15th Stop: Hội An, Quang Nam province, South Central Vietnam

Temperature – 21 degreesC

Originally founded as a trading port in the 16th Century (with a history dating way back to 200BC), the city of Hội An is our next stop, around halfway down Vietnam. Home to approximately 120,000 inhabitants it is another recognized World Heritage Site, which is unfortunately inundated with tourists.

Although comfortably warm, it rains for most of the time we are here and some areas have been recently flooded. Kangaroo stays in for the few days we are here as we struggle to find local life being lived, but we still manage to experience some interesting experiences…

The waterfront

With the effects of global warming the traditional rough weather season of September – December is now rougher than previous years (highlighted by 2007 & 2009 typhoons and serious flooding, loss of life & damage to property). It is now very difficult to predict weather conditions from December through to the end of May.

Stephen outside a meditation hall at the wonderful site known as Mỹ Sơn. This cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD have been reduced from 70 temples down to 20 in a single week of bombing from the US in the Vietnam War.

Hoi An Old Town – According to UNESCO Impact Report 2008 Hoi An “…tourism has bought unacceptable changes to Hoi An…”. We happen to agree.

A “real” street in Hoi An, outside the old town where you might be lucky to come across a local person.

A local chef gives us a lesson in cooking typical Vietnamese cuisine for just $2!

This style of hat is used primarily as protection from the sun and rain. When made of straw or matting, it can be dipped in water and worn as an impromptu evaporative-cooling device. Neat!