8/06 Old Plain Hoi An

Arriving in Hoi An at six in the morning, but Sinh Tourist was dropping everyone in a remote area, with lots of taxi and motorbikes drivers waiting aside. They shouldn't have just put us here so the locals could earn more money, that's just not professional.

I thought about walking around, maybe just going to the town center on my feet, but later on I was told that I would be needing to check in at the office first, (which I had no idea about its location) and come back to the drop off for my next ride in the afternoon.

Finally I had a deal with one of the cyclist that he takes me to the office. He stopped the bike on the way and started to introduce me to the scenes and that he would be glad to be my tour guide. I refused immediately, hating this kind of person, who was trying to skin me off one more layer before fulfilling his original promise.

Finally, we got to the office, which was really small and dark, my driver left and I turned on the GPS, finding that it's really near, about a 5 minute walk from where I was dropped off...

Fine, since I had no idea about the office location, and no Internet connection, I would just let it go. After checking in my big backpack at the office, I started off to wander the town. The buildings were pretty small and traditional, and there were souvenirs selling in all the alleys. I like this kind of plain atmosphere, though the sun was superbly hot.

By the way, the toilet cost 20 NT per usage, and I was lucky to find a big house that offered free toilet, and very clean!

Since I had almost the whole day to spare, I walked through most of the streets and all the famous spots I could find. There was even this really cool traditional market, that all the locals were auctioning fish and food with interest that none paid any attention to me.

In the afternoon, I bought a beverage at one of the convenience stores, so I could sit at their chairs outside. The sun was getting unbearable, so I just sat back lazily reading my book, until it's almost time to take my bus to Hue.

The city is not very far away, but the honking of the bus driver made the whole trip terrible, I could see the Mom and daughter from Japan frowning at the scene, just by my side.

At last we arrived in Hue and I hopped off the bus, took off with my big bag before any of the tuk tuk drivers could lay their hands on me.

I followed the address and found no Hanh Dat Hotel, where I would be staying for 2 nights. That's strange, I checked the Gps and ran into a dead end in the street. I asked a bunch of the locals and none of them know the location. Finally I gave in and went forward to one of the tuk tuk driver, and he agreed to take me to the hotel

Well, we were basically circling the city, for he was too eager to accept my offer, than to really know the location. He stopped and asked for a bunch of his driver friends, and they were pointing in all kind of directions. At last we crossed a bridge and had the hotel in sight.

The hotel seemed to be pretty awesome, but came in a cheap price, just like Yolanda in Cambodia. Anyway, I checked into my room and relaxed, after a all day long roaming outside.

I went out for dinner, hunger accumulating in my belly. I stopped when I saw a PHO sign and sat down at one of the tables. I told the clerk that I would like to have some PHO, but he kept repeating the word: SOI? I nodded and made a quick note to myself, PHO is pronounced as SOI in Vietnam!

But when the meal was served, it was a plate of chicken rice instead of the flat, translucent noodles...

I guessed the clerk must have misunderstood me after all...

Tasted ok though.

Heading for the Big C center after dinner! Shopping for food and beverage and juice. (This was my favorite part) I also looked up for the office of Sinh Tourist here in Hue on my way back, the bus in the afternoon also dropped us off randomly instead of taking us directly to the office.