I can say it enough!!!!
Mai Linh Taxi
You will find this taxi all over Vietnam and they should always be your first choice! Don't be fooled by taxi drivers saying they are Mai Linh and then taking you to their doggy car. This happened to us in Saigon but I listened to my gut and walked away, much to the families horror....So glad I did. Other taxi driver are a nightmare! ( from experience ) Always look for this logo. They don't get out of their cars to tout.... and they always use their meter.
We got a Mai Linh taxi from the train station to Hoi An and it took about 45 minutes. He did have to stop at his sisters house on the way so she could translate where we wanted to go, but hell, it worked.
HOI AN
Yes that's right everyone favorite place in Vietnam and it did not disappoint. We stay in a hotel called Southern Hotel on Ly Thai To St. It was a fair bit out of town, I knew this when I booked and thought it would be a good idea. On our first day I realised my fundamental mistake....to far from any eating establishments. To some people this would seem like a disaster, but for me it was just another opportunity to convince Pierre that we had to hire motor bikes the whole time in Hoi An. This was a good call as the staff at Southern Hotel were fantastic. Especially our friend Tor. She was a super star. Always helpful and friendly not to mention that she did Ebony's hair every morning while we stayed there. I think she may just be the sweetest person I have ever meet. We had a big room nice pool, all be it freezing....much to Pierre's horror as he hit the water.
The morning after the HARD SLEEP.
Arriving in Danang
Southern Hotel & Villa's
Hoi An Town
For part of the day the Old Town in Hoi An is closed off to all motorised vehicles. When they pull these little carts out into the street it's "walking street and primitive vehicles" ONLY! It's so nice to be in the old town then. A real feeling of nostalgia sweeps over the place.
This is the same street corner near the Hoi An Market 17 years apart. In 1993 there were only bicycles, no motor bikes....
Hoi An Old Town By Night
Desert after dinner @ the Mermaid
The Cargo Club
We only had afternoon tea here but it was sublime.
The owner Ms Vy started the first restaurant in Hoi an to cater for travelers back in 1994 Called Nhu Y. This is what it says on her beautiful brochure that now cover her 3 restaurants.
The Cargo Club & The Mermaid & Morning Glory where she runs a cooking school.
However we ate there in 1993 and she was already looking after traveler then. She even gave me her recipe for their Pumpkin soup, and showed me how to cook it back then.
Marble Mountain
We got here by motor bike from Hoi An. Row after row of resorts along the beach front on China Beach. They all look half completed and so far from anywhere.
I was in two minds about visiting Marble Mountain after my experience here last time in 93 left me devastated when a little guy from the village here got really upset with me and Jeff after we refused a tour and he broke down and told us how rich we were and how poor he was...I left here in tears.
So I decided to check out Trip Advisor to see how thing had changed. Well after looking at all the comments I though we should come. Bailey found it really boring but it was actually still really beautiful ( apart from the huge lift they installed on the front of the mountain ) & No we didn't get a tour.....or take the lift.
The Caves at Marble Mountain
Quite a good day out. What out for the people at the bottom who say they'll keep an eye on your bike as they may hold it to ransom at the end asking you to buy from their shop. I understand they need to make a living but come on.
Best Food in Hoi An
Ms Nam
family run restaurant
To find this place cross the bridge from the Old Town to the other side of the river, turn left and keep going until the road turns to the right.
You will see a row of small family run restaurants ( see Below)
This is true local food, not to be missed!
That's my family sitting at #5 Mrs Num
Cook fresh to order. The only problem was we got so full we had to stop eating.
Can't remember the name. But Yum!
I'll call it Pork delicious Yum Yum
Deep fried Spring rolls
White Rose
A specialty dish from Hoi An.
They only make this in Hoi An as the water used to make it is from a special well.
This was so delicious we ordered 3 plates and still wanted more!
SCHOOL TIME.
While we were here it was Bailey's last day of Primary School back home so I didn't want to let it pass without some kind of Mark to remember it, as he missed out on the school dance and the graduation ceremony.
It took some working out but I arranged for the kids to spend some time in a year 7 class room which also turned out to be their last day of the year too. We took 32 books and 32 pens to give out to the class, but I definitely think we where the ones who will be forever great full for making us so welcome.
The children in this class had only been learning English for 7 weeks. They asked a lot of very cute questions. One was " how do you get to school" and when Ebony answered "by car" they were blown away as they really only have motor bikes and one bike is usually for the whole family.
They passed us little notes asking us questions. These boys were hilarious.
My Son Temples
We rode here from Hoi An on our Motor Bikes. It took about 2 hours each way and rained the whole time. Thank God the Vietnamese People are so nice, as we had no map and know idea how to get there we just had to keep stopping and asking. They all seem to know which direction it was to My Son.
I'm glad we did it in hind site but only for the journey there and back as hard as it was. The temples didn't actually impress me that much, but then I'm not really that interested in ruins....
I like the path leading to the end of the temple road. I'll start with that picture.
We got here by motor bike from Hoi An. Row after row of resorts along the beach front on China Beach. They all look half completed and so far from anywhere.
I was in two minds about visiting Marble Mountain after my experience here last time in 93 left me devastated when a little guy from the village here got really upset with me and Jeff after we refused a tour and he broke down and told us how rich we were and how poor he was...I left here in tears.
So I decided to check out Trip Advisor to see how thing had changed. Well after looking at all the comments I though we should come. Bailey found it really boring but it was actually still really beautiful ( apart from the huge lift they installed on the front of the mountain ) & No we didn't get a tour.....or take the lift.
The Caves at Marble Mountain
Quite a good day out. What out for the people at the bottom who say they'll keep an eye on your bike as they may hold it to ransom at the end asking you to buy from their shop. I understand they need to make a living but come on.
Best Food in Hoi An
Ms Nam
family run restaurant
To find this place cross the bridge from the Old Town to the other side of the river, turn left and keep going until the road turns to the right.
You will see a row of small family run restaurants ( see Below)
This is true local food, not to be missed!
That's my family sitting at #5 Mrs Num
Cook fresh to order. The only problem was we got so full we had to stop eating.
Can't remember the name. But Yum!
I'll call it Pork delicious Yum Yum
Deep fried Spring rolls
White Rose
A specialty dish from Hoi An.
They only make this in Hoi An as the water used to make it is from a special well.
This was so delicious we ordered 3 plates and still wanted more!
SCHOOL TIME.
While we were here it was Bailey's last day of Primary School back home so I didn't want to let it pass without some kind of Mark to remember it, as he missed out on the school dance and the graduation ceremony.
It took some working out but I arranged for the kids to spend some time in a year 7 class room which also turned out to be their last day of the year too. We took 32 books and 32 pens to give out to the class, but I definitely think we where the ones who will be forever great full for making us so welcome.
The children in this class had only been learning English for 7 weeks. They asked a lot of very cute questions. One was " how do you get to school" and when Ebony answered "by car" they were blown away as they really only have motor bikes and one bike is usually for the whole family.
They passed us little notes asking us questions. These boys were hilarious.
My Son Temples
We rode here from Hoi An on our Motor Bikes. It took about 2 hours each way and rained the whole time. Thank God the Vietnamese People are so nice, as we had no map and know idea how to get there we just had to keep stopping and asking. They all seem to know which direction it was to My Son.
I'm glad we did it in hind site but only for the journey there and back as hard as it was. The temples didn't actually impress me that much, but then I'm not really that interested in ruins....
I like the path leading to the end of the temple road. I'll start with that picture.
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