Blogs from Hoi An, Quảng Nam, South Central Coast, Vietnam, Asia - page 3

Geo: 15.875, 108.336There may not be a more picturesque location in Vietnam than Hoi An's Old Town - too bad it doesn't really feel like Vietnam! Good or bad, Hoi An's Old Town feels extremely foreign compared to our previous stops - it seems almost too perfect, too manufactured, to be the Vietnam we've come to know. If the World Showcase at Disney's Epcot Center had a Vietnamese pavilion, it would probably look and feel just like Hoi An. In fact, strolling around the riverfront, with its intricate lanterns beautifully lit up, evokes images of Disney's Electrical Parade. Hoi An is Disneyfied Vietnam - even though we never came across Minh Mouse, Donald Duc, or Nguyen the Pooh, it still should be called Disney-Nam!Don't get me wrong, because there are some fantastic aspects of the Old ... read more

The "new" house is great. Very "western-style" and on one level - which means no stairs!! Friends Peter and Kerrie live upstairs and it's the apartment we were meant to have from 24 Aug. but now I am happy that we have been given the 2-bedroom on the ground floor. No balcony - but then again it gets too hot to really enjoy sitting outside. The AC unit in the bedroom and the 3-speed fan keep the temperature inside the house at a very comfortable level. There is a chook pen a few meters from the front door - but these ones are quieter than at the homestay. The owner tells me a small splash pool will be built next year - but sounds like we won't be able to rent this apartment again :(. The ... read more

I am up at rooster crow - and throw on my usual gear for the beach swim. Black athletic shorts and a red singlet that was given as a gift from the fols at our favourite restaurant - Vina Ngong - for being such good and regular customers. It's been years since I have worn a singlet. I think the last time was in the military. Anyways - it's good enough to wear on the morning commute to my little beach. when I get back to homestay after the swim - it's easy to hand wash/rinse in the shower to get rid of the salt. I complete the packing and be ready to move around 12 - which is when I told the manager I would move. Minh's parents had invited me for lunch to make ... read more

Morning activities as usual - nothing out of the "ordinary". Good friends from Bathurst mentioned that were contemplating a package to Vietnam that included 2 nights in Saigon and 6 nights at Naman Resort. This 5-star property is around 12 months old and located close to midway between Hoi An and Danang City. After Breakfast I do my daily riutine of checking e-mails and FB - then I decide in the afternoon I will ride moto to the Naman to check it out. I get a call from my friend Chau who tells me the owner of the apartment I will move in to has invited me for a party at his house (next to the apartment). With a couple of hours to spare - I decide to ride to Naman - then get back in ... read more

The early morning commute to the place of swimming was uneventful. As per yesterday's blog - it's pretty much a case of dodgem bikes/cars/people. You do see some unusual sights when riding around. A good percentage of the bikes have been on the road for decades. Honda and Yamaha look like they were the vehicle of choice. Most are either 110cc of 125cc. It's only the younger people that have had enough money to buy the more modern bikes. It was only recently that the Vietnamese government allowed engine sizes greater that 125cc. The train of thought was that as the local roads were so bad, there so many bikes - it was considered to be a safety issue and if you limited the size of the engines that it would be safer. FAIL!! However - ... read more