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Mal Beaton
We booked the resort shuttle to Hoi An. It is only about a 30 minute ride (about 25k). As we left the resort I realised there is an abandoned US air base just across the road. It is the Marble Mountain Air Facility used by US Marines (helicopters) and 5 Special Forces Group. All that seems to be left (only looking from the outside) are the bomb proof hangars, the fence and guard towers. I am sure there is more inside if I was bothered to try to look. The area we are staying in was known during the war as China Beach, famous as an R&R spot. Trip to Hoi An was straight down the coast road Vo Nguyen Giap Blvd. Heaps of construction going on, resorts going up everywhere. There is a Hyatt Regency and Crown International right next to us. Hoi An is what I expected Da Nang to be like. As soon as we got off the transport it was nearly like the stalls of Kuta Beach. The big difference is the amount of tailors and leather merchants. Staff at the Pullman Resort recommended BeBe's Tailors. We went there and got our measurements taken. I am grabbing some dress work pants and a few business shirts. I was also after boots so BeBes put me in to a boot maker. I have been measured up for a great set of boots, wallet and matching leather belt. I have not been able to find another wallet like the one I have. The boot maker offered to copy it. Got to go back in two days for a fitting at the tailors and pick up the boots, belt and wallet. We wandered down towards the old town and discovers entry to the old town is a daily fee of 120,000vnd ($7 Aus) per person. The old town is quite stunning and a great selection of stalls, cafes, small bars and restaurants, we had a really nice lunch, a few more beers then caught the bus back to Da Nang. As Accor members we received an invite to an evening cocktail hour, which turned into free beer and wine for a few hours. We ended up chatting to the Japanese head chef and a French client services manager. Both were a great laugh. Had a meal at the beach bar then a relatively early night
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