World Image issue 22 July 2015

Hoi An is definitely worth a visit. The old
quarter feels a little like you've travelled in time
and space, (I suspect, even if well rested). A
strange "Disney-land", with loudspeakers in
every corner playing Richard Clayderman
"Asian Restaurant music"... Even the garbage
truck plays a tune like an ice-cream van! The
music bit is all a little like an eerie movie to
me..
Once in Hue, a historic and cultural centre of
Vietnam, famous for its palaces, pagodas and
tombs, I jumped on the back of our guide
Huyen's motorcycle as we drove off on a
different kind of bike-ride through the stunning
countryside.
Me and Huyen, I look like a giant
Lanterns of Hoi An
But the architecture is a gorgeous mix with
historic influences from Japan, China, as well
as Europe. And if you ever want tailor made
clothes or shoes, this is the place to go, as there
are several shops where you can get it done just
over a night for a very good price.
Passing rice-paddies, along canals lined with
fish-nets and bamboo canoes, avoiding traffic
and live-stock and getting soaked by the rain,
we sped along as the local kids waved to us
happily.
In the late afternoon we caught a "dragon boat"
that took us back on the Song Huong River
(Perfume River), back to the hotel.
Before I knew it I was on a bus ascending the
hills, passing the High Van Pass, one of the
most scenic points in Vietnam, unfortunately it
was raining and we were mostly surrounded by
clouds, so without great view we moved on to
Hue.
On the Perfume River
Please keep in mind that most of the photos are
taken from push-bike, motorcycle, boat, or bus.
Canal near Hue
Next challenge, was the night train to Hanoi....
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