Hoi An

If I had to describe Hoi An in one word it would be 'charming.' Everything about it screams charm. From the rice paddy fields to the friendly shop owners to the tiny back alleys surrounded with yellow-painted buildings. Heading to the river at night, women are asking to take you for a ride on their long, wooden boats. Locals are selling paper lanterns with a lit candle, made for others to put into the river, make a wish, and watch it float across the water. Lanterns are being sold in all the shops and decorate the trees by the market and along the river. If you needed a place for a honeymoon, this could be it. Apart from the romantic vibe of the city, it is also THE place to get clothes made by one of the hundreds of tailors that scatter the streets. I got a pair of shorts, a shirt and a dress made, all which fit perfectly. We rented bikes for a day and went to the nearby beach, paid to lay on the lounge chairs and watched people play in the waves. We also booked a tour to the Cham Islands, which consisted of a decently terrifying speed boat on the ocean over some massive waves, and a so-called 'snorkel'. Masks were passed out but I couldn't find the snorkels. I asked if they had any. The tour guide said 'We have two. This IS Vietnam.' So a couple snatched up the snorkels, and I made due with just the mask. Unfortunately, we didn't see much more than a bit of coral and some little black fish. We still got time on the beach and a swim and walked around the island. For $23 it still made for an interesting day. Off to Nha Trang for mud baths and more beach! Not a bad way to be spending our time!