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17-20/12/19
Having backpacked many times for more years than I care to remember; I almost, I say almost, have my packing down to a fine art. Moving from place to place every few days makes unpacking and repacking a real chore as well as an awful waste of time. Hence, up until later on today I won't have fully unpacked since we left the UK almost two weeks ago!! My trick is to pack my clothes into two pillowcases and my footwear and toiletries in to the side pockets of my rucksack. Once settled in to our accomodation I remove the pillowcases putting them into draws but only removing what I require, as and when needed, from the pillowcases; hence, repacking takes hardly any time at all. I take only one item of footwear out and minimal toiletries.
Saying our goodbyes to our new friends Li Na, An and Thoa Le on the steps of the hotel we set off on the next leg of our adventure.
Today we are off to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage City located roughly 100km from Hue in Central Vietnam. Here the serious stuff begins as we are starting our three week stint as online magazine writers for Hiddenhoian. We discovered it on a working away website called Workaway funnily enough! Our interview had been done by forwarding a two thousand word sample of our writing (each), and having it approved; so we feel pretty confident we can cope with the suggested three hours of work each day. Our work will be made up of interviewing locals and writing up articles chosen by Hiddenhoian. In exchange for our work we shall be provided with an ensuite room in a houseshare with other budding writers and given a staggering daily allowance of 62,000 VND or £2.04 each.
Going back to our journey we kill two birds with one stone by combining the jaunt to Hoi An with a sightseeing tour by taxi. After having lugged 20+kgs of backpack around for a few weeks this feels like a well earned treat (especially for our shoulders). We shall be visiting Lang Co Lagoon and Beach, Marble Mountains and their relgious caves, and the mountain range made famous by Top Gearvia Hai Van Pass. Hai Van ( or Sea Clouds) Pass overlooking Da Nang City and South China Sea (now renamed as South Vietnamese Sea due to political tensions). The pass stands at 500m above sea level, making it the highest in Vietnam. It is spectacular - a must for bikers and proves to be our favourite part of the trip.
Once arrived in Hoi An we meet up with Travis our boss for the next three weeks and are taken to our accommodation, a centrally located modern Vietnamese style house. Here we are introduced to the other Workawayers who seem very friendly. After going through our assignments for this coming week which include interviewing a bike rental owner, we are asked to choose a room. Two hours later unpacked and showered we head out for something to eat. At last I have fully unpacked!
The following morning we get to work but only after changing rooms, so all the unpacking I did the day before was pointless-typical!
We are given two articles to write; one on luxury 5 star hotel resorts in Da Nang and the other on a family motor bike rental company in town. I am finding the structure rather difficult and we both realise that we shall have to put in more than the suggested three hours each per day. This is confirmed when speaking with Dave and April another Workaway couple who have been here for two weeks.
That afternoon we have an interview with Minh the owner of the bike rental company. Outlining the structure of the article we also prepare questions to ask Minh. The plan is, I do the interview while David jots down his answers. Collecting our company vehicles (bicycles) from the front porch we plan to set off on the 4km ride to his base by the sea with time to spare. Oh no! we spot the bikes have two flat tyres and the interview begins in half an hour. Panicking slightly we call Travis who explains where a faulty pump is, which we somehow manage to pump the tyres with and off we go. Vietnam is famous for it's hectic riders and traffic; I haven't ridden a bike for years and the bikes are old and rusty, they haven't had a service since god knows when. Despite this we make it in one piece and are only ten minutes late for the interview. Minh welcomes us with the warmest of smiles and two much needed bottles of water. Two hours later we have all the information we need and head back home. Minh is football mad and has only allowed us to leave because David promised to return and talk football.
Waking up to rain the following morning we decide to crack on with our articles. It's tough going especially for me as I'm not used to such structure. Luckily David is, so he structures both articles while I do the research. What a team!
Our house, though new and well located, needs a bit of TLC. The kitchen cupboards are fragile and only equiped with a couple of cups and bowls and very bendy cutlery (has Yuri Geller stayed here before?). The shower trickles out water which is hot if you're lucky and I am drying my hair using the the stand up fan in the sitting room. However, our room is large and has a balcony and our housemates are lovely.Geting into a day to day routine we work in the morning when the weather is grey and cycle to the beach in the afternoon before heading into the old town for a mooch and dinner.
The old town is stunning and is famous for being a well preserved example of a South East Asian trading port from the 15th to 19th century. It's full of exceptionally well preserved 16th and 17th century bulidings as well as the covered Japansese Bridge.
Wildlife spotting#3; not much really as busy working. However, we spotted a HUGE dead rat and some buffalo wallowing in the paddy fields while cycling to the beach.
- comments
Karen Keep it coming Suzanna x
Carys Harrison You've taken me right back! Are you getting some things made? ??! All that writing and you have time to write your blog . Well impressed!
David and Suzanne Will do Karen, hope all is good at home; love to all.
David and Suzanne Hi Carys, Yes, the writing is quite demanding, glad you appreciate the work we put in. You'll know how time consuming it is from all the blogs you've wriitten. We love wrtiing it though; it's for us to look back on when we're too old to travel anymore Ha-Ha... I am having a dress made up from fabric I bouhgt in Ghana when I visited in September. Any tailor recommendaions?
Fiona I hope you both enjoy your writing job. It sounds like a great way to learn about the area! Wishing you a very happy relaxed Christmas.
Sara Sounds like a fabulous way to learn about the people and culture. The blog is great guys, am loving reading about all your adventures xxx
David and Suzanne Arh! Thanks, and yes we're really seeing and learning about amazing things. Learning how to assemble and eat some of their dishes is one of them??? Looking the feedback, keep it coming.
Kirstin Just catching up on your blog. Keep up the good work. Hope the writing turned out well. Like the idea of bendy forks and enjoyed reading about the bike shenanigans xxx