Currently in Hoi An and is the best place I have been to so far. Not sure why maybe it is the excitement of having dresses and jewelry made but this place has such a lovely friendly vibe.

The boat trip yesterday was ok.. I much preferred the other one we did. This was a real party boat and the beers were flowing from 10am. There was about 50 of us all crammed onto this small boat and we stopped off at a place for people to snorkel/ swim/ jet ski etc. I did a bit of bobbing around on the rubber rings they give you for relaxation but once again there were lots of stingy things in the water which don't really hurt just gets annoying being constantly stung. We then sailed to another island and had lunch which was this massive spread I am not even sure where this was prepared as the boat was pretty packed with people. They then gave us some entertainment....I must admit I was dreading this bit...had expectations it would be some awful beer fuelled dance off or something where you have no choice but to participate but in fact it was actually the highlight of the day. The crew got out electric guitars, a drum kit and base guitar and gave us a mini concert. They were really good and made us laugh a lot. We then had a floating bar which was quite entertaining...trying to drink and stay afloat the same time whilst also avoiding the stingy water things was an interesting challenge. After this we went to a beach for an hour or so before heading back to the mainland. It was a good day all in all, much better than I had expected.

We then had a mad dash to get back to hotel, get everyone food and showered in one day room alone and onto our bus by 6:30pm. We then caught another overnight train to Hoi An. This train was not as nice as the last one as the cabins were smaller, toilets were just foul. If anyone wants firmer thighs come to Asia and all the squat toilets soon sure tone up your legs!!! We also had a mouse in our bunk and sometime you can get used sheets, cockroaches etc. We all used our sleeping bag liners which was fine although I clearly brought mine in a rush as it was like a cocoon and I couldn't ever get my whole body in it (no jokes please Marc!) We arrive Hoi An at 6 am...we should of been there at 4:30am which we got up for then just hung around for 1.5 hour until a conductor woke and we could ask how much longer.

Got to our hotel and we had some breakfast and just had a walk around town until things opened. The buildings here are really old with lots of oriental art and old bridges that gives the place a lovely feel. This place is famous for clothes, shoes and jewelry and you can really get anything made here just show them a picture. I am having a summer dress made for $38 which is fab. Lots of the guys on the tour are having custom made suits and shirts for around $80. I have also gone a bit OTT and had 3 rings made. All were only $20 each and one is a pearl and the other a sapphire. Get to pick them all up tomorrow. Not sure how they manage to get everything turned around so quickly but they do which is fab:)

Tomorrow some of the group including myself are doing a Vietnamese cooking class. We get to go to the market and pick our ingredients then learn how to cook about 5 dishes which we then have to eat! Should be interesting. A lot of the guys have hired mopeds for the day and although I loved my moped experience the other week I still didn’t fancy being in charge of one. Instead I have spent the afternoon wondering around the old town and just soaking up the atmosphere. We have two nights here which is good as we can actually unpack a bit more and get laundry done etc. On Wednesday morning we are heading to Hue which is about 4 hours away.

Can’t believe how quickly my tour has gone as it finishes next week! Then onto the next one.. .. ..

Love Rhi xxxx