Two Sore Backs

Val and Pat's Travel Adventures

Hoi An

We had heard so many positive reviews of Hoi An and the weather forecast is terrific so it makes sense to settle in for a long stay. We do not regret it.

We book into Hoi An Coco Village home stay (bed and breakfast). Our host ‘Moon’ sends a driver. This is how we meet Tham.

A couple of observations about drivers in Vietnam. There is no speeding on the highways because there are many cameras tracking every car. As a result everyone is driving about the same speed and there is a nice flow. The drivers are a little crazier in Laos and Cambodia (where the roadways are in worse shape 😳).

Our room is right above the sign

There are accommodations in old town (UNESCO) along the Thu Bon River, nearby along the beaches of the East Vietnam Sea and in between. We stay in between – it is a pleasurable bike ride to old town or the beach.

Old Town

Our first day we walk in to old town.

under the bridge live chickens for sale

Next stop is the market.

We are hungry. Pat remembers that Anthony Bourdain visited / ate at Hoi An’s market. We wander into the very center of this large market where the food stalls are located. It is nothing fancy. We ask around about the lady chef who had a visit from Tony. Everyone points —>

discretely advertises her moment of fame with a few photos ‘AS SEEN ON…’ in the top left
Hoi An shrimp dumplings
Taco – Asian style
Hoi An’s Cao Lau; paired with avocado smoothies from another booth
Yup 👍

We wander back at dusk.

There are paths throughout Hoi An. Rarely used by cars but great for motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians.

Beach Time

Our homestay has bicycles and we are looking forward to a day at the beach. After pumping up the tires we head to An Bang Beach. Getting there is half the fun. The bikes are one speeds and a little past their prime. Thankfully roads are flat and the traffic is manageable. There are bike parking lots. We are flagged down by a fellow who will watch our bike for free as long as we get a drink from the family restaurant across the street.

The beach is full of loungers so we walk awhile and settle in on two loungers (2 x $1.50) with the lovely Three Sisters looking after us.

The fishing boats pass frequently.

We spent another afternoon at the beach – this time at Cua Dai beach. We take a cab this time and we forget to take a photo😗.

Cycling around

Hoi An’s paths make cycling fun. We do find ourselves on some busy roads from time to time. That is okay for awhile and then it is best to find a quieter route.

A motto to live by

Hoi An has calm that photos will explain better than words.

Beauty

Other walks provide ample photo opportunities.

at the start of the street this sign says ‘Huynh Thi Luu Street – building a new rural village is a key continuous task of the party committee, government and each person’

Food and Beverage

coffee place recommended by Ahn
salted coffee and coconut coffee are local faves
this vendor’s specialty is smoke
Noodles drying in the sun: the local noodle dish is Cao Lau 😋
spring rolls and cao lau – yum
Nhan’s Kitchen for dinner; best dumplings and clams in broth – local specialties
for dessert 😉 we can’t resist; we have walked by his place a few times and there is always ‘big smoke’
we’re shown how to make a betel leaf wrap with all the fixings – delicious

Back at our hotel, we chat with Moon about ‘dessert’. She laughs – this vendor is her father’s favorite stop for a meal.

tok. upscale meal and ambience
beautiful cocktails
the view

Moon has a baby girl while we are in Hoi An

precious

valeriejwilkins

2 responses to “Hoi An”

  1. tamarapil Avatar
    tamarapil

    I think you lucked out in Hoi An. A perfect location for tourists, lots of scenery, food and the personal touch of new a baby.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. valeriejwilkins Avatar
      valeriejwilkins

      We are a few posts behind-what’s new. Just arrived in Thailand (from Cambodia) for our niece Carlee’s wedding. So far, so many memories, so grateful to have this opportunity. Thanks for following along.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment