This is my 3rd day in Hoi An, a small town in the centre of Vietnam and a stone’s throw away from the so-called China Beach, a 30km stretch of sandy beach.
My pocket has discovered that this is where you can get your foodie and shopping fix in one shot. Wallet lighter, bags heavier and middle rounder. Naturally it doesn’t stop there, the ancient architecture has been well preserved and lends itself to a photo opportunity down every street.
Not only are the houses from another era but time has decided to take a short nap in Hoi An. Old ladies look stately in their straw hats and silk suits, motorbikes are to be seen but they are replaced by a plethora of bicycles gliding down the narrow streets and don’t forget the ever present Vietnamese shop owners asking “Hello, where you from?” trying to entice you to change your entire wardrobe.
After realising that shops on the main streets charge ridiculous prices for tailored clothes, I was advised by a friendly restaurant owner where to go. The process took 24 hours from measure to fit. A pallet of colours and shapes to choose from, it can be overwhelming as the seamstresses flit around you like a queen.
A short bicycle trip around town leaves you in desperate need of some coconut icecream and a dunk in cold water. But this town, neatly tucked between a lake, a river and the ocean…is a water paradise. The sun is a beautiful burnt orange as it begins to set over the mouldy terracotta rooftops, bouncing off water ripples and settling on your skin. As the night settles in, even the Vietnamese version of Kenny G blaring through speakers from bars lends towards a feeling of contentment.
Sounds glorious Carmen, very Jealous.
Having such a great time Dave, I can see why you love visiting this part of the world