A driver picked us up at the train station in Danang and headed towards Hoi An. On the way, we stopped at marble mountain, aptly named due to the fact that they sell a ton of marble sourced from a nearby mountain. Big and small and in any design you could imagine, you can buy it here. But instead of purchasing a 12 foot tall Buddha and finding a way to ship it home, we opted for a marble egg for Anna Marie and a pocket-size Buddha that I can use as a card protector during poker tourneys.
Comparing Buddha bellies at Marble Mountain
Also on the way to Hoi An, we drove past China Beach where a ton of luxury hotels and casinos are opening, meaning this beach is about to become a tourist hot spot, similar to what Biloxi was before Katrina. It’s a far cry from being the initial stomping grounds for US troops almost 50 years ago.
Once in Hoi An, we spent our time walking through the huge central market buying ban mis (Vietnamese sandwiches which are the cheapest and tastiest sandwiches this side of Bay Cities) and fresh fruit. The market is a crash course in Vietnamese culture, so luckily we were accustomed to the local idiosyncrasies and weren’t too alarmed at anything.
We also spent some time adoring the riverside shops and restaurants, which come alive at night when the lights turn on and reflect off the river’s calm waters. People flood the river banks, enjoying public plastic tables and chairs, sipping beer or tea, and either chatting with friends or their loved one as if nobody could see them. It’s a magical place to be on a cool clear night.
Tania making sure not a drop of her flambeed banana dessert went to waste.
We rode our bikes down to the beach hoping to renew our relaxing days in southern Thailand. On the way, we stopped and walked through the rice paddies meeting locals and their water buffaloes (see the video previously posted). We had driven by so many of these infinite green fields but never explored the inner workings of one, so this was our perfect opportunity. Apparently not too many tourists venture into the fields because we were quickly approached by the field workers who wanted to chat and take pictures with us.
Our new water buffalo friend amongst the lush green rice paddies.
The beach wasn’t quite as relaxing as we had hoped due to the windy conditions and oily waters, but it was nice to be back under the sun in our bathing suits and laying on our towels.
Another day we hired a speed boat to take us snorkeling, again hoping to renew one of our Thailand loves, and to put our newly purchased snorkel gear to use. Well, we were scheduled to swim for 2.5 hours, but we were back in the boat after 20 minutes due to the incredibly cold water and ferocious sea lice who bit us incessantly. Luckily, the boat trip included an afternoon on Cham Island beach and a delicious lunch. There we were able to soak up the sun and walk around the deserted island, so the trip wasn’t a complete waste.
Craig's beard kept him warm in the freezing water while snorkeling, but the chilly conditions proved to be too much for the honeymooners.
All of that was fine and dandy, but the biggest hit in Hoi An for us (and for most visitors to the city) was the custom tailoring at incredibly affordable prices. We had suits, shirts, pants, dresses, and even a winter coat all made of fabrics we selected, all custom tailored to our bodies, and all at a fraction of the cost it would be in the US. Once we left Hoi An, we were geared up with improved wardrobes for the impending job hunt when we get back.
And about that job hunt, we keep finding excuses to push it back as far as possible. Now we’re planning on not only spending time with my family (especially little Ian who’s almost a year old!!), but we’ll be in Atlanta with Tania’s family while Patrick hikes the Appalachian Trail for 5 months. What other excuse do we need to stay unemployed than to spend quality time with our families? Exactly! That’s what we’re thinking.
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