Hoi An - Vietnam 18th December 2014
We did test the neighbours' rooms sound proofing last night by having one of our post dinner drinking sessions on our balcony but the problem was that the balcony was only about 3 feet deep so we had to compress into what would look like a huddle of desperate drinkers.
After breakfast in our french style house hotel, we back in the van for another mission and today it the turn of Hoi-An to get a visit.
First port of call was My Son which was the religious centre of the "Champa" Kingdom. Despite being raining, this place constructed between the 4th and 8th centuries was one of the most significant sites in the region...that is until the US bombed and almost totally destroyed the site in an attempt to kill the North Vietnamese army in the 70s. In fact, a large area on this region shows many bomb craters to this day.
Our guide is from the South so information is a little more free flowing than many of our guides and especially those who originate from the North.
Famous Absara Court Girls were originally dancers for the king who in Hindu mythology could change their form whilst retaining their seductive powers.........shows 10.30 and 2.30!!
Long been a haunt of the backpackers etc, this predominately Vietnamese/Japanese/Chinese town with French buildings it a stark contrast to the architecture we have seen.
Most days, the water level is at street level which makes going for a pint a bit tricky!!
Silk Worms - There is a village nearby that has a cottage industry of silk manufacturers and whilst every country claims to be the best, steve managed to find materials and get shirts made overnight. Mandy bought some silk the following day.
Who the hell would be seen on a cyclo tour .... we didnt know at the time but 3 days later we were to be on one...!
There are lots French influence here but as this was a major trading port in history, it retains a significant Japanese influence.
The first thing that strikes you is that its a "car free" area in the old town and at least we will not therefore have to play Russian Roulette with the cars and scooters.
Also, its slow and relaxed and people have time to browse.
Historically, it was the export point for fine Vietnamese silks and Steve was always going to invest in some loud silk shirts.
Our guide is excellent and points us straight in the direction of loud shirt fabric !!!. It was 4.00pm and these shirts would subsequently be delivered at 8.00am the next morning to the hotel.
We attempted to drink again after dinner but failed and bed called!!
We did test the neighbours' rooms sound proofing last night by having one of our post dinner drinking sessions on our balcony but the problem was that the balcony was only about 3 feet deep so we had to compress into what would look like a huddle of desperate drinkers.
 |
| (Above) The rain comes. Family members are always buried in their own fields in Vietnam as opposed to cremated in Cambodia - Not available on the Co-Op!! |
After breakfast in our french style house hotel, we back in the van for another mission and today it the turn of Hoi-An to get a visit.
First port of call was My Son which was the religious centre of the "Champa" Kingdom. Despite being raining, this place constructed between the 4th and 8th centuries was one of the most significant sites in the region...that is until the US bombed and almost totally destroyed the site in an attempt to kill the North Vietnamese army in the 70s. In fact, a large area on this region shows many bomb craters to this day.
Our guide is from the South so information is a little more free flowing than many of our guides and especially those who originate from the North.
Famous Absara Court Girls were originally dancers for the king who in Hindu mythology could change their form whilst retaining their seductive powers.........shows 10.30 and 2.30!!
 |
| Absara Girls and their haunting dance moves |
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The 3rd Centry BRICK construction of the majestic kingdom - or whats left of it. |
 |
US B-52 Bomb crater in front of the remains on on of the many temples - There were originally about 70 but now only about 7 remain. Ironically, the Vietcong made their tunnels by digging out the ground and filling the holes up!
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Long been a haunt of the backpackers etc, this predominately Vietnamese/Japanese/Chinese town with French buildings it a stark contrast to the architecture we have seen.
Most days, the water level is at street level which makes going for a pint a bit tricky!!
Silk Worms - There is a village nearby that has a cottage industry of silk manufacturers and whilst every country claims to be the best, steve managed to find materials and get shirts made overnight. Mandy bought some silk the following day.
 |
| Vietnamese street food is everywhere bit our western stomachs could probably not deal with it . Whatever it is you can rest assured there will be noodles and microbes in it !!! |
Who the hell would be seen on a cyclo tour .... we didnt know at the time but 3 days later we were to be on one...!
The first thing that strikes you is that its a "car free" area in the old town and at least we will not therefore have to play Russian Roulette with the cars and scooters.
Also, its slow and relaxed and people have time to browse.
Historically, it was the export point for fine Vietnamese silks and Steve was always going to invest in some loud silk shirts.
 |
| Silk Shirts - Steves were on the chair in front...the loud ones |
Our guide is excellent and points us straight in the direction of loud shirt fabric !!!. It was 4.00pm and these shirts would subsequently be delivered at 8.00am the next morning to the hotel.
We attempted to drink again after dinner but failed and bed called!!
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