yesterday we flew down to central vietnam and drove 30 km from denang to hoi an.
this morning, our first and only day here, we walked into town at 6 to go through the markets and check out a few key sights -- namely the japanese covered bridge (which is fairly self explanatory).
at 8 we rented bikes and rode 6 miles to the beach. this was the looong scenic route, but it was VERY beautiful. we passed so many fields and small homes. tons of cows as well! there are cows everywhere -- on the side of the road and wandering through the fields and by 'wandering' i mean eating and pooping.
the beach was GORGEOUS and i wish we could have spent all day there. one of my friends and i splurged 15,000 dong (16,000 dong is a dollar) for a chair under an umbrella and it was quite worth it to get out of the sun. the sun seems to be hotter here than in hanoi but there is breeze off the ocean and it is much less humid so generally more pleasant.
when i got back to my bike to ride home the tire was flat. after a quick fill up i was on my way -- only to have it blow out again in less than five minutes. after the second time i began to walk back until a moped-taxi picked me up, signaling he could also accomodate my bike. i was desperate and assumed he would strap the bike on the back, so i hopped on. VERY quickly i found out he expected me to hold onto the bike as he drove. this was extremely difficult and uncomfortable and i am quite bruised thanks to it. everyone that passed us on the street, as well as those that were watching from the sidewalks was shouting at him and laughing. (i was laughing too because the driver didn't understand english -- not even "stop" or "slow"). finally our guide came back looking for me and he took my bike back so i only had to hold onto the moped to get home.
this was all before lunch ever happened.
our hotel has an infinity pool and so we got to spend some time playing fun pool games for five year olds (tea party, categories, have hand stand contests etc). it was so nice :) i don't remember the last time i got to play in a pool like that.
i took a long and much needed nap this afternoon...
after i woke up i walked into town to one of the many tailors (the strets are lined with tailors willing to make anything you could want) and got a wool jacket for $30. since it was so cheap i got to get a fun color (bright green) and not worry about it! they took my measurements and i just have to return at 9 tomorrow morning for a last fitting.
several of my friends got suits and have had a fitting already -- apparently they looked very nice. (a custom made suit goes for $60).
one of my girlfriends even had shoes made!
i'm looking forward to seeing my coat tomorrow morning....though it's very thinking about wool coats when it's so hot outside!
we leave our hotel at 11 tomorrow to fly to ho chi minh, formerly and much more beautifully known as saigon. yay!
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