Hoi An

10 November evening

Swimming hole (The Cement Pond? See Hillbillies, Beverly)

2016.11.10.0530 Almanity Resort and Spa, Hoi An, Vietnam

After splashing around in the pool for a bit, we lounged poolside for a while and I even dozed off for a while. The trip back to Yaly was at 1745 and ten of the 18 walkers returned for final fittings. So between standing in front of the mirror while the tailor and staff swirled around me tugging and pinching fabric, I decided to order three summer shirts. So I showed the sales associate the shirt I wanted, and then we went to chose fabrics. I chose three so it'll be three shirts ($45 each). Then they wanted me to come back at 2000 to check the fit of shirt before they made the other two. However instead of going back to the store, they brought the shirt to the restaurant where we were having dinner! And I wasn't the only one scooting off to the restaurant washroom to check the fit of newly minted garments. We arranged to have all our newly made clothes shipped back to Saint Paul so we didn't have to stuff them in our limited bag space.

Brother's Café dinner menu:
•Baby corn & shredded chicken soup
•Spring rolls & fresh spring rolls & grilled beef in vine leaves
•Pork in sweet & sour sauce
•Braised prawn with pepper
•Stir-fried bok-choy with mushroom
•Steamed rice
•Fresh fruit

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A view of the swimming pool from the lobby.

A snap of our room.

Assessing the fit of my jacket.

The three fabrics I chose for my summer shirts. (Dar tells me green brings out my eyes.)

The style of the summer shirts I ordered.

Alan being fitted for his tuxedo. The sales associate at the right seems to be giving him the 'Hey sailor…' look.

The tailor immediately began to collect the fabric for my shirts before we left the showroom.

A bit more fitting here. Hung took these photos for me.

Waiting - Barbara, John, Terry, and Jack.

One of the many illuminated lanterns along the streets that added atmosphere to the town.

We walked from Yaly to the restaurant - Brother's Café on the river.

A shot of the lighting inside Brother's Café that made these places so appealing.

Heading back through the courtyard to our tables overlooking the riverwalk and river.

Baby corn and shredded chicken soup.

The first shirt arrived during the meal, so I went to the men's restroom to give it a try.

Spring rolls & fresh spring rolls & grilled beef in vine leaves.

Stir-fried bok-choy with mushroom.

Pork in sweet and sour sauce.

Fresh fruit.

Riverside view at night. I wish we had a little more time in Hoi An to go exploring, but the nap comes first.

2016.11.11.1220 Hanoi International Airport, Hanoi,Vietnam

We had a second massage scheduled for 2115 back at the hotel, so after picking up our freshly laundered clothes, we reported to the spa. Unlike the previous evening's massage which used heated bamboo rollers/rods to roll and press the various muscles, this evening's flavor was moon oil — never heard of it. I suspect it's something "New Age-y" for which I'll have no patience, so I think I'll just let it slide. The experience was similar to the previous evening (without the itchy nose), but both Jonathan and I took showers afterwards to wash away the oil before climbing into bed.

Reflections of an illuminated bridge from the riverside