Arrived in Hoi An around midday. We were a big group who all had to go to Sunflower hotel, so we shared a cap. We checked in and went directly to the pool, cause Hoi An was a lot warmer than Phong Nha. The pool was so nice and cool! Perfect after a long bus ride. After showering we went out to check out the ancient town. Hoi An is really beautiful in the evening with its tiny streets and lanterns. We did a little shopping and The guys were really good at bargaining. They bought some nice shirts and helped me bargaining as well. Later we found a small place to eat - unfortunately it wasn't too good but the beer was cheep, so the guys were happy. Thereafter went we back to the hostel. I was really tired, so I went to bed. On the way I met Jaara who were badly burned by the sun. She told my about the girls' plan for the day after, which sounded really exciting.
Next morning I joined the girls for a ride to mr Phong's house. He is a local Vietnamese guy who opens up his house to welcome people, who are interested in the war. He had so many things to tell. It was really fascinating! How different the North and South sees the war. After telling us about the war he took us for a guided tour in his village. He showed us his family's temple, for the dead family members and told us about their beliefs and religion even though he himself was atheist. Thereafter we had the most amazing lunch. The food was so good!
Yasmin, Reini and I went by scooters to My Son, which are ruins outside Hoi An.
It was really beautiful but the tourists were so annoying and respect less..
In the evening we went for the tailor, where I ordered a jumpsuit and a dress, and thereafter for Cargo, where we ate delicious food!
Next day I went with Travis, an Aussie from the first day, to the tailor. After the tailor we went to eat at Bobo's, where they had the most fantastic food! Wow! Yasmin caught up with us after ordering bus and hostel back at the hotel. We went a little around town before returning to the hotel, where I took a nap. In the evening we went out with a big group of people from the hostel. In the ancient town I spotted "my" girls at the tailor's, so I joined them for amazing food at Morning Glory which were more chill than the big group and the food there is really delicious! After dinner Jaara and I went to the opposite store to book a cooking class at miss Vy's the next morning. We talked about going to the beach, but went to bed instead, since we had to wake up early in the morning.
After breakfast the next morning Jaara and I went for the cooking class. We started off by going to the local marked by boat. There we learned about the different vegetables, herbs, fruits, fish and meats they use and what kind of tools they used for what. It was really interesting - and we got to taste a lot of different things. After the marked we went back to the class, where we were shown how to do some of the basic stuff as making noodles, heat peanuts and sesame seeds, make dough for wontons and dumplings. They are so skilled at the marked restaurant and the food is so tasty! Then we went upstairs to do the cooking class. It was a logic fun, and the food we made was fantastic!
After the class drove we to the beach - and wow! The beaches are beautiful and the water is so warm! It was really nice to chill at the beach with Travis and Jaara.
In the evening met I a new friend, Andrew (Aussie) he joined us, when we went to Morning Glory again. And yet again was the food amazing. After dinner most of the others went for bars while some of us looked for smaller places to chill, which was quite difficult.. Apparently everything closes quite early or it's really expensive.
Next day was a coffee/chill day. It was the girls' last day in Hoi An, so we started the day with an ice coffee and fresh juices. Then we left for the beach a good day with big waves! Reini and I had a lot of fun bodysurfing even though it was hard to find good waves. When we went back from the beach, I had to say goodby to the girls. So sad, but hopefully I'll see them again in Da Lat! After checking in to my new hotel I dipped in the pool and showered, so I could meet with the guys in the evening. I had to pick up my new dress. Exciting! It is so pretty! Really looking forward to wear it back home in the autumn..
Later we went to Bobo's to eat. Amazing food yet again! Then I looked at my watch, and panicked. I had little time before I had to be back at the hotel for my transport to the airport so I could pick up my sweet boyfriend Phillip. The guy who drove my was really sweet, but had a hard time speaking English. I was happy to see him in the airport even though Phillip was really tired after a long trip.
Next day we walked around the ancient town, me playing tour guide! We saw the beautiful Japanese bridge and all the small temples. Phillip had a hard time to get used to the warmth, which is very different from back home, so later we went for the beach to cool down. The waves were huge! Best day for bodysurfing.. We met Nicciy and Mike on the beach. They just arrived a few days ago.
We went to Morning Glory in the evening, and got a perfect table on the balcony with a view over the street. we ordered a lot of small dishes, so we could taste a little of everything. After that we walked around town, just to see the beauty of the town at night.
We are a delicious breakfast after sleeping late, whereafter we went back to the ancient town to do a little shopping. Thankfully it wasn't to expensive even though the clothes is so nice! When we got back to our hotel, we organised our bus to Da Lat and our trip to Hue. It took a lot more time than expected, so we didn't have time for the beach.
We are at the Marked Restaurant in the evening and that was even better than Morning Glory. I love the Vietnamese food! After dinner we walked down the road to check out the tiny stands. They only sold the usual tourist-stuff.. When we got to the river, we bought some of the lanterns so we could make a wish. It looked so beautiful with all the lanterns on the rivers in different colours and with lights in them..
On our way back to the hotel we stopped by a local place to grasp a drink, but the place turned out to be alcohol free, so we got some delicious shakes instead before heading off to bed.