We woke up early and decided to hit the beach while it was hot and sunny. The beach closest to our hotel is called An Bang. The first thing we did when we arrived after setting up our towels on the sandy beach: run into the cool water to escape the heat! 

The water wasn’t very clear but since we didn’t come to snorkel we didn’t mind. Instead, we spent the morning jumping waves and watching the fisherman swim by with nets and set them up far away from the shoreline.  

 When we were finished at the beach, we went back to the hotel to ride bikes around town. Since, Hoi An was a little less congested on the streets than Hanoi, it felt easier to be riding a bike and navigating the streets.  Also, the streets were wider so you don’t feel as crushed.

 I felt pretty good about riding a bike in Vietnam and not getting hit my a car or motorcycle. After riding bikes, the heat was at its peak. We spent some time cooling off in the pool before exploring the Ancient City. The Ancient City is a well preserved trading port that was created during the 15th century. No cars or motorcycles are allowed in the Ancient City to help preserve the ambiance. This part of town is full of bridges and a river. The locals use fishing boats to bring in the catch of the day in the early morning and in the afternoon/evening they give tourists rides down the river. You can buy a floating lantern from a local with a candle inside and they have a special long stick they use to lower your candle into the river. It lights up the river at night. 

Really enjoyed the setting of this rice patty right outside the town.  

  These ladies enjoy a break from selling local fruit.  

The main bridge that leads into the town.  

 Handmade lanterns are located in almost every shop and you can watch a local make one.  

 All aboard the fishing boats!  

   There were different signs along the bridges. At night they light up.  
   Year of the Monkey 

 The Ancient City felt like Christmas at night with all the different lights.  

  I bought some mango cakes as a treat on my way out of the city. I could only find them in the Ancient City (I wish I’d known that!). As we were leaving the city, I open a mango cake and felt someone tugging on my legs. I looked down and found this little guy looking longingly at my mango cake. He started talking to me on Vietnamese and was speaking to him in English. We couldn’t understand each other’s words but I knew what he wanted (mango cake is a universal language). I asked his mom if he could have one and when she said yes he ate every bite. We both had big smiles on our faces when we were done with the cakes. 

Next we travel down to Ho Chi Minh city to catch the bus that will take us to Cambodia.