Vietnam Trip Report: Part 3

Vietnam Trip Report: Part 3
When our Train arrived in Danang we got off and caught a taxi for the 35 minute ride to the beach town of Hoi An. Danang is a busy city in the middle of the stone cutting region of Vietnam. There are hundreds of shop along the streets making everything imaginable out of these huge slabs of marble carried down from the near by mountains on rusty old Chinese trucks. Many of the stone cutters are very skilled and the works they sell are of top quality.
When we get to Hoi An our taxi driver claims not to know where our hotel is eventhough he told Trang he knew right where we where going before we left. He tries to charge us more money then he originally told her but she quickly puts him back in his place and we pay no more then the original agreement. Trang really takes wonderful care of me and is always worried that I am spending to much money, I spend the hole time wondering how I got so lucky and weather I am going to wake up from this dream or not. We finally get to the Hoi An Beach Resort where we will be staying for the next 3 nights. The Hotel is directly across from the Beach and rests on the shores of the Thu Bon river. Again the hotel is beautiful and the service is top notch. We check in and then catch the shuttle into the center of town. We have a wonderful afternoon exploring the town, eating and then end the night in a little bar overlooking the street in the old town. We drink and talk and laugh as we watch the people go by below. The next day we go back to town to do some shopping. The silk in Hoi An is some of the best anywhere, and the dressmakers are very skilled. I have several silk shirts made for myself and a beautiful Ao Dias made for Trang. I try to get her to pick out more then one but she will only let me buy one for her. She keeps telling me that I should spend my money an myself. We also book a boat trip and tour of the aciant Champa site near by. This Great empire that once ruled most of central Asia is most famous for the city of Angkor Wat but has hundreds of sites through out this region. Though little remains of this great kingdom, the giant stone buildings and temples at this site where very impressive. The trip down the river back to Hoi An town was also very enjoyable and offered me may photo opportunities.
The next morning we take a walk along the beach. Once you get past the little area of beach around the hotel, the beach is completely empty except for the occasional fishing village. As we where passing one of these villages I noticed some of the fisherman where fixing some of their nets. I asked Trang to ask them if I could take their picture and the not only agreed but also motioned for me to join them. I handed Trang the camera and went to watch. One of the fisher men handed me his tool and proceeded to guide me on how to tie the fishing nets. We spent the next hour talking with then as they showed me all about the traditional fishing methods they use everyday. Every thing they use is completely hand made. Their boat are perfectly round and are woven from split bamboo like big baskets. They take these funny looking little craft right out into the surf and they really work much better then one wound think. The nets are all hand woven and the fishermen spend most of there time repairing the nets or making new ones. Well after a very pleasant tour of their little village area we said good bye and headed back to the hotel. That evening we got a taxi back to Danang to catch the overnight train to Sia Gon. This Time I fell asleep in Trangs lap.
To Be Continued