(J) Our first full day in Vietnam and we visited the War Remnants museum. Very interesting view of the war as portrayed by the victors, as they say the winner gets to write the history. We had lunch at a place called Nha Hang Ngon, recommend by the Lonely Planet, that was busy with locals and tourists alike (always a good sign). On the stroke of one the place seemed to empty out, I am guessing everyone went back to work. Not sure what people do for a crust here, it certainly isn't footpath maintenance! I am forming the view that those not in hospitality or retail (markets) are paid by the government to ride around the city on scooters all day long. All the streets a constantly crammed with scooters day and night, can't imagine where they are all going.
After our busy weeks of hashing and touring with many of our friends, Ian and Julie particularly, Chez and I are definitely in a chilling out mood. After some leisurely walking on our second morning, we broke the drought at lunchtime and continued on drinking at different watering holes for the rest of the afternoon. Seems a bit self indulgent to me but Chez posted a picture of us drinking in pretty well everyplace we stopped....this is the facebook age of course.
After many drinks and a decent feed at a local BBQ style restaurant and some haggling in the market stalls....yes Nick you get more cheap Arsenal gear when we return, it was time to retire. We are both really looking forward to our next port of call, Hoi An, which is beaches, pools, and some serious goofing off....the most effort will be expended in the gym or cycling from beach to beach....ho hum!
(C) It was a bit of a climate adjustment to go from low 20 degrees to the mid 30's in Saigon. Thankfully, Ian and Julie had some room in their luggage to take our thermals and warm jumpers back to oz...definitely no more need for them. With our luggage now a few kilos lighter looks like will have to do some shopping in Vietnam to fill it up again. Our hotel was just across the road from the Bin thanh markets which were full of cheap clothes, watches, fabrics, shoes, bags, food etc etc. once again a lot of the same same. At one point while walking through an aisle of clothing it almost felt like we were being given a guard of honour as each shop vendor simultaneously waved the same shirt of various colours in front of me saying "hello Madame" as we walked past. Having to respond to each one shaking your head saying "no thank you" becomes a bit tiring. If only they new that with a LOT less harassment I would be more inclined to browse there stall and perhaps even buy something.
There are some lovely big parks in Saigon, very green and lush with lots of tall trees. While strolling through one on our first day we were stopped by a mother and her 10 year old daughter and politely asked if the daughter could practice her English with us as she was learning at school. We were only too happy to oblige. She was able to ask us questions okay but had a bit more trouble answering the questions we asked her but I'm sure it helped.
(J) Hoi An is pretty terrific. The beach is a short bus trip from our hotel and is very pleasant. Our hotel has an arrangement with a restaurant by the beach that supplies shaded lounges and towels, v civilised. The water was a lake on our first day but on our second visit we had to deal with a nasty little shore dump. It was pretty funny watching some of the people get smashed by these waves, I guess I take for granted some of the surf craft we have grown up with in Oz. It is a cosmopolitan group, a couple of friendly Scottish people we have met, Jim and Alison, then there was a British family group that turned up like a whirl wind with lots of kids and one of those terribly British mothers..."oh Germima do put on your sun screen, Lawrence make room so that lady is sitting out of the sun, otherwise she will simply fry"....lovely stuff. Then there are the Russians, one girl travelling alone called the locals "those people", which is kind of interesting. All of them smoke and spend all their time in the sun. Chez and I are the opposite, seeking as much shelter as we can manage before a dash to the shore for a quick dip.
We tried the free bikes provided by the hotel, but only once. I guess I am a bit spoilt with my own bike, even some of the others we have used in China were quite good. The one I used here in Hoi An was, well, difficult is the best word that comes to mind. It was old and had a leather seat...that was all ok though obviously a bit uncomfortable. It was suprisingly heavy at first but I got used to that. It virtually had no brakes at all, they screeched mightily when applied, to the amusement of nearby (and probably far away) locals. The thing that really bugged me was the handle bars, which were the type that curved at the ends with the plastic hand holds sort of point down the length of the bike. After a while an old wrist injury started to flare having the wrist cocked in this rather odd position...it is annoying getting older!
The hotel facilities are excellent and the staff are all so friendly and helpful, it is going to be difficult to pack the bags and move on.
(C) Our stay in Hoi An has been very relaxing. Hard to keep track of what day it is we have been away for so long. After all the touring in China we have just been soaking up the local area without venturing too far. It is still hot here particularly up til midday but there is a bit of a breeze which comes and goes. The Vietnamese food is awesome starting with a beautiful buffet breakfast everyday at our hotel. Our hotel also has spa facilities which have been hard to pass up as they are so cheap compared to home. I have managed a foot massage treatment with pedicure and a manicure and also a Himalayan salt stone massage. The latter today as we have a few hours to pass before our flight to Hanoi.
Another popular thing in Hoi An are the tailors. There are over 300 in town eagerly waiting to make made to measure suits, coats, dresses, bikinis, whatever you want really. They are masters at copying so you can just bring along a picture of what you want and they will make it for you. Alternatively they have some books for you to look at which is what I did. After choosing the fabrics, getting measured, returning for 3 fittings over the next 3 days I now have 2 new one of a kind dresses made just for me.
We were also lucky enough to be in Hoi An for the Full Moon Festival for this month. On the night of the full moon all the street lights and bright lights in the streets of the old town and by the river are turned off and motor vehicles and bikes are not allowed. Only colourful silk lanterns are left alight and paper lanterns lit with candles are set floating down the river. I was even able to purchase a paper lantern from one of the many street vendors to send off on its journey down the river. It was truly beautiful.
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