We stayed in Hoi An for three nights, and it was totally worth it: it’s an incredibly pretty place, especially enchanting at night. We did another countryside excursion on the second day, this time on a mountain bike. By the end of the trip, I felt like some parts of me might never be the same again, but it was a fun day out. Among other things, we got to make our own rice noodles for lunch.
I’ve never heard of Nha Trang before, and it turned out to be a coastal resorty place, full of Russian tourists. It was bizarre seeing Russian signage and menus everywhere. We had a full day boat trip on the bay, including snorkelling which unfortunately I didn’t get to do since I can’t see much without my glasses. The water however was lovely and warm, and I really tried to squeeze in as much sunbathing and swimming as possible before coming back to Melbourne and the impending winter.
Once in Ho Chi Minh City (our group leader never called it so, preferring the old name of Saigon), I finally gathered enough courage to try the frog. It tasted kinda like chicken and caused many Kermit jokes around the table. I really liked the city and its wide shaded boulevards, even if the street traffic here was at its most intimidating to cross.
Hoi An
Hoi An – Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoi An – Food market
Hoi An at night
Hoi An lanterns
Hoi An – selling candles by the river
Hoi An – view from the bridge
Making rice noodles. It’s a bit like making pancakes.
Nha Trang bay
Ho Chi Minh City – Notre Dame Cathedral
Ho Chi Minh City
Cao Dai Temple, with the happy yellow swastikas. I know they don’t mean what they mean in the West, but it still weirded me out.
Boats in the Mekong Delta
Tuk-tuk ride… watch out for the coconut palm tree branches!
Boat cruise on the Mekong River