A perfect few days in Hoi An

For our first full day in Hoi An we decided to take advantage of the free bicycles that our accommodation offered. The streets were a lot quieter here so it made it much more pleasant. We were staying central to Hoi An, so we had the old town about a 15 minute cycle in one direction and then the beach a 10 minute cycle in the other. We picked up a map showing the good cycle routes around town so we headed out early to start exploring. It was a nice ride as the majority of it was on the smaller back roads, which were a lot less built up. As we reached the old town it became a lot busier, and impossible to get though the crowds so we parked up and had a wander around the shops. We were surprised that atleast every other shop was a tailors, and almost every local that approached us either worked at a tailors or 'knew someone' else who did. We stopped for lunch and by the time we came out the streets had almost emptied as it was now the hottest time of the day. We carried on for awhile but Alex was about to start sizzling if she stayed out any longer so we headed back and decided to do the rest later in the afternoon.

Old Japanese Bridge

The best part of the route was definitely saved till last. Lots of little country lanes and a chance to see the endless paddy fields.

The following day we headed out early to get a nice spot on the beach. We were trying to spend as little as possible this week after overspending in Dalat last, and we were both actually looking forward to a chilled day anyway. We got a couple of sun loungers in a quiet spot with a restaurant right behind us for drinks on tap, and settled down with a book. Sean also bought a new ball to play with so he was happy.

Our final day we went to a local cafe by the river and sat for a few hours organising the next part of the trip, catching up with family and doing the blog. When darkness fell we got back on the bikes and went to the old town again where we heard on an evening there was a night market. We couldn't believe how the place transformed. Lanterns lit the streets, and the atmosphere was so exciting. There were streets full of stalls selling food and souvenirs.

Sean is obsessed with these pop up cards.

We headed back but not before stopping at our favourite bakery that we'd been to every day for a brownie and some cake. Mmmm.

The next stop before heading all the way north was going to be Hué. It was only a few hours away so we were going to get a bus until we heard that we could get a private taxi for not much more, and make some stops at the main sights along the way that we otherwise wouldn't have seen. We only booked it the night before but sure enough they picked us up at our hotel the next morning. We first stopped at the Marble Mountains. For a small entrance fee you could walk all the way up and see the different pagodas and caves along the way.

Next we drove up Hai Van Pass. A long stretch of road that zig zags up and then back down the mountains, made famous to many after Top Gear featured it calling it 'one of the best coast roads in the world'. At the top we stopped for a chance to take pictures as the views were incredible.

Along the way we also drove past Lang co beach and a fishing village. It was nice having an easy comfortable journey for a change, even if it was just a short one. We arrived in Hué late afternoon and started planning for the next couple of days.

We both enjoyed our time in Hoi An though it was abit too touristy for Seans liking, but I personally loved it. Granted, there were not many sites to see and so the ones that there were, were over run with tourists but it was just nice to be somewhere quite 'pretty' and calm. It was so refreshing just being able to walk down the street without hearing a horn every 2 seconds or seeing rubbish everywhere. It was a small town so everything was just a short bike ride away, and the weather was perfect. Being in Hué definitely makes me miss it.

:)