Mai's Travel Journal: Chapter 10 - Da Nang and Hoi An

Saturday 2 October 2004

I arrived at the Hue station to wait for the S1 train to Danang. I was really lucky as, just when I’d arrived, it started to pour down.

The S1 train only stopped at Hue station for 8 minutes, so I really had to race. Hue station and city receded, but the rain followed the train all the way to Danang.

The train arrived at Danang at 10:45 am, and I had once again become a reluctant tourist. Buying a map, looking here and there, thinking ‘how strange and new everything is’, and about the difficulties a traveler faces. Tourist companies and tour guides are really great. They shorten the distances and break down the barriers between the strange and the familiar, bringing people closer together.

I was engrossed in looking around the streets during a break in the rains when I found a really interesting guide. He was Mr. Lai, a cyclo driver I met on the street (which street I’ve forgotten already!)

Despite the grey weather and the heavy rains, I wandered around the bank of the Han River, enough to see the beautiful features of Danang.

After that, I turned for lunch in a small food stall. Delicious and cheap – equally good as in Hue.

In the afternoon, I left for Hoi An. My backpack fell to the ground. Oh no – the strap had broken!

Hoi An also welcomed me with a shower of rain, it wasn’t till night, when I could see a weather forecast, that I found out that there was a cold front. I’m so behind the times!

Sunday, 3 October 2004

I was so tired everything was fuzzy - I slept 12 hours straight. It was quite cold outside. But I was really lucky as I was warm enough, wrapped up with in my blanket, on my bed, writing. It was just like being a real author!

Towards lunchtime I was really hungry and my hand and my brain were both on strike. I went outside, but straight away a downpour blocked my way. I had no choice but to sit and chat with the hotel owner for a bit. While we were talking, suddenly I remembered about my broken backpack and my need for a new one. The hotel owner had a cousin who sold backpacks and bags. So that’s how my new backpack, gotten at a good price, came about.

The dialogue between the sky and the land temporarily settled down. My hunger was satisfied. And I was really happy with my smart and convenient new backpack – especially with its straps, which were much reliable than the old one’s.

I sat and organized my things in my pack, making decisions and hesitating over what things to put in what compartments. Finally, when everything was in its right place, I decided to go for a stroll by myself in the old quarter.

I was looking around, admiring the streets and the surroundings, when I noticed someone looking at me. The two of us exclaimed together: “Oh, what a surprise”. It was Sarah, a UN officer, one of those who had supported my journey from Hanoi. She was with her family, enjoying a weekend break, doing some sightseeing and enjoying the distinctive features of the old quarter. An unexpected and interesting meeting.

Chapter 10 - Da Nang and Hoi An - Photo Gallery

Photos: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai
(select image to enlarge)

1,2,3. Mai with Sarah and family