Thinh and our driver collect us from the hotel at 9.00am for the drive to Hoi An. It is an absolutely beautiful drive and we stop lots for photo opportunities and sightseeing. Thinh is extremely informative and just like Chinh, there seems to be nothing he doesn't know about the history of his country. When we ask about distances for example he does not give approximations, he knows exactly. For example when we asked him the size of the Imperial City in Hue he gave us the exact dimensions but I can't remember what they were so in my previous post you only get the approximates!
There is a tunnel (7 kms - that fact I do remember!) cut through a mountain on the way to our destination but it is only used by tourists in the wet season when the road we take is closed due to possible land slides. No locals take our route as it takes too long but the views are stunning. Along the way we stop at the gateway between north and south. Facebook has been blocked by the government (I am assumng in all but the 2 major capitals as I had access in Hanoi) so photos are coming - hopefully when we get to Ho Chi Minh City.
We stop at another marble place (nowhere near the size of the one at the co-op) and are again amazed at the beauty of this stone, and the work produced. We travel through Da Nang, which is not far from our final destination. This city is not on our itinerry but will will come back here in 5 days to fly to Ho Chi Minh City. One thing on our itinerary for tomorrow is a visit to a lantern making place to watch how its done. We are passing it today so stop now to visit. Suite us as it will mean extra free time to explore Hoi An.
The short tour though the factory is very interesting. When you see the work that goes into making one of these thing you have a lot more respect for them. They have electric fans now but the heat is incredible and they are just working away.... We sit at a table and under the guidance of 2 lovely girls we make a lantern each. There is lots of giggles from them but they are far too polite of laugh out loud at our efforts!
From there we go into Hoi An. Before we are taken to check in at our hotel we do a bit of a tour to visit a temple and a few other things. We stop at a place for lunch and this is probably our first bad experience. This is not for the food, which was OK rather than great, but the service was pretty crap. Up to now we have been astounded by the friendliness of everyone we have come into contact with. The people here were extremely - hmmm... I know what I mean but can't find the right words. It was as if they just couldn't give a rats. We have been taking business cards from all the places we visit but didn't bother here.
We visit one or wo more things that are actually on the itinerary for tomorrow but we are very happy to do them today. I think the reason is that as soon as Thinh finishes with us he is going home to Hue by bus and probably wants to get back sooner rather than later. This more than suits us as the first day in a new place is a bit of a waste if we don't know our way around so this is definitely helping.
We check in at the hotel and are taken to our rooms. My turn to have the single room and boy, did I get lucky!! Hotels in Vietnam don't do triple share well apparently (having been here, I'm a believer!) so our rooms in each location have been a twin share and a single. We are taking turns going solo and this is my turn. This place makes the previous two look positively 3-star!! (Only bad thing is that we are on the 2nd (top) floor and there are no lifts. Oh well, looks like we are getting enforced excercise!) This might be hard to describe so stay with me! The entry to the room is 2 steps up to the outside "foyer", which has 2 day beds (1 either side) at the front door. Once inside the bottom level is a ounge room, then 3 steps up to the bedroom. Beyond that is the bathroom. The shower is over the back but the back is sunken, so seps down into it! The attention to details is incredible, and little daisy flowers all over the place. I feel like the Empress!
As with other "first nights" we opt to eat in - and lets face it, happy hour starts in 20 minutes! Cocktails are again only $5 and the happy hour deal is "Buy 2, Get 1 free". We can do that! And we do - twice!! Into the restuarant for dinner and then off to Nirvana to sleep!
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