April 29. Quang Nghi to Hoi An. 138km.
The biggest drama was getting out of the city - somehow on the two turns to get to the highway, Ellie got lost. We waited around for a while for her, I went off to try to find her and in the end we gave up and met her in Hoi An.
The day we arrived in Hoi An was a Vietnamese holiday; something to do with the anniversary of gaining independence. As a result, the place was packed, very packed.
We rode around for a while looking for somewhere to stay before eventually giving up and having a beer. The heat was exhausting and I find myself not drinking much water while riding - probably dehydrated.
Through word of mouth we discovered that an Irish Pub actually had dorm rooms available. A quick phone call and a room was booked.
Paddy's was an awesome place to stay; great pool, well kitted out furnishings - including two power sockets per bed!
From here we moved to the Sunflower Hotel, a party hostel. A few of us had had it recommended to us so we thought we'd check it out. It is not as great as the last place - three socks for eight beds, one being in the hallway and the other the bathroom...
I haven't really done all that much during my time in Hoi An. Most nights have been spent on the riverfront at the various thriving backpacker bars playing cards or pool.
Sunday morning I went down to Paddy's to watch the Pacquiao v Mayweather boxing match with the English lads. Charlie was feeling confident a few nights earlier and wanted to make a bet. I went with the stats and picked Mayweather and took away a cool 250,000 dong... $18.
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The highlight of my time in Hoi An was my day riding the Hai Van Pass and visiting Elephant Springs.
Elephant Spring is some 90km away from Hoi An, with the Hai Van Pass on the way. I caught up with Nathan, my Canadian mate from Japan, and Rosie, whom I met in Battambang, to head up there.
The ride up here was just incredible. Riding without a backpack on this winding road with the most beautiful scenery I have seen to date was just amazing. I'll let the photos and video below do the talking.
Elephant Spring was really beyond all expectation. I didn't really know what it was going to be like, but I had heard good things. The area is simply spring after spring of swimming areas, lined with little huts selling food and drink and areas to chill out in.
Walking up through the different springs we got invited to drink with a few locals that were hanging out here. Free beers and great food - I wasnt exactly complaining!
There are some ten different swimming areas as pictured above - semi man-made with a natural flow of water flowing from upstream. The water is crystal clear and very fresh - great to swim in on the ridiculously hot day I was riding through.
If you continue further up the spring you can eventually make it to a waterfall. After an hour or so of climbing over rocks and negotiating the river we didnt make it, but it was still totally worthwhile!
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Whilst in Hoi An, the shopping capital of Vietnam, I had some shoes made. A pair of tailored leather shoes and belt, and suede boots cost me $180aud mailed home. I'm absolutely in love with them. It's hard enough finding shoes in my size back home so I could totally justify getting tailored shoes that fit, in what design I wanted. You are able to chose exactly what you want, even down to the stitching.
Hoi An really is a beautiful place and I had absolutely no problems in spending a week there while waiting to get my visa extended. I've extended another month to stay in Vietnam until early June - I've spent too much time getting half way so I didn't really have a choice!
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