Shopping Heaven....
Trip Start
May 03, 2008
1
8
44
Trip End
May 02, 2009
Hoi An,
Vietnam
Monday, May 26, 2008
We got to Hoi An late in the afternoon and took the first hotel we viewed as it was central enough. After we got settled we went out for a walkabout. It was so refreshing not to be surrounded by cyclo touts every step you take. There is a community effort to keep the touts in line and as they're all in the tailoring business anyway there's less touts out there. We picked a restaurant on the river that served us a nice seafood set menu - it's not what we ordered but we had it anyway! The fact that beer was 4,000 Dong a glass (about 18cent) was a plus I suppose!
After that we bumped into 2 Swedish guys we had met in Hanoi and went for a few drinks. It's weird how we keep meeting the same people all along the way. I suppose a lot of people are doing the same route.
Next day was shopping day!! Eventually picked out a tailor and ordered 2 dresses that were to be ready by lunchtime the next day. Simon ordered linen trousers. The next day we rented bicycles and went to the beach which was 5km away. After the Vientiane situation I figured that this small town would be a breeze. And it was except for it was about 38degrees and the beach was 5km away!! We got there grand though and the beach was ok if a little rough. We went looking for loungers to relax for the rest of the day on. We were quoted 10 US dollars so decided that the sand was a better option! The water was really warm but there was a strong current so care needed.
We came back in the afternoon as we had a fitting to get to. On the way back we were cycling along minding our own business when we hear a lot of beeping behind us. This isn't unusual as in Asia they use the horn like an indicator so we took little notice. When we got to the next set of traffic lights who should saddle up beside us but our very own stalker from Hue!!! The place is 3 hours away!! I really think he should get an award for this type of dedication! Anyway, he was waving saying "remember me?". Of course we did! Lights changed and we went our separate ways thankfully!
The dresses took a second fitting before they were right and that was that - they cost about E12 each.
We spent 4 days in Hoi An altogether and next destination is Nha Trang - a beach resort that is famous for partying and pick pocketing.
