Our itinerary has been perfectly timed to be in the best place for Christmas. We left Quy Nhon at 7am yesterday morning with a long drive ahead of us. Passed so many rice paddies along the way with locals working in them. We stopped so we could get some photos. This poor lady must have felt the papparazi were after her with about 3 of the crew stalking her to get that perfect shot.

We also stopped at the My Lai Memorial (Son My) where on 16 March 1968, over 500 villagers, mainly the elderly, women and children were killed by US troops. The memorial itself is very powerful as is the museum. Some horrific photos that really make you think. Around the museum, they have the concrete foundations of where houses would have stood and the path leading around these has had footprints stamped in, those of the heavy boots of the Americans and the barefeet of the villagers and children. Unfortunately it was raining while we were there so was unable to spend as much time as I would have liked wandering around outside, as I already have a cold and did not want to make it even worse.

After stopping at a local place for lunch we made the dash for Hoi An arriving about 4.30pm. Here we said goodbye to our trusty driver for the last 10 days who has done an amazing job. Even though at times we thought "what the hell", he knew what he was doing.

The hotel is beautiful. It overlooks the rice paddies out the back and has a beautiful garden with pool, little pagola's with lanterns and a great restaurant where our Christmas dinner was held last night. Before that though we went for a walk into town so we could be shown Intrepid recommended tailors/shoemakers/jewelry, etc. It was then party time.

The staff here are so friendly and they went out of their way last night to make sure we had a good time. Most of us ladies dressed up and some of the guys made an effort. There was a buffet dinner with Vietnamese and Western Cuisine along with an entertainment program. It kicked off with a young girl singing Feliz Navidad before Santa arrived by boat from their little pond and gave out presents to the kids and ladies (chocolate) and then we had some local dancers followed by some more singing. There were lucky door prizes given out, prizes given to those who got up on stage and sang and winners of games. Paul won the beer drinking comp, knocking out his competition quite easily. We then had balloon dancing and crack the clay pots (very safe….not) but so much fun. Then it was time to free style dance. Some of the crew were dubious about paying the $35 but we all determined it was worth it. We're never going to experience a Christmas Eve like that again, that is for sure.

Today has been shopping and sightseeing interwoven. I have been measured up for lots of clothing at one shop (not sure how I'm going to get it home) which was surprisingly less painless than I imagined. I of course went for the more expensive material but I still think I got some good bargains considering they are made to measure (lets see if I change my mind when I go back for my first fitting tomorrow).

Visited a shop where only disabled staff are hired to make the items and got to see some of them work. They had some beautiful stuff and I couldn't leave without making a purchase. We also visited a shop where lanterns were made and more purchasing was done. We visited some local old houses and Assembly Halls. This town is a World Heritage site so the buildings haven't been altered and has a real old style feel to it. Roads are narrow (but plenty of bikes and motorbikes) and all shops are of course tourist aimed. Every 2nd shop feels like it is a tailor shop.

We went to this restaurant for lunch and unbelievably I recognised 2 guys, Dennis & Ian I worked with at Summit Camp 12 years ago. They are now living in Macau (from Canada) and are here on a holiday. What a small world.

This afternoon Toni popped into a shop for a dress she wants to get made and of course I couldn't leave without supporting the local economy. Plenty of fittings tomorrow. Very soon our group will be meeting to do our Kris Kringle before most of us go out to do a cooking class. Very unique Christmas Day. Hope everyone has had a wonderful day, spent with loved ones and family.