Day 11: 21 April -- Hoi An

Breakfast riverside on the Thu Bon river started the day.  Then by bus to the old township which dates from the 15th century and is UNESCO Heritage Listed.  Back then this was a centre for trade especially with the Chinese -- and many relics of that connection remain in Chinese style homes, temples and markets.

We took a small tour boat down the river.  Along the way money changed hands and we were given a demostration of local fishing from 2 person boats using casting nets.  Both banks of the river are home to large drop-down fishing nets.  They are suported on 4 poles driven in to the river bed.  The net is dropped to the bottom, and at appointed time a team of men use a winch to haul the net up out of the water.  The trapped fish are then retrieved and prepared for market.

A few km down the river we landed and John took us on a guided tour through the local fishing village.  Apart from fish, they eke out a living growing vegetables for market, brown rice, peanuts -- and they weave sleeping mats from straw.  I don't know how they get on in monsoon season, because every spare metre of space around homes had produce spread out for drying and husking.  The odd cow looked very contented with life too.

Back to Hoi An, and a walk through the food market. The smells and sights could easily spoil one's appetite, but amazing to watch the locals bartering for the bit of this and that they want for today's dinner.  No refrigeration, so I'd be giving the fish and meat a big miss.

We then moved into the old chinese area where there are still some Taoist temples complete with incense burrning and monks chanting.  We visited one that even had the enterprise to set up a tea room on the side.  Then to a silk manufacturing and tailoring shop.  Millions of silkworms there, and we saw the whole process of breeding, drawwing the thread from the cocoon and then weaving.  Some gorgeous maeterials there for both men and women.  You only come to Hoi An to shop!!

After visit to a traditional chinese home and then a japanese style covered bridge that dates from 1539,   we went to a restaurant run by an Aussie family.  I was feeling rather uncomfortable, but the prospect of the first western food since leaving Australia was too much.  Very nice!

Back to hotel for a siesta -- and then the "dreaded lurghi" struck.  I became victim #8 in the group.  Immodium hopefully will settle it quickly.  Had to go into town at 5pm to get trousers fitted and collect my made-to-measure sandals.  Grabbed a taxi to ge back to the secrity of my room as soon as I finished.  VND45000 for the trip ($2.50).. and we didn't hit any of the kamikaze high school students just out of class on their bikes.  One really needs a video camera to capture the feel of places over here.

Will be giving tea  a miss tonight - the others are going in to a restaurant in town.  I'll see what the TV offers.

A few photos to remember today by.  See them here.