Monday, 23 April 2012

Hanoi to Hoi An

4 weeks and 2 days in. We've left the mayhem and frantic lifestyle in Hanoi and travelled 1000 km south to Hoi An.

We'll explore the differences between the two later but first our journey to get here is a story worth telling.

Our initial route out of Hanoi was a 15 hour train ride from the capital to a small town called Hue on the east coast of Vietnam.

The train experience in Vietnam wasn't too bad. We had a 4 birth cabin which we shared with an older French couple, who were very friendly. The air conditioning was... unreliable to say the least, so sleeping was a challenge. One minute waking up freezing, the next with sweat pouring out of what seemed every part of my body.

Despite experiencing several different climates all in one train cabin, we arrived in Hue bang on time.

It was immediately obvious this was a town solely existing for tourism. Walking off the station we could have been excused for thinking we were Brad and Angelina, for the amount of people that wanted our attention. Sadly, it wasn't for autograph's. It was for our money.

We managed to worm our way through and jump in a taxi to our 7 pounds a night hostel, which was lovely. After our harassment at the station we decided Hue probably wasn't for us and so we used it as a 'stopover' before heading on the next day to Hoi An.

After a 4 hour coach journey which was sufficiently hot and uncomfortable we arrived in Hoi An.

What an unbelievable place.

Despite the similarities in name, Hanoi and Hoi An could not be further apart. The noisy mopeds and clogged streets of Hanoi were replaced by cobbled streets filled with Chinese lanterns and a river with bridges clinging from one side to the other.

It really is a unique place. The weather is also completely different. Although the evenings are humid and sticky, the days are filled with sunshine and blue skies.

Perfect beach weather. Luckily Hoi An has a pretty good one of those as well.

Around 4km's away from the town there is a pristine golden beach. The only way to access it is via a push bike, so every morning we've ridden from the hotel along the coast road.

Needless to say, we are both hesitant to leave. But leave we must. We are after all 'travelling'.

So onto Nha Trang tonight, on our first 'night bus'. Dispel any illusions of Harry Potter you may have. This is far more unpleasant. As long as the air con works, I don't care what state the bus is in.

Once in Nha Trang, it's a one night special and onto Mui Ne. We've heard whispers of sand dunes and sand surfing.

Fingers crossed all is well back home. I've also decided to add a 'I've been listening to' feature to my posts. Mostly for my sake. But whatever song(s) has popped up on shuffle that I have especially enjoyed since my last post, I'l let you know on here.

Thanks for reading!

I've been listening to: Mr Hudson and the Library

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