Hoi An is an incredible place. First, there is the gorgeous beach. Second, the center of town is very picturesque--old, well-maintained buildings decorated with colorful silk lanterns are huddled down by the river. The streets are clean, no motorbikes at night, and the food is excellent. The hotels are all wonderful--no one here has any complaints, no matter their budget. Finally, there is the shopping. It's obscene. I was positively giddy during my first walk around town. You can have anything you want made at rock bottom prices. I think I will extend my stay here by a day or two. The more I hear about HCMC, the less time I want to spend there.
Yesterday I spent shopping at the tailors' and then wandering through some art galleries. I headed to a bar for happy hour when it started to rain, met a lovely french girl, Morgan, and then we went for dinner at a place where you could pick which tiger prawn you wanted for dinner!
Today I slept in a bit. My bed here was the first mattress I've slept on while on vacation that isn't ridiculously firm. Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk and a banana pancake to breakfast, then a short bike ride to the beach where I camped out with a couple of American girls under a huge thatched umbrella. Later in the day, I tried on my new clothes which needed a few final alterations, and then ordered a bit more. :) Dinner by the river and an early night for me--even though I was under the umbrella all day, the short bike ride and my couple of swims in the water were enough to give me a sunburn and I'm feeling a bit drained. Tomorrow will definitely be more of the same.
