Berry's SEAJ trip Day 6: To Hoi An – traveling back in time (6/11/15)

Got up and figured out my way to the airport. Due to time constraints, had to take a taxi (arranging it to the airport through the hostel was 9$. Don't understand why they gouge from the airport (probably because once you are there, you know the ways around and can easily say no). Get to the airport and found out that even in Asia you cannot carry on liquids (not surprised but thought things might be different). So I had to repackage things a little bit and check a bag. The good thing is that most airlines still allow you free checked bags over there (Asian airlines make the American airliners seem like chincy POS).

We get to board the plane from the tarmac. 

I arranged a pick up through my hotel (Salute hotel) from the Danang airport to make the 30-40 min drive to Hoi An. Quickly realized that outside of HCMC, the motorbike traffic is much less (saw space between bikes). Also found Danang beautiful with beaches right there and mountains in the distance and many different and beautiful bridges which reminded me of Pittsburgh. After getting to the hotel and setting my stuff down, I walked to the old town. It was hot! There was little shade on the walk there, it was heat of the day, and I happen to be wearing a black shirt – this combo made for a crappy mile, mile and half walk. On the walk, I stop to cool off in the shade while getting a banh mi from random food cart in front of a house. One of the best bahn mis I had on the trip, if not best. I would try and find them on the walk back but they were no where to be found. Upon arriving in the old town, its a transportation back in time as Hoi An is the cultural capital of Vietnam, and the first of 4 world heritage sites in Vietnam that we will visit on this trip (The others are the Hue monument complex, Phong Nga, and Ha Long Bay). Streets are very pretty and there are many old homes/places of worship/ buildings that you can visit by getting a pass which allows you entrance into 5 places for ~5$.

Old time bridge in the heart of the town. One of the attractions you can walk across with the pass. The bridge has a shrine in the back of it. If you dont want to use one of your visits walking across it (there are places on the other side to see) there is a little footbridge where I am standing that will get you to the other side.

Berry wanted to check out the bridge as well. 

Berry checking out the river that runs through town from the little footbridge.

Berry likes to poke his head in on these panorama shots. This shot is of the river that runs through town. The other side there had many hostels/restaurants that seemed to be the new old town.

Berry checking out the shrine in the walking bridge.  

Berry kept pulling the cord trying to get the light to come on. Silly Bear.

Beautiful metallic artwork inside the old house on the other side of the bridge. 

Another version of the artwork in the house. Thought these pieces were amazing.

Berry was practicing his reading on one of these signs the town is full of recognizing these historical monuments. 

Berry wanted to have a seat. He happened to sit on this bench with beautiful artwork and I believe those color accents are pearls. Either way, the artistic ability in these works were awe inspiring.

Berry was checking out another sign indicating one of the historical monuments of the city. 

Beautiful artwork EVERYWHERE!!! This was a giant (3-4') vase on display.

Berry wanted his picture taken in front of this colorful entryway.

Flowers and temples. What a delightful combination.

Berry enjoyed the small pedestrian friendly streets of the old town. 

One of the main bridges crossing the river with lights and artwork all over it.

Berry was trying not to get eaten by a hungry dragon. Will he survive? Stay tuned and find out.

Old time loom. It is amazing when you realize how complicated textile making was/is and how much machines help our lives. 

At most of the sites, there are vendors/hawkers trying to sell you their goods. Some listen when you say no, but many keep trying. These people made my time in Vietnam a frustration that could have been avoided if they just listen. As I was walking around, I finally got to try one of the daily beers (Bia Hoi?) which was a glass for ~0.25$ and tasted every bit that cheap. It made keystone light taste like ambrosia; it was just an extremely watered down crappy light lager. Considering the price, maybe it was worth it??? hahaha. Had one of the local delicacies, the white rose, which was very tasty but small, especially for the price. Waited around the town for nightfall, as the town is known for its lanterns and lights; which do make the town incredibly pretty and somewhat romantic seeing the lights all around and the floating lanterns in the river.

Berry is alive!!! This is me having a beer and some food after walking around in the heat all day. Riddle of the day: What is more touristy than a 6' gringo walking around Vietnam with a stuffed bear and camera? If your answer is one who buys the hat in the picture then you are correct. (I couldnt apply sunscreen as my sweat wouldnt allow the application so I had to buy a hat to prevent getting burned - naturally my impeccable taste helped out on this purchase).

Sun is setting in the city. So now I wait around to see these lights Hoi An is known for.

Berry met some bigger friends (those are water buffalo/cows chilling on the banks of the river)

Beautiful sunset, kinda hindered by the clouds but still pretty.

City starts lighting up their streets and shops to get ready for the nightlife (more shopping).

As the sun sets more, city starts lighting up and lights start floating down the river.

You can pay to launch a light in  basket down the river. As the night progresses, a parade of these lanterns stroll down the waterway lighting it up.

That bridge we saw before lit up.

Side of the bridge with the city behind it.

This city is lit up! Was cool seeing all the fixtures along the water and in the alleyways. Beautiful city.

Earlier in the day, I bought a full brimmed hat to protect my face/neck from the sun for the remainder of the trip (was a great investment, though I wound wind up losing it once I got into Tokyo in the hustle of navigating the trains) as I found out it is hard to apply sunscreen when you sweat all day everyday. After getting my fill of the old town, I started my walk back to my hotel, which with the sun's absence was much more enjoyable. On the way, I noticed a soccer field complex so I stopped and watched them play some; they play 5 v 5 matches on small fields with nets everywhere around the field to contain the ball and separate the fields from each other. Was fun to watch them play as some played without shoes, some without shirts, etc. which made it seem informal (I am not sure if they were informal pickup games or a league set up with actual teams). After sitting around for ~10 minutes watching the various matches, I finished my walk back to the hostel to make preparations for tomorrow's trek to Hue.

Berry wanted to see how they play their small sided soccer so we stopped in a sports complex on the walk home to watch some games. Was cool as each field was separated with nets, some people played barefoot, there was a concession stand off to the side where people would just hang out and watch the games/drink before they go on?