Hello all, welcome to the first blog brought to you by Sharonides....I must apologise for this entry being SOOO overdue, but life has been so jam-packed with adventure that it has taken me a couple of weeks to compose myself.....

Long ago, in a far away place, three young travellers found themselves approaching Ho Chi Minh City Airport....in a mystical vehicle that is equipped with orange lights that are never used......

Yeah so Faye, Matt and I flew to Danang Airport on a plane that was almost as hot as the sun.  After checking into our hotel, we went all the way (next door) to a lovely restaurant and left witty little messages in the owners 'book of visitors'.  My message was the funniest by far (go have a look I tell you).  Back in the room Faye and I pretty much collapsed leaving the bearded one to watch the footy.  Shock.

In the morning we moved location and found a beautiful hotel on Cua Dai Street.  As it was a beautiful day we headed to the beach.  As we looked for sarongs, we entered into a tailors, 'Bao Ni'.  We remained here for an undisclosed amount of time.  Faye and I implored Matt to stop shopping and eventually we were able to leave the shop.  In the afternoon we reached the beach and were soon inundated with women wanting us to but their jewellery.  In order to escape, Faye put her newly acquired Vietnamese straw hat over her face and Matt and I went into the sea....you would think this would deter them but they are pretty darn nimble on lilos.....

In the sea we saw jellyfish moving freely around our legs.  The locals held them in thier hands and promptly decided to throw them at us sporadically - those 'funny' Vietnamese!  After chilling out on the hired mat (that I am still having nothing to do with but the way....!) we rolled up a cigarette.  Moments later, we were surrounded by all these local boys that wanted some of our 'stuff'.  They realised that it was in fact only tobacco and were fascinated by the idea of rolling.  After making several cigs for them - always promoting health I am - they started chatting.....and Faye broke a lovely boys heart because she would not go paddling in the sea....she was tempted......After sharing something of ours with them, they brought us fruit and chilli/salt for us to try.  We had quite a laugh with them and really loved the fact that we were on a local beach that was filled with natives who mixed with us so freely.

We got motorbikes back to the hotel from a man who sang us the prices and told us his bikes were lovely-jubbly!!  A bike ride in Vietnam is pretty hairy, the traffic moves towards each other in order to having more 'peeping' opportunities.  The plethora of emotions felt in a five minute journey can only be matched by.....ANOTHER bike ride.

We chilled out in the pool for a whiley which was great as it was still sooo hot even when it got dark.  In the pool we saw bats swooping down to sip the water.  That was cool.

The next day we headed into Hoi An old town.  It was bustling, noisy, a bit smelly and full of women trying to attract us to their stalls.  It got a little but annoying, but its their bread and butter so fair enough.  We walked to the riverside which was stunning and almost untouched by the outside world.  We had lunch in Cargo Club (not exactly untouched!) and thought we saw Tim Henman (we didn't) and then Faye went back to the hotel as she was feeling poorly.

Matt and I went back to the tailors on motorbikes....the oncoming bus was not worrying, the deviation into some reeds at the roadside did not concern us, nor the whipping sensation across our legs.  It was proper F.U.N.  In all seriousness, when coming back from the tailors, the view or the landscape was breathtaking.  I've seldom seen such awe-inspiring sights.  The mountain peaks flooded with orange lights and the darkening rice paddies was a view I could have looked at for ages.

I the morning we all ate breakfast before and then headed BACK to the tailors.  A little interesting point for you all out there, the Vietnamese LOVE MY NOSE.  Not like.....LOVE.  Its pointy.  They love pointy.  Am I going on a bit about this?.....

After picking up clothes we chilled by the pool before our flight back to Ho Chi Minh.  The boy who wanted to swim with Faye sat on the pavement outside crying as we left......

Overall, Hoi An is filled with happy smiling faces, rich colours, luxurious materials, motorbikes, sumptuous foods, wicked cheesecakes (that cost the same as a nights accomodation) and so much more.....

It would have been great for the whole group to see this place but I am sure the rest will make it there one day....although....due to the group size on this part of the trip, I got to spend a bit more time with Faye.  I think the time on the motorbikes FORCED us to get closer, eh Fayenard! 

Cheers for reading people.  And yes I am always long-winded.....which reminds me of this time in.....

Sharonides XX