Hoi An is a small city located on the bank of the Thu Bon river. Its population works on international trade since the 17th century. When you walk through its market and its alleys you can easily see the trade activity in every corner (but always keeping a traditional way for it).
Its fishing port is plenty of small boats that they use for fishing but also to offer tours along the river to travellers. We met two Vietnamese sisters from a fishing family and they brought us for a boat ride along the river and they also explained us a bit of their life style. Fishing families live in some small houses on the bank of the river that the government built for them in order to help these kind of families. The boats are 24 hours on the water. Men are in charge of fishing during the night time while women do it during the day (women fish and also offer boat tours to tourists).
It is quite interesting how all the boats of the area have 2 eyes painted on the front. Locals consider that this will bring them good luck and they will have a good fishing season.
There are also some small round boats (called Hung Chai) made of bamboo that the locals use to catch the small fish.... it seems that there is still no law that bans it here.
The market is set beside the harbour and it opens at 5 in the morning. Fruits, vegetables (many different ones), fish, meat, souvenirs, jewellery.... ducks... they sell everything here!! And all of it goes with the characteristic call : "Hello!!!!" Madam!!! Buy something!! Very cheap!! Just have a look!! Having a look it's free!!
We also tried the local food here: rice or noodles with vegetables, chicken, prawns... all homemade .... yummy!!!!!!! And so cheap too!!! Eating something from the market is a funny experience and can fill you up for less than a Euro!! You can't miss it if you come here!
The streets of Hoi An are very romantic.... they are all plenty of Chinese lanterns, paintings... all handicrafts...
It is also very curious that there are plenty of cloth and shoe shops that they make you whatever you ask for in 24 hours. Let me explain that: you go to a shoe shop for instance... then you choose the shoe style that you want. It can be anything! you just have to choose from a catalog or you can even design it yourself if you can draw! Then you choose the colour and the fabric or leather and then you have them ready in 24 hours!! and very cheap too!! But the best thing is when they take your size... you step your foot in a piece of paper and they draw a line around it. Then they have the pattern!!Hilarious!!
This is not all about this charming city. Five kilometres from the city centre there is a huge white sand beach called Cua Dai. Great!!! After almost 3 months travelling we haven't got to go to the beach yet!!! So we rented a couple of bikes and we cycled there. Ueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee some sun!!!
Something that we would like to highlight here is how the Vietnamese girls reacts with the sun. They basically hate the sun... as they believe that the beauty is on the white skin. So the whiter the better. Completely opposite to us!! So they go out with hats, gloves, masks to cover their faces, socks... everything to avoid any sunshine !!! Such is the concern that even some international cream brands have created a "Whitening cream" and they are sold as hot cakes!
After this little explanation about their reaction to the sun we'll explain you the funny situation on the beach. Where the sun is very hot , Vietnamese people are faraway on the palms shadow while all the travellers are enjoying the heat. However, after the sunset... Hide yourself!!!!! Entire Vietnamese families invade the beach!! Awsome!! There is no room for anyone else.. then they start their "beach day".
During the night Hoi An is very nice too. Just walking through its alleys illuminated by the Chinese lanterns it makes you feel special... very nice seriously!!! and very calm!!
Hoi An and The Havana... two places that once you visit, you can fall in love with..
Check some pictures of Hoi An here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27523343@N06/?saved=1
See you soon!!
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario