Hello Everyone,
We have finally mastered the fine art of crossing the street in Asia ! As mentioned in a previous blog, you do not wait for a gap in the traffic ( because it will never come), you merely step off the curb with hundreds of motorbikes coming at you from all directions. Continue to walk at a steady pace toward the opposite side of the street while you are holding your breath. Never take a step backward or you will back into the motorbike which is raising the hair on the back of your neck! Somehow, motorbikes part to go around you and you reach the opposite side of the street safely. The same procedure is used at night but we now know how it feels to be a deer in headlights when all we can see are the headlights, or lack of, coming at us.
The food in this part of the world has been amazing! We have eaten so many spring rolls, both fried and fresh, that we are beginning to look like one! Southeast Asia is a gastronomer's delight. Foods are flavoured with lemongrass, ginger, chili and tamarind. We were fortunate to have been taken to an authentic seafood restaurant on the river frequented by locals except for our large group of expats. Here we had the experience of making our own fresh spring rolls.......which promplty fell apart! Fortunately, Bryan's wife Ee, took pity on us and made the spring rolls for us. How delicious they were.
We also had the good fortune to be passengers on motorbikes while in Saigon. It is like being in the middle of the pack in the Indianapolis 500!
At every stop light there are about 30 - 40 motorbikes at the head of the line waiting for the light to change. When making a left hand turn, the motorbike just continues to procede, weaving its' way through the oncoming traffic. We were fortunate to come out the other side in one piece. Actually, for the amount of traffic on the roads in Saigon, we saw very few mishaps.
After leaving the hectic pace of Saigon, we were ready for a little R & R in the quiet seaside town of Mui Ne.The area is well know for kite surfing and at any one time you can see up to 100 or more surfers plying the waves. We enjoyed relaxing on the beach and swimming in the South China Sea for a few days. Just what we needed after the crazyness of the big city. Even the beach hawkers were not bothersome. All you had to say was "No thank you" once to the ladies carrying their wares on long poles.
The next leg of our trip took us five hours by bus further up the coast to Nha Trang, a quiet ,small city with a beautiful municipal beach. Nha Trang is know as the beach capital of Vietnam with its' six km. long beach. The water was turquoise and the many offshore islands made this a most scenic stop. The landscape along the way took us through huge sand dunes, rice paddies, fertile valleys, desert, and mountainous areas. Vietnam is exceptionally picturesque.
While in Nha Trang, we visited their cultural centre and were fortunate to see the ladies working on their fine silk embroidery pictures. We now know why these pictures cost so much as millions of stitches comprise each piece of work.How beautiful they were.
We decided to take a break from the bus and took an hour flight to the historical jewel of Hoi An. This has been designated as a World Heritage UNESCO sight with its' old buildings and narrow car free streets. We were fortunate to arrive on a full moon when Hoi An celebrates its' "Legendary Night". Motorbikes are banned from the old town which is transformed into a magical land of lanterns which you can purchase and float down the river. Street games and dance performances can be observed throughout the town.
Hoi An has long been known for fabric production and has an estimated 300 - 500 tailors.It has been fun to bargain with them and indulge in some tailor made clothing.....the results of which you will see when we return. It won't come as a surprise to you when I say that I bought more than frugal Ross!!
Within a couple of days we will be heading to Hue and then flying to Hanoi.
Until the next post,
Joan & Ross
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