Hoi An

The weather was on-side when we reached Hoi An. Well, that is to say it wasn't raining when we first arrived and within a few days we actually saw a chink of blue in the sky. This was good, as apart from the stunning architecture in and around the port, we were able to hire push bikes and cycle to the beach some 3 miles or so away a couple of times.
We also hired another moped and went a bit further into the countryside.

In fact we went to My Son, a site of temples in the same style as those in Angkor Wat, Cambodia, although on a far, far, far reduced scale and, it has to be said, a tad disappointing. In fact, they were in a pretty ruinous state due to destruction from twentieth century conflicts.

We did seem some rather interesting sculptures though.

Helen also found this rather stupid looking tool!

Whilst in Hoi An we also took a cookery class, but it will probably take a few attempts when we finally have a home of our own again before we get anywhere near making decent enough veggie spring rolls, pumpkin mash and the most deliciously moist roasted aubergine or eggplant as some of our Antipodean friends and relatives prefer to name them.

Afterwards, it was all washed down with some lovely cheap fresh beer, and as you can see there was more than enough to go round for one evening!

Talking of cheap beer, the food wasn't that expensive either.

Helen also managed to take advantage of the low cost boot making and found some footwear that could be tailor made.

In the evening, the buildings and bridges were lit up to make them even more picturesque, but there were some strange creatures lurking in the water.

On our last night there was also a strange little cheeky creature who entertained us in the street until it was his bedtime. He was quite happy doing funny little walks, pulling faces and cheekily stealing David's seat when he went for a waz.