Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history (Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles: wooden Chinese shophouses and temples, colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent.

After we checked into the hotel -- the Vinh Hung II -- we had a short rest and then gathered in the lobby wth the rest of our crew. A laundry girl met us in the lobby and we gave her a bag of our dirty laundry which she loaded onto her motorbike -- promising to return tomorrow.

Beam, our CEO took us on a walk to the Old Quarter. This is a designated UNESCO site, and there is a charge to enter the area. The ticket is $6.00 and allows many entries into the area, and choice of 5 attractions: museums, templers, old houses, etc. She introduced us to tailors where you can have anything made, an optical place, then to a restaurant, The Lantern Resaurant, for a late lunch. They gave us the special dining room upstairs. Walked past the kitchen and a balcony that looked out onto the river. Food, as always, was great and cheap. We also hit Happy Hour, so it was buy one beer and get one free.

A couple of the group had clothes made -- suits, shirts, etc, -- and a pair of favourite shoes COPIED! As we walked back toward the hotel, Bill started looking at some boots, and of course the salesperson was there right away to help. In a flash his feet were measured at every angle and a price was negotiated. 

He picked a style he's worn since the '60s - a sort of  light "Beatle" boot for stage wear -- made of soft waterbuffalo leather with wedge heels and side zipper. He also chose a full-leather lining. They would be ready for pick-up at 6 the next day. Sue-On picked up a couple of cotton tunics -- in preparation for the even hotter weather in Cambodia.

We carried on exploring the many shops, temples, museums, cafes,  and riverside attractions.