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Day 8 — Hội An, keep yours wits about you, and your money firmly in your pocket!
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Darrell and I were up very early again this morning and started the day with a hearty breakfast buffet at the Silkotel in Hội An. The food on offer was mountainous, and it is the first time I have seen bacon, baked beans and sausage on offer, during our stay in Vietnam. Yes, I know I'm on holiday abroad, but I do love an English breakfast in the morning while travelling.
Now, it is true to say that I have piled on the weight since arriving in Vietnam, but I am on holiday, and I am surrounded by wonderful food, so I really don't care. It could be the stunning breakfasts, at every hotel, or maybe, just maybe, it's the beer I'm drinking with every meal, that is responsible for my ever-increasing waistline. Whatever the reason, it's just a fact of life, for a food lover like me.
You do need a good breakfast before you start the day when travelling, mind you, and the hope was, I would just work it off, but that just hasn't happened. When you are staying in a resort, as we are, walking just doesn't feature in our itinerary. I will deal with the after effects of this trip when I get home, for now I will just carry on enjoying myself!
Now, it is true to say that I have piled on the weight since arriving in Vietnam, but I am on holiday, and I am surrounded by wonderful food, so I really don't care. It could be the stunning breakfasts, at every hotel, or maybe, just maybe, it's the beer I'm drinking with every meal, that is responsible for my ever-increasing waistline. Whatever the reason, it's just a fact of life, for a food lover like me.
You do need a good breakfast before you start the day when travelling, mind you, and the hope was, I would just work it off, but that just hasn't happened. When you are staying in a resort, as we are, walking just doesn't feature in our itinerary. I will deal with the after effects of this trip when I get home, for now I will just carry on enjoying myself!
We left to walk the short distance to Hội An old town at about 7.30am, the perfect time to see this ancient city. Last night was so horrendous and packed with people, it was important to see this place in the cold (rather hot) light of day, when no one was about, and I'm so glad I did.
For the first hour we strolled, or as Darrell said Waddled, (in reference to our overeating) around the city streets; We were unhindered and not harassed one bit, it was joyous. We could take photographs at our leisure and admire the sheer beauty of this place. If you are coming to Hội An and want to see it, without the hoards of tourists, then go early, and take in the sites and sounds of this ancient city without the stress you would otherwise endure. Believe me, it is stressful dodging people, vendors, and con artists — you really do need your wits about you and your hands firmly in your pocket.
For the first hour we strolled, or as Darrell said Waddled, (in reference to our overeating) around the city streets; We were unhindered and not harassed one bit, it was joyous. We could take photographs at our leisure and admire the sheer beauty of this place. If you are coming to Hội An and want to see it, without the hoards of tourists, then go early, and take in the sites and sounds of this ancient city without the stress you would otherwise endure. Believe me, it is stressful dodging people, vendors, and con artists — you really do need your wits about you and your hands firmly in your pocket.
By ten in the morning, we had walked most of the old town, so stopped off for refreshment at Thon Da Am, close to the river. This small café is relaxed and chilled, with large, comfy seating throughout. Like most places in Hội An, there was no air-conditioning, but there were plenty of fans throughout. Apart from the annoying touts trying to sell us something, it was a rather enjoyable experience.
From observing the touts at work, they do appear to be in cahoots with the café owners, who let this practice go on unchallenged. My advice, if it dampens your enjoyment too much, move on to another establishment, who discourages such behaviour; vote with your feet!
While Darrell was shopping for yet more hats, I literally bumped into a fruit seller outside in the street, who plonked her wears on my shoulder. Now, normally I would object and quickly move on. However, she had caught me well and truly unaware, and I couldn't get out of it. I handed her my phone and she snapped a photo or two. The cradle was bloody heavy to be honest, how she carries it around, I just don't know; she is certainly made of sterner stuff than I.
At the end of this horrifying experience, she proceeded to con me out of 500,000 VND, about $30.00 AUD, for fruit I didn't even want. Look, it was baking outside, and I was hot and bothered, so just wanted her gone, and the yoke off my shoulder. Sadly, this is an all too common occurrence in Hội An, and you are going to get conned at one stage or another, so just live with it and move on. I have learnt another lesson and will not be talking with strangers again — just as my Mother always taught me!
From observing the touts at work, they do appear to be in cahoots with the café owners, who let this practice go on unchallenged. My advice, if it dampens your enjoyment too much, move on to another establishment, who discourages such behaviour; vote with your feet!
While Darrell was shopping for yet more hats, I literally bumped into a fruit seller outside in the street, who plonked her wears on my shoulder. Now, normally I would object and quickly move on. However, she had caught me well and truly unaware, and I couldn't get out of it. I handed her my phone and she snapped a photo or two. The cradle was bloody heavy to be honest, how she carries it around, I just don't know; she is certainly made of sterner stuff than I.
At the end of this horrifying experience, she proceeded to con me out of 500,000 VND, about $30.00 AUD, for fruit I didn't even want. Look, it was baking outside, and I was hot and bothered, so just wanted her gone, and the yoke off my shoulder. Sadly, this is an all too common occurrence in Hội An, and you are going to get conned at one stage or another, so just live with it and move on. I have learnt another lesson and will not be talking with strangers again — just as my Mother always taught me!
After a few hours shopping, we stopped off for lunch at 'Vy's, The Spice Route and Poison Café.' This appears to be a venue with different establishments inside. We went to the restaurant on the upper floor, with spectacular views over the river. Once again there was no air-conditioning inside, but it didn't really matter. They had portable units dotted about, which did just take the edge off the heat, while you eat; most importantly, not a tout or con artist in sight.
I had the slow cooked Vietnamese chicken with ginger, presented in a clay pot, and Darrell had spicy beef noodles. The food and service was just wonderful, the best we have had in Hội An. It was extremely filling, which was perfect after walking around for five hours — I would highly recommend this place; I can't fault a thing.
We are now back at the hotel, Darrell is swimming, and I'm blogging, keeping one on my laptop and the other on the wall in front of me. The lizard is back! He seems to take a route from the top of the balcony doors, along the ceiling and into the aircon unit. I would imagine, this is more his home that mine, or any other guest, so I'm going to leave him to it, and not mention it to reception. If he deviates from his path however, things may well change for the worse!
I had the slow cooked Vietnamese chicken with ginger, presented in a clay pot, and Darrell had spicy beef noodles. The food and service was just wonderful, the best we have had in Hội An. It was extremely filling, which was perfect after walking around for five hours — I would highly recommend this place; I can't fault a thing.
We are now back at the hotel, Darrell is swimming, and I'm blogging, keeping one on my laptop and the other on the wall in front of me. The lizard is back! He seems to take a route from the top of the balcony doors, along the ceiling and into the aircon unit. I would imagine, this is more his home that mine, or any other guest, so I'm going to leave him to it, and not mention it to reception. If he deviates from his path however, things may well change for the worse!
This evening, we are back in the old town, just to soak up the atmosphere. It certainly is a mad place to be, but it has definitely been the highlight of my stay in Vietnam!
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