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Published: December 11th 2006
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Hello people!
Think i left off just after getting to Nha Trang. Had a pretty quite night with 4 Aussies if you can believe it and didn't even get that drunk!! I did however walk into a little shop to get a bikini and ended up with the woman measuring me and making me a bespoke one in 2 hours, so at last i've got one that actually fits!! No more falling out, phew what a relief i hear you say, although doubt many of you will be seeing it for sometime judging by the reports of the weather back home. Just to stress how cheap it is here the whole thing cost less than a fiver!! BARGAIN.
Anyhow the next day i was booked onto a boat trip and set off early morning. It was a bit overcast but i didn't mind that. The group was pretty mixed both nationality and ages but it was ok. I was the only person on my own but i was feeling a little anti-social anyway. We moored after about an hour on the first island and we went snorkelling. Couldn't see a great deal but it was nice to get a
The gang
Recognise the "blue steel look?" dip in the sea and cool off. After lunch we had a happy hour where one of the boat hands sat in a ring with a crate of wine and some pineapple and we could float up to him, hook our feet into the edge and float whilst having a drink. Sure it will come as no surprise to you that i was pretty much a permanant resident of the bar along with a NZ couple. After a few drinks we all got chatting and the rest of the day is a bit of a blur. We managed to drink our way through about 10 bottles of 16% proof local wine and for good measure get v sun burnt (well it had been overcast like i said and i forgot about the sun-doh!). We all stumbled off the boat and went to our respective hotels. I was catching the night bus so just about managed to act sober enough to find the right one before crashing out and sleeping most of the way, feeling pretty rough though i can tell you! I'd planned to meet up with them again but couldn't find them last night. Have since seen them today
Hoi An
Old world charm to find that they got kicked off their bus for being drunk and had to stay an extra night-oops. We've arranged to meet for a couple tonight which could be a mistake as i've got a 7.30 bus to catch in the morning, i'll let you know how i get on.
So i arrived hungover and cranky at 6am yesterday morning, after a bit of a set to with the coach people (i didn't want to stay in the hotel they were trying to get me to, i wanted to choose my own, she said stamping her little princess feet!) So i checked into a hotel of my choosing and slept till 11am. Hoi An is a protected heritage site and its easy to see why. It dates back for centuries and really does have an amazing old world charm. I spent the afternoon roaming the streets and popping into cafes to rest and rehydrate before taking a long afternoon nap! In the evening i was invited to join 3 irish guys for a drink and we got chatting to 2 Aussie girls who had met a guy in a restaurant who offered to give them a guided tour
Me on the wheel
you can almost hear the righteous brothers!! of his village the next day. I didn't really have any firm plans so agreed to join them.
Once again up early this morning to be met by Mr Trung. We cycled a few miles to his village and he promptly showed us around like we were royalty. We went to the local pottery where we had a go on the wheel and made a pot, then to the fishing houses. We were welcomed in and encouraged to look around their houses. This did feel a bit intrusive but they were all so welcoming and keen to show you their homes it was hard to refuse. Then Mr Trungs son in law took us fishing on his boat. We didn't catch anything but it really didn't matter, the experience was still brilliant. After another short bike ride we arrived at Mr Trungs home where his wife had made us lunch and his young son waited on us. His rather drunk neighbour came to look at us but he was harmless. In all it was a great day and the food was amazing; spring rolls to die for and locally caught fish marinated in lemon, ginger, pepper and lime juice
and then wrapped in a banana leaf and barbequed-sublime truly delicious. They were so warm and hospitable its hard not to feel completely humbled but definitely reminded that there are good people still out there.
So that's my day, a good one for sure. Lets hope i don't get too drunk with the Kiwi's and miss my bus in the morning! I'll let you know.
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Michael Holmstrom
non-member comment
Love the blue steel shot. You all look reallly reallly reallly goood loooking. Great Blog Rachel,..just leaving Halong Bay tomorrow and headed overnight train to Hue/Hoi An. You should love Halong, beautiful spot! Enjoy.