HOI VAN PASS
Hoi Van Pass, Hoi An & a poor mans bag. Another early morning began without much time to shake the hangover, as we were off to do the Hoi An Pass. Unfortunately, the weather had turned sour. As we got closer to the mountain, the conditions worsened. Then, of course, it started to rain.
GOING TO HOI AN, THEN A VISIT TO THE TAILORS IS ESSENTIAL!
There was quite a bit of the route (usually the most scenic) where visibility was only 5-10 meters. However, as soon as we made it over and started descending, it felt like a different country. The weather was amazing. Consequently, we were stopping every few miles for a photo. The Swedes and Rob, the Irish fella, are staying at a hotel, so we are planning on staying there too.
WHERE IS THE HOI VAN PASS?
Hoi Van Pass
REUNION
I went to Yaly Couture in Hoi An to get a suit and probably a bag, as I don’t have anything to hold my stuff. This is the same place Top Gear visited. There was so much choice that I didn’t have time to look at everything. Phil ordered a bag, and I have to come back for a fitting tomorrow.
Later, we took a trip to a night market with loads of fairground games. Whenever we played, all the locals followed us to watch. It was almost as if we were good, but we were far from it! After spending a fortune, all I had to show for it was a tiny teddy.
We went to meet the crowd from the Castaway Cruise for a beer and lunch. We are all heading out tonight. It will be the usual pre-drinks and the shimmy shimmy they taught us, which has become a bit of an urban legend among us. We went out to a place called Why Not, which Paddy recommended. It turned out to be the only place still open at 1 when we decided to go out. I was seriously drunk, or so I’m told.
“MY” BAG
As you know, my bag has been following me around Vietnam. However, I got a call saying it had just arrived at the hotel. I was beyond shocked that they even found it! The guy who brought it had a huge smile on his face, as who doesn’t like to be the bearer of great news that makes someone’s holiday?
That was until I looked down at the bag he was carrying over. Unfortunately, it was clearly not mine! It matched the description perfectly: an Osprey backpack with trolley capabilities and a luggage strap. The only difference was that it was half the size of mine.
ANOTHER ONE HITS THE DUST!
I immediately felt for whoever owned the bag, considering it had flown halfway across the world and was now in the middle of Vietnam. I would be skeptical if they were ever to see it again. My guess is it would be thrown in a ditch on the way up the road. However, the Vietnamese are too nice for that! Anyway, I made sure to tell the boys, make a joke, and move on. I had now come to terms with the fact that I probably wouldn’t see my bag again. Yet, this was not the time or place to let it get to me.
THE TAILOR
I died a death all day today but had to get up for the fitting. Later tonight, we are heading further on through the nighttime. The service at the tailors is really good; the girl really knows her stuff, and I didn’t have to say much. You could easily spend a fortune there, and it was a good thing I was rushed.
I’m going back for another fitting and to see the bags. Unfortunately, Phil’s was a disaster and needed to be redone. Fortunately, mine was spot on—something going right for once. We are just going to leave tomorrow since Phil’s bag and my suit won’t be ready until 9. When we went back later, Phil’s bag still wasn’t 100%, so they gave it to him for $80, which isn’t bad.
NEXT UP
We continue to head further south and experience the insane nightlife of Vietnam that would even give Ibiza a run for its money, Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
27/229
This post is part of the Vietnam Series, click to explore
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
Question Time
- Have you been to the Hoi Van Pass?
- Did you buy a motorbike?
- What was your favourite part?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
