Day 26, Tues May 14 - The Slow Train to Hoi An

Three of the four slept well and provided an quiet orchestra for Les!  Sleepers on the overnight trains are 500% better than seats, but it is still a narrow bunk bed on a noisy jolting train.  Not complaining but not the best place for a good nights sleep.

All awake by 6 am and French bread croissants and pastries for breakfast.  The train was due in to DaNang around 11.30 but hadn't even got to Hue by then and DaNang is 2 hours further on.   Gorgeous coastal scenery from Hue to DaNang.

   The start of the coastal views and the front of the SE19 train.

   The view from our carriage window continues...

Arrived in DaNang around 1.45 and for the first time this trip got straight into a cab and headed the 30 Kms to Hoi An.  Lonely Planet and Mr Google just couldn't guarantee the route by bus and in 35 degrees we caved!!!

The Cam Chau Homestay (another first) is a bit off the beaten track but at $26 a room a night including breakfast and bicycles (yes bicycles) it seems like a good deal.

    Kim and Russell scored the biggest bed yet!

Dropped the bags had a shower and believe it or not all 4 of us jumped on the cycles and headed 3 Kms to the nearest beach, Cua Dai.

   It's been a while but you never forget how to ride a bike!

The water was fantastic, if anything a fraction too warm but a lovely safe swimming beach and even a wee man there to mind the bikes for VD20,000 ($1.20).  Spent a blissful hour or so then back on the trusty bikes and headed in to town.  On the way stopped off at Dingo Deli for a cold one then back on the road enjoying the sights.

  Some sort of fish farm in the river in Hoi An.

After looking around Hoi An town we found yet another great little local restaurant and had a great dinner.  The boys enjoyed another Pho, the local dish of a light broth type noodle soup and Kim and I had fresh spring rolls.

On the bikes and headed for "home". A short chat session with the family and Russell brought Johnson down to the delight of the 16 year old son of the family who has taught himself to play from the Internet  and we were treated to a mini jam session.  What a great way to finish our first day in Hoi An.