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Published: February 28th 2012
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Sleeper Bus from Na Trang to Hoi An
Feels like sleeping in a small coffins, but better than sitting for 12 hrs All aboard the night bus, we now head to Hoi An a 12hr overnight journey up the east coast heading north, as it grows darker the coastline becomes a sea of bright dots in their thousands, these are the fishing boats with powerful lights shinning over the water to attract the squid and other sea life for their nightly catch, as the bus bounces along the night becomes day and the country side is changing, you now see more rice fields that stretch for miles, all very lush and dotted throughout the fields you see plastic raincoat scarecrows.
School starts early in Vietnam, and many children on push bikes are headed to school, lower grades start at 7am - finsh at 11.15am and attend 5 days a week, while the more senior grades start at 1.30pm and finish at 6pm, attending 6 days a week. They too share the roads and streets with the people, carts, cars, trucks, scooters and motorbikes.
It is truly amazing there are not more accidents with all the congestion and lack of any real road rules.
Arriving in Hoi An we soon find our way to our next hostel, wow 5 stars for
this one, a huge family room, no walking on top of each other or sharing beds, a bath, shower, 2 loos. balconey and with garden and pool views.
Day 1 - Marble Mountain situated between Hoi An and Da Nang City, 20 mins away by taxii. The Marble Mountains are regarded as a national cultural historical relic, famous for traditional stone-carving village of 600 family, dating back over 300 years. Walking along the street you can see many examples of modern and traditional sculptures in different stages of completion.
The Marble Mountain also refered to a Ngu Hanh Son (Mountains of Five Elements: Thuy Son - water, Moc Son - wood, Kim Son - metal, Tho Son - earth and Hoa Son - fire) an interesting assembly of caves and carvings all dedicated to Buddha and his mother. Stone steps carved into the mountain lead to the Tam Thai Pododa, at the back is the Huyen Khong Cave, a tribute to Hindu, Buddhist and Cham deities. Huyen Khong Cave was the base for the Vietnamese revolutionaries during wartime to spy on the US troops on China Beach seen in the distance. One needs to have a good breakfast
and plenty of water as there are lots of steps that lead you up, up, down and around this amazing place.
After returning from Marble Mountain we walk into the Old Town of Hoi An, where you quickly see shop after shop displaying tailored outfits and custom made shoes. It is here you can get custom tailored clothes made in One day in any style you can dream of. While walking around you quickly get the impression of Chinese-style shopfronts with its winding lanes, as you head towards the waters edge you see many silk lanterns in bright colours hanging from the shop front, stretched across the road and decorating the main bridge that connect the two sides of the canal.
The canal is a hive of activity, with quick moving long barges ferrying motorbikes, bicycles and people from one place to another. It is also very noticable this is a tourist distination as it appears to have more foreigner then locals.
At night the streets are alight with colour giving a romantic atmosphere to this old world town. Street theatre and roadside vendors spring up along the river front and laneways.
Day 2, My Son
Santuary know as Vietnam's Angkor Wat is situated south-east of Hoi An, 1 hr away by taxii. A large complex of religious monuments, 25 struture still remain and is one of Vietnams UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
My Son was an Imperial city during the Champa Dynasty between the 2nd and 15 centuries and were masters in the art of building brick. As you move through the ancient strutures you can see the bricks are laid closely and securely without the use of mortar.
Unfortunately duing the war many of the structures have been distroyed by the bombing and bomb crater are clearly visible next to some of the temples.
Day 3 - Today is at a much slower pace, lazing around the pool, catching up on emails and facebook. We leave for Hue after lunch by bus, 4 - 5 hrs.
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Berta & Noel
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Rain rain rain
Thanks for the update. Sounds like you have lucked it in with your new accommodation. I especially liked the "Beam me in Scotty" photo. Good to see Aleks toughened up & went back on a sleeper bus. Did he whine too much about it girls - you know how delicate he is?The time we took in the view from Marble Mountain it was pouring rain & we couldn't see 1 metre in front of us. Talk about pouring rain - its pouring here with another 2 days of torrential rain predicted. They have issued evacuation warnings for Cooma (before you start panicking Amanda is with her mum) 7 Warragamba Dam is nearing 100% expected to overflow this week. And to make you enjoy your holiday even more they have forecasted March to be very wet. Anyway keep having fun. Love & kisses Beruta & Noel xxx