Hoi An

Hoi An is a city of artisans, tailors, cobblers, silk makers, lantern shapeers, with a river that floods nightly. It has lovely beaches and terrifying bike rides. A hand made skirt costs 6$, a coat 20, tailored to fit. A giant bloated rat that I almost stepped on and motor bike ride by our sweet young tailor to find just the right buttons, such a charming city. River and ocean, great food, clothes, bikes.

The discovery of the "lighthouse" restaurant, and the pinnacle of my food experience in Vietnam. The "hot pot" a simmering brother of lemongrass, ginger, tomato, mushrooms, lemongrass deliciousness. You let the broth boil and add in lots of veggies and tofu!

Biking is quite the thrill seekers adventure. The roads have very few rules (and yes this is 'nam). 20 motor bikes going in each direction, no one has mirrors or looks where they are going, families, pigs transported on the two wheeled death traps. Sharing the road or rather fleeing like schools of fish every time . The dirt, black smoke and flies just about suffocate.

On the way back to the airport, we stopped off at Marble Mountain. It was a key strategic site during the Vietnam war, and was often used to house the sick and wounded. The mountain was an incredible site of temples and caves to climb, breathtaking views and calm. Vietnam's charm is nothing short of magical.