We arrived in Da Nang last night then drove to Hoi An, home of Hoi An Express, our tour company. My first impression was that it was a lot more spacious and less crazy on the road...not near as much horn tooting. As we drove past huge tourist resorts, I decided that maybe all of Hoi An wasn't like this...and I was right. It wasn't long before we were back amongst the traditional style Vietnamese homes.

Our new residence for the next three nights, River Beach Resort and Residences, is perhaps more Vietnamese in style than the Vissai Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, but my room sadly isn't to the same standard. That aside, the grounds are absolutely beautiful and it's location on the river means there is a refreshing cool breeze.

I don't think I've mentioned previously how very very hot and humid it is here. All day long I'm just lathered in sweat and it's very difficult to leave an air conditioned room once you enter it. I have ventured out tonight and am sitting in one of the areas overlooking the water sipping on Marguaritas and Pina Coladas as I write...how lucky am I.

We were very disappointed to learn as we were dropped at the hotel last night, that our group was being broken up and we would be doing tours in Hoi An with different people. Although we were different ages we all got along really well and looked out for each other. The rest of the group was really lovely always offering to take photos for me so I could be in them. Deidre, the Irish girl girls volunteered to email Hoi An Express to see if there was any way we could stay together...imagine our delight today to learn we would be touring together. Three cheers for Deidre!!!

We had free time this morning, so I slept in then went for a walk around the streets of the hotel and down to the local beach which I must say was pretty impressive...for a non-Australian beach.

Lunch at a local cafe consisted of six spring rolls, the wrappers of which were like a spider web rather than the solid wrapper we're used to, and a delicious green pawpaw seafood salad. Needless to say, as I wasn't expecting so many spring rolls I couldn't eat everything so took the rest away to have another day. So the spring rolls, pawpaw salad and a bottle of water came to the grand total of $6!!!

This afternoon our tour was of the ancient part of Hoi An and whilst it was interesting, our new guide Minh is a little difficult to understand and between that and the heat I was afraid I was going to fall asleep on my feet and fall over. We visited a museum, a traditional Vietnamese home, though I think the owners were fairly wealthy, a Chinese temple and a craft factory, a Japanese bridge and a couple more things I can't remember.

At the request of a few of the group, Minh took us to a taylor where most of the group ended up ordering taylor made clothes which would ready for them tomorrow. After sitting around for an hour, I decided to head off looking for some lacquer candle holders I'd seen in Ho Chi Minh City but stupidly didn't buy. Tim, one of our group, made sure he knew where I was headed and said if I didn't get back to where the taylor was the group would head down to where I was. It was great having someone looking out for me.

We eventually all met up and headed across the river to a restaurant that Minh had recommended for dinner...another delicious meal.

Then it was back home, a quick shower then off to sleep, ready for tomorrow.