Hello everyone! We made it safe and sound to Hoi An, the land of many tailors. Apparently some 500 of them. We are staying in a 180 year old traditional wooden home right next to the market. We have the VIP room upstairs, the one with the windows that open up right on to the market. I'm sure we'll be up early tomorrow - I'm not sure I mentioned that this country seems to get going at about 5:00 a.m. or so. No air con for us at this place, but the character far outweighs the need. I'm hoping it will cool down tonight. It's currently in the mid thirties (I think). Mark had to buy a spiffy straw hat to avoid sunstroke while walking around today.
Nha Trang looked like a great place to hang out at the beach. Sadly, no beach time for us. We had a few hours between getting off of our motorcycles, and, thankfully, showering, to getting on our "sleeping bus". We took a stroll to the beach and found, joy of joys, a real BREW PUB!!! The beer was wonderful and cold.
I invited a fellow sitting on his own over to join us. His name was Johnathon, and he was from London. When I invited him over, his remark was, "I think I will. I trust you are from the new world then?" in his lovely British accent. Made us laugh, and was a great opening to some good conversation.
Our weather luck ran out just before lunch on the bike trip. A sudden downpour made us pull to the side of the road to don our plastic rain clothes. It made us very steamy, as of course, rain does not equal cold. It really was pelting down though - the kind of rain that hurts when it hits. It didn't last long, all of 10 minutes, but enough to absolutely soak my feet.
To stay with the food theme (this is all about me, after all) we went to a noodle place for breakfast that was, of course, like all other meals so far, wonderful. There was lots of lemon grass in the broth which made it very fragrant and flavourful. Then we went next door for coffee with sweetened condensed milk - it looked like melted chocolate, and I swear that any other coffee served that strong would have been bitter, but it was smooth and mellow. Dee-lish! Didn't seem to make Mark any more energetic than normal, either.
We stopped for a snack after an hour and a half on the bike to try some local food that Thiet thought we'd like. Plus, we got to see how rice paper is made. It's pretty cool. They take rice goop (looks kind of like soup) and make a crepe very similar to the French method. But, they put a lid on the crepe while it's cooking and they steam it. Then they do a second crepe on top of the first one. The snack we had was a wet, fresh crepe with a roasted dry crepe on top. Dip it in some yummy sauce and you're good to go.
The other thing we ate was a salad with a bowl of sauce that never ended. Mark thought it was like dipping your salad in salad dressing, rather than our traditional way of adding dressing to the salad. Also, of course, yummy. And the last thing was the hot tofu pudding with caramel and ginger. The kids love it, and so do Mark and I.
Non food oriented, we saw how they collect rubber from the rubber planatation, how they make bricks, how they make furniture from roots, and a recycling place that had a 155 mm shell that was found with a metal detector. Apparently, there still are remnants from the war.
We went over a gorgeous mountain pass that was all reforested. Agent orange and napalm were dropped on each side of the road as it was very dangerous during the war. It's much easier to see who is shooting at you when there are no trees to hide behind. I have to say though, if you weren't told, you'd never know. It's very lush and green now.
The "sleeping bus" to Hoi An was a treat. It made me think of what Japan must be like. You are almost fully reclined in your "pod" (see pic) and it was surprisingly easy to sleep. I figure that I got about 6 hours last night, so when we arrived in Hoi An, we were ready to go. We were at the market by 7:00, chowing down on noodles, coffee, and a smoothie that had avacado in it. Yum yum yum.
Nha Trang looked like a great place to hang out at the beach. Sadly, no beach time for us. We had a few hours between getting off of our motorcycles, and, thankfully, showering, to getting on our "sleeping bus". We took a stroll to the beach and found, joy of joys, a real BREW PUB!!! The beer was wonderful and cold.
I invited a fellow sitting on his own over to join us. His name was Johnathon, and he was from London. When I invited him over, his remark was, "I think I will. I trust you are from the new world then?" in his lovely British accent. Made us laugh, and was a great opening to some good conversation.
Our weather luck ran out just before lunch on the bike trip. A sudden downpour made us pull to the side of the road to don our plastic rain clothes. It made us very steamy, as of course, rain does not equal cold. It really was pelting down though - the kind of rain that hurts when it hits. It didn't last long, all of 10 minutes, but enough to absolutely soak my feet.
To stay with the food theme (this is all about me, after all) we went to a noodle place for breakfast that was, of course, like all other meals so far, wonderful. There was lots of lemon grass in the broth which made it very fragrant and flavourful. Then we went next door for coffee with sweetened condensed milk - it looked like melted chocolate, and I swear that any other coffee served that strong would have been bitter, but it was smooth and mellow. Dee-lish! Didn't seem to make Mark any more energetic than normal, either.
We stopped for a snack after an hour and a half on the bike to try some local food that Thiet thought we'd like. Plus, we got to see how rice paper is made. It's pretty cool. They take rice goop (looks kind of like soup) and make a crepe very similar to the French method. But, they put a lid on the crepe while it's cooking and they steam it. Then they do a second crepe on top of the first one. The snack we had was a wet, fresh crepe with a roasted dry crepe on top. Dip it in some yummy sauce and you're good to go.
The other thing we ate was a salad with a bowl of sauce that never ended. Mark thought it was like dipping your salad in salad dressing, rather than our traditional way of adding dressing to the salad. Also, of course, yummy. And the last thing was the hot tofu pudding with caramel and ginger. The kids love it, and so do Mark and I.
Non food oriented, we saw how they collect rubber from the rubber planatation, how they make bricks, how they make furniture from roots, and a recycling place that had a 155 mm shell that was found with a metal detector. Apparently, there still are remnants from the war.
We went over a gorgeous mountain pass that was all reforested. Agent orange and napalm were dropped on each side of the road as it was very dangerous during the war. It's much easier to see who is shooting at you when there are no trees to hide behind. I have to say though, if you weren't told, you'd never know. It's very lush and green now.
The "sleeping bus" to Hoi An was a treat. It made me think of what Japan must be like. You are almost fully reclined in your "pod" (see pic) and it was surprisingly easy to sleep. I figure that I got about 6 hours last night, so when we arrived in Hoi An, we were ready to go. We were at the market by 7:00, chowing down on noodles, coffee, and a smoothie that had avacado in it. Yum yum yum.
7 comments:
good to see Mrk (it will tke 1 week to get replcement keybord on my "ncient" (4 yer old ) lptop. Your posts mke me lugh b/c it is ALL bout the food! Gld you re hving wonderful time & I'm sure tht you will hve perfected mny recipes by our Nov visit!
Ws tempted by your reports of the coffee nd so am currently sitting sipping coffee nd condensed milk in the sunniest spot in the house. Yum! I cn feel your sunny vibes too.
I can read your blog and the comments but not getting far sending you a message!@#$!!
H & K, M & D
Hi Travellers:
Finally figured it out, yeah! It's hot and sunny here and we enjoyed a BBQ dinner, and breakfast this a.m. on deck. Maybe summer has finally arrived. We have been enjoying your pics and comments. It's so fun to keep up with you this way (although the m/c trip had me a little concerned). The food sounds and looks great. Never have seen or heard of the "overnight" bus like yours. Love & Hugs.......M&D
Wow, it seems Mark does exist, though I think I know that beach and its in the British Virgin Islands!!
Just kidding. Love all the smiles, sure looks like you are having fun.
If it is VIP then why are you wrapped in plastic??
Hey Kids
I think my envy outweighs yours Mary. I'd trade 26.2 for eating and having fun any day. Evin would sure like the sleeping bus (no one would be able to with him playing) and the "motorcycles". He would need a Dora helmet though...
Cool to follow along with you. As always, living vicariously through others is what I do.
Don't forget your hat and sunscreen (that was for Mom).
cheers
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