Hoi An . . . in the top three

Hi Everyone,

This lovely town on the coast of Vietnam (and about a 45-minute drive south of Da Nang) is a shopper's paradise. Yes, a shopper's paradise. "Isn't practically all of SE Asia a shopper's paradise?" you ask.

Well, yes it is! For most travelers. Though there is so much more to do than just shop.

But this particular town is known for its vast collection of tailors. Yes, tailors. People from all over the world were having custom clothing made: suits, dresses, skirts, shoes, etc. (Yes, even shoes!)

But for moi, I just didn't feel like having anything custom-made. I'm nearly at the end of my 5-month journey in SE Asia, and I have plenty of souvenirs already. And I have plenty of clothing.

Also, I think that's an activity that would be more fun to do with a friend (yes, Mom, I agree with you on this one : ).

So what did I do?

I walked around the quaint town in the evening. (It became much more interesting when the sun began to set.)

It was pouring and pouring on my first full-day there; so I hung out in my comfy room and got caught up on things. AND I swam in that fabulous pool. Fortunately, it wasn't thundering and lightning (like it is now in Bangkok where I'm currently sitting and typing).

When I got hungry, I walked a short distance and found a cozy restaurant with a nice mix of decor (honestly, it felt more European than Asian) where I broke my no-chicken eating and had Pho with da kine (noodle soup). It was the perfect dish for a cool, wet day.

And the second day? The sun was shinning, so I rented a bike and found the beach (and even got a little sun burned on my shoulders : ).

For enjoying Hoi An as much as I did, I took very few pictures (another sign that this leg of my journey is winding down).

So, without further ado . . .

Enjoy!

These are some of the most unusual boats I've ever seen! They reminded me of big rice cups. And yes, I helped carry the second one up the beach.

What's that for ???

Right in town was a rice paddy.

A sample of the clothing that one can have made in Hoi An.

And oh, I forgot to mention, I just happened to be in Hoi An on the one day of the month when they hang lanterns everywhere (and coincidentally, the last night of my solo journey before joining my friend in Bangkok) in honor of the full moon which appears the following night. I left my room a little before sunset to walk around town. Along the way, I saw vendor after vendor setting up a personal altar in front of their shop. Soon, women were selling small lanterns to the tourists, as well as cooking potato, banana, coconut things. (I  tried part of one; it was okay, a bit bland.)

When the activity seemed to be at its peak, I parked myself at a table for one, ordered fried noodles and veggies and a glass of the local merlotish red wine, and enjoyed the show! "Perfect!" I thought as I sat and sipped . . . "Perfect. Thank you Hoi An. Thank you . . ."

-sj

Hue, Vietnam, pronounced like curds and . . .

From Ha Noi I flew to Hue. It's a small town a bit north of Danang (which was an important in the Vietnam, or American, war).

Stayed there 2-nights, and this is what I saw/did . . .

Taken from a boat.

This boat. The lady came running beside me, "Come on boat; come on boat. Only . . ."(about $5) But I'm hungry and am going to eat. "I can cook for you." For the same price? "Yes." Talk about feeling like a cheap American! But you (I) never know what's a fair price for them and what's a rip-off for a tourist (me). I hopped on the boat; they immediately drove the boat to the other shore (so that she could go to the market for food.)

Their son.

The grinds. Noodles with morning glory (greens). And an omelette with onion. Not too bad. I was hungry.

The next morning I rented a bike and took off to find a place for breakfast. But first, I was led down an alleyway to where I found a "locals only" café. On the river. With HBO on the muted television and jazz on the sound system. "Nice," I thought. I had a deep rich coffee with thick condensed milk (for a fraction of what it was in the restaurants for westerners). And, I had conversation. Lots of it. With these two girls. When I could tell that they were dying to speak English with me, I invited them to join me at the table. Occasionally they had to hop up to work, but soon they'd plop back down for a bit more of this and that. Who are they? They're both 21-year old university students studying agriculture. We exchanged emails . . .

And after breakfast it was time to head off and find the pagoda which was about 3 km away from the town's main attraction: a citadel.

But first, a stop at the local grocery store.

Talk about a large selection of rice cookers!

You can read about this car . . .

"Why in the heck did you take a picture of this toilet, SJ? And why include it in your glob?" Notice the shoe prints? Yes, someone stood on it and then used it . . . There are stand-on types of toilets in SE Asia that are raised to about the same height as our sit-on® type . . . reckon the last user preferred to stand. Much more sanitary, don't you think?

The monks don't appear to wear saffron robes in Vietnam. They were moving stacks of wood from the back of the truck onto the other side of the fence.

This looks a lot like the boat I took a ride on the afternoon before.

School kids' bikes.

Having a PE class of some type. "HI!!!" they were waving.

And now to the main attraction in the town of Hue.

It felt a bit like an Angkorwatwannabe.

The costume storage room.

Hey, what's he doing here?

Back to the lovely hotel room to find the next place to rest my head (was looking for a place in Hoi An with a pool . . . my budget? $30 and below, found one for exactly $30). How much did the room in Hue cost? $15. That's with air con, a TV, and a private balcony. The one I'd originally booked was $12; I figured it was worth 6 bucks extra to have a lanai for 2-nights. : )

Oh, what a wonderful dinner it was! I'd read about this restaurant in my Lonely Planet guide book, and then I just happened to pass it . . . and when I was hungry and looking for a restaurant!

The restaurant staff was watching Vietnam Idol.

Time to leave some more things behind. First, my skirt (the one I was wearing when I was riding the elephant, I just couldn't stand to wear it one moment longer). It's somewhere in Laos. Second, my purple purse. It's somewhere in Northern Vietnam. Remember? I gave it to the little girl I bought my new purse from. Next, these two shirts. May they continue to have exciting journeys as they venture forth into their brave new world. (Yes, I agree, rather dramatic for a couple of well worn shirts!)

We were the first picked up for the four hour and four dollar bus ride to Hoi An. We chose the front seat, plenty of room to keep all my bags with me. "Brave to ride up there!" an Irish woman who's lived in Australia for 10-years said to me. "Why?" I asked. "You've seen how they drive here!" "But it's not as bad as in Cambodia," her husband added. And I agreed, the bus driving was a bit (a bit) more mellow that what I'd experienced in Cambodia.

Leftovers. Made a perfect breakfast!

Stopping for road work.

We had a 30-minute break mid-way.

Happy Feet. Happy Bat Angel. Its first time on the beach!

It was a lovely 2-nights in Hue. Next came another of my favorite SE Asia towns . . .

Catch you soon on SJ's bat angel channel.

aloha,

-sj

Part 3 . . . now to Railay Bay & then Koh Phi Phi

This was last month, July 2011 . . .

Took a 15-minute boat ride from Ao Nang towards the east to Railay.

Cutest darn puppy!

The tide goes really far out! This poor guy hurt his foot, I think.

Loved the pink slicker. : )

Fascinating to look at.

Sacred phallic rock.

Moi. Went for a dip. Felt good, but it was chocolatey water.

This was the nicest beach I experienced in Thailand. Could actually hang out here in peace in quiet . . . it was lovely.

Good thing I took the dip when I did. Yep, stubbed my toe on my way back to the hotel.

Had the most lovely next day just hanging out. How often do you just sit and think? It was such a perfect day. So thankful for the private lanai looking out at teak trees.

When I ventured out that late afternoon I found the coolest crab art.

There were literally hundreds of them!

From my perspective, beaches in Thailand are mostly nice for looking at . . . the swimming? It ain't Hawaii.

A small sample of the pollution.

Took a ferry to Koh (island) Phi Phi.

That's my green backpack on the hotel worker's back. He met me at the dock. It was about a 10-minute walk inland to the hotel.

This was a common site during this portion of my journey. See the "no water"? Later in the evening the tide rose up to where I was sitting (in a restaurant on simple boards raised over the water).

This is where I hung my hat for a few nights. I had my own bungalow. Would be perfect for couples. Had a TV, which was fun at times . . . some English programs to watch when I was getting dressed to go out.

I'd heard about this and enjoyed watching it. The little fish nibble and clean their feet (or so I hear : ).

One of the nicest things to do (in my humble opinion) while on Koh Phi Phi, hike up the hill to the vista.

I found many ways to get up here . . . let's just say I found places where I don't think a tourist is "supposed" to go. Needless to say, I was very happy when I found LOTS of people at this lookout rather than NO one at the obscure lookouts I first found! And then to see that the way down was so easy . . . yep, that's me, always finding alternate routes rather than the "main" one . . .

It rained and rained one morning. I had the most relaxing time sitting in a guesthouse restaurant drinking coffee and eating muesli with yogurt.

My bungalow. See my visitor?

Luckily the weather and seas calmed so that I could take a boat excursion. That's the viking cave. Vikings in Thailand? Reckon so. Or was it Pirate Cave . . . ?

Our tour guide/boat captain . . . that's pineapple for a snack on the platter.

Moi at the famous "beach" from the eponymous movie. Thanks Michele for the use of your little "dry" bag.

This critter was hanging out on the beach. ! ! !

I think this is the well known location shown in the movie. Why think? Haven't seen the movie yet, but I saw lots of people posing here and taking their picture.

Hi Mom!

This is where I heard a German yell out "Ganz allein in Paradis!" All alone in paradise!

We'd swum from our boat to this ladder to then walk to "the beach."

The surge wasn't too bad . . . fortunately!

Jelly fish in the water as we snorkeled! Luckily they didn't sting. But there were LOTS of them.

Last stop before heading back to Koh Phi Phi: monkey beach.

These are "professional" monkeys.

Swam/snorkeled wearing my turquoise and citrine bracelet. Even had it on when I swam to "the beach." And then it broke right on the boat over a black backpack (so I  could easily find it). One citrine decided to stay on the boat. Or maybe it jumped ship and is swimming around in Thailand. Who knows? Just know it was time for one citrine to take a walk about.

A ubiquitous mannequin in SE Asia.

Left Koh Phi Phi for Ao Nang beach.

The Aloha Inn was absolutely perfect for one night!

It dumped rain outside and I watched two movies in. And my clothes which were soaked were dry by morning. : )

Aloha Ao Nang and the "Krabi" area of Thailand.