Day 28 (18 of trip) = 28th November 2008 - Hoi An, Vietnam

Early in the morning we arrived in Denang, a short mini-bus ride to our next destination Hoi An.After a mini-sleep and a shower we headed off into town.Hoi An was established as a port in the 15th century and established as a trading center dealing with merchants from China, Japan, Holland, France and Portugal.It has a very well preserved architecture and in 1999 was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We walked around the ancient town all of which was a light shade of yellow, mixed with dark wood and gold signs.The town retains the original street patterns and many buildings.We visited five different sites within the city, ending up at the Old Japanese Bridge.After that it was time to shop!Today Hoi An is the place in Vietnam where you can have a whole new wardrobe tailored.After visiting several different tailors (with a very diverse range in prices) I settled on a recommended tailor by Intrepid (Guys n' Girls, 17 Tran Hung Dao).I ordered a three piece light grey suit, including a waistcoat, black silk Vietnam lining and a black double cuffed shirt!

Day 29 (19 of trip) = 29th November 2008 - Hoi An, Vietnam

Today we hired a bicycle and a local tour guide took us on a bike ride around the countryside surrounding the old village of Hoi An.We rode into the countryside stopping at a local farm (and scaring off an ox from his plowing duties), took photographs with a cow and then walked to a graveyard across a rather wobbly bamboo bridge!We then headed off to the Cua Dai Beach (a short ride from Hoi An).Although, unfortunately the weather wasn't very good and it definitely wasn't sun bathing weather.

After the bike ride, I headed back into town to try on my suit.It looked very smart (slightly lighter and more blingy than anticipated), but it fitted like a glove.I was then easy persuaded to part with a few more million (dong) and ordered a plain black suit, but with bright purple silk patterned lining.I keep the style "same same"!!In the evening Jack, Soph, Clare and I headed out to a restaurant of our choosing (well a Lonely Planet recommendation).We ended up at the Tam Tam bar, thankfully the food was superb, too everyone's relivement!After dinner we hit the Before & Now bar (about the only bar in town).

Day 30 (20 of trip) = 30th November 2008 - Hoi An, VietnamToday we jumped on a tour bus and headed 35km off into the jungle to see the enigmatic ruins of My Son (mee-sun).It is the most important remains of the ancient Cham empire and a Unesco World Heritage site.Like most things in Vietnam, much of it had been destroyed by the Americans in the war.It was quite impressive, but nothing on the scale of Angkor Wat.After My Son, we returned to Hoi An via a boat ride along the Thu Ban river, stopping at the Cam Nam village, where a lot of the wooden sculptures sold in Hoi An are crafted by the local village people.After the boat trip I headed back to my rather friendly tailor to pick up my suit.Although it wasn't totally finished it was looking good and was told to return later that night to pick it up!The speed at which they make them is frightning, I just hope it lasts!

The same group of us went out for dinner again, but this time we ate at the Before & Now bar.Wow, the food there was amazing!It was without question the best food we had eaten since we had arrived in Vietnam!