7th March: Hoi An, Vetnam

There’s still no rain, defying all predictions we’d seen! Not that we’re complaining, of course. I needed a chilled morning today, so popped out to get myself a coffee and a banh mi and then spent most the day in the room. I’m still a bit frazzled but it’s the start of the rest my brain needs right now. I think the reality of going back home, together with the onslaught on the senses that is Vietnam are together proving a bit much for me.

Kaja went out shopping and café hopping. By the time I joined her, dusk was approaching. I had a lovely walk along the river into town. The soft mellow light filtering through the clouds was gorgeous on the brightly coloured river boats. The river had been very high at high tide earlier in the afternoon and Kaja said that in places it was overtopping the banks. There was still evidence of this now, as I had to dodge puddles and washed up river plants along the path. It was only a few centimetres from the edge even now along the dockside. Today’s tide wasn’t particular high, given full moon is still 5 days away, but perhaps the forecast rain fell up in the hills?

I met Kaja and we collected my suit. She’d had enough for the day so took it back with her in a taxi whilst I went to find myself dinner. I had a lovely nourishing treat of banana blossom and tofu salad; a blueberry, dragon fruit, and nut smoothie; and a fresh passion fruit. The beautiful lanterns of the old town were illuminated by now and meandering photo walk was the perfect tonic for me brain to end the day.