From Raleigh, NC (On Hoi An)

The next day we made the four-hour drive south from Hue to Hoi An in a hot bus, and we checked into a really nice backpackers/resort. This is the type of place meant for people who think they are young and rugged but it was actually extremely plush; at the same time it had the feeling of year-round Spring Break. When touring Hoi An's small downtown, the first thing I noticed was the beautiful clothes sold at the shops. (Seth's friend Luko had warned us that people often go nuts here when they see the fashion!) As with other tailors, a customer picks out a design and material and a day or so later the article is ready. The city is known for its silk as well as these clothing stores, which can imitate anything you show them from a catalogue. After having the local specialty--Mi Quong (Cao Lau)--for dinner, I ordered several pairs of pants and two coats to be made by the next day. Seth later ordered a long wool overcoat and bought a few silk ties for himself, too. Though I do get annoyed by the effects of tourism, this was perhaps one thing I didn’t mind indulging in!

We spent the next day exploring the city on very fun rusty old bicycles which were provided by the hotel. The city was preparing for its part of the Miss Universe Competition; though the actual event will be held in a nearby city, Hoi An was getting ready to help film sequences for it. This resulted in the downtown area being completely decorated in silk lanterns, lights, banners, etc., and the locals were definitely excited about the event. It was very cute!

Beach at Hoi An near sunrise (on our morning run)

House near the beach (Hoi An)

Getting ready for Miss Universe (Hoi An)

One of very many tailor shops (Hoi An)

Downtown Hoi An decorated in lanterns for Miss Universe

Silk lantern shop (Hoi An)

Down by the river (Hoi An)

Cao Lau! (Hoi An)

The following day we took a morning tour of My Son, home of Champa Holy Land. It was basically a small version of Angkor Watt, but just as ancient (nearly 2000 years old) and extremely beautiful. Once again, however, it was hard to get over all the other visitors, and it made getting around much slower and harder. This was particularly annoying because it was extremely hot, and I despise just standing around in midday sun. The ruins themselves were fascinating, though; it's a shame that so many of them were destroyed and damaged in the war.

Off the beaten track (another early morning run in Hoi An)

Tombs in the rice paddies

Early morning rice paddies

Near the beach (Hoi An)

Champa Holy Land (My Son)

Champa Holy Land (My Son)

Champa Holy Land (My Son)

Champa Holy Land (My Son)

Champa Holy Land (My Son)

Downtown Hoi An is lit up and ready to party!

Our last day in Hoi An was spent having a few more pairs of pants made (right on the last minute!) and picking up three silk lanterns we had ordered, then in the afternoon we left the city with a driver who took us towards Danang via the Marble Mountains and China Beach. We then flew back to Saigon and checked into our old familiar hotel in District 1.

One of the five Marble Mountains

China Beach, near Danang

Mom kite shopping at China Beach, near Danang