So I took an over night bus to Hue which did not have a lot going on there. It was a torrential down pouring for the entire time I was there; however, I did ride motorcycles in the rain which was pretty cool. I stayed there for a few nights then took a bus to Da Nang, which is beautiful. I booked a hotel for $6 a night to have a little R&R, the hotel was right by the beach and it was perfect. The only catch was that I was three miles from the city center, so I hung out by the beach and started binge watching The Punisher on Netflix in my air-conditioned room and it was blissful. I also went to the marble mountains which is below.
After two days in Da Nang, I took one hell of a bus ride down to Hoi An. I think I may just write another post about this bus ride because it was wild. First off, the man driving this public bus was a schizophrenic drunk driver who would weave in between lanes going sixty miles an hour and used his horn every ten seconds. Secondly the conductor charged every western person a difference price for the ticket and extra fees for our bags on the public bus, so everyone got conned. Thirdly this was not only a public bus but also a food delivery, clothing delivery and everything in between. The bus would slow to a fast rumble when the conductor would open the doors through whatever miscellaneous package out of the doors and receive the proper amount of cash then cruise off to his next destination.
I was on this crazy bus for about an hour then proceeded to walk 3 miles in ninety-degree heat to my hostel because I didn’t want to get price gouged by a taxi. After one long sweaty hour of walking in the sun, I finally made it to Paddy’s Hostel, an Irish oasis in the middle of Vietnam.
Day 17: Hoi An – Day 1
Daily Highlights:
Took a crazy bus to Hoi An
Walked 5km from the bus station to the hostel because I wanted to save money
Immediately jumped into pool when I got to the hostel
THE HOSTEL IS SICK
Made friends with some Danish girls and walked around downtown Hoi An
Drank with everyone back at the hostel
I found out what hipster, Australian youths are and its gross.
This place is pretty mind blowing. I had no idea Vietnam could look like this. Hoi An is wildly beautiful and looks like Venice plopped into Asia. Outside of downtown is laden with palm trees, beaches, hammocks, pedal bikes and the vibe of a small Caribbean fishing village. It’s so surreal how peaceful, authentic, and inviting Hoi An feel like.
Day 18: Hoi An – Day 2
Daily Highlights:
Rode a pedal bike in the morning to a local fishing village, chilled in a hammock and wandered around the beach
Went on a 4 mile run and then jumped into the pool
GOT BANH MI PHUONG (TWICE)
A popular banh mi spot
Dug into some Cau Lau (pork and noodles)
Went to Phin coffee and got a coconut iced coffee
Checked out the night market
Day 19: Hoi An – Day 3
Daily Highlights:
Snuck into a v fancy $250/night hotel and used their pool and got drinks
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
Went to the night market again
Went to Banh Mi Lanh (another popular banh mi spot)
Rode bikes all over the city
Day 20: Hoi An – Day 4
Daily Highlights:
Got a very spicy Cau Lau by the beach
I wanted to make it spicy, so I got a bowl of spicy green and red peppers and a separate bowl of chili sauce and dumped them both into my bowl
WENT TO BANH MI PHUONG AGAIN 😊
Rode bikes all over Hoi An again
Hung out at the beach again
Day 21: Hoi An – Day 5
Daily Highlights:
Woke up at 5:30am to watch the super bowl at a bar on the beach
Fucking sick
Stayed at the bar by the beach for the whole day
Finally meditated for the first time in a week
CLARITY = POWER
SILENCE = CLARITY
Went out for the Lunar New Year
Shot gunned a few beers
Did nangs for the first time and it was as underwhelming as I thought
VIETNAM IS INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS! Its really hitting me today how beautiful this country is and Hoi An. Hoi An has the most incredible beaches, strewn with palm trees amongst little encampments of tiki huts surrounded by cool refreshing ocean waves. Situated right on the beach are so many beachside bungalows, bars, and restaurants. This place is actually paradise. It makes me feel so happy that I’m stepping into my dreams. With days filled with travelling, seeing cool shit and lounging on beaches.
Day 22: Hoi An – Day 6
Daily Highlights:
I spent only 60,000 Dong today (about $2.5 USD)
I was slightly hungover from last nights party
I got food poisoning in the afternoon, vomited for three hours and could not hold down food or liquids
Oh also everything was closed because its Lunar New Year, but I did finish watching The Punisher
Day 22: Hoi An – Day 7
Daily Highlights:
This is my last day in Hoi An
Had a lunch with the owner and workers of the hostel for Tet (Lunar New Year)
About to take a twelve hour sleeper bus to Da Lat for a few days