Honeymooning in 2006, we stayed at a resort in Da Nang, about 30 minutes south of Hoi An. Da Nang became famous during the Vietnam War because of the crescent shaped China Beach (My Khe Beach) where US troops came for R&R from fighting in the North. Our intent on our honeymoon was to primarily spend time at the resort, but after a taste of Hoi An, we were in a cab every day going back an forth.
13 years later, we're back!
5 Day Stop
The past couple of months have been fast and furious. During our Southeast Asia swing we chopped what started as an ambitious itinerary to make sure we parked in a few places for more than an few days at a time. It's not easy; there is SO much to see in this part of the world. Less travel days, less packing, etc. creates a nice calm (and opportunity to hunker down on school).
Lunch in Da Nang
Our overnight Christmas train arrived in Da Nang this morning. We stored our bags at the train station to quickly head out for Christmas day lunch at a pick-your-seafood restaurant on the beach. I recall this experience fondly with my family as a kid, in Thailand and Hong Kong.
Hoi An 13 Years Different
The city has the same French-Vietnamese cultural mix that pervades into the architecture, coffee, food and general sophistication. The city has boomed as a tourist location; it was packed with people (it was Christmas week) and it has expanded since we last visited. Despite that, it has remarkably retained a breath of authenticity. Well done Hoi An tourism board, whoever you are!
The Lanterns
The city is most awake as the sun goes down. In the 16th century the Chinese and Japanese settled in Hoi An and brought with them the lanterns. The tradition lasted through the French colonization of the late 1800s.
Lanterns are everywhere. Homes, buildings, restaurants and boats.
Bad Attitude Boat Ride
While walking on the waterfront, which comes alive at dusk with people, we were approached for a 30-minute sunset boat ride on the river. We took the bait and were excited (at least Sarah and I) to get on the water. Paige and Sadie on the other hand wanted none of it!
Paige refused to even look up the entire time, nose in her Kindle as a sign of protest. Sadie scowled unresponsive for the first half of the boat ride, but eventually warmed up and got in the moment.
We ended our first night admiring the lanterns and grabbing a bit of street food for dinner before catching some zzzzzz's.
Here's to the next few days in Hoi An!
Comments