It's the Journey...

The next day on Saturday began our VERY long journey from Ha Long Bay down south to Hoi An. We left Nam Cat Island at 6:00 am and took a small boat from our island back to Cat Ba Island, where we got on a bus, and drove from one harbor, to another. Then we got on another small boat that took us to another bigger Cruise boat (but not our original) We hung out on that boat for a little while, and had lunch before yet another small boat picked us up and took up back to another harbor back on the mainland. We then got on a bus and drove four hours from Ha Long Bay back to Hanoi. When then got on a different bus in Hanoi and began what was supposed to be a 14 hour over night bus ride, turned into an 18 hour bus ride. Thankfully, I took a handful of Benadryl which left me unconscious for most of the bumpy ride. Nonetheless, we arrived in Hoi An around 1:30 pm on Sunday dead tired and looking like a whole bucket of fun! Since Hoi An was a spur over the moment destination, we had no place to stay, so we began wondering around until we found the first place with shower!

Looks comfy, right?

Our Hotel on the Mekang River 

Hoi An is not a very beautiful place - a pretty small village along a bunch of canels. We heard the beaches on the ocean were pretty beautiful, but we never made it. We spent most of our time there eating and shopping. It is known as a “tailor city” where you can have dresses, suits and shoes made in a day. It probably would have been more exciting if we were not already spoiled to the fabric market in China (where we can do the same thing in a week), but we did a lot of shopping and had a couple things made!

On Christmas Eve, we rented a couple bikes, and followed a road that a local suggested leading to the farming village and rice fields. While wondering around the rice field, a local man approached us, speaking next to no English, but insisted on showing us around the fields. He showed us some interesting plants, some weird water creatures that eat the rice, and lead us down a path to a Japanese Tomb in the middle of the watery fields. He gave us incense and showed us step by step how to pay respects to the Tomb. At the end, he pointed to the offering jar where he wanted us to put money (a typical tradition), but turned down anything less than 100,000 Dong (equivalent to 20 USD). He insisted on taking some pictures for us, then lead us back to our bikes where he held out his hand asking for payment for his services – we should have seen that coming!

following our "guide" down the path to the Tomb

That night, we planned dinner to celebrate Christmas Eve together – Amy, Anna, Michelle, Rob and I. We found a quiet guesthouse, and ordered a couple bottles of wine and just about one of everything on the menu! We were the only ones in the place, which gave way to our laughter, our reminiscence over the year and our thankfulness for the many blessings bestowed upon us. As we enjoyed the sweet wine, delicious food, and the great company, we each gave a toast. Of course, us four girls are close and we know each other well. Rob was the outsider that had only begun to get to know us barely a week prior. He was the last to give his toast, and he thanked us for allowing him to be a part of our holiday, and allowing him to travel with us for a portion of his trip. He then went on to tell us that he has never met a more special group of friends that so passionately cared about each other, and traveled so fluidly together, and that we were lucky to have one another. Although I had known that in my heart, it was rather incredible that someone who barely knew us had already gained that sense. He told us that we had made his Christmas truly unforgettable and he ended with his favorite Irish toast

"Walls for the wind, a roof for the rain and drinks beside the fire. Laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all that your heart may desire" 

Another Christmas to remember. I am so blessed <3