Hoi An

We left Mai Chau and headed back to what seemed like an even busier Hanoi, compared to the peace and tranquility we've just had, (by the same public transport) to catch a sleeper train down south to Hoi An, about
half way down the coast near a city called Danang. The train was rough as the soft sleeper berths were sold out which meant we had to go hard sleeper (3bunks one on the other and you may as well be sleeping on ply wood!)

Initial thoughts on Hoi An was a nice peaceful seaside town. Not to far dissimilar in feel to St Ives in Cornwall. Immediately loved it.

As we have been very cultural so far through China and Laos and the beginning of Vietnam we have decided we deserve some down time (being cultural is quite exhausting!!) so Halong bay was the first part of our beach side rest and relaxation...a good intro as this was our first stop at a real beach "resort".

***************Interrupted by power cut!!****************

So, as said, Hoi An was lovely. We spent the first day taking an orientation walk around the town. The place is full of tailors wanting to make you all sorts of clothes. Jo, you would love this place but you would need to bring a lot of money... but then you could make yourself a wardrobe of immense proportions!! We didn't get anything made as we'd heard some bad report of the cheaper places and don't really have enough funds (or space in the packs!) for more clothes.

In the evening there was an open air show of local, traditional culture so we had some local beer (at 4,000dong which is about 20p per glass!!) and sat and watched the show. What we didn't know was that it was a Buddhist festival so part way through the show there was a carnival of floats by the local school kids and organisations which was cool to watch. Then they all went to the river where electricity is turned off on one of the streets for a few hours so there is no streetlights, just oil lamps, and lit small candles in paper boats and sent them down the river. We took advantage of the lack of light and went and had a candle lit dinner on the river front to watch proceedings. It went on for a good hour or so!

We hired a scooter for a couple of days so we could get to and from the beach easier (or in a more fun manor than walking anyway!!) and spent the day times relaxing on a beach under bamboo sun shades. Pretty idealistic if you ask me!! Whilst it wasn't a deserted beach, it was certainly not busy and at over 30km long, we could get away from people as and when we wanted but when you had waiter service for food and drink that was not too bad in price why move!!

After a couple of days we went to Quang Ngai but I'll put that in another section. Photos for your enjoyment!!