Day 2 Hoi An

I had a lay in this morning and then used the rain shower (first time in Vietnam) in my very nice bathroom at Melody Boutique Villa in Hoi An.

I went down and ordered breakfast, they have a menu and all items include fresh fruit platter and a drink, can be hot or cold drink. They even have smoothies on offer and Vicki (homestay mother) told me that she puts fresh veges from her garden in them … so I must try these while I am here. Today I had two fried eggs and a bahn mi (bread) roll and a green tea. The bread was still warm and very yummy. The fruit platter was a piece of about 7 different fruits - was very nice - I forgot to take a photo … I will tomorrow. Having such a variety made me feel like I was getting a diverse range of nutrients. Breakfast price is 50,000 vnd $3.09 Aud.

I needed a little rest after eating and then organised my washing, Vicki said that they could do it here for me, I have a weeks worth so definately needs doing.

Then I decided to go for a walk into town. Vicki came after me and said that I can use a bicycle for free, I thanked her and said that I would walk today and maybe bicycle another day. Bicycles are free to use here and they have motor scooters for rent.

My map App tells me that Hoi An old town is 2.2 km and a 36 minute walk. I figured that I could always get a grab cab or bike back if I did not want to walk both ways or had heavy shopping. I havn’t done too much walking in the past week with traveling on the motorbike so it is time I got moving again.

I came across a market place while walking and decided to explore looking for some avocados. I found this lady at the market, I chose 2 beautiful avocados, some tomatoes and a few green salad leaves. The lady added some coriander, chilli and a lime to my bag. Cost 75000 vnd $4.60 aud.

The lettuce looked better before I carried it home but I will eat it today so no real problem. Only thing now is to find something to eat with it. I wish I could cook something. Anyway the lady was so lovely and generous too … I must make sure that I go and see her again. She was so welcoming that I felt like I had made a new friend.

I headed towards Hoi An Old Town but didn’t actually go into it. I just walked around the fringe. You have to pay a fee to enter the Old Town and I decided that I would do that another day … I had plenty to look at without going in.

I am loving Hoi An so far but there are noticably more tourists here … not too many … just more. January is still the shoulder season here and it did rain through the night so there were lots of puddles around. It was also quite humid as I was walking into town this morning. February, March and April are evidently the best months here … maybe I will come back 😀. I have also been bitten around the ankles … first time in my 12 days here. I put some tiger balm on and the itchyness has stopped … I read to do that somewhere.

I passed many tailor shops and shops selling lots of other things that looked interesting but I refrained from looking too hard as I really can not increase my luggage. I think my favourites were the shops selling oil paintings of Hoi An … so beautiful but I did not think it appropriate to take photos of other peoples artwork.

The view across the river to Hoi An old town was nice. The shops in the actual old town looked more oriented towards international tourists, I suppose the rent would be higher and they need to be. I was happy exploring the outskirts today. There were many boats offering 30 minute rides up the river. Prices varied from 150000 vnd to 300000 vnd but there was lots of competition and maybe this is more of a night time activity. I was just looking today and may do it at some other time.

I am thinking that it might be nice to do a day time and a night time one. Day time for scenery and night time to see the beautiful lanterns.

The lanterns in Hoi An are so pretty and add a festive atmosphere.

I came across this Banh Mi Restaurant on my walk and wanted to show the variety and prices (sorry not very clear). You can see that you can get quite a good meal for around 50000 vnd $3 Aud. This is an actual restaurant and not street food, which is usually cheaper too. The food options are many.

Walking on my way home I found these ladies burning money, on the road. This is in respect of their ancestors … they were counting the money before they burned it. Evidently if you burn money for your ancestors you can expect a better after life. It is a tradition in some Asian countries. It is very common around Tet. It is fake money purchased for this purpose. They call it joss money.

I found this sign on my walk home and thought I would look them up on the internet … I definately need some “sexy brows”.

I found this lovely cactus plant with yellow flowers on my walk home.

I got lost a few times but ended up walking all the way home.

When I got home I ordered a pizza … I thought that the house mama would make it but it was delivered a short time later by motorbike.

I had pizza and salad … was very yummy and I was thankful for the herbs and lime the lady had given me at the markets.

I had to make a plate from half the pizza box 🤣

I have had an upset tummy for most of today … the first time since being in Vietnam. I did have problems another time after eating sushi at Singapore Airport. I was only thinking yesterday about how lucky I have been and here I am today … worried about being too far away from a toilet.

I must add here that tonight I have been doing some study online and now know how to alter the order of my blogs. This was really bothering me so I feel proud that I have achieved. The problem was that I was writing them out of chronological order … anyway I have sorted it now.

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