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Published: February 17th 2016
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Back at the hotel, it was a little bit weird saying goodbye to the expats. People come and go all the time, but the kiwi couple, who have been resident for 3 weeks and have taken charge of the social life, organising meals and including everyone, make a big thing of sending people off when they leave, kisses and hugs, only met them a couple of times. Okaaaaay. Bye! No big deal.
Last dinner out in Hoi An, walked 10 minutes back down the main road yet again to a non-Tripadvisor restaurant with a reasonable menu. It was a strange mix of restaurant/travel agent/tailor. People were coming in for all sorts of stuff. We'd sussed it out on the way back from town and remembered wine 24,000 a glass (Sam) and big Saigon beer 12,000 (me). they have us a menu and the prices had miraculously gone up in the last hour and a half to 27,000/17,000. Hmmmmm, we thought, what is transpiring here?? Then looked on front of menu and it was a special New Year one. They obviously hadn't counted on our excellent powers of price recall. Discussed leaving - cheeky buggers - but as soon as Sam
started pointing over the road to the Tripadvisor one, where the less adventurous were dining, they miraculously produced the original menu. Happy New Year to you too! Hah!
In fact the food was very reasonable and cheap (now it was!) and Sam managed the Dalat wine with loads of ice in it. Walked back for the last time - had enough of this road by now - past the electricity cables all hissing and popping and dangling at neck height in a very disconcerting way. Said a big thank you to the receptionist who had worked a 12 hour shift at last reckoning and retired for our early start.
The taxi was on time, no tip for him as he was on his phone and the other hand left the steering wheel unattended as he changed gear, honked the horn or indicated. We emptied our water bottles to go through security, and then refilled them at the water fountain. Sam thought it was hilarious in Hanoi that I bought a bottle of water right next to the free fountain, spotted too late. All the airports seem to have them, which saves a few dong.
The plane was
Vueling again, on behalf of Jetstar, nice Spanish crew. This was fine with us, not so with the American next to us, who'd paid $8 extra and thought that mention he'd get extra leg room. We knew it didn't, we'd paid a bit extra for seats at the front, but he complained to the flight attendants, whingeing on and on, tried to involve the rest of us who were being cheated, in his opinion. I said we'd paid to get from A to B, seats at the front, it left on time, very happy, thank you very much! He made copious notes on the back of his boarding card, no doubt to try for a refund. He also complained that the snack trolley didn't trundle down the aisle. It was very tedious! We ate our ritz and laughing cow cheese and invisibly rolled our eyes. He continued to write vehement notes.
Super quick at the domestic terminal. The taxi line was a bit more chaotic, as all the different firms (flowers on the roof, Saigon in the name, all the ones to avoid) were queueing at the taxi stand together, but we eyeballed the Mai Linh guy with his green shirt and the queue moved quickly, we just walked on past the other cabs when we got to the front and he have us one of his. No request for the exit fee, terrible traffic into the city but no detour and 135,000 on the meter. I never look forward to the process, but have to say, it's usually OK. We were back at the hotel (Bali Boutique Hotel, book directly as it's dollars cheaper than booking.com, has a lift and very good breakfast) within 45mins of landing. There was a slight confusion over my booking, as they had me down as Mr Ann (middle name) but all smiley, here's your key, 4th floor at the side again. Made another booking for after Phu Quoc, $27 dollars for a smaller room, also at the side, and we can leave a bag with them and just take one case.
So out into the scorching heat and humidity we went, pool stuff in our bags, to find the 5 star New World Hotel, just the other side of the park. I'd looked on travelfish to find some other pools to try. The pavement was so hot our flipflops felt like they were melting! Swanned in, directed to pool reception, 350,000 ( £11.50ish) to use the pool. All the beds had towels on, but after a bit of wavering we decided the staff had put them there, they weren't saved by unscrupulous guests of any nationality. It's not as breezy as the Renaissance Riverside and much noisier, being on the second floor right by a busy junction, but the beds were sooooo comfy, and it's only about 10mins on foot from Bui Vien.
Planning a last visit to the Go2Bar tonight, and a few more pharmacies to stock up!
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