It was more than just a wee little walk after Christmas dinner - it was an epic journey today, on foot, for much of the day: approximately 16km all up, we calculated. Our destination? My 15 year old daughter, Ploi, and I were headed for the waterfront in the old World Cultural Heritage City of Hoi An.
Hoi An is an old Asian trading port, well over 1000 years old, in Central Vietnam. It's influences are many and varied - Chinese, French, Khmer and touches of Portuguese. It's located on an amazing estuary and an intricate web of wetlands and waterways, hosting amazing bird life, water buffalo, little fish farms and traditional vegetable farms, all within a 10 minute drive of beautiful Cam An at An Bang Beach. Where we just happen to be staying, relaxing & recharging.
Luckily it wasn't too hot - overcast at times and an almost-cool-by-Asian-standards 27C. Enough to get us oh-so-gently sunkissed.
The straight and fairly busy road is the only way, and so we braved some traffic. And a few buffalo who stopped traffic for a few moments and looked totally nonplussed about the whole thing.
We walked past small family fish farms and market gardens.
And, of course, a number of extremely-local small fish and seafood vending spots. Freshly caught and most of it still alive.
As we drew near to the Old City the traffic was pretty interesting, to say the least. Lots of Vietnamese-style honking.
Turning off the main traffic streets into the car-free zone was like a gulp of fresh air. And made the walking so much more pleasurable. Not to mention safe.
So many quirky things to look at, and stunning, arty streetscapes. I just loved this old bicycle outside a little bamboo museum, sporting a myriad of old-style bamboo fish traps.
We did, of course, stop to eat. Twice. LOL. And I savoured the local-style coffee which is very delish and always has me thinking of Turkish coffee.
And how do you know it really is Christmas? The beer is cheaper than water!! LOL. 2 glasses of "Bia Hoi" (fresh brewed, chemical free, local Hoi An fresh beer) cost lest than one small bottle of regular flat water.
It was needed and thoroughly enjoyed! Food was beyond amazing.
The distance each way was 5.6km and we zig-zagged across the river area about 4 times. We estimate about 16km in total in just over 6 hours. Thankfully the girls are fit!
We were back beachside around 4pm and ready for naps and lounging on the daybed at our beachside digs. A pot of fresh chinese tea before dinner, and a lovely long hot shower to soothe some already stiffening muscles. Followed by a stunning evening meal: grilled squid, stir fried fresh fish fillet with chili and lemongrass, fresh spring rolls. Mango smoothie for my girl and a beer Saigon to round off a memorable Christmas day here in delightful Vietnam.
Smiling at all the #wednesdaywalks happening around the world, and enjoyed to contribute our little Asian Christmas wander.
BlissednBlessed. Resting. Recharging'
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