Hoi An, the ancient town day 10-12

4am end of Milonga , and up and ready by 9 to Hoi An, are you kidding?

Yes, we requested a rather late pick up to enjoy the last sumptuous breakfast at the Nalod, and a more leisurely departure.

Whilst sorting out logistic… our group could not resist another photo opportunity !

(Hmm…. who was that still in a dressing gown?)

Hoi An is my most favourite place ( perhaps for most people) an ex trading port during the Marco Polo “silk route” time where the merchants from neighbourhood countries settled. The mixed Chinese/ Japanese and Vietnamese architecture remains. Most of the hundreds years old houses made of precious hard wood in Ton Kins’s style are now national preserved.

Despite the fact that it is now the most touristy destinations, the whole town keeps its ancient presence with its yellow washed walls, lantern lit roads and pedestrian streets lined up with temples, ancient houses , shops with silk merchandise, art work, local handicrafts, not to mention tailor shops (that can rush up your outfits in less than 24 hrs)

Lanterns , every which way you turn, there are lanterns, hanging on the streets, in front of restaurants, mingling with the bright bourganvilles along the alley ways

The Japanese bridge was the first visit .. a tiny wooden bridge connecting the 2 parts of the town

Next stop the temple! It was past mid day, and very difficult not to be distracted by the vibrant street scenes along the way, but culture we must see!

By now the heat became a little intense, a visit to the traditional Ton Kin House provided some cool reprieve indoor. Through out the years, the house, though made of wood, stood the test and survived countless of floods. We could see the marks of flood level recorded on the pillar. So used to this, the house was built with a latch, all the furnitures would be hoisted to he upper level during the flood season, then an again when the water recedes.

Determine to fit all the tours in one go, we beelined to the silk factory. A quicker visit than the place deserved but enough to see how the silk worms and their cocoon were cultivated and how these tiny silk threads were woven into lustrous silk

A quick pit stop for lunch and some cold beer , and the “Cao Lau” (speciality of Hoi An) never tasted so good.

Ah, and we found the much wanted Soursop smoothie here too.

Back to the hotel, a little heavenly resort between the Thu Bon River and Cua Dai beach, our rooms were in little bungalows scattered in between palm trees with wonderful views to the river the inviting infinitive pool… so inviting that we dropped everything and dived straight in.

A little walk up the road and we joined the rest of the marathoners later for the “after party” .. Two rows of banquet tables and the floor in between for dancing. Behind was an inviting pool and ahead we could here the sound of waves through the rows of palm trees.

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The food was amazing, but by now we all felt a little tight in our clothes for the many banquets we had, and the dancing was more tempting.

Then the sky opened, we carry on dancing in the rain, until the floor became a little slippery, the dance troup retreated to the dry floor inside and continue.

Parting shot, farewell to our tango marathon fellows and guest who became the star of the show?

Back to the resort, to a beautiful evening with palm trees silhouetting against the purple sky. We gathered by the pool for a little farewell party, for the next day our lovely Vents would be leaving for home.

The Hoi An Beach speciality cocktails were thoroughly recommended. And of course , a swim at mid night to finish off

In the distance across the river, the town with brightly lit lanterns simmered …

Day 2

A long awaited Tango workshop by the riverside .. It had to be the most scenic place for a tango lesson. We also did a Milonga here in our previous trips, but this time, after so much dancing at the marathon, a “top -up” workshop was much appreciated

SHOPPING!

You can’t come to Hoi An without doing some shopping, we hired a boat for a little tour round the river before landing the town.

Silks, lacquer, handicrafts , tailored shops .. absolutely heaven. In between, a little lunch in one of the traditional restaurant

I don’t think we had enough time here .. but for now enough to purchase some presents and to have a few dresses and suit made , I left vowing a return !

We lost sight of the group, but rest assured the charming town would look after our guests

Though full of visitors, the town with yellow walls houses felt peaceful and nostalgic during the day .When night descended, the enchatnting lanterns lit up the town …