12 Months in Hanoi: Beachin'

I had a dream last night that John Cusack and I met on a Vietnam Airlines flight and absolutely hit it off. Because of COURSE we would.

First thing on my iPod this morning? "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel ....

I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that. -- Lloyd Dobler

Coincidence? I think not.

(and if you don't get the Lloyd Dobler reference, go and rent Say Anything ... now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 ... MUST SEE)

So how does this fit with the "Beachin'" title of this blog? It doesn't ... but that's how my mind works.

You're welcome.

I partook of the amazing beaches of Vietnam last weekend - and it was GLORIOUS. Weather was perfect, beach was beautiful (the sand sparkles - literally), water was so clear you could see your feet standing shoulders-deep ... and the best part? I had amazing friends to share the weekend with!!

Friday morning ... 4:30 a.m. departure (meaning 3:30 a.m. wake up call) for the airport. Quick hop, skip and a jump to Da Nang with Nathalie, LaMont, Sylvia and Miss Monae to paradise!

We made it!!

We ended up finding a 2 bedroom villa at a luxury beach resort in Hoi An - complete with a private pool and direct access to the beach ... all for $260/night. I know you're probably thinking "that's pretty expensive for Vietnam!" And it is ... definitely a splurge ... but if you think about costs in the U.S. - um ... PRIVATE villa with PRIVATE pool and DIRECT access to the beach, breakfast INCLUDED, and FREE shuttle bus to/from Hoi An?

Um yeah ... you can't put a pricetag on THIS as your backyard.

Our villa!

It was a steal, and having that pool after a long afternoon/evening sweating our asses off running through the streets of Hoi An to get clothes made was a godsend.

Plus - it's the beach ...

HEAVEN ...

... complete with fruity drinks!!

We did the beach thing, we did the Hoi An thing, I had 4 dresses made (added to Nat and Sylvia's wares, I'm PRETTY sure we significantly contributed to the provincial economy), had a few great meals and cold beers, and LOTS of laughs with fabulous friends.

Exotic locales like the beaches of Hoi An DEFINITELY add to the fabulosity of being an expat!!

Pics!!