We had a successful overnight train trip from Muong Man (near Phan Thiet) to Danang. After riding in the Saigon Mui Ne Resort car, we boarded the train in the afternoon of June 16th. A woman at the train track was so determined to hear Olivia speak Vietnamese (she doesn't) that she tried to 'bribe' her with a steamed bun. The four of us had booked our own 4-berth air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin. The kids enjoyed sleeping on the top bunks and the train treats, buns with custard inside, peanuts 'in coconut juice,' and sausage sticks. It was especially exciting to use the squat toilet on the train. There was a handle to help one steady themself while squatting. The train sounds made it sound like you were going to be sucked right through the hole and onto the train tracks. After snacking and playing cards, the jostling of the train lulled us all to sleep. We arrived in Danang at about 5:30 in the morning.
The hotel in Hoi An, Nhi Nhi Hotel, had a car pick us up at the Danang train station. The kids picked out silk material and designed matching ao dais (vietnamese dress) on our first day. We enjoyed the hotel swimming pool which was quite cool because it is in a courtyard and well-shaded. The staff at the hotel were very friendly. The young ladies would visit with us and play with the girls' hair while we ate lunch and during our breakfast there each morning.
The next day (June 18th), we went to a resort on a beach which is the north end of 'China Beach.' We swam in the resort pool as well as the sea. There was a wedding taking place there and we watched the couple take beach photos in their wedding finery before the bride changed into a long, elegant red dress.
That evening, the kids bought the whistles that are made in Hoi An. They are shaped like animals and have a few holes so that one can play a couple different notes. The warm, humid evenings with the lantern-lit streets join with the melody of these whistles to create a magical atmosphere. The old town area of Hoi An feels very quaint as the streets there are reserved for bicycle, cyclo, and pedestrian traffic only (no cars, trucks or scooters).
Our final full day in Hoi An, Saturday, June 19th, was really special. We went on a tour by Jack Tran Hoi An Eco Tours. We witnessed and experienced the day-to-day living of farmers and fisherman. We rode water buffalo, planted rice seedlings in a paddy, watered crops, cut organic morning glory spinach for our lunch, rode bicycles on a path between rice paddies to the river, rode basket boats, fished on a boat, learned to throw fish nets, and also filled our fishing basket from a huge net set in a river. Finally, we were served a huge fresh seafood lunch complete with ice cold bottles of Pepsi and Tiger beer (or water).
After our tour and a shower, the girls and I went to a local spa. The girls had their finger and toe nails painted and decorated while I had a 60 minute massage. The total bill for those services was $32 (and it was one of the best massages that I have ever had). Then, we joined Sandy for dinner and a fitting of the girls' new ao dais.
Laurie- Thanks for the update. My sister has been to Hue and I understand it is just beautiful. I love hearing about your trip. I can picture the big fishing baskets, nets etc. I hope that Ivy is feeling better and that the rest of you do not get ill in Hanoi.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading through your trip reports. I can't wait to take our Grace (now age 8) back to Vietnam. I just had to comment on the Pepsi--how did you get so lucky? When I was Hanoi in 2002 I couldn't find Pepsi anywhere!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteI remember the same for our adoption trips. Usually this trip, it was coca cola. Once in a while, we were surprised to find pepsi! The economy seems to have been very good since our adoption trips in 2001 and 2002. There were many signs that ice was made with purified water. My girls loved the smoothies. There was a lot more availability of dairy products and the pizza tasted familiar most places.