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

Ha Long Bay . . . for you *Larry! : )

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

“Ha Long Bay (Vietnamese: About this sound Vịnh Hạ Long (help·info), literally: “descending dragon bay”; 下龍灣) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular travel destination, located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. Administratively, the bay belongs to Hạ Long City, Cẩm Phả town, and part of Van Don district. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Hạ Long Bay is a center of a larger zone which includes Bái Tử Long bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà islands to the southwest. These larger zones share similar geological, geographical, geomorphological, climate, and cultural characters.”

Okay, nuff with the words, here are SJ’s pictures . . .

Enjoy!

She was working! And not just at rowing.

Floating village.

It often felt like they were driving these things for the first time!

They passed that baby along like a sack of potatoes! lol And the kid seems just fine with it. Nice. ; )

We didn't have a lot of sun . . . but for this instance we did!

Another working gal. Only saw women drivers.

Had 30-minutes at this man-made beach, made a running dash up the hill. That's the boat I stayed on.

Nice Danish family hanging out while it rained.

Going on a tour of the "floating village."

Driver in training.

Ma chambre. See my bat/angel?

Pretty sunset one of the 2-nights that I was on the boat.

The moon!

The ubiquitous flag in Vietnam.

These kids from New Zealand were having fun; he's teaching her how to fold the napkin. How'd he learn? A Vietnamese worker on the ship showed him one rainy afternoon.

In front: my new gal pals from London, Emma and Jane. Had dinner with them one night in Hoi An. In back: Nat and Gerry. Was supposed to have dinner with them one night in  Hanoi, but I went to the wrong restaurant! But, I just happened to run into them the next day while passing the church shown above . . . yep, keep loving those "coincidences"!

Ze "floating village."

Ditto.

Pretty cool.

Well protected.

He's taking a shot of the school.

See?

They seemed happy as they looked my way.

Back at the industrial harbor.

Aloha Ha Long Bay!

Hope it brought back good memories Larry!

So long from the Hanoi airport enroute to Bangkok.

Sending love to all of you wherever you may be.

-sj

* and Kay!

In Honor and Memory of our little Fido . . . born September 26, 1995

Along the Mekong River in Luang Prabang, Laos.

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.