Day 7 - Vietnam Discovery from Hanoi to the Meekong Delta - 'Inside Vietnam' adventure with EXPLORE

Day 7 - Hue to Hoi An

You wouldn't believe it but it's raining and raining hard!  I know, it’s shocking during rainy season!  My case is packed, just.  I’ve never been good at repacking as I go during a trip, so it always ends up being wedged in there somehow.  After a quite sharpish breakfast of strong Vietnamese coffee and the now customary manually created salami and cheese croissant, they are small so I'm always creating a couple at least.  A glance at the watch and a downing of the robust coffee, a quick dash to my room and putting my case outside the door for pickup.

The morning nods and hello’s done we boarded our minibus and set off for the about two-hour drive south from Hue to Hoi An.  Hue had a really relaxed atmosphere to it and not overly touristy at this time of year.  After a full-on day yesterday it doesn't take long for the rocking motion of the minibus to result in a few eyelids losing their battle to stay open.

Our rest stop halfway was at another unique Vietnamese experience.  This time the loos are located via a jewellery shop instead of a sewing and painting workshop.  Who doesn’t want to shop for diamonds and gold on their way to the lavatory.  It’s always a interesting occasion on these highway stops.

The weather, although rather dour with constant rain is fortunately clear enough today, for Joseph to decide with a local’s knowledge, to take the high road/pass over the hills as opposed to the tunnel.  The over-the-top route gave us the opportunity to see some amazing scenery from up high.  We have one quick stop to get out into the rain and climb up some ruins and have a look towards the ocean.  The second stop further down the road was quite statuesque to say the least.  This time the restrooms are at the back of a marble statue workshop/warehouse.  Left past the dragon, straight past the 8-foot buddha and just between the twin Gods with the swords.

Descending from the heights of the mountain highway coming down towards Hoi An, it’s pointed out to us the swathes of coastline being deforested and levelled.  Come back in ten years and this coastal region will be changed beyond recognition, vast quantities of land already cleared and being flattened in preparation of huge seafront developments of hotels, casinos and generic apartment complexes.

Huge hotel resorts are advertised all around, huge advertising boards frequently presented all along the drive south along the coast.  I would 100% say to come visit Vietnam now while it still has its mostly untouched beauty before it looks like Vegas by the Sea.  The price of progress?

We arrived in the afternoon at our new base for the next three days in Hoi An.  We hopped off the bus and went for a quick lunch of the Vietnamese baguette sandwich, and a popular place our establishment is for sure.  There’s a bit of waiting time to be seated as it packed to the rafters, halfway up a really narrow staircase out the back of the restaurant/cafe.

When some tables cleared we squeezed into our tiny tables and chairs.  This lunch is crazy cheap and top quality, a drink and a baguette, with a dash of that red hot chili sauce of course.  It was quite the conveyor belt, getting them in, getting them fed and getting them out.  These places are rightly popular for their cheapness and quality.  After the very quick but superb lunch we had a short orientation walk which included a very interesting silk factory and a few purchases were made.  Quite fun and weird to see silk being created and all the silk worms if you’ve never seen such a process before.

Our group split up after a brief coffee stop, some for a wander, some for a bit of shopping.  It was great to get proper coffee rather than guess what you’re getting at the hotel breakfast we have most mornings.  Joseph is on his usual fine form with his energetic humour and leaves the group laughing as always.  There’s some free time now to sort out laundry and a bit of rest before tonight’s big theatre show. 

I came back to the hotel to do some blog writing as it is exceptionally tourist heavy in the downtown area of Hoi An, too crowded for me.  Hoi An is a bit like a beach resort in Tenerife at night.  I manage to again not realise one of the shower heads is facing out of the bathroom in my room before turning it on, jets of water straight to the face, soak my glasses, almost slip and hit my head on the door!  One day I’ll learn to check beforehand.

It was an exciting evening tonight, we headed into the town centre to the Hoi An ‘Lune Center’.  The shows name at the Bamboo Theatre is called 'Teh Dar'.  We sat in our seats towards the side of the auditorium, literally chosen as they were the 'cheap seats'.  I had a thoroughly interesting chat with Sarah from our merry band of travellers, about all things  travelling, including her travels around Asia before the show began.   It's probably the most amazing thing about travel for me, is just connecting with people and hearing their stories and thoughts.  The lights dimmed slowly to darkness a brief silence and the chanting began......

The show is a combination of outrageously intricate choreography and amazing performers dancing and exhibiting gymnastics that leave you in absolute awe.  I guess it’s a bit like the kind of athleticism you see with Cirque du Soleil.  There's drums, insane movements and stunts that leave just wondering how ‘that’ is even possible.

There was a wonderful atmosphere, and the artists move with such graceful precision and frequently enter the audience areas, making it a thoroughly more engaging spectacle.  The performances are truly amazing, the choreography and timing immaculate.  I for one, didn't notice any missteps or mistakes.  The hours of practice that it must take show great dedication to the art of their performance and storytelling.

After their curtain call the stage performers and musicians assemble at the front of the stage and encourage the audience to sit front and centre with them for truly unique photos.  All the while playing music, singing and just giving the greatest of experiences for the audience.  I left with such a wonderful memory of having seen a true highlight of the reasons why I travel.

There was no set menu at our dinner after the show tonight, much to everyone's delight.  I think we're just struggling a little with the sheer amounts of amazing food.  We're perched on another wonderful balcony setting open to evening air.  Indeed, we’ve been graced with such great balcony seating so far on this adventure.  There's the light pitter patter of rain on the awnings as our food and drinks arrive, some have even gone for curries to change things around a bit from our daily noodles and spring rolls.

A thoroughly wonderful and amazing day.  Our group is getting along great and we’re halfway through this fantastic journey with Explore.