Hoi An, a hidden gem

Not long after returning to Hanoi, I hopped on an overnight train with Mark heading for Hoi An. The place is renowned for its tailoring and virtually every shop has the facilities to fashion you that top you'd always longed for, those shoes that you just had to have, or that bikini that got away. When I arrived I was slightly overwhelmed by this central focus, and underwhelmed by the cultural aspect.

On closer inspection, I uncovered a french inspired town on the banks of the Thu Bon. I struggled to find lodgings initially as most were over-priced or well hidden. After sweating it out with my backpack on, I decided to ask two girls sitting in cafe if they recommended anywhere. Pointing to the hotel just 5 doors down, I checked into my more-than-satisfactory room with added benefit of a TV. After catching my breath, I headed back to meet up with the girls and explored the town.

I headed to bed early as I had a 4.45am start the next day. Settling in at 9pm, I watched Harry Potter, loving every minute of it! I think it was a kind a home comfort, that I had been missing for the past 3 weeks. In the morning, I headed to My Son, an ancient Hindu ruin set in beautiful native jungle. We were the only group there and got to watch the sun rise from behind the site. Two German guys, Marco and Michael, mentioned there was good snorkeling to be found not too far from Hoi An on Cam Island. Taking there advice, I booked myself on a trip for the next day.

Another early start, I dragged myself out of bed and onto another mini-bus. Soon realising I was the only foreign tourist, I was wondering whether I should have ignored the Germans. My (personal) tour guide didn't speak the best English, but he was always smiling and very accommodating. He should me round the beautiful Island, before taking a boat to the snorkel sight. The water was teaming with jelly fish and unfortunately I didn't manage to see many fish, other than a few angel fish. Yet it was a pleasant swim nonetheless. The afternoon was spent on a deserted Island. With my headphones in, I slowly drifted off to sleep... fully exposed to the midday sun. I awoke feeling crisp. I had definitely burnt my formerly pasty skin. The effects weren't apparent immediately but that feeling, of tort and tingly skin, was growing by the minute. Trying to act like I was not a dumb tourist, I sat down with my Vietnamese tourists for a banquet of rice, vegetables and freshly caught fish. Not wanting to offend, and also not knowing the word for Vegan in Vietnamese, I quite easily managed to eat half a cam fish (about the size of a rat... I don't have many fish to compare with) and squid. Both were pleasant but I can't say I've been converted. 

Returning back to the mainland, my tour guide presented me with a gift; a small red lantern, typical of Vietnam. He wished me good luck, happiness and safe travels and then escorted me back to the minibus. Two long days and early nights had taken there toll, but I wanted to make the most of my last evening in Hoi An. I arranged to meet up with Mark and headed to the Before and Now bar. 

While I was waiting, I sat at the bar and introduced myself to two guys [whose names escape me], a British cameraman (currently working on Top Gear) who was on his honeymoon but decided to continue travelling once his wife returned home (Will, don't get any ideas!) and a Kiwi who was formerly an investment banker in the UK. With lots of disposable income, the guys were more than happy to ply me with drinks. Managing to get rather hammered, I tried to compose myself when Mark turned up with 4 of his mates from back home. We all had a few more drinks, and a lot more laughs, before calling it a night.