After Dalat, we went back to the coast, to a town called Nha Trang, and took a boat for the day to a few of the islands nearby. At one of the fishing villages, we went for a ride in something that is best described as half of a massive coconut!! The locals use it to bring in the fishing nets, but it certainly was an adventure getting in and out of one with a backpack full of valuables!!!
We then made our way north to the town of Hoi An, known mainly for its tailors and shopping it seems. It was the birthday of one of the men in the group. And for some reason he really found it funny that many shopkeepers say "same, same, but different". Since every shop sells exact the same touristy junk, I suppose that's they're way of trying to convince you to buy from them and not their neighbour. Anyhow, we decided as a group to all buy "same same" t-shirts, and buy one for this guy as a birthday present. Since the t-shirt cost less than $2 it was worth a laugh... even if I never wear it again. (let me know if you want a t-shirt worn once!!)
Of the 10 people in the group, it seems only Raquel and I managed to drag ourselves away from the shops to actually see the UNESCO-listed town, which is pleasant enough, but nothing spectacular.
In fact, Vietnam as a whole has been somewhat disappointing. After hearing so many people rave about it, it isn't really all that impressive. Perhaps spending 2 months in Asia doesn't help!!! But we're both a bit sick of eating rice and noodles, so we and the rest of the group took some cooking lessons which probably won't do much good when back in the real world...
1 comment:
OMG, I want the SAME SAME, but different shirt...um, not taking you up on your offer, but I so wish they had those t-shirts when I was there in 2001...I came back from Vietnam saying: same same, but different for ages, and no one got it!
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