Despite the time spent resting, we still managed to see a great deal around the area. Many of the old houses have been restored and for a small fee (always the way) can be visited – many depicting a trade that once dominated in that street. The architecture is a fusion of French, Vietnamese and Chinese designs, making the yellow coloured colonial style buildings blend in with the wooden traders homes. It was nice simply to walk down the streets, stopping for iced coffees and occasional purchases

We enjoyed drinks and dinner out with a group of Irish girls, market of fresh flowers, and cycled along the canal at night with lanterns floating on the water and bright colourful lights on the bridges and surrounding restaurants. One afternoon we braved the traffic and cycled 6km to the beach – that’s when I really started to feel like I was on holiday again! There’s something about lying on the sand in front of the sea that’s so therapeutic! The water was so warm, like taking a warm bath, and waves pretty strong – Scott made the most of them with body surfing. There’s a great tea house in the old town run by physically disabled people. The day we went the staff working were all deaf, so we brushed up on our basic sign language and enjoyed our fresh cinnamon/ginger/lime juice and jasmine tea in peace and quiet! Hoi An is famous for its fabric and tailors, hence every shop you go into is a tailer in one for, or another. We didn’t feel like getting anything made, and instead spent time in silk boutique shops trying on various clothes! Unfortunately, most of the clothes didn’t quite fit or work, though the overall idea was good. I finally bought the very first top I tried on!!
Scott : It was great to have variety in the cuisine too; the change very noticeable as you head further south. Bring on the rice noodles !

One highlight was taking a motorbike tour on old russian Minsk bikes over rice paddy fields down paths and country roads to My Son. My Son is a old Cam temple structure and imperial tomb area, which numbered up to 70 complexes until the US bombed much of it during the war. Scotty drove the whole way, and we felt more like locals which was great – much better than taking the bus! We were entertained along the way by local children who would hear the loud motors and enthusiastically yell hello and run out to the path, and stand in a line with arms reaching out ready to High-five us! Although the traffic looks mental, there seems to be a clear set of ‘unspoken’ rules – one being that the person ahead has right of way all the time. We stopped to watch a blacksmith at work making knives, and saw a 1920’s russian loom making linen and cotton – very noisey! Our flat tire was changed in under 15min down a dirt road by our mechanic. Our guide was an Aussie guy and his 12 year old son (speaks fluent Vietnamese), which made understanding the area and history a lot easier! We would highly recommend Hoi An Motorcycle adventures.

Hoi an was a beautiful place to stop and recuperate. We will be back !