Days 145-146 -- Hoi An

Got into Hoi An at about 6AM and not too tired...slept pretty well considering the bumpy ride. Wandered around for an hour and found a guesthouse at a steep price, $12. After about 10-12 different places I found that nothing was going to be cheaper so I sucked it up. Thats definitely the most I've paid for a room in SE Asia and it stings a little more when you don't split it with someone. Anyways, nice room with air-con, hot water, fridge, tv so good value for sure. Hoi An is a really charming little town with an old city area with lots of foreign influence...winding lanes, small alleys, old-style shops...very cool and a much different side of Vietnam. Ended up running into the Belgian guys who were crazy enough staying at the same hotel. We got bikes that afternoon and headed about 55km out of town to My Son. Old Champa temples built between 4th and 13th century that have turned into ruins since we dropped so many bombs around the area during the war. The propoganda about the war definitely runs high...but you don't really see it from the locals or in the towns...mainly at the sites you check out. Anyways, the book compares it to Angkor Wat, but its nothing similar...still glad I went out there though. Came back from My Son and hit the beach for a couple of hours. Big powerful waves that were fun to jump around in, but a really strong current. After 10 minutes I ended up like 100meters down from where we were hanging out. That night we went into town and had some good local food, cau lao (noodles with pork and brown gravy....great!). Called it an early night since had an early appointment.

Hoi An is famous for tailor made clothing industry...lots of travelers come here and get outfitted with new clothes at really cheap prices. Most of the shops can turn around shoes, dresses, suits, shirts in a day and the prices are great. I had heard from the Americans on the dive boat about a good shop and picked up some clothes. Got measured at 10AM and went back and clothes were ready at 5pm for the first fittings. Fit was really good and just need a few small alterations so I'll have them back in the morning. Spent most of the day wandering around the town with the Belgians and doing some administrative stuff for the trip...set up all the remaining flights to get around SE Asia and where I would plan to be when. Dinner at the local market and then to a bar for a quick St. Patrick's Day drink. Have to be up early to pick up my suit and get some things to the post office so took it easy.