood up but then quickly jumped off. After returning the board, Mike insisted that he would take me to dinner since I paid for the board and taught him to surf. The three of us went to a pizza joint and then for coffee. We stopped by Sinh Café, my bus company, and check me in for the bus in the morning. Next morning (9.22.08) we woke up and headed out for breakfast. After breakfast mike took me to a coffee shop so I could use my laptop before hitting the road. As I was powering down my laptop Sinh Café called and told me the bus was waiting. I told them I was literally two blocks away and on my way, to please hold the bus. When we pulled up the bus was gone! The lady inside pointed down the street. “Mike lets go. We have to catch the bus!!!” as I jumped back on. Mike flew down the busy street, weaving in and out of cars. We spotted bus and I told him to pull right in front of it. As we pulled up on the side I motioned for the driver to stop but he didn’t respond. I again told mike to pull in front of the bus. Now in front of the bus I put my hand out, motioning for the bus driver to stop. I pointed to myself, then the bus. He finally understood and pulled over. I climbed on board and got sour looks from people as I made my way down the isle.