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Other entries in Hoi An

A-shopping we shall go

Well there's the solution. If in doubt...go shopping! I of all people should have worked that one out!

We have just spent a relaxed four days in Hoi An, after travelling down from Hanoi via Hue. It is Vietnamese New Years (Tet) eve tomorrow, and we have been thrilling the locals by saying 'Chuc Mung Nam Moi' - who are obscenely happy to be told to have a happy new year in their own language. It's been one of the nicest things to happen so far! We are off down to Nha Trang tomorrow (12 hr bus ride!) but hopefully will arrive in time and in a fit state to check out the celebrations.

Hue was a nice town - only stayed the one night but went to a cool citadel there, and also for a boat trip to see some really old tombs. Haven't taxed ourselves too much in Hoi An - the place to come to have a new wardrobe made. We didn't go quite that far, but repacking the bags tonight might be more difficult! We also visited the My Son sanctuary, which is a city built variously between 2nd, 8th and 16th centuries. Because we aren't taking a big interest in the DMZ and other battle areas this was really the first time the material aspects of the Vietnam war really hit home. These beautiful old ruins that managed to survive - some for 1800 years - largely blown to smithereens by American bombs 30 years ago. There's nothing out there, so it seems a completely pointless target. Still, there are some parts that remain intact, and with Unesco now listing it as a World Heritage Site hopefully they'll be there for a few more generations.

It has been nice to stay put for a few days, and we are both looking forward to some time at the beach and hopefully a couple of dives. Just realised that we haven't swum in the sea since Zanzibar, so fingers crossed for nice weather and clear water.

Be good!

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