Hoi An is a magical little town with pedestrian streets, Japanese and Chinese bridges and temples. The streets are thronging with tourists from every corner of the world. It’s kind of a party town but in a very quiet sort of way. You can wander around and buy trinkets and lanterns, coffee, food and drink, a massage, or have tailor made silk clothes created for you to take home. I even splurged and had a beautiful silk blouse made for myself. At night the river is transformed into a light show of glowing lanterns on boats and floating candles captive with prayers and wishes.

We were treated to a spectacular performance of tribal dance and acrobatics from the Vietnamese highlands, accompanied by traditional bamboo instruments, drums and gongs. Much like Cirque du Soleil, but with an indigenous flair, I was enraptured.

Earlier in the day, my Aussie mate Julie and I took a Vietnamese cooking class and got to make spring rolls, banana flower salad, chicken pho, and banana fritters. Yum!

The rain finally let up as we spent a little time in the hotel pool, and zipped around town in our 10 seater tuk tuk, 3 of us cool kids sitting in the back row facing the crazy motorbikes that almost crashed into us.

Life is good in Hoi An.