Hoi An night and day

applying gold leaf to a temple door
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After running into two of my compatriots of the Halong Bay trip I ended up dining and drinking with them and their newest travel mates last night.  Consequently I awoke with a bit of a hangover.  A little yoga and some breakfast here at the hotel (included in the $25 price)set me to rights.  The crew were all full of stories involving buying tailor made clothes.  This town is agog with shops where for as little as 15 bucks you can get a fitted dress and the same for a shirt.  A suit can run you as little as 50 and with highest quality Italian cashmere and wool about $180.00.  Silk is the big thing here.  They have a factory where you can view the process.  Many pure silk and silk blends are available for material and tailor made clothing.

Red dyed silk on the loom
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Hoi An is an old trading town which lost it's role as the river silted up in the 1800's.  So there are many fine examples of Vietnamese architecture in homes and temples, museums and handicraft factories.  Small and charming the town is an easy walking place.  The beach is 4 km away.

I bought a ticket for the sights and strolled the town happenstancing on places to see.  Then I happened across Patrick the French-Canadian from Halong Bay.  He was waiting on Philip and Juliana, a Brit/Russian couple.  They along with 7 others were meeting for dinner to celebrate one member's 23rd birthday.  Without much effort I was able to visit the sites,  see a performance of Vietnamese folk music and meet up with this crew for dinner.  We even had a cake made that day for the birthday girl.  And it was quite tasty.

one of the hundreds of tailor shops in town
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The 9 members of the group left on an overnight bus (12 hours) to Natrang, the party capital of Vietnam.  They said "Come join us."  And I thought 'damn, why did I forget that card in the cash machine.'  I got on the phone again with the credit card folks and they said " We are sending it UPS express which claims anywhere in the world in 3 days.  Maybe I will be rescued.  My mood lightened and I went out for an evening stroll then ran into my bunk mates from the Hanoi to Hue train, Matilda and Sharon.  We had a cup of tea and I sent them off in exploration as I continued my own.  I ended up at the river and was delighted to find a festival going on.  The river was full of boats with families.  floating candles, singing and music.  The lights were lovely and there is a full moon over all.  So lovely and surprising.

Painting of first captured American soldier during the war
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Using the tracking number from UPS my card has left Louisville.  God speed to it.