Hoi An, My Love
Trip Start
Aug 31, 2008
1
6
27
Trip End
??? ??, 2009
Hoi An,
Vietnam
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sorry its been awhile, but as my titled suggests I've been in love, and that took up a lot of my time. My love is the quaint little town of Hoi An. Such an awesome little place. Not just for the fact that there are hundreds of tailors in town that offer to make you anything your mind can conjure up at cheap prices, but also the river, and the beach, and the food, and the company.
Nadz and I arrived from Hanoi on another night train (much better this time, thank you for crossing your fingers for us, we appreciate it) into Danang. Danang was one of the major American bases during the war and their little R&R retreat beach, China Beach, is found in between Danang and Hoi An. We took a mini bus with a mini United Nations contingent (Cnd, swede, french, scottish) to Hoi An, where we were lead to our home for the time being, the Phuoc An
Hoi An River Front
. Awesome place if anyone is in the area. Spent the day checking out the town and being overwhelmed with all the clothes and shoes. Next day made the mistake of being fitted for a new coat. A snowball effect was then created, and the rest of the day was spent designing new shoes and more jackets. Went for a romantic dinner at a beautiful restaurant called the Cargo Club. All couples and Nadz and I :)
The following day we collected our new wardrobe, and met up with Katie (from Sapa) and her new friend Alicia . The four of us spent the day at the beach, then went for dinner (Happy hour included shots of vodka and peanuts...setting the tone for the next 2 days). Headed to Salsa Club and proceeded to form a nice group with some Canadian fellows(who we met also in Sapa), some brits, irishman, american, aussies. Spent the night dancing. En route home, found a cart, and Paul and Adam (cnd fellows) kindly carted us back to the hotel.
The next day was much of the same. Woke up, went for a fitting at the tailor, motto ride to the beach, drinks on the beach, food on the beach, more drinks on the beach, motto home, shower, Treats Cafe for 2 for 1 happy hour, meet for dinner, Jamie (cnd) gets married to Vietnamese woman at the restaurant, $0.50 beers, walk across the bridge to Salsa Club, dance, sing to Journey, stumble back across the bridge and home to the hotel
New Shoes!
. The same continues yesterday, except Nadia and I, along with Paul and Dave from england, had to pour ourselves onto a 12 hour night bus to Nha Trang. Word of caution to future bus takers, and a reminder to myself : Do Not spend all day in the sun on the beach drinking, and except to have an enjoyable 12 hour bumpy bus ride. The best part was the random wake up in the middle of the night, the bus is stopped at some form of road side restaurant/house and the drivers are inside eating. Also another word of warning, Do Not take this opportunity to use their bathroom facilities. Either use to bus's or hold it. Or just go in the bush, it would be much more pleasant!
So we are now in the beach resort town of Nha Trang (FYI :where they had the Miss Universe pageant this past year). I am in desperate need of a nap and some food that is not Ritz crackers, and something to drink that is not alcohol. The rest of our crew from Hoi An arrives tomorrow and Sunday, so I'm sure fun will prevail. Thinking some party boat cruises, and a lot of beach'ing.
Vietnam has been so amazing so far. Such a beautiful country. We should be hanging around here for 4 or so days and then off to Saigon and the delta area.
Think thats it. I am patiently waiting to find a computer that allows me to upload pictures in a better time than 3 every half hour. So for now you guys will have to continue to form the images in your head.
My bed awaits! Bye for now :)
