We really love Hoi An. If you had an image in your mind of a true vietnam, with narrow streets, lined with historic ornate timber and stone buildings, bustling daily markets, vietnamese people, on bicycles going about their daily business, in conical straw hats and traditional silk clothing, then this is the place. You can also get tailor made suits for a steal, as well!

We have been staying in lovely large hotel out of town towards the ocean and the beach. It is next to the river and has beautiful views over the rice fields that surround the town.

We have spent our days walking the streets of the old town and trying the various restaurants and cafes that line the river running through Hoi An.We also, found the most amazing patisserie, so it has been hard working our way through the list of cakes they offer.

However, its at night that Hoi An really comes alive, with thousands of lines of silk laterns in every colour and shaped that weaving their way from building to building eluminating the the streets. We have been lucky to visit during the Vietnam New Year or 'tet', so it has been really busy everywhere, with special concerts and events. Also, this is the only time that the vietnamese can bet during the year so everywhere you see groups of men gathered in circles, shouting over any type of game that can be bet on.

Hoi an also has a lovely beach and we spent a morning walking along it and checking out some of the resort hotels that line it. On the way back we stopped at a cafe that looks out over the river and the the fields beyond. While we were having a drink we watched a local man turn up to the waters edge with a large wooded basket without a bottom. After a couple of minutes scanning the water, he jumped up and dived into the water with his trap, then excited called over his friend. He then proceeded to pull three massive carp from the trap and hand them to his friend on the bank, whilest we watched in disbelief.

We have also done a bit of retail therapy whilest we have been hear. Nikki has had a dress made for a wedding in the summer and I have had a suit made. The quality and speed of the tailoring is very impressive and we are really happy with our purchases, although being measured up in the shop window, topless was a little embarrasing. If you were wondering only I had to go topless, Nikki was aloud to keep her clothes on.

We have really loved Hoi An and are glad we have spent a decent amount of time here to really enjoy it. We are now heading south to Na Trang on sleeper bus, can't wait for that!