After a ridiculously long journey to the beautiful ancient town of Hoi An, a trip that extended from a tolerable 9 hours to a 36 hour epic, with lost luggage, early morning wake up calls, long waits in the Ho Chi Minh domestic airport, and a series of queues, Chinese whispers and broken sleep, we arrived!
I’m sure many travellers have experienced flights that have gone awry due to unforeseen delays and this trip will go down as a legendary journey. At some point along the way, I entered a state of suspended animation, the only way to survive in these situations. Enter the walking zombie stuck in a time loop, drifting through an overly bright land of marble and garish Singaporean lighting, accompanied by loud piano muzac, as the luggage goes around and around, and none of it is yours, and the help desks offer none. There’s more to this saga but I’ll spare you, dear reader.
It always amazes me how quickly aching bones recover and zombie memories fade. The palate is excited once again and new colours enliven the soul. The tropical heat caresses the skin as the sun goes down and it’s time to go walking. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with Hôi An.
A cooking class for two is booked: Mr T will learn once again how to make delicious dishes that he vows to make at home one day! The best vegetarian restaurant in the world, well maybe at least in Hoi An, has been sampled, and the local beer slides down too easily on a hot and humid day.
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Looks lively, Francesca. Glad you made it and am looking forward to future posts…particularly about the cooking school.
LikeLike
Thanks Debi, I am really looking forward to that class myself.
LikeLike
Sounds a mixture of both worlds (of many kinds of worlds!). Enjoyment and relaxation wishes to both of you. Sorry we didn’t get to catch up before you left…have a wonderful time xxoo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Rach, I was hoping to catch up but was so ill in the 8 weeks leading up to this trip. This is my healing – it has begun. xx
LikeLike
Loved Hoi An. (see https://longoio.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/hoi-ans-earthquake-preventin-japanese-bridge/ ) My journey was less traumatic however. Ten hours on the reunification railway from HCMC with sleeper. Gorgeous! How I love that country!!! I miss it so much, even from Italy…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
we have a few things in common Franics- our name, our love of Italy and our love of all the Asian countries that border the mighty Mekong river.
LikeLike
Love those yellow walls (and red scooters). Enjoy the weather and the delicious food. I expect to see lots of Viet inspired recipe posts
LikeLiked by 1 person
There will be many Sandra except I won’t be cooking for another 6 weeks, so the food posts will all be of the ‘porn’ variety,
LikeLike
Every trip I’ve taken has had its “bump” but your 36 hour trip is book-worthy. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Side note: My cousin was stationed in Vietnam for 2 tours beginning in 1968. His daughter visited there last fall during an extended holiday in SE Asia and Japan. Who would have thought this possible?
LikeLike
It is common with Australians too. Most of our vets and their children return. I visited North Vietnam 20 years ago, a different country then, but there was absolutely no animosity towards the Americans and Australians at all. I found this remarkable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Francesca, I feel your pain. Am still not sleeping well since our return from the US on Friday, which is why I’m commenting on your post at 3.44am. We also had lost luggage on that trip. I hope you get the healing relaxation you were hoping for. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ardys, I can feel that healing already. This time, I hope post trip your adjustment only involves odd hours and not any macro plasma bug picked up from the plane.
The food and heat of Vietnam suits me very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to get there but the mystery of the luggage carousel will always be just that. ‘One of life’s great mysteries.’ We stood at one the other day waiting interminably for our luggage whilst one lonely bag kept whirling around and around. Where was it’s owner, where was our luggage, what is the meaning of life? Hope your luggage turned up eventually, have a beautiful time and I am looking forward to reading more of your foodie adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did turn up eventually Lisa, after speaking to five help desks, and the lost and found, which was located outside customs, 2 hours and three floors of seeking Singaporean Jetstar staff who were unwilling to assist, and cajoling our way back through security to find it had exited on an un specified carousel…Yes, the meaning of life,great airport mysteries and how to keep face in an Asian country where showing frustration is not cool and gets you no where. Jetstar put us up at the Mercure for the night- seen one Mercure, seen them all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, now that’s a travel story. Is it possible that luggage carousels are actually inhabited by wicked demons whose sole purpose is to torment us? What a palaver you went through!! Glad you are on your way to more pleasant experiences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The food in Hoi An is exceptional. Did you have a banh mi? They have the best there. And yes travel can be a challenge at time but those challenges are quickly forgotten.
LikeLike
I saw you post last week and am yet to try the local Banh Mi- it seems that tehre are so many good foods to try and not enough stomach space for everything.
LikeLike
Enjoy that beer! Sounds like a nasty start .. Lost luggage! But marching on to warm temps and the promise of yummy tucker. Never been but would so love to go! Have fun 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the colors in the photos, but yikes, from 9 to 36 hours. Hopefully, you have plenty of time there to get over it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An inauspicious beginning Signora, but glad it has all come good. Buon divertimento.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I exhale, the body slumps, I quietly sob internally and I just want to be there. I loved Vietnam and in particular Hoi An. What a beautiful country and such forgiving people. We did a cooking class there but it was a little way out of the city. I did that while others were getting their shoes and suits measured! The river was in flood and all the restaurants had water lapping at the door. Mot, hai, ba, YO!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We just returned from dinner and as we were crossing the river, Stuart was wondering how often the river floods. You were there to see it. Yes, such forgiving people. Last time we came to Vietnam was 20 years ago, but on that trip we only went to the North. Things are quite different here. Loving it all, but Miss Piggy is getting fat. Over ordering, too tasty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just keep walking!
LikeLike
Oh dear…. as you say though, once you actually arrive, it’s amazing how quickly flagging spirits pick up. I bet that first meal did wonders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That first meal worked wonders! All is forgiven, Jetstar.
LikeLike
I’m pleased to know reading retrospectively all has turned out well. We’ve have enjoyed a little bit of Vietnamese here in Carnarvon, where a small Asian grocery-cafe makes wonderful Banh Mi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your pictures! Especially the little monkey, I photographed something similar from the same bridge – I’ve just uploaded a post about Hoi An on my blog: https://halcyondaysaway.wordpress.com/ I would love to hear what you think 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person