Still in Hoi An
Trip Start
Sep 11, 2008
1
7
14
Trip End
Sep 24, 2008
Hoi An,
Vietnam
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We started off today by going on a walking tour through the old part of Hoi An. It was good as they do not allow any motor driven vehicles through the city which means you can walk about without worrying about the traffic too much. We went to the silk shop, I somehow could never work out how the cocoons we have from our silk worms as kids could convert into cloth - today I saw the whole process and took some pics. I am still too lazy to figure out how to add pics to these ramblings on of mine!
We could order clothes from the silk factory and they are busy delivering it at the moment. I decided that I can't afford spending on clothing on this trip which means I will have to come back again for the experience
Cocoons
. I did buy a scarf or two. They are extremely organized in these shops, they take measurement and then digital photos of the ladies from all angles, I am still convinced they take these photos home to scare there children with. Everyone is at least double any one of them in size! The others weren't amused by this observation! Pam was the best/worst of us in this shop. She has traveled so much that she knew exactly what she wanted and I think she bought about 5 items.Reana stormed in after a bit and told us about the T-shirt shop next door, so Sue and I went to shop there much more affordable. I am running out of clean clothing and have decided that Tshirts can still be gifts to family even if they were worn once! I also found some very light long shorts at about R50 each, really ideal for this weather. After shopping up a storm we decided to go on a boat trip on the river just to rest our once again swollen feet. This was great and we all took some good photos of the fishermen and their boats.
A short walk back to the bus and then off to lunch, I don't think I have been hungry once on this trip! The food is really so good and I am getting better and better with chopsticks, drinking a lot of beer also helps with the confidence, I think. I have been drinking at least 4 beers a day but in this heat it seems to evaporate before it hits your stomach
Covered Bridge
. I even had chilly soup tonight and could finish it with only coughing once. We have been trying to remember is there a Vietnamese restaurant in Jo'burg? I am convinced the one next to Herbert Evans in Rosebank mall is Vietnamese but it could also be Japanese.After lunch we came back to the hotel for the afternoon off or shopping on your own. But Sue and I thought an hour in air-conditioned room was the best idea so I spent an hour on the floor with my feet in the air and a wet towel wrapped around them. This did help but I don't think I am going to get them back to normal before I get back home. I'm just worried that they might exploded on the long flight home! Once we cooled down we went for a swim in the pool, I didn't find it very pleasant, it was so warm it felt like someone else's old bath water!
Then it was time for dinner again and now I am back at the hotel and will soon be going to bed. It looks like rain tonight, we are seeing a lot of thunder and lightning. Tomorrow we are off to Hue, a long ride in the bus and according to our guide quite a difficult day. But I'll sleep on the bus. I am amazed at how people struggle to sleep, I can sleep anywhere and at anytime, I am truly blessed.
Dragon
Thanks for all the messages from those of you that are either scared of me or really like me, hint, hint! San, dis tyd dat jy jouself ook so spoil - daar is nie tyd vir mans hier nie, besides hulle pas almal onder my arm! Barbs, great to hear from you so far away! John, if I had a bit more time and money I would have ventured down to see you in Sydney, maybe next time! Sadia, bly ek maak jou dag, ek sien jou na Ramadan! Yvonne, baie geluk, ek weet jy het die regte ding gedoen. Bron, I hope work is getting better - you better start saving, next year you are coming with to China, we will have to train Susan Lee well! Tjaart, pasop een van die dae staan ek buite jou deur in die sneeu en vra vir slaapplek. Roelof, jy was reg dit is fabulous! Di, see what we missed! Yes it is Sue's children's circus, her son and daughter have decided that it is too dangerous to go on the road so they bought the farm and now have a permanent circus. Andre, dis tyd dat jy ook 'n tassie pak en begin travel. Geraldine, the food is fabulous here but we had really strange looking and tasting stuff floating an very strange looking watery substance and gray pudding in Malaysia.
I hope I have made the rest of you feel so guilty that you also write!
Please send my love to everyone, I am still not home sick. Can someone wake Charles and ask him to write to his mother!
Lots of Love
Caroline
Comments
Vietnamese restaurants in Jo'burg
Hey there,
Your trip sounds fab.
The restaurant next to Herbert Evans in Rosebank is Japanese.
There is a great Vietnamese restaurant in Melville called Soi.
If you're ever here again you must pop in there.
Our favourite.
Ange
Jealousy
OK so now I am the green eyed monster! Your trip becomes more and more exciting by the minute. I think the restaurant you are referring to is Japanese. I don't know of any Vietnamese restaurants ...then again I haven't been out much in the past few months!
I have sms's charles...will send out a search party if her doesn't respond.
Cheers,
Bron