Hoi An

We usually try to plan a 2-3 day “vacation” after our time with the kids at the orphanage, as a way to relax and decompress before the 30+ hours to get back home.  This year, we decided to go to Hoi An, about an hour north (airplane ride) of Saigon.  We met a woman from Canada last year who had just returned from Hoi An and loved it, so we figured we would give it a shot!

Our flight was at noon on Sunday, so we had some time in the morning to finish packing.  It was a quick drive to the airport, and an easy check in (sadly, no business class for us).  The flight itself was unfortunately pretty bumpy, but it was short, so no complaints!

As the city/hotel was about 45 minutes away, we had the hotel pick us up, and it really is so nice to have someone waiting for you with a sign.  It just makes it a whole lot easier. 

After checking into the hotel we got a late lunch at the hotel restaurant and then spent some time by the pool.  Unfortunately, it isn’t as relaxing as I think maybe we hopped, because they are doing some construction (new walkways) and I think unrelated to this property the next door lot is doing a lot of drilling.  It’s still very pretty and nice, and actually still quieter than Saigon!

We decided to head into town for dinner, and picked a spot right on the corner of a happening place.  We didn’t exactly understand where we were (we had read about the “old town” and then also about a night market, but really weren’t sure where we were dropped of, as the area becomes pedestrian at night).  After dinner we decided to walk around a bit, and got a better understanding of where the “night market” was situated, verses the old town.  Hoi An is known for the lanterns that light up the streets/shops at night, and they really are very beautiful.  It was also awesome to walk around on flat pavement and not to worry about motorbikes and buses hitting you.  It’s definitely touristy though, lots of people trying to get you to buy their items eat in their restaurants, etc.  The area is also very well known for their tailors, so we might have to make it another trip for some new clothes!

On Monday we were up and went to breakfast at the hotel, although it wasn’t all that good.  We are pretty “bland” breakfast eaters, and since our stomachs don’t fully adjust while we are here, we tend to stay bland.

We then decided to lie out by the pool.  I think we have officially realized that we are really looking for a place where we can completely veg out after our time at the orphanage.  In theory, I would love to say that we would like to sightsee more, but to be honest, we are happy to just relax and do nothing for a day or two. 

We were both very excited as we booked foot massages at the hotel.  While the ones in Saigon were nice, these (while a bit more expensive) had a more “spa” feel to them.  This one was lovely!

We then made our way into town for dinner and decided to walk around for a bit before getting ice cream.  This was going well, until it down poured!  We went into a shop to try and dry out a bit, and then decided to high tail it to our ice cream shop, which was a 57-flavored scoop it yourself shop!  Yum!

On Tuesday, we were up, had breakfast and parked ourselves by the pool again!  We both got Swedish massages today, although unfortunately, they weren’t all that great (is there really a thing as a bad massage? Probably not).  After, we went back into town for dinner and walking around.  The nice thing, and I think the thing people really like about Hoi An, is most of the old town (and night market) is blocked off, so it becomes pedestrian friendly (some bikes and motorbikes) but this is a HUGE difference from the rest of Vietnam where even if you are on a sidewalk there are still motorbikes zooming past you.  The old town is also pretty at night because of all the lights and lanterns!

Tomorrow, we will leave around lunchtime to head to the airport to fly back to Saigon.  We are trying another potential apartment style place (to see if we like it any better for future years) and then Thursday we fly out at 11:30am to head back to the U.S.!