26 /12/19 - 06/01/20

We have been in Hoi An for almost two weeks now, our longest stop on our travels so far. The Workaway is going well, and as we manage our time efficiently we have plenty of time to explore and do our own thing. The house has started to feel like a home away from home. Having made minor adjustments to our room it is just how we like it. I NOW LOVE having the washing machine in our room as I can wash until my hearts content. It's sad but true, the small things in life make you happy. There is one thing we can't fix though, the beds are like laying on a kitchen table and everyone (even the young guns) has got bad backs - ooh for a decent mattress.

A cleaner comes once or twice a week to do the necessary, and deliver barrels of water and packets of loo roll. Our little neighbourhood is friendly and we've even got to know 'Yappy' the dog that yaps incessantly as she walks up and down the alleyways. Apart from us there is only Katrin and Hernan (sorry, got their names wrong in last entry) left as April and Dave have finished their stint and have moved on to pastures new - another Workaway in My Nhe beach resort via Saigon for New Year. This makes the house feel rather empty now; we're rattling around in a large four bedroom ensuite property; it's rather nice with all that space though.

As Asia is renowned for cheap quality electricals we decided to wait until we are settled in to buy a much needed charger for our laptop. Confidently we set off into town one afternoon to make our purchase. Three hours and five shops later, having been sent on a wild goose chase after wild goose chase by well meaning (?) shop assistants,and we are yet to find a shop that stocks chargers let alone buy one! We are becoming anxious; as budding journalists our laptop is vital to our work. As a last resort we message Travis for help who immediately pings a google map address of a locally owned electrical shop stating "Oh, and they are just around the corner from the house" Typical! Grabbing the laptop David makes the two minute journey from the house to the shop, and, hey presto! Success!!!!!!of a sort - it charges but makes the cursor bobble about!

One of the many reasons we decided to travel for three months was to get out of our comfort zone and our normal day-to-day routines; also, to challenge ourselves by trying different experiences and meeting new people. We are certainly achieving it so far through writing for Hiddenhoian and sharing a house with other travellers who are old enough to be our children. One thing we hadn't bargained for is that those mundane objects you take for granted become SO important and even exciting. Having lots of plug sockets in our accommodation, finishing toiletries and books meaning lighter rucksacks, eye masks and ear plugs are treasured, and pegs are like gold dust. Clothes become mere necessities. I have to admit I have let myself go a little. From keeping my "sea hair"(well, salt is a natural cleaning agent) to wearing beach dresses almost everywhere. Meantime, David has morphed into the king of bartering; he's definitely watched The Apprentice far too many times. While negotiating for goods he offers a quarter of what has been put forward by the seller, looks them in the eye with a laser beam stare and doesn't budge. If all else fails he politely walks away; invariably he'll be called back and offered the item at an acceptable price.

With only one week to go before we move on to our next adventure, Saigon, we decided to go over the rest of our itinerary. Having re-read up on our next Workaway which is due to start at the end of January - (working on a butterfly park in Northern Laos) we, (well David really) has come to the conclusion that we'll be bored. The park is 30km from the nearest town in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing there other than the butterfly park and waterfalls. Deciding this is not for us we send a polite email cancelling the Workaway. We are now exploring new and exciting destinations to discover. - Malaysia, with Penang, Pangkor Island and Malaka top of our list; Indonesia a close second but to wet at the moment. Watch this space......

It's New Year's Eve and Maggie, a new Workawayer arrived yesterday lunchtime; originally from Chicago she arrived via the overnight train from Hanoi. Maggie writes for travel magazines at home so this Workaway should be right up her soi. Deciding to spend New Years Eve together all five of us go out for a slap up meal at AM's, a delicious vegetarian just around the corner.

With the weather being humid but overcast we spend the next few mornings working hard(ish); David writing, while I do research for the articles then we pop into town for a mooch, lunch and the odd massage (sorry Kirstin). As Katrin and Hernan are moving on tomorrow we all have drinks tonight at my (Suzanne's) favourite bar 'The Quiet American' to give them a good send off. Unfortunately, Maggie can't make it as she has to interview a chef at one of the premier restaurants in the old town for her first article. After a few drinks, on leaving the Quiet American I glance back at the beautiful old building as I always do only to see a huge rat scuttle across the floor a metre or so from where we had just been sipping our beers! We finish the evening dining at The Well, a lovely Vietnamese restaurant with great food and atmosphere that is a well rounded off end to the evening.

At last, over the next couple of days the sun starts to make an appearance. To make the best of the change in the weather work is an early start and completed by early afternoon and then it's off to the beach by bike via the Paddy Fields. We finally get to use the heritage tickets we bought days ago by visiting some heritage houses/museums and watch some traditional dance in the smallest theatre we've ever seen.

Our stint here is coming to an end and although we've enjoyed it we're ready to move on. We'll have lots of fond memories to look back on; especially dining at Mrs Hoa's in the local covered market. Always welcomed by her with a warm smile we felt right at home. We regularly persuaded hesitant tourists looking for somewhere to eat to stop at her stall for dinner which put an even bigger smile on her face!

It's our last day in Hoi An. Having lived here for three weeks it feels a bit of a wrench leaving our home and neighbourhood. We've been here so long the local dogs have got to know us now, and even Yappy has become happy. She has stopped yapping when we pass her home; instead she comes over to say hi instead. At noon with our weekly editorial over and work finished off we cycle the 4km to the beach for the last time for some well earned rays and fun in the surf. As it's our last night we arrange to meet Maggie at The Hill Station for a few drinks and then on to The Well for another delicious dinner.

Wildlife Spotting#: termites munching the armchair in the living room. Too many squished rats while cycling through the paddy fields.