Hoi An

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We arrived in Hoi An just after dawn after taking the sleeping bus from Na Trang. Fortunately there was a man complete with mini bus touting his hotel, as the bus station was a kilometre out of town we took him up on his offer thinking we could always move the next day. As it turned out it's one of the best value ones in town and right at the heart of everything so we're staying put.

The main attraction here in Hoi An is the ancient town, it's aUnesco world heritage centre. A river runs through the centre and it's banks are lined with really old traditional wooden houses, restaurants, bars and shops.

The Japanese bridge is a 16th century bridge that has become the official landmark of Hoi An.The bridge used to connect what was the Japanese and the Chinese quarter in Hoi An and therefore the name. It was built in the year of the dog and finished in the year of the monkey and therefore there are 2 statues of dogs at one entrance of the bridge and 2 statues of monkeys by the other entrance. The bridge is covered by a roof and there is a little temple inside it,

At night the whole place comes alive as colourful lanterns adorn almost every building and traditional dancing takes place in the streets. Candles mounted in colourful paper flowers are sold to float down the river.

We've spent a few days here just wandering around the busy streets and visiting the numerous museums and temples, before taking a dip in the hotel pool to cool down.

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