So on Boxing Day we were getting the bus to Hoi An, where we were planning on spending Nina's birthday. This wasn't coming until 1.30 - only a four hour bus journey, what a Christmas gift! We spent the morning eating classic boxing day fare of burgers and chips, then spent the rest of the day asleep on a bus! Bit different to last years house party let me tell you.

Now Hoi An is a beautiful town albeit a little touristy. At night lanterns are released onto the river, and silk lanterns light up the trees. It s pretty idyllic - apart from everyone trying to get you to eat in their restaurants! Hoi An is where the top gear boys got their hilarious suits on the Vietnam special, so there are lots of tailors, with the most amazing looking dresses and suits for bargain prices, you could truly have a field day. In fact Emily, a girl we had met at ENP and had recaught up with, got herself a tailor made leather jacket for about 100 quid. Bargain!

We spent 3 and a half days in Hoi An so we could celebrate Nina's birthday properly, so on the second night we checked into a nicer hotel, as the guesthouse we had booked online was a bit grotty. Even though it was only a 2 star or something it was like being in heaven - and for 35 quid each for two nights. There were flowers on the bedcovers, and for the first time since I left I felt properly clean!

The day before Nina's birthday we did some sightseeing in the Old Quarter - another UNESCO world heritage site. There we saw the Japanese covered bridge - protected at either end by a monkey and a dog, as those represent the years the bridge was begun and completed. We also visited the Hoi An museum of history and culture and the Tran Family Chapel - in Vietnamese architecture they use 3 horizontal beams to represent the head, heart and life lines of the hands, and five vertical to represent the fingers. There, you can't say you haven't learnt anything today!

There are also some unorthodox sights to be seen - the most hilarious/dangerous amongst them seeing two men driving along with a massive pane of glass balanced between them on a scooter - health and safety is not an issue here!

On Nina's birthday itself we wandered down to the restaurant for breakfast, as it was included in our fancy room - and a lovely surprise awaited as the staff brought out a birthday cake! Nina got very teary, it was really sweet of them. It was delicious too, cake for breakfast, yummy. Later on Emily came round and we went for a spa day as a treat. We had manicures, pedicures, facials and a full body massage - during which I felt very exposed as we were practically naked - was not expecting that! It was all really good, apart from one of the women dropping something on my head and giving me a big cut on my nose. Ouch! Didn't even get a discount, outrageous, 555. We also went for an express dress fitting for Emily as Nina and I were wearing dresses and she didn't want to feel left out. One shop managed to whip up a gorgeous dress in just over 2 hours for only $25. Just ridiculous.

We went out for some drinks in the evening, which was good, there was a nice little group of us as Ferry and Kim turned up from Hue as well. I have to say though that Hoi An isn't really a party town, it's pretty quiet, although I did get my first experience of riding on a scooter to a bar we'd been recommended which was fun, I'm an expert it would seem! I was also victorious against Ferry at pool, so all in all it was a good night. Nina had gotten a little merry and was not feeling up to much of anything the next day - unfortunately we had a night bus to Nah Trang that afternoon!! I was inspired by Emily's rapid dress fitting the previous day so got up at half 8 for breakfast then went on the hunt for a tailored dress. Managed to order 2, which came just in the nick of time to get the bus at half past 5. I was rushing around like a madwoman to be honest - and one of the dresses had to be brought to the bus station as they had to take it for some alterations, lol. Regardless we got on the bus fine, and were on our way to Nah Trang for New Year.

Becca x