Hoi An

So I have eventually arrived in Hoi An. The Lonely Planet has it as the number one destination in Vietnam that simply can't be missed. Every traveller I have crossed going from South to North has eulogised, waxed lyrically and worshipped at the altar of Hoi An. So what is all the fuss about? Well The Old Town certainly is very, very pretty...

In the 16th and 17th centuries Hoi An was a huge trading centre and influences from China, Japan, India and Holland still prevail today.

The Old Town of Hoi An is a unique architectural record of times gone by and is a UNESCO world heritage sight.

The streets and buildings are adorned by silken lanterns of every hue. At night they glow like iridescent smarties; an Aladdin's Cave.

Blossoms compete with lanterns for centre stage, alluring with their vibrance of colour and fragrance. 

So why haven't I fallen under the Hoi An spell? Why am I not feeling the love? Because for me this place has no soul. Once upon a time it probably did but it has been ripped out by the tourist invasion; in that respect it reminds me of Cornwall. Everything is just a little bit too picture perfect, I feel like I'm on a set and that any minute now somebody will yell 'it's a wrap', the set will come down and we will all go home.

Still I did spend a pleasant day whiling away the hours walking the warrenesque streets. I bought a ticket from the tourism office that gained me entrance into 5 of the 22 heritage sites. I had no idea which to choose so went for one old house, one assembly hall, one museum, one temple and of course the ancient Japanese bridge.

This is the old house of Tan Ky from the 19th century. Owned by a Vietnamese merchant it has Chinese and Japanese influences apparently.

I liked that the Chinese writing was made up of tiny birds.

This is Phuc Ken assembly hall from 1757. I have no friggin' clue who assembled/assembles here.

I liked this picture, I think its the blue guy who does it for me.

Then it was off to the Japanese covered bridge, the symbol of Hoi An.

It was built in 1593.

And has an altar built into it.

Over the bridge I spotted this great looking lady sparking up and spent the next 10 minutes trying to get pics, here are the best of the bunch.

 Then it was off to a temple called Quan Cong, I can't remember anything about it but photographed the blurb for anybody who gives a shit. Not me mister, I have had my fill of templeage...

 

By the time I got to the museum bit I was kinda losing the will so went to the nearest one. Fooking Museum of Trade Ceramics! Just a bunch of pots in class cases, the oldest were in bits and most were of the blue/white willow design persuasion. Dullsville meets Yawnsville, bad choice Adilady. Still the building was interesting so I took some pics of that.

Next stop was dinner, they just brought me the set menu which was roll your own springies.

All very yummsville but I'm a rubbish roller and ended up wearing most of it.

Last stop sunset...

They still make me wistful.

What made me happy? I really relished my own company today. It made a welcome change although I have enjoyed socialising and hanging out. Tomorrow I'm off to the beach then dinner with Hardy. I was gonna wear my slinky frock but then thought better of it...

Lots of love from Adilady, I'm off to the land of nod although sleep is hard to find as I got bitten to shreds at the farmstay and some kind of plant irritant from the trek has brought me out in hives; all very itchy and scratchy. Incidentally I forgot to tell you my farmstay insect anecdote. I was fast asleep on my top bunkage one night when I was rudely awakened by some flapping in my flappage. When I switched the light on for investigations a giant moth the size of a kite flew out of me pants. WTF!!!