BACK IN THE SHOP

Back in the shop after 4 weeks tripping across Vietnam buying and designing.

It's a chilly day outside so people are staying in by the fire and not in a shopping mood. Not good for shop keepers but I spend my quiet days sewing for my shop.

Today I made six OBI BELTS. I use black linen as my base as it shows off the vintage obi silks and kimono silks I use. Then I trim with vintage braids I have collected over the years.

 This one features a 1930's silk and 1960's braid

 

So a day well spent.

Tien Biet vietnam

Well another trip to Vietnam over. Samples checked, new finds from distant places. Interesting new joint ventures I hope and plenty of people to catch up with when I get back.

I packed last night and managed to make 40kilos like 20kilos. Packed Mark and removed the things he snuck into my luggage. 

Down for brekky in the delightful courtyard of the Continental Hotel.

One last shower to last me until i get back home tomorrow then out to the airport to see Mark off to Laos and then time for me to while away the hours until my flight.

This was my fave drink this time "fresh guava juice". Could do with one now sitting waiting to board after sitting waiting to check in. 

Until the next trip.

Last days in Hoi An

Last days in Hoi An. Finalizing samples, shipping dates etc. Lunches & dinners with Thao & Huong, a visit to Miss hue & Gunner from V Cafe. Most important lunch at our favourite restaurant, Morning Glory.

I love in Vietnam when you buy sparkling mineral water it comes in bottles that I am sure are at least 30yrs old but are just constantly recycled.

Thao & Huong in front of their new house in Hoi An. They should be moving in very soon.

 No plane delays this time and we arrive in Ho chi Minh and arrive at the Hotel Continental.

 I feel like I am in the Carrington in Saigon.

Our room. Upgraded to a suite Yes!!! So over the top. I am sitting at the big old desk doing my blog and out of the window is the Opera house. Today is a public holiday, "Labour Day" so breakfast went until 10am.

This is the courtyard setting for brekky. I think there is a wedding here today and I found the cake decorator busy at work.

Hoi An Lamp trade

 I think everyone's favourite thing in Hoi An is the silk lanterns. Strung around the town some so faded and dusty others shining bright in many colours.

We stop for our traditional bucket of mojito by the river.

Then on to meet the company we met at the HCM trade fair to order lamps.

Again Mark's mathamatic brain ticks over calculating and impresses Miss Trinh. Next we need to work out shipping and this is where it all gets complicated. Although they are not heavy we need about 20 boxes to pack them in.

 So after lantern negotiations I notice an ear cleaner across the road. I have had a blocked left ear for days now from swimming and I have always been fascinated by the  traditional ear cleaners you see working on the side of the road and in markets throughout Asia. but have never had the courage to try it. Today is the day.

So he starts with a fluffy duster twirling in my ear. Then he starts with the long stick things and a miners light on his head. He scrapes and digs but it is very gentle. He shows me a wad of wax from one ear but didn't get to see in major discoveries.
I think he is finished then he proceeds to shave my forehead and all over my face. Next he pushes my head back on the cahair and with some drops in my eyes he starts to clean the inner rims of mt eyes. This I didn't like. then he rubs my face all over wit a moist towellette.

While this is all happening Mark gets the full treatment plus a haircut.

These are the ear instuments kept in a Heinikin  beer can.

HOI AN ancient town

......and then there was Hoi An. The traffic is far less here and cars are not allowed in the old quarter which is bliss. We do not understand why the old quarter in Ha Noi and other historical precincts don't have similar restrictions as much for the locals peace of mind as for the added dimension it would allow for travelers. Tourists and locals can amble the streets and shop to their hearts content. I must admit I have never seen so many tourists in Hoi An in the 11 years I have been coming here. Many are in big tour groups as are traveling as couples or alone. Europeans predominate either as neo-geriatric or as students with complicated gap year or with learning options that include traveling in groups of 30-40 and looking marvelous in the swimming pool. Someone should tell them that you don't get much mileage out of Scandanivian skin in the tropics.

The river at sunset and by nightfall the river side is lit up with coloured lanterns in all the cafes and shops. It really is lovely to stroll around the town.

 Today was spent bargaining for things for our shop and designing some silver pieces as well.
The new designs and samples are looking good. We had dinner with Thao and Huong last night and I ate my first JELLY FISH SALAD. What can I say it was interesting and I have been aching for revenge ever since being stung in the mouth and face by that bluebottle stinger more than 30 years ago.

Found this growing in the shower, that's the tropics for you and when I can figure out a use for it I might start importing them.

Can't give up the stars

After a decade of budget style accommodation and secret hotel room envy when we visit other acquaintances, we have finally joined the pool lounging jet set and we feel more attractive and younger every time we get a bill.

We randomly booked our hotel in Hoi An and have found ourselves yet again in a gorgeous room. Mark gently freaks out but soon relaxes in our new environment.

Back in Hoi An one of our favourite places in Vietnam. Here to see my new samples and start production. Some buying for the shop and eating.

 

First a swim after breaky

Then a walk around the ancient town. We have watched Hoi An change over the past 11 years from a sleepy old town with character and heritage. Strolling home through the old town this evening it is now a bustling busy shopaholics paradise.

Days in HCM

I chose this photo of me because it is a reflection and softens the image I usually see when a picture is taken. 

I have enjoyed HCM this time after a 10 year absence. Maybe it has something to do with the luxury accommodation  we have enjoyed so much here or just that I have cioped with the heat better than I expected.

The odd ice coffee helps especially when we set out to find a pagoda of interest with squffy instructions and hot humid day. We locate other bewildeed travellers and join forces to find the elusive Jade Pagoda. We come upon a pagoda no one is absolutely sure whether it is the one we are searching for but decide at this pont any pagoda will do.

They offer us living turtles as we enter he pagoda to put our names or a wish printed on their back but opt to leave the poor turtles unmarked

There are ponds full of turtles, coy and gold fish. The pagoda is made up of various rooms with different deities with lots of dark wood, caring, gold imagery and a haze of incense.

Back into Distict1 for some nem (spring rolls)

HCM is so much more sophisticated  than I remember from 10 years ago but still there is the real HCM in amongst the modern. This lady sitting selling a popular dish and just a couple of metres up from her parked was a brand new BMW convertible.