VIETNAM/CAMBODIA - 2025(10 & 11 May'25)
Saturday 10 May'26 - Ha Long Bay/Hoi An
This morning was a leisurely rise with breakfast served between 0630 and 0845. At 0900, those that felt the need headed off to visit Sung Sot Cave, but as it is a climb of over 600 steps, not all at the same height, and then a 20-minute loop through the cave, I decided to stay on board and chill out. After the explorers returned, we departed for the port with a great brunch served. At the port, we boarded our bus for the trip to Hanoi domestic, were we boarded a Vietnam Airline flight to Danang. On the way out of Halong City, there was an amazing mural that had world-wide landmarks on it, but as we turned the corner, to where the Opera House and Uluru where, Murphy’s Law prevailed, and a huge semi parked in front of it!!! Once again, we had a short break on the 3-hour bus trip back to Hanoi airport and surprisingly 😊, it was at an artisan’s shop. This time it was a silk and jade place. The artwork was interesting.
Vietnam Airlines redeemed themselves somewhat in that the flight to Danang was on time and in fact, 10 minutes early on arrival. We were greeted by Mr Vu, our guide
for the next 4 days and away we went. Before we were taken to the hotel, we stopped for dinner and what an experience that was. The venue is called Rêu Hội An Boutique Hotel and we had a set meal (YUMMY!!!) and the service were fantastic.
After that, into the hotel and then sleep. A side note, when we got to the hotel it was little amusing as they had mixed up who had what room. I apparently was now sharing with the other Max on the tour, his wife with someone else. 🤣😂 All sorted eventually with many laughs had in the process.
Sunday 11 May'26 - Hoi An
Our bus picked us up at 0830 today. After a 10-minute drive to the Old Town, full of market stalls of all kinds and quality. As this part of Hoi An is basically only for motorcycles and people, we got off the bus on the edge of the area and undertook a walking tour of the markets. Mayhem prevailed 😊. After walking through the various indoor areas that are mainly eateries, we ventured outside to see the produce markets. The last photo in this set is a lady selling baby mussels. She had 2 choices, plain or chilli flavoured, and you can’t see it in the photo, but they were all moving!!!
A number of the shops were clothing and I saw a suit that was “me to a tee” 😊. Next stop was a house that is the oldest still standing in the area and is still used today. The family that now owns it, allows visitors and they make dumplings. The video is the oldest daughter making White Roses, which we had at our dinner the night before.
Then onto the Japanese Bridge. The photo explains the history and it has a small Japanese shrine inside. Next was the local Chinese Temple. The large spiral things hanging from the ceiling are incense and they burn for approximately 2 weeks each. The Artisans workshop was the next stop. Hoi An is noted for its silk and woodcraft. We were walked through the process of silk, which starts with the silkworms getting a good feed of mulberry leaves, to the harvesting of the cocoons. Next, they are soaked in warm water and slowly spun into a single thread. That thread is coloured and then put through a loom to create the batches of cloth, before being made into various items. When going through the loom, other things, such as linen or cotton can be woven in to provide different quality and feel to the fabric. One of the items they produce are woven pictures. My photos do not give the artisans justice. I was also amazed by the intricate carving the woodworkers were undertaking.
We then trundled back on to the bus and went to the “vegetable village”. We were shown traditional farming, Vietnamese style. At this point in time, we were “surprised” in that, we knew we were getting lunch there, we just didn’t know we had to help in its preparation. Apart from chopping/grating the required vegetables, we then had to create the spring rolls and cook our own yellow pancake… Still, very interesting but more importantly, tasty. Last but by no means least for the day, we headed to a “fishing village” for a ride in traditional round bamboo boats, which included a little crab fishing in the mangroves. Then back to the hotel about 1600 and I headed straight for the pool. A cooling swim, followed by a couple of Mai Tai’s at happy hour and then a small Bahn Mi in the bar was all I need to feel fulfilled. A fun day...
