Have just spent the last four nights in Hoi An taking it easy and enjoying some well earned R & . This place could well be one of the nicest cities that we have been to during this trip, the pace seems to have settled down a little bit and there aren't quite so many cars, bikes and horns that in all honesty start to get to you =after a while. maybe it was the plane trip rather than another bloody bus that put me in the right frame of mind!
The plane arrives in Danang about 40 minutes from Hoi An and you drive down a coastal road alongside China Beach (the area where the US soldiers came for their R&R during the war) There are currently 20 resorts being built or recently completed that are absolutely huge and will cater for the Japanese and Koreans who apparently will fly in spend a week and then fly out, maybe taking in a game of golf at the Norman Dunes course or maybe just lounging by their pool or on their "private beach". Whatever the case you cant help but think this place will be just like the Gold Coast in a few years time and those with all the money are likely to push prices up and remove the locals of their innocence.
Hoi An on the other hand, is simply beautiful. The old city restricts bikes and cars from the central area during the middle of the day and evenings meaning a little bit of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of normal Vietnam.
Not much to report other than we wandered around looking at buildings, shops and markets. There are over 300 Tailor shops here that can make anything you want providing you can show them a picture. I settled on a new pair of Jeans and a new linen jacket while Robyn opted for three dresses. The only down side of getting clothes made is that you need to return 2 or 3 times so that they can fit things properly and make any necessary adjustments. I must admit I am pretty happy with my purchases and even picked up something for my 50th in July.
Hoi An has great restaurants down by the river and at night the town is lit by thousands of beautiful lantern adorning the houses and restaurants. Fresh beer is generally only 4000 Dong but we managed to find a couple of places where we could get it for 3000 which comes out at 15 cents per ten ounce glass. needless to say I was happy to shout the others on the proviso that they return the favour at the New Sydney when we return home.
We also managed to take in a visit to Marble mountain which is a very nice three hour return trip a collection of five small mountains with pagodas and caves and the usual Buddas and hawkers etc. The mountains are made of marble, obviously, but they no longer mine the marble from here preferring to bring it in from China and other places to support the centuries old practice of carving the big Buddas and other quite bizarre statues, bowls, fountains, elephants and some incredibly kitsch ornaments that I am sure would look great on anyone's mantle piece; just not mine!
Another morning was taken up at the Red Bridge Cooking School where we were treated to an informative walk through the markets for an explanation of some of the foods on offer, particularly the herbs and spices used in Vietnamese cooking. Following this we jumped aboard a boat and headed downstream to the cooking school which is located in a beautiful setting on the banks of the river and includes a very nice swimming pool. Into the kitchen and first up we look at the preparation and ingredients for a Vietnamese seafood salad. Now its our turn to watch our chef Henry, prepare and make rice paper for some fresh spring rolls. - looks easy enough so away we go. Each person has their own work station with ingredients and there are a few locals on hand to keep an eye on us and help out when necessary. I must say my spring roll turned out pretty dam good and tasted equally as good as the ones we have been buying so look out when we get home as my lunchbox might look a little different. next up pancakes, this time not quite so perfect as the mixture stuck to the bottom of the pan and refused to flip quite like Henry's did..... still tasted ok though so might have to practice a bit more. Finally an Eggplant in clay pot creation. once again a very impressive taste sensation that was equally as good as the ones I have been sampling along the way.
Back to the dining room to enjoy the salad, eggplant and a fish dish that Henry created, all washed down with a couple of beers and then off to the pool for a relaxing swim and then taxi back to town for a few more fresh beers at 15 cents each.
Heading for Hanoi in the morning by plane so will keep you all posted providing the computer keeps hanging in there. It's getting increasingly difficult to see the screen with now at least 30% missing but i am sure i can work around this.
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