We are now in Hoi An - yay!
The bus picked us up after breakfast today then we hit the road. This particular bus was doing its bit for fuel conservation by going extremely slow the whole way. What a change to our last bus ride from Laos! The suspension had seen better days so our derrieres became very familiar with the terrain...
Some amazing wetlands, cool boats and the crazy resort developments of Da Nang to see on the way. We went through a maHOOsive tunel too. So big we researched it tonight to find out exactly how big - 6.3km long! The Hai Van Pass Tunnel, wow!
Arrived safely :-) Our bus dropped everyone on the extreme outskirts of the town...at a hotel they have an 'arrangement' with we think. At least they gave us a map! We carried our massive packs - sweating loads...mmmm, tasty... Reached our accomodation only to be told they were full and we had to go back the way we had walked (to their brother establishment). We headed back that way only to be told the other place was full too - explained what the other guy and said and showed our confimation thing...he called and talked then we got a room. Whew!
This place is a bit flasher than our alternative so we stay here for tonight only then head around to our original booking for two nights before heading south.
Ready for a shower and to take our packs off we definitely were!
Found a street cart for usual noodle soup lunch then explored town. The amount of amazing hand made fashion here is phenomenal!! Kind of incongruous to see heaps of stylish winter jackets in 37 degree heat :-) Rows and rows of fashion stores - clothes, shoes, boots and handbags.
I definitely thought of you TA, MC, RR and Anna the pure fabrics wearer! You'd be loving it.
Home for a wee rest and catching up on emails etc then out for dinner to Blue Dragon - another place with a cause :-) See their website for more info if you're interested - www.streetkidsinvietnam.com VERY tasty kai and many gecko's for Roni to watch and enjoy :-)
Headed home after that but got distracted by all the pretty lights on, near and in the river! Wandered about for a while just saying 'aah' and 'ooh' a lot before heading home.
Popped into the mini-mart for fluids to take home and succumbed to Phillipines made TimTams to celebrate Dru's birthday (Roni's brother-in-law). Interesting factoid - these particular biscuits are not to be sold in NZ or Aussie, so the packet tells us! Weird.
A great evening.
