Greetings from the ancient city of Hoi An!

We checked into the Hau Ai Hotel and were pleasantly surprised. We weren't expecting much for our 800,000 dong (C$38) / night but the rooms are huge, with high ceilings and heavy old furniture.  They even come with silk robes as well as a desktop computer! The all-female front desk staff are very funny and helpful. They refer to Greg as "Grej" or “my darling” and to me as “Pejjy” or “Madame”. One in particular stands out – her Vietnamese name is spelled Dung but pronounced Yum.  She prefers westerners to call her Yummy.  

Facebook doesn't work - apparently the VN government tries to block it but the young, hip locals all seem to know how to "hatch" it and they were able to help us out.

Hoi An is an ancient city and has also become a cultural crossroad when the Japanese and Chinese built it as a commercial center in the 16th century.

Recently plans were put in place to preserve some of its ancient character, and that’s where the idea of reviving the lantern festival came from. One night each month (the 14th day of each lunar month) residents in the old town switch off their lights and hang cloth and paper lanterns on their porches and windows. Television sets, radios, streetlights and neon lights are turned off. No motorized automobiles are allowed. The atmosphere becomes very hushed and romantic, the jewel toned lanterns hanging everywhere including huge lanterns floating in and on the banks of the river. All the locals and most tourists launch thousands of floating candles onto the river and the overall effect is stunning. 

The 14th day of the lunar month is also a Buddhist day of worship. Locals place offerings of food and incense on their ancestral altars and seek answers to important questions such as is this a good year to get married. The scent of incense and the monks’ chanting, little gongs and bells - it is quite awe-inspiring. We felt as though we were getting a rare glimpse into another culture. 

The lantern festival was the only scheduled event on this vacation and I'm so glad that we were able to be here. We are left with memories that will last forever. Pictures can’t possibly do it justice, but I will post a few.