Hue & Hoi An

Last weekend we ventured to the middle of the "s" that forms the shape of Viet Nam and had a brief but lovely tour of Hue and Hoi An. We started in Hue - Asian home of Mandarin Media and the Sullivan family on a seasonal basis. We spent a lovely afternoon touring the Citadel - a 200 year-old multiple walled city and former powerhouse of the country. Also the place where Thuy Sullivan spent her formative years. The ancient city is quite compelling with its gabled rooftops and elaborate gates. I highly recommend our accommodations - when you enter La Residence you will like you have stepped into the height of the art deco era.

Saturday we piled into our 15-passenger van along with the Sullivan family and headed through Da Nang (China Beach for those of you old enough to remember) to spend the day at the Nam Hai where Hal and Jim had a meeting, and where everyone has stayed except Hal, before going on to the Life Resort in Hoi An. The Nam Hai is lovely and very exclusive, however if money is an object for you I might suggest the Life Resort. Great hotel, great room, great price.

Hoi An is filled with french colonial architecture, tailors, and good food at places like the Mango Rooms and the Cargo Club. While dining at the Mango Rooms we enjoyed watching a riverfront parade and later Silas released paper lanterns on the river. With some insight from Thuy Clara and I ventured out to Thu Thuy Tailors to have an au dai (pronounced ow-yeye) made for Clara, along with a spring jacket.

All in all a restful weekend for the Mandarin Media families!