Day 10 – Vietnam

I’m up at 4:30 today with mr loud rooster. He seems to think its funny to be so loud. I’m not amused. I just sit in bed and read glancing out our amazing window for a view of the river and the local early risers. Our hotel overlooks a little house with a great front porch and balcony. A momma cat and kitten play as we watch. Cats are hilarious.

We also see out our little window large water birds grey body white wings. They fly around just about landing in the water, then take back off and land on a branch again.

We book a bus to Hoi An and will leave Hue maybe too early. The food here has been some of the best we have ever had. Local dishes that were once served to the emperor’s and dignitaries are now local favorites. Most made with a sticky rice paste and cooked in banana leaves, some on tiny little plates and one a red stew like pho sort of. Stuff I’ve never seen anywhere but want more of.

We will be sad to go, but the beach beckons us in the south. If we don’t make some big travel moves we will never make it. It’s easy to underestimate how large Vietnam is. That motorcycle trip you fantasize about, to do right would take 2 months. Even then you would have to skip large parts of the country.

We take the sleeper bus from Hue. It’s an experience all to itself. You get in these tiny recliners stacked 2 high. I’m 6 foot tall so it’s a bit tricky for me. We traverse a mountain range and then pass a beach. Rice paddies and massive construction happening everywhere.

It’s strange to be in these places. Places I learned about and obsessed over. The war looms on my mind. People here don’t care they are happy we are here that our money is coming to this country. Tourism is a big industry and for a nation so poor it is a good thing.

We arrive in Hoi An. We stroll through old city, then walk back. Eat at mango mango amazing if you have the money. The top of the little island we are on we find a bar. The best bar on the island it plays great music. This may not seem like much. I assure you being gone from New Orleans long enough you start to itch for music. Real music.

Hoi An is the kinda city we like its got an international scene a old semi authentic feel a beautiful center and great restaurants. Hard to beat. We instantly want to stay but this is the familiar, the safe the norm. We plan our trip instantly to leave. I love it here but I know why.

Read the other entries from our Vietnam trip below
Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4 – Day 4 1/2 – Day 5 – Day 6 – Day 7 – Day 8 – Day 8 1/2 – Day 9 – Day 10 – Day 11 – Day 12 – Day 13 – Day 14 – Day 15 – Day 16 – Day 17 – Day 18 – Day 19 – Day 20 – Day 21