Day 79 - 83 Hoi An

We left too prematurely for our liking. Sun kissed skin, a belly full with the Vietnamese cuisine and bags filled to the brim with our very own personalised fashion boutiques. It definitely wasn't goodbye Hoi An, it was see you again next year (and every year after that, funds permitting). We had heard fantastic things about this beautiful heritage town in central Vietnam, but it still went above and beyond. Nestled on the banks of the river Hoi An is a timeless classic. A mixture of French architecture with a strong ancient Vietnamese influence. The narrow streets are filled with colourful shop fronts, lanterns, vines, and old fashioned bicycles. But one of the major draw cards of this stunning town is the 400+ tailors and shoe makers. You are able to design all of your own clothes, chose your fabrics, and have a perfectly made garment exactly as you requested ready for you the next day. Imagine finding a dream designer dress worth over $1000. You take the picture of the dress to a tailor who takes your measurements and recommends the type of fabric which would work best. You chose the fabric from the millions of samples on the shop floor and come back the next day for a fitting to find an exact replica the has been tailored made for your body. The final touches are made, and you take away your perfectly made personalised dress for $80. Its not only women who become totally addicted to the experience, Mike was a man on a mission and couldn't stop...resulting in 30 items. We spent 5 days there and in between fittings we lounged on the pristine beach ( yes Hoi An is even home to one of the best beaches in Vietnam). We ate some of the best Vietnamese food we have had on the trip, walked through the bustling markets, spent hours on shoe street, explored the surrounding countryside on motorbike, and even had the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Its not only our amazing experience and memories of Hoi An that we hold close it's 11 pairs of hand made leather shoes, 2 suits, 1 wedding suit, 3 pairs of groomsman pants, 4 ties, 4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 3 dresses, 4 shirts, 3 winter coats...and an extra suitcase. Whoops, we just couldn't stop!!!! (If you ever go to Hoi An and struggle with a choice of tailor, don't miss A Dong Silk)