Chilling out in Hoi An

---

John back in the blogging saddle again so hold tight! Thank the Buddha, Confucius and Tao Di that we have only one train journey to do on this trip and we've done it!! A two hour train journey from Hue to Da Nang delayed by over an hour, seats that were either bolt upright or completely horizontal and a loo I'm not even going to attempt to describe - and this blog addicts was First Class...and in comparison with the rest of the train it was!!! Still it got us there and Sally enjoyed a bit of 'living on the edge' although I noticed she didn't go to the loo. However scenery was dramatic and gorgeous and we met some nice fellow travellers on the way.

As rough as the train was, Hoi An is beautiful and the sun has been shining. Hotel stunning - poshest yet - and fab location right on the banks of the river, five min walk to palm tree lined beach where we spent very relaxing afternoon on Wednesday in glorious sunshine and my first swim in the South China Sea (that sounds so impressive)and a ten minute ride into town (hotel courtesy car no less). Hoi An ancient town gorgeous - so pretty at night with all the chinese lanterns lit up througout the streets and floating on the river. Visited a couple of old traditional houses (now both museums and real homes with families living in them - a bit weird but fascinating to suddenly find yourself in their kitchen where they are prpearing lunch and telling you about the old well in better English than I will ever speak Vietnamese). Loving all the lovely cafes, bars and restaurants and enjoying a slightly more French feel to the coffee especially the chocolatey one we had today. Also of course every other shop is a clothes shop where you get your made to measure gear and yes dear reader we succumbed. I am now the proud owner of new overcoat and Sally a new coat and dress. We were going to have them shipped back but not at $90!! Could be wearing them on the plane but then if the weather in England doesn't improve we might need them.

One more relaxing evening here then a lazy morning and fly on to what promises to be the even crazier city of Ho Chi Min or as the Vietnamese/French exiles we were talking to this morning still insist Saigon. Even more bikes than Hanoi but very much looking forward to trips to Mekong Delta and Vietcong Tunnels. More on that from herself in time.

---

Comments

[John mitch]

Great to hear you are having fun!
So good to hear about your exploits. The elephants must have been brilliant. Mitch