The accommodation we chose was Chinese style, with lots of bamboo and artwork. We stored our bags and headed out for a meal. As we sat down for a curry, we bumped into the Norways again! We had a nice meal together, checking the tea price very carefully!
This is what Toolman thought of the accommodation. It was reasonable quality, but the price was a bit stiff, so we relocated to more affordable accommodation the next day. After shuffling our bags to the new hotel, we went for a look around the town.
Most of the bad weather was now further north, but the flooding was still present in many areas. The locals are very used to this kind of thing.
Just like in Hue, they just get on with living. Can't take the motorbike? I'll take the boat. We saw motorbikes put in those boats above! Paddle the motorbike to the other side of the city, then continue on..
Surprise! We also met the Dutchies again here in Hoi An! They had also been mostly stuck inside their hotel for the last few days.
The ladies enjoyed flicking through stacks of swatches and fashion catalogs, as the discussed what clothes they should get made. When in Rome ...
Princes looks warm trying on an example jackets. As we are traveling to London and Europe, which will be very cold in winter, are going to get some warm jackets made. We planned to post a package forward to London to collect from Marksy at Xmas.
The number of Tailor shops in the city is now over 400; they are literally everywhere. We looked around, and eventually settled on a place to order clothes. We ordered and got measured up for warm coats and business clothes to wear when we made it to Europe.
There are lots of sewing rooms around, like the one on the left Turnaround is 24 hours, less if you pay extra. We ordered quickly to have a few days to alter stuff. They are happy to alter till its just right, and so we had time to perfect our clothes.
After a hot days shopping, what better then to sit down and relax with a nice meal and some drinks.
The next day we went for a wander around the city. For those who want to get about quickly, hire a cyclo ride from the stand. We were in no rush, and simply walked around.
We met up with Toolmans' mate Justin, who was slowly traveling north through Vietnam. The bad weather had been following him up the country!
Togehter we visited the Chinese meeting hall in the center of Hoi An.
Outside is an intricate garden, with lots of small trees.
Here is Princess checking one out. What kind of tree is that?
The meeting hall is also a dog sanctuary, lots of strays end up living around the temple.
This little puppy knows how to work the cute thing...
These spiral cones are very long insence sticks.
Photo from below. Anyone can buy one, a hang it and attach a note with their name and prayers on a tag.
They burn for a long time, maybe up to a month!
At the rear of the hall, the exit sign led us out to the back courtyard that seemed to not have an exit. Just as we found a door, we were scolded by a local and told to exit out the front way. Nice incorrect sign, guys!
We got tickets that allowed us in to a few sites around town, so we wandered around following the map.
We smiled and said hello to the locals.
Here is another Temple we visited. Justin approves! We saw a few other sites, then had dinner and made plans for the next day. We planned and booked a visit to the My Son temple site for the next day.
Princess went to bed while the lads headed to the bar to talk some smack over a few drinks.
This is one of the buddies Justin met earlier at the bar. Look how short he is!
An early start on our tour bus took us out to the side. Above is our guide and group at the gate, talking about the site.
The My Son temples are a large complex of religious monuments originally comprised of more than 70 structures. The remains of 25 of these structures remain today, as it was badly damaged during the war.
In small groups we were ferried up the hill in ex-army jeeps.
Remember back in 'nam when we were cruising in that army jeep?
We tore up a jungle path towards the site.
Feeling nicely rugged from the Jeep ride, we got out and walked the final path to the site.
There was a light mist in the air, and the place had an mysterious feel to it.
The whole area was one part of the Champa Empire, and is laid out using Fung Shui principles.
Some of the temples still stand, but many are ruined. The Viet Cong hid here during the war, one of the reasons these ruins are so badly damaged.
Here is a row of various Lingams, popular with the Kings of the Champa kingdom.
From Wikipedia:
A linga (or lingam) is a phallic post that serves as a representation of Shiva. Cham kings frequently erected and dedicated stone lingas as the central religious images in royal temples. The name a Cham king would give to such a linga would be a composite of the king's own name and suffix "-esvara," which stands for Shiva.
Toolman scowls at the awful reminders of the war.
UNESCO is attempting to restore parts of the site, with work ongoing.
We wander around the site, inspecting the ruins.
Princess is surveying the heavy damage.
The tour was only 1/2 day, so after we had looked around, we headed back down the hill in the Jeeps and bussed back to Hoi An. With our clothes packed and posted, we boarded the next overnight bus trip south to Nha Trang.
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