Hue - Hoi An - Danang (05)

 18-8-2022

Have actually booked Heaven and Earth Cycling Tour (1.02Mvnd) but was convinced by host to change to their recommended bicycle tour, quite regret doing this. The tour for HnE was about 25km and this tour was supposed to be 12km. I had timed and the whole cycling trip is less than 6km, quite disappointing, and the tour guide is full of bull shit. Will try HnE next time again.

Banh Mi Queen Madam Khanh

This is the highly raved Bahn Mi recommended by Anthony Bourdain.

Went there around 7.30am and already plenty of customers waiting.

Half day bicycle tour (650Kvnd)
Cycling passed rice paddy field, tour start at 8am and ended around 1.30pm.

This is the egg of snails, looks like mulberry lollll

Sesame seed

Peanuts

Passing thru Tue Que Village

Experiencing plouging

Coconut boat in mangrove

Catching mini crabs

Our lunch in a local home.

Early evening, went to Ancient City again. 

This place is really magical, day time, sunset, and evening, each has its own beauty.

Crossing the bridge to Cau Nam Island, at he back alley found this spa.

ART SPA

Get a package of 1hr facial, body scrub, 90mins massage with a free dinner meal.

650Kvnd

I am the only customer that time but the masseur is really good.

Look for Len, she is good.

Choice of Mi Quang or Cao Lau set.

While waiting for the rain to stop, the person in charge (Long) get me some coconut sweets made by his mother, and packed for me more to bring it back. How nice of him!

Hue - Hoi An - Danang (04)

 17-8-2022

BANH MI PHUONG

There are 2 popular Banh Mi in Hoi An, besides the one Antony Bourdain recommended, this is the one their locals favor more.

Mixed Banh Mi (30Kvnd)

MOT

This is a very popular cafe selling herbal drink. The ordering queue is non-stop at all hours daily.

15Kvnd

WHITE ROSE RESTAURANT

This is another restaurant highly recommended by the TA.

This is totally out of league, not even average, the skin is not properly steam, still hard and the filling is nothing to talk about. Not worth the time.

White rose dumpling 70Kvnd

Drink 20Kvnd

Cycle in countryside

Found a BLOG with a brief map, cycling 27km.

Around 5pm, cycle to An Bang Beach, about 4.3km, took about 20mins.
There are quite some traffic along the way but also many cyclist.

AN BANG BEACH

Saw this auntie, and she keep putting the paper lantern to my hands, twice and damage 40Kvnd hahaa.

MADAM KIEU
On a prominent spot, with live band.

Tried clam and rice bowl, dont really like this kind of setting, too dark..... 

Cannot even see my food clearly.

310Kvnd

Tau Huey (25Kvnd)

With some water chestnut ruby, coconut, jelly....

After all the strolling, went for massage at Five Sense Spa.

Located at the far end part near Ancient town, the masseuse are very good.

It could be cheaper but my timing is exceed their operating hours again.

Shops close early in Hoi An, about 9-10pm.

320Kvnd/ hour

After massage, around 12mn, quite surprise that I found street food on the way walking back. My host told me Vietnamese sleep v early, usually before 10pm. And not safe to stay late after the timing....

Cao Lau (30Kvnd)

Have my last meal before ending the day.

Hue - Hoi An - Danang (03)

 16-8-2022

Took 1pm sleeper bus to Hoi An, cannot sit up, only lie down. Quite clean n comfortable. About 3hrs journey. 150Kvnd arrange by my guesthouse.

FLAME FLOWERS HOMESTAY

1.5Mvnd for 5 nights

This is a Semi-D, my room is located at the groundfloor, separate entrance.

Clean room, super friendly host. Debrief 1hr when I reached there.

There are so many things the host recommend, managed by the brother n sister, more than 10 bicycles available for use FOC.

Mini fridge, kettle. hairdryer available for use.

The homestay is about 900m away from Ancient town, walk about 12mins. 

Grab bike about 24Kvnd. Grab bike is easily available, usually takes only 3-4mins to arrive, most of the time I cycle as the whole island is very small, point to point usually only 1-2km.

ANCIENT TOWN

KEO CHI

There is a night market inside Ancient town, Found this unique dessert, dragon beard sweet with peanuts, sesame wrapped with crispy biscuit.

20Kvnd

There are plenty of lanterns everywhere, to take a photo inside this background cost 60Kvnd.

Strolling around and found a stretch of eateries along the riverside.

Grilled pork 120Kvnd
Cao Lau 30Kvnd

There are also some grilled items sold outside the restaurants, ranging 10-20K per stick

BLUE GIFT SPA

This is highly recommended by the host if book by them is 200Kvnd.

I got it at 250Kvnd (Vietnamese massage) directly by contacting them after their usual operating hours, their driver pick me up in Ancient town.
In Hoi An, some massage places provide pick up n drop off services, Walk-in will have a 30% discount, contact them via whatsapp, they are quite responsive.

My therapist is very rough, probably I am just too picky for my massage.
The lady boss is very friendly n nice though.