I arrived at a little before 6pm and it was already getting dark fast. This is the only Vietnam stop that I hadn't booked a hotel in advance for since I wasn't sure if I would stay longer in Hue. I shortlisted two hotels however and looked around for a cab. I saw a couple of Mai Linh Taxi but they were both occupied, I had no choice but to get on a motorbike. Of course it will be for 50.000 VND. I did not bargain anymore, I just showed him the address of the first hotel. I sent this hotel a last minute email but I didn't get their reply in time. When I got there, they politely told me they were fully booked. On to hotel #2, I figured if they don't have any room available I'd ask the driver to recommend some place. I got to Phuoc An Hotel and I hurriedly went inside the lobby. The moto driver trailed behind me since I haven't paid him yet and there's a chance we have to head out and look for another place. Fortunately, they had a room available so I paid the driver another 50.000 VND. My pocket money has diminished somewhat and I hated seeing another 100.000 VND go just for the fare. I was thinking I was getting ripped off but I had nothing to compare it with. I tried asking a receptionist before how much it normally cost to get from point A to point B but she had no idea since she never has to pay for a moto ride. With almost 6M people driving their own scooter, that explains it. Sigh.
So anyway, I dropped my bags in my room (I loved it, more on a separate post), went out and rushed out to witness as the night falls over Hoi An. And capture it on digital film, of course.
Dusk
I hurried downstairs and grab one of the hotel cards with a map at the back and had the receptionist mark my destination with a pen: the river in the Old Town. It was a nice walk from 39 Tran Cao Van St. to the Old Town. Compared to the controlled chaos of Hanoi, it was a laid back and charming town and it soon became pretty apparent why Hoi An is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a fascinating combination of Chinese and French architecture. A trading port dating back to 15th century, the narrow road sides were lined by textile boutiques and restaurants and other rustic shops. As I get closer to the river, I entered a Walking and Cycling Zone. It was easily the BEST walk I've had in my life.
So anyway, I dropped my bags in my room (I loved it, more on a separate post), went out and rushed out to witness as the night falls over Hoi An. And capture it on digital film, of course.
Dusk
Night Falls
I hurried downstairs and grab one of the hotel cards with a map at the back and had the receptionist mark my destination with a pen: the river in the Old Town. It was a nice walk from 39 Tran Cao Van St. to the Old Town. Compared to the controlled chaos of Hanoi, it was a laid back and charming town and it soon became pretty apparent why Hoi An is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a fascinating combination of Chinese and French architecture. A trading port dating back to 15th century, the narrow road sides were lined by textile boutiques and restaurants and other rustic shops. As I get closer to the river, I entered a Walking and Cycling Zone. It was easily the BEST walk I've had in my life.
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| bikes all around. |
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| I was drooling over the shoes but sadly, shoe shopping wasn't part of the budget :( |
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It rained just when I was starting to indulge in full-blown photography mode, I didn't even get to see the Japanese Bridge. I asked a moto driver to get me to Cafe 43 instead ( for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't call a taxi instead, it was drizzling and I was getting soaked in the rain). Surprise! I was back where I came from! Cafe 43 turned out be right next door at my hotel. I got down and handed the driver 50,000 VND (I swear, a vulgar amount of my pocket money went to the scooter drivers). I have nothing against them, after all my father fed and clothed and sent us to school working as a driver too. It's just that I knew that I was spending far more than what's right.
blog entry for Cafe 43... (insert link)
The morning after... April 17 Day 4
To make up for the escapade last night that was cut short by the rain ( and also to make up for the guilt oversleeping in Hue) I was up early for a change. Actually, I was awaken by a sound in the room and I just sat up and eyed the phone and immediately check and made sure there was a dial tone. Hahaha. Can't blame me, I had the entire 5th floor to myself. Turned out it was just the door of the fridge opening. I was down for breakfast at 6am and was out the hotel by 6:30am. Headed to the Old Town again and this time I found my way to the Japanese Bridge. I didn't get inside as I had to buy another ticket for 100.000 VND. Although the ticket includes about 3 or 4 other attractions, I decided to pass on it. So I just spent the better part of the morning doing a photo walk of the town.
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| I love this grandma. When she saw me aiming my camera at her, she faced me and smiled. |
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| love her! I wanted to talk to her but I can't speak Vietnamese :( |
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| I tried talking to her by hand signal and facial expression that I wanted to take her photo but unlike the previous grandma, Lola wasn't really feeling it lol. love her still though. |
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| I guess this is for goodluck? |
I started walking back to my hotel a little after 9am to book my taxi to the train station later that afternoon in Cafe 43. On a whim, I decided to book a trip to My Son. They assured me I'd make it back in time for my train schedule so okaaaay. I went back to my hotel, checked out, and left my bags in the restaurant. Off we go!
Summary of Expenses:
Motorbike fare (the hotel hunt) 100.000VND
fare from the bridge back to hotel 50.000
dinner at Cafe43
Pho Bo 16.000
Spring Rolls 57.000
Fare to the train station in Da Nang 240.000
Motorbike fare (the hotel hunt) 100.000VND
fare from the bridge back to hotel 50.000
dinner at Cafe43
Pho Bo 16.000
Spring Rolls 57.000
Fare to the train station in Da Nang 240.000
