Arrived Hoi An

Hello all!

The overnight bus was absolutely dreadful. Combine a stomach ache that feels like someone is repetitively stabbing you with potholes the size of a bathtub ALL NIGHT and what do you get? Neck pain, back pain, less than half an hour sleep and a very unsettled tummy in the morning. Not impressed!!!!! But we made it. Which actually surprised me because the potholes and bumps were so big I thought the bus may be swallowed up by the road!!! Haha. 

We made it to Hoi An about 7am and had breakfast at the hotel. My stomach seems to have settled more now so I promise I'll stop talking about it from here on in unless I get sick again (which had better not happen!!!). 

Then we all set out on an orientation walk with Quinny. Hoi An means place where people gather in peace. And everyone here seems to abide to that, everyone has been really friendly towards us. The streets are brightly decorated with lanterns and flowers for the upcoming new year celebration tomorrow. But this comes at a cost, because a lot of things are also closed as a result of people going to see family for the holidays.

We went to the Old House of Tan Ky, a beautiful old Chinese style house made of very dark wood. The lady showed us the mark on the wall of how far up the water came during Typhoon Haiyan in November last year and various other floods..yikes! Glad we aren't here September to November or we would be floating down the street. We saw the Japanese Covered bridge, which is the main thing Hoi An is famous for (it's on my magnet for this city nan and pa!). It was built in the 1500s. It was started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, so the entrances are guarded by dogs and monkeys! There is a temple inside as well. I really liked the bridge! 

We ended up at a tailor (one of few open) and I ordered two pairs of work pants as I cannot for the life of me find any that fit my non existent hips anywhere at home. So the lady measured me up and I paid US $95 for two pairs, one grey one black. It's currently 4pm and I'm picking them up at 6pm, will add to this after dinner and let you know how they went! 

After this, we all went to the hotel and checked in. Then we all went our separate ways, Laura and I went exploring. We visited both the Chinese All Community Assembly Hall and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. These were built for certain religious groups to congregate in, and contain pagodas and temples. Both were very colourful and interesting! 

Then we went to the central market where I bought (you guessed it) more jewellery and hippie pants! But I'm a professional haggler now hahaha. I've become great at pulling a "hmmm, that's too much" face and walking off. Then they run after you and cut the price by heaps. Hooray! 

I enjoyed an iced tea and Laura enjoyed a nice cream in a little cafe and we walked along the Thu Bon river. Here we stumbled across a sculpture park with lots of statues and decorations for new year. We walked along here for a bit out of the tourist district, then walked back to find a few other things to do. A lot of the attractions included on our city pass were closed for Tet/New Year, and Quinny had recommended a dance at 3.15pm to attend, but the sign on the door said it was closed for Tet. So Laura and I just came back to the hotel, did some washing and relaxed for a bit. We're both very tired!! I just ran into James, Louise, Emily and Sarah though and apparently the dance was on! Never mind. We get to see a water puppet show in Hue in the next couple of days I think. 

I meant to mention as well. This whole trip people compliment Laura and me on our skin colour and being so pale. As a group as well when we are in our bathers creepy people take pictures of us. Until today though I hadn't experienced this alone. Laura was looking in a shop, I looked down at my bag and when I looked up this Chinese man was taking photos of me like 50cm from my face. What a creep!!!! So I went into the shop, but he sat outside. My Collingwood hat fast solved this problem, covered my face and walked off! I won muahaha. Appreciating my skin tone is one thing, shoving a camera in my face is another. It reminded me of the time when I was little in the park with you Pa, when you got angry at the tourists who wouldn't leave us alone!!!

10.43pm. Ok I'm back! I went and tried on the pants and they were great except a bit gapey in the back, so the lady is fixing that up and I'm picking them up tomorrow!!!

We went out for dinner and for the first time in a week I was properly hungry and enjoyed my fried rice in a clay pot with vegetables, shrimp and Chinese sausage. So yum!! 

Afterwards the others went and had a drink on a boat bar, but Laura and I walked to the bridge covered in lights. We set a floating lantern each into the water and made a wish (hope it comes true - can't tell you all or I won't!) and enjoyed all the beautiful lights. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve here and they have fireworks at midnight - can't wait! A huge day of cycling, buffalo riding and abseiling into a cave awaits - stay tuned!!!

Love to all

Claire and Laura

Xoxoxox