Tag Archives: Hoi An

The Clever Mr. Phoung

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Got to Hoi An two days ago. It's a very cute town, a historical old district, nice walking/bicycling only streets, river and beach. Basically its got everything a tourist would want. There were a lot of tourists but I wouldn't say the town was overun with them.
The first day I got a bicycle and rode around town which was a great way to cover the city and experience it. The next day I spent with the fantastic my Phoung. Basically he's just this guy who goes around creating his our tour of his fishing village. To be honest the tour was nothing that special – first we went to his village which was a 20 min bike ride. Then he told his history about it (the is recorded history of the village from the 15th century).
After that he took us to the pottary farm which is the other thing his village does (other than fishing) and we got to make clay pots. Then we went fishing and I caught the HUGEST FISHES of my life. They were like 3 inch long. And then we went to his house and ate yummy spring rolls, yellow noodles and fresh fish. The food was authentic and yummy but a bit oily.
After we were done our meal and were ready to leave he wrote us a 'note'; it was basically a computer print out with our names written in. Ours said 'Hello Canadian and Australian'.  There he wrote the usual plesentries but included his complete contract info include email, website, phone etc and asking you to recommend him if anyone you know comes to Vietnam. Then he takes a picture with you and his family and asks you to email the photo (which he will use as recommendations when selling his tour) and also write in his book. Simple things really, but good marketing.
At night we ate at a place overlooking the river. I had rare seseame seared tuna. Not very Vietnamese but DELICIOUS. We hung around town and then went to this beach party. The stars were amazing. It ended with everyone jumping in the pool. Good times.

Snorkling, Nhang Tran and Hoi An

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Yesterday we were in Nhang Tran and our group got a private boat for snorkeling. It was great – we have brand new 'non-toy' snorkeling gear. The corals and the fishes were of a nice varied variety. I would say the best snorkeling I've been at is at Ko Tao in Thailand but this was SECOND BEST.

We also ate a super delicious lunch and swam around for most of the afternoon. After we came back I went and got a massage. It was to date, THE BEST massage I've had in my life. Caught the night train to Dhnang at night and from there to Hoi An. 
The train was super disguto – as in seriously gross. In our cabin there was an extra dude without a ticket hanging around. There was a bit of a scruffule with the other girls and the guy cause they were freaking out. I was like – just chill – this is asia and I got into my bed which was on a higher level and listened to my ipod. That guy left and a new guy arrived in the middle of the night but no one noticed until we woke up. I thought our cabins were bad, but there were actually people sleeping on lawn chairs in the middle of the hallway.
A large part of Hoi An is considered a UNESCO world heritage site. You actually are 'supposed' to buy a ticket to walk around. Don't know if its actually required but I got one to see some of the cool buildings and shrines.  Already spent too much today and its only 12. I bought pearl earrings and a pearl necklace for $16. I'm hoping they are real ones – the woman was burning them to show that there were. I like the size of and style of the pearls – they are my favorite stone. I will show it to someone else local and see what they would pay to get a idea of the price. 
Then I bought some dresses for the hot weather here and also a sleeping bag liner thingy. I actually bought two because its great to have without being as big and bulky as actual sleeping bags. I will ditch the bed sheets I brought from home. I hope ami doesn't mind because they actually looked kindda new.