Hoi An

I though we had had our lot of early starts but alas no... up at 5:30 for a 6am get away Groan! we did get to see the sun rise over the South China Sea, which was nice!
We had a log drive again in the bus stopping for a coffee on the way and also at the My Lai Memorial Village. This was a very sobering visit to an area that has been preserved as a memorial to those that were massacred in the Vietnam War when troops were sent in to 'clear out dissident VC fighters, unfortunately whole villages were destroyed and the villagers – men, women and children were killed. It was a very chilling experience and showed us again the horrors of war.
We arrived in Hoi An in the late afternoon just as the rain started and after checking in went for an orientation walk around the ancient town. The buildings and architecture managed to survive much of the fighting and wars over the years and is a charming place. However the reason most people (and Top Gear) come to Hoi An is to get clothing. Suits Dresses, Frocks and shoes can be made here literally overnight and allegedly a lot cheaper than anywhere else in the country. I managed to resist the temptation to spash out on a new suit or snake-skin shoes but the ladies in the party seemed to buy up most of the town.
The next morning we took out cycles from the hotel and went on a tour of the surrounding countryside then back into the town for a BBQ lunch. We chilled out in the afternoon and then instead of going out just to eat dinner, we went to one of the many Cooking classes on offer in the town where you get to learn how to cook Vietnamese food (and eat it) The 'teacher' was a young lady with an excellent humour and also excellent English who had us in stitches for most of the meal. The food was excellent and we came away with recipe books, cooking chopsticks and full belly.
We stayed another night in Hoi An and I took a day out to relax and wander the town whilst some of the group went to see an ancient Hindu Temple near by (I had had my fill of Hindu Temples in India). Wandering the town I passed through the tiny streets and took pictures of the scenes around about. Near the Japanese Bridge I came across a couple having wedding photos being taken wearing traditional clothing and I managed to get a really good shot of them just as the 'official' photographer had posed them (much to his disgust I think, as I was stood where he wanted to be). Walking down another street I came across a restaurant with the Scout Fleur-de-Lis and the word Scouts over the door, intrigued I want in and ask the the staff why this was over the door as Scouting is not currently recognised in Vietnam, it cost me a beer, but apparently the site had been used by a Scouting Organisation in years before.
In the evening we went for an excellent meal over on the the far side of the river where we could sit and watch the happening in town across the river from a first floor restaurant.
Back at the hotel Hanh had arraged for the 'Post Office' to come to the hotel at night to enable people to mail good back home to save on excess baggage fees. All went well as the various boxes were filled with the newly purchased items and the documentation done. Then the two postal workers took out the boxes and balanced them on the back of two mopeds and rode off, no straping or ropes to hold them on - just balanced on the back. There were one or two worried looks as they disappeared in to the darkness!