hanging out in hoi ain

In Hoi An you don't really have to do very much to enjoy everything it has to offer. There is no real need to go on tours, trips or anything else - you can soak it all up just by hanging around.

For the last two days I've hired a bicycle to get around the town and to the beach, which is roughly a couple of miles away. It's been ages since I've ridden a bike. Part of that is down to my pathological hatred of cyclists in London, and I'd forgotten how much fun it can be - particularly if you're riding round a place as gorgeous as Hoi An.

So the last few days have basically followed this pattern. Get up, get some breakfast. Go for a ride in the lush green countryside, maybe stop for a beer. Ride to the beach, maybe stop for several beers. Ride back to town, maybe stop for a beer by the river. Get back to town, and you, erm, get the picture.

It has been incredibly good fun - helped by perfect weather. The sun has been shining, but there has also been a cool breeze blowing that has made cycling a very comfortable experience. There isn't much traffic around either, so riding a bike is not as stressful an experience as it would be in most of Vietnam.

I really can't fault Hoi An and will be sorry to leave tomorrow (Wednesday), although four days here has been enough for me to see everything. Interestingly, I shared a few drinks the other night with a French girl who is on holiday here, who said she wasn't keen on the place. Her reason is that she is constantly being hassled to buy stuff comapred to other places (there is a plethora of renowned clothes shops here, specialisiung in silk) while I have relatively been left alone. I did try and comfort her with the thought that at least she is having to put up with people trying to sell her stylish clothes. I have had only pimps and dealers hassle me in this country!

Tonight I will get my last chance to eat in one of the many fine restaurants of Hoi An. Then tomorrow it's off to Nha Trang, the main beach party resort further down the south coast, for what is likely to be a very different experience...