From Ha Long Bay we flew to Danang (half way down Vietnam) to cut out a 12hr long bus ride. It took us 1hr. 25 min.
We stayed in Danang for 2 nights. First night we were on a mission for contact solution, an item that has been ridiculously hard to find in Northern Vietnam. We stumbled upon Lotte Mart (3km from our hotel) which was like a mall/target/movie theatre. We got the solution and sat down to eat at Lotteria. We had seen Lotteria before and were curious, it is similar to a McDonalds/Burger King mixed with Jollibee (a faux filipino fast food restaurant in Seattle). We got a teri burger, bulgogi burger, fries, fried chicken, small drink, & 2 ice cream cones ($.13ea.) all for $5. So wild! It was delish.
The next day, we caught a taxi to the train station to catch the 7a.m. train to Hue (3.5 hrs. away). It is said to be the most scenic train ride in Vietnam. This week we have been in taxis, on busses, boats, trains, planes & scooters. It's actually been easy riding.
In Hue our main destination was the Citadel. We opted to walk from the train station. Anywhere you go, once you step off the bus, train, etc. you get swarmed by taxi drivers, scooter drivers and pedi cab drivers, it is really aggressive and exhausting. We find it best to walk away as quick as possible and if we do need a cab we will walk a few blocks away and catch one, it seems to be cheaper and more honest once you get away from the tourist traps.
The Citadel was a historical experience. We felt the past of the grounds and were humbled & grateful to be walking in the same footsteps as former emperors and royalty.
Danang at night was neon lit from bridges to bars, hotel palaces, & the whole city is scattered with karaoke bars that you can hear the off key singing til the wee hours. It was kind of our nightly lullably, not by choice & not in a comforting way.
From Danang, we hopped on the city bus to Hoi An, 45 min. away. Although the cities are just miles apart they are completely different. Danang is up & coming city life while Hoi An attracted tourists since 1992 with it's charm. Old Japanese tea houses turned into cute restaurants & shops, happy calming music playing as you stroll the streets, a constant intoxicating smell of incense burning, colorful markets, beautiful lanterns & watching the river flow full with floating candle lanterns, all will put a smile on your face. We think it's def a photographer playground.
Once arriving in Hoi An we took motorbike taxis to the hospital. Aimee picked up a case of the throat aids. She got a hefty amount of medication after an examination and the whole bit cost $48 U.S. With all the walking in the polluted cities it caused her throat to swell up & made it hard for her to breathe. We get why locals are always wearing a face mask. We may need to invest in them too. It's funny because we got all the vaccinations we thought we needed but never thought of respiratory infections.
We then set out to eat, we went to Mermaids Restaurant which is the famed spot of the town, a very fitting title. Great food. So far we ate there twice. It's sooo good & you can tell it's made with quality & love....& ingredients.
When in Hoi An, must eat here!
Traditional Hoi An food: won ton with meat, crab, tomato, onion, cilantro with special sauce.
Eggplant with minced pork in clay pot, garlic fried rice, & spareribs.
Traditional Hoi An: white rose-rice pancake, fresh shrimp, lemon, chili dressing, garlic wrapped in a shape of a rose.
Cream puffs & tea after a deliciously filling meal.
At night the city is lit up with beautiful lanterns in the streets, decorating bridges, restaurants & shops.
Stopped here for live music & some dranks.
While walking across a beautifuly decorated bridge a sweet little 7-8 year old Vietnamese girl came up to Aimee selling floating candle lanterns that you can place in the river. She looked up at Aimee with a glimmer in her eye and said:
"YOU BUY FROM ME!?!"
Aimee stepped back in shock of the volume and confidence pouring out of this child, taken aback she asked:
"How much?"
The girl and Aimee went back and forth about pricing and finally agreed on 2 for $1. Aimee wanted to support the kid and smiling said:
"Yes I would like to buy from you, but we want to get it later when it's darker."
To this the girl replied:
"2 FOR $1 NOW, LATER I GIVE YOU ONLY 1 FOR $1." holding up one finger.
Aimee laughed and agreed and walking away said:
"Damn, that girl is good..I got worked!"
After dinner we were walking back across the bridge and the girl spotted us and immediately rushed over and said:
"HI REMEMBER ME!? YOU SAID YOU BUY FROM ME LATER! NOW IT'S LATER."
Laughing I knew these two spitfires needed a picture together. I had just been watching this whole scene unfold like it was a sitcom. So we got the pic, Aimee chose a lantern, only 1, and handed the girl 20,000 Vietnamese Dong, which is about $1 U.S.
The girl looked at Aimee and said:
"30,000! 20,000 FOR LANTERN & 10,000 FOR PHOTO!"
Aimee said no, smiling and they both laughed. The girl earned, and I do mean earned her 20,000 Dong and Aimee made a new friend, pretty fierce match if you ask me.
Today we rented a motorbike. We haven't rode before and they don't offer any training, they just toss you the keys and you're on your way. It was an automatic and easy to ride, we had no problems at all and spent the day cruising around, going to the beach and feeling the fresh air on our nips.
We did some relaxation at Ao Bang beach & caved in & rented a beach chair under palm tree umbrella. We ordered our 1st fresh coconut as well.
We will head down to Nha Trang tomorrow on a sleeper bus. For $28 each you can purchase an Open Tour bus ticket that allows you to travel up & down the country. Our route will be Nha Trang-Mue Nei-Dalat- Saigon.
We are thinking checking out My Son ruins before we leave since it was suggested by a couple people. It must be worth a look!
These baskets are heavy!
Cute wrapping
