Escape from Phong Nha

Wednesday 8th April

Today's the day, after three Months in Phong Nha we are escaping to Hoi An (Hoi An not Hanoi) for five nights. The train leaves Dong Hoi at seven forty in the morning so we have to be up at five thirty in order to finish packing in time to catch our lift from Oxalis.

Hard Sleeper

The only seats available when we booked were 'Hard Sleep Air-con', these are fairly hard bunks, six to a cabin but fortunately there is no one else in the cabin with us so we have space to stretch out.

Because of the early start we had no breakfast so it is a relief when, ten minutes into the five and a half hour journey, a lady comes round with a trolley with limited snacks. We opted for a large rice cake thing possibly called "Nép-Chà Bòng", or maybe that's what's in it, either way it's quite tasty with a few green chive like herbs, a bit of chilli and some root stuff that looks like a bit of cotton!

Breakfast

The first three hours of the journey (as far as Hué) the scenery was mostly rice fields with the occasional small town. 

View from the train

After Hué there was a long stretch of suburbia followed by a more open landscape and finally we followed the coastline which was rocky with some stretches of empty beach.

Deserted Beaches

We arrived at Da Nang bang on time (one pm) where we were picked up by pre-arranged taxi and then taken directly to the Hàn Thuyên Homestay, our home for the next five nights. I don’t know if we said something to annoy them when we booked, but they’ve put is in room 101!

Room 101, oh dear!

By now we were pretty hungry so we hopped on the bikes provided  by the Homestay and headed into town for lunch, it was hot cycling in the sun but we eventually arrived in the town where we chose a reasonable looking location which claimed to provide Local Hoi An Cuisine.

Time for Lunch

I had “White Rose” Rice Dumplings, which were more like rice ravioli filled with Shrimp Paste and Pork, with Crispy Garlic Shavings and some Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce with Chillies).

White Rose

Ruth had Wontons, crispy fried with a small bit of unidentified meat in the middle. Both dishes were very tasty and were just what we needed although the prices were not Phong Nha prices!

Wontons

After lunch we wandered around the town a bit, trying to get our bearings and to find some restaurants that we have been recommended. 

Island Ferry

We couldn’t find them so once it got to time to eat (again) we just settled for a nice looking Vietnamese place for local beers (Larue), Stir Fried Squid with Chilli and Lemongrass (for me) and Mango Salad with Prawns for Ruth. No pictures of the food this time as I forgot (too busy with my beer). The food here was possibly the best we've had since arriving in Vietnam.

River Boat

No plans and nothing booked for tomorrow so we'll have to play it by ear, but also get ourselves organised for the next few days. Definitely a trip to My Son and maybe one to the Cham Islands for some snorkelling.