[monumentum]

Day #20: On to Hoi An (19-May-2010)
It was a rushed morning. It no wonders I was plagued with dizzy spells that entire time. Still can recollect the light-headed sensation but of course, I am me. ;X Keh kiang... I still said I could go ahead with the day. Having nearly puked my breakfast, it didn't stop photo-taking. Look at those cows catching a breather by the monument. Don't they love life?

These beauties were a short while away from Phuoc Son. The rivers weren't the typical gushing type. It was very very dry season - the reason why I was there in the first place. I guess it sounds rather self-indulgent here, but I must still admit that I'm proud to have chosen the right time to travel, being a noob in this area.

Having forgotten the earlier pathetic nausea episodes, when we reached this bridge I was rather thrilled by the waterfall below the bridge. You have to go down, down, down below the roads to reach this tunnel (below) at the foot of the waterfall. Totally had a blast at this, not sure why either..

These were the steps up till the main road. Ok, I was already climbing when I took this. High, no?

Oh, Mai Loc & his 'friends' again. I'm so sorry for saying this, but I don't really like people who try too hard at acting popular. I'm not referring to those skulls hanging on the ceiling, just that this little shelter with these animal skulls, belonged to Mai Loc's 'friends'. Morbid? I wouldn't be hanging remnants of dead things in my house anytime soon. It's the culture difference, maybe.

I've SO gotta say this! That adult pig in the photo above, absolutely reminds me of the pigs in Spirited Away! The facial expression, the posture... Doesnt it?? Oh & the little piglet reminds me of a coin box.. Hmmm... Really, mean it. ;X

Alright, central, inland. This is the border to Laos. That's the immigration checkpoint, the cross-border bridge that leads away from Vietnam.

Enjoying the sights. The pineapple plantations weren't visible from the main road, but the pineapples themselves were (above). The entire stretch of road had people doing the same thing - loading heaps of harvested pineapples onto lorries. I'm wondering if the demand for pineapples is that great, but anyway, pineapples seen in such large quantities are rather a spectacle.

**Viewers' Discretion**

So much for animal rights. In some places they indeed do NOT practice this. But I did feel like a hypocrite, being so sympathetic (questionable), yet I was so into snapping photos of this sight. It makes me apologetic, yet if given another chance, I would still choose to have these photos taken. Imagine how much the poor cow is suffering. I myself cannot even bear being cooped up in a lift more than the average duration. Anyway, it was still alive.

Isn't this boy so beautiful? I couldn't help but asked to get his photo taken, which he agreed to, (thanks). (:

This is just a start to the scenic day.

The Confucious Temple. Yea, that's what it translates to in English from 孔子庙. It was noon & my camera coulndt resist the sunlight, so there, the overexposure, don't blame me.

Lunch was at this street side stall when we arrived at HOI AN! Ok, the food was as tasty as Hoi An itself (you'll see). Something you wouldn't mind savoring for life.. Satay-like things, the only difference is that you're expected to wrap the kebab thing up in rice paper & eat together with vegetables. Even the sauce used was similar to satay sauce.

Ok, from here on I shan't comment too much about the photos of the attractions in town. They're really only photos which anyone else can take when they drop by Hoi An. Many of my photos are so, but I guess since Hoi An is so tourist-populated, these places must really be overrated, photo-wise.

Erm, I like that glare. ;D (Below)

Hoi An has this package whereby you'd pay a fixed price for a set of tickets, so you could use them to visit any participating attractions of your choice. The ticket didn't come cheap.. I forgot how much though. This was one of the many communal house that I visited.

Hoi An boasts this 'tourist village' where architecture are totally picturesque. Ok, of course I wouldn't name it. It's somewhere no one would miss upon laying foot in Hoi An, so another overrated candidate.

& needless to say, the Japanese Bridge, one of Hoi An's trademark site, lies within this so-called 'Tourist Village'. Yes, it was called Japanese Bridge, & still is, but I couldn't find a single trace of 'Japanese-ness' in that place. If it was named the Chinese Bridge, it wouldn't be so ironical. Then again, who says I did my research? I did not.

Another communal house, though I forgot which one it was. To me I guess the depth only stops at enjoying sights & not learning anything. It's not something to brag about, so I think I'd try work on that.

(Below) One of my most satisfactory shots of the entire trip. This artist on the ladder drawing free-hand without even a blueprint. It wasn't a mere sketchbook, but a mural, which would be turned into carvings eventually (a few photos below). I admire his talent, totally! I like the balance of the light & dark regions of this photograph, though there're still areas to improve on.

Ok, it reminds me of the Goat of Mendes (below). Hmmm... Though indubitably, this is a temple, while the Goat of Mendes is but an unorthodox figure widely worshipped in... Satanism?? Or the likes of it I guess.

The darkening sky marks Hoi An's process of coming alive. Hoi An & its beauty is something most shouldn't miss in their lifetime. A town of colors in the day & night alike, though the latter is way way more significant. Hmm... See why later..

Museum of the Ethnic Minority. I was so desperate to use up the entire set of tickets before everything closed for the night. LOL yes, the ticket is only valid on the day of purchase. Justifies my desperation?

This place was quite creepy considering the low lights & the very very disturbing-looking statues which donned the traditional costumes & all. They're wax figures or something? I've always disliked life-like mannequins, they're haunting. & to top it off, the museum did not have many visitors, so I was practically alone (not so if those things came to life suddenly..).

The streets of Hoi An when night falls. Lights, & more lights. Something that so draws me. Lovely? I feel like a fly, but don't you agree that these are beautiful? Of course the real thing is much more pretty.

A performance we caught at a local mini theatre. I shan't elaborate since there aren't many graphic evidence.

*Standing ovation* Dedicated to this day, & to Hoi An, for being so beautiful.
No there wasn't dinner today. Too caught up with ethereal beauties that I forgot the practical.

I've been wanting so much to go through this Hoi An day, one of the main reasons why I was enthusiastic in blogging at all. Yet when it really came to writing, I guess I lagged. Really, it's not about the bombastic descriptives to travelling, it's the opportunity to witness.