Day 52 - Relaxing for the last day . . . no chance!

I love Cargo!

Day 52 - 14th August

So I was getting used to the hostel breakfasts, with stacks of pancakes and fruit taking centre stage on our table. Buffet breakfasts are the way to go!

Mr Xe doing his handy work.

I joined Jordy at Mr Xe's for his final suit fitting, going as a wingman to offer my opinion on the overall product. His suit was that good I was convinced into buying my own. Yep, suit three was on order within minutes of arriving. Mr Xe even gave me a $30 discount and said he would give me a free gift when I returned later that day to try the suit. Jordy's gift was a free grey suit jacket, which compelled him to buy out the rest of the suit. That Mr Xe's got class.

Jordy, Sèbastien and I took to relaxing at Solo Cafe with more banana pancakes and beer, much to the friendly manager's delight. She was so good and her 3,000 VND beer (10p) was pretty good. Sèbastien was still on a high from missing his flight the night before and I was trying again to sort my Cambodia arrangements. It was getting tense, with it getting more difficult to find a quick solution. Every door was being closed on me. But I wasn't giving up.

To unwind, we headed to Tiger Tiger to dance and enjoy our last night in Hoi An with the five of us and Sabrina. After buckets of rum and coke, we were yet again in Why Not. We saw our Stoke roommates, Tom and Ron (funny guys - Tom gave me a free pair of Toms ironically and Ron was interrupted earlier on the toilet by his mum when she chose to Skype him.) These two bars were making their money from us five alone, let alone the other flocks of backpackers pouring in and out.

We made our way back and crashed out, tomorrow was our last day in Hoi An. I'd be sad to leave the old place.

Day 49 - Suit Fittings, teriyaki burgers and decisions

Madonna doing her best work.

Day 49 - 11th August

So it was decision time. Where were we going to pick up suits? I'd decided on a charcoal grey and navy blue in Kimmy's but Jordy was unsure due to the way the bigger companies produced their clothes. He wanted to go to a small tailors. I respected that and could see why he wanted to do so.

So we hired bikes for another few days and Sèbastien and I headed to Kimmy's to be measured. Madonna was my assistant, and she was really great. She went through my needs with me and gave me good advice. Eventually though, I decided to get my charcoal suit from BeBe's nearby. Spread the love I thought.

Before ordering at BeBe's, Jordy asked us to look at Forget Me Not, an older tailor that had a fantastic reputation. When we arrived, it was a tiny shop front. The women inside were friendly to Jordy but after asking them how much a waistcoat would be, the assistant said 'You trust us. You buy first and then you get price.' I tried to explain that it was difficult to make a decision without knowing a price - it seemed like a simple request - but this brought an angry reaction from the lady. 'He can stay (Jordy) but you two (Sèbastien and I) can leave.' We were happy to oblige, leaving promptly and grumbling as we went. She was terrible and I'd never recommend her to anyone (normally, I wouldn't be this way but she was terrible!) Forget Me Not? Sorry, I already have!

So me and the chaps had great food at a burger place in the Old Quarter. Teriyaki burgers are the way forward!

Shortly after, Sèbastien and I went back to BeBe's and ordered our suits. We both picked out the same colour but different linings. My choice of sunflower yellow went down well with my assistant, Mai. She was so helpful and friendly. Her matching nail polishing to my suit lining was a coincidence but also, something fun to play on. 

After our measurements, we headed to a small store for shoe shopping. The small retailer was very happy to help, offering custom made shoes, in full leather for $45. Compared to other retailers, this was a great deal.

Our dinner across the street at Solo cafe was really good. I opted for the Cau Lao dish, native to Hoi An. It was delicious. What a way to end a busy day of tape measures, fittings and general city madness.

I didn't get a photo of the Raspberry Cheesecake so here is one of the four desserts I had in four days - a caramel, nut tart with lemon sorbet.

As a treat, we all headed to Cargo for dessert. The raspberry cheesecake was exquisite and every dish served looked like a piece of heaven, bringing with it serious food envy.

I saw the night out with a Skype session back home. What a way to end the day. I was pleased everyone back home was welol and they were pleased to hear about my broke adventure!

Day 48 - Hoi An suits me!

The many lanterns in Hoi An.

Day 48 - 10th August

I woke up early on my first day in Hoi An. 7am and I was out of bed, dressed and ready to go. I've never been up that early on a Monday morning, when travelling or at home, so I was pleased.

My first stop was the post office, to send my Nanna her postcard from the last three legs of the trip. My normal city magnet search failed miserably but I knew I had a few more days to spare to find one.

When I arrived back, the others were still sleeping, but soon after, we were having the free breakfast put on by Sunflower. Imagine my surprise and delight when they announced to me that it was a buffet! I bounced up off my chair and loaded up on pancakes, bananas, noodles and omelette. The Vietnamese coffee was very good with pineapple juice. Three plates later and I was ready for a day trip out somewhere.

I headed out to the Coconut under the Tree hostel by the beach to meet an old travelling buddy from Hanoi. Dutch man, Matthijs was in town and ready for some beers to catch up. He'd done some crazy stuff and I filled him in on what I'd been up too.

We had lunch by the beach with beers and laughed at Dayana's struggle trying to eat crab. A particular highlight of my trip to date! After a few hours of more beer drinking and laughter, we bid each other fair well and made our own ways back to our hostels.

I visited Kimmy's and BeBe's with Sèbastien and Jordy and we started to decide what we were going to purchase. I'd already eyed up a blue three piece and a charcoal grey three piece. I was excited to see how they came out but I'd have to wait two days.

We rendezvoused with Matthijs again and we four guys went to an Indian restaurant. The meat thali was pretty good although I wasn't too keen on the yoghurt mixture they put on the side. It was chunky and thick and not something I wanted to accompany my beer with.

Crazy place!

Julie and Anne Banana were at Tiger Tiger. They been drinking cocktails since late afternoon so when we got there, they looked pretty chilled out. We played pool and beer pong and indulged in a little dancing. As the bar closed up, we moved to Why Not bar. It was packed and soon, the girls were asleep either side of me.

It was home time. 

Jordy stayed on but Sèbastien and I walked back with the girls. On the way, we saw a dead cat laying in the middle of the street. Despite me not being a huge cat lover (I'm more of a parrot kind of guy - more interactive), and a group of 21 year old English people telling me their dad's were vets and some taking photos (sick buggers), I pulled it from the road and gave it a more dignified resting place on a bed of flowers on the roadside. 

We all did synchronised teeth brushing and then went to bed.