The Central Hotel Hoi An

... The next day, we boarded the train from Da Nang to Nha Trang for a week’s break. After a day and a bit in Nha Trang, which included a 3-hour experience at the mud baths, we went by bus to Mui Ne, further south. We stayed at the Hoang Kim Resort, with a pool and a private beach. The concept of a resort is fairly loose here, it certainly was not 5-star, but it was very pleasant. When we went to check out the beach, we found waves crashing into the 4-metre-high ...

... bricks are set on fire and this action causes them to stay glued. That at least was my understanding from the Vietnamese guide. I would have liked to have spent more time there but there were other stops on the tour.

The next place was Marble mountain just outside Da Nang. These hills contain the marble from which the shops at their base make some fantastic carvings. The prices were ...

... spring rolls and a milkshake at a little cafe looking out over the river. I then did a bit of sightseeing. First I walked over the Japanese Covered Bridge. The emblem of Hoi An, it was built in the sixteenth century. As you enter the wooden structure off Tran Phu from the east, immediately on either side of you are two dogs statues, and on the other side of the bridge are two monkey statues; work began in the year of the latter, and ended in year of the former. All of them are ...

... Mỹ Sơn är ett tempelkomplex i provinsen Quang Nam i Vietnam, 69km sydväst om Danang. Under Champariket var det en kejserlig stad.
Komplexet uppfördes från 300-talet och fram till 1100-talet.
Helgedomen är ett stort komplex av religiösa byggnader med mer än 70
arkitektoniska arbeten ...

... and breakfast. Room was lovely though
and comfortable enough for Tom to sleep off his sickness. So the rest
of the day and night was spent playing 'Nurses and patient'.

22nd October
Tom was feeling much better after nearly 20 hours of sleeping so we decided
to walk around Hoi An. We wondered past the hundreds of tailor,
admiring the winter coats (with absolutely no need to buy them in 30
degree heat!) We passed through the wet market and did our best ...

... the curse has been overcome!

Every Friday night, people working for the local NGOs are able to congregate at Treat’s Café and have a chat while eating and drinking. It is good socially, but is also a good way for people to learn about each other’s work and share ideas. Robyn is the main person behind this event and sent a lovely text inviting people to last week’s drinks: “Cyclone Ketsana debriefing and liquid counseling – Treats 6.15 Friday ...

... 8211; the
Japanese covered bridge, a couple of old houses and we caught a
glimpse of the assembly hall. Feeling cheap we didn't feel like
spending the money to walk in and we're tired of taking pictures! So
after some glimpses we decided it was eating time again!



Thistime we had bun bo (beef soup) and our personal favorite banh mi –
a baguette sandwich with all types of goodies ...

... we were attacked by sellers & after escaping their clutches we went & explored some US & French bunkers from the war.


Driving home we went through Danang which is 3rd or 4th largest city in Vietnam & on a bay & a beach. which had some small surf. The ...

... now that we've spent the money seems expensive ... but to get clothes which actually fit properly and are well made (according to our guide this was one of the best tailors in the town) I'm thinking its worth it.
I guess we'll see when we pick them up tomorrow!
We met up for dinner and drinks with Glenn's mum and ended up with the rest of our tour group at the Beach Bar ... they run free shuttles from the town to the club about 4kms away on the beach and they pack ...

... going to push on through another two weeks and try our damndest to enjoy this area on a moto for a few days, and then SAIGON and then a nice forested island in the south with heaps of beautiful and tranquil beaches.. so weve heard.

And another peice of pessimism for this blog... the beaches.. I keep getting emails that say "oh arent the beaches beautiful?" and my answer to that is "Not that we have found, besides Jungle Beach (which ...