Unfortunately, our plans shifted a little as my sister and niece had to cut their trip short due to my brother-in-law’s health situation. It wasn’t the ending we had imagined for this part of the journey.

So from here on, it’s just Jack and I continuing on our own in Hoi An.

With no set plans for the day, we simply went with the flow. When an electric buggy rolled up beside us and offered a ride, we didn’t think twice—we hopped on. Sometimes, the unplanned moments turn out to be the ones you remember most.

We passed through the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town, where every door felt warm and welcoming … simple, beautiful, and full of quiet stories.

But within just a few minutes, the scenery quietly shifted into open roads and what felt like the countryside…lush, calm, and a world away from the busy streets. We even spotted gentle water buffalo grazing quietly beside the rice paddocks—a simple, timeless scene that felt so deeply rooted in the countryside.

Then we carried on and passed rows of plants and vegetables, fresh and ready to be picked. Most of them were destined for the cooking classes that Hoi An is so well known for.

According to the driver, these are small private temples which are not open to the public.

Next stop was Lang Cui Cu Driftwood Village. I didn’t expect to be this impressed by the craftsmanship. When we arrived, it was so quiet—we later found out the workers were resting, some even lying down on the side, taking a well-deserved break.

Everything here was so awe-inspiring that I can’t help but purchase some stuff.

I could’ve taken one of those benches home…if only it fit in my luggage.

Next stop: the 250 year old Ancient House in Hoi An. Stepping back in time with intricate carvings, a peaceful courtyard, and timeless charm.

Passed by these fruit vendors which look so photogenic, don’t you think so?

Finally the buggy took us here right into the heart of Hoi An’s charm. From here we went strolling around.

Stopped by the Japanese Covered Bridge which I have featured here previously.

Then it was time for a small lunch as we had booked for an early dinner.

Here again are those low seats lining the street in front of the restaurants—simple, casual, and very local.

Continuing our day, we booked a ride at Bay Mau Coconut Forest. It turned out to be such a fun experience, made even better by our lovely boat lady. I honestly don’t know how she did it—she was so tiny, even smaller than me—but she paddled us through the coconut forest with such ease, like it was nothing at all.

When we reached the main area of Bay Mau Coconut Forest, it turned lively—some boatmen were doing spinning tricks for entertainment, while others even had karaoke going on. One of them invited us to hop on, but I already knew what was coming (thanks to Instagram), so I politely declined. Watching it was fun… but I can only imagine how dizzy that would be.

Our boat lady kept things calm and easy, just a few gentle turns and bumps, and that was it. Honestly, that was all we could handle haha.

Then it was time for dinner. This was the included meal on our tour… what a sumptuous spread. I simply love Vietnamese cuisine, simple, yet so full of flavor.

We then walked our way back to the hotel. It turned out to be a rainy night so we had to buy an extra umbrella but that didn’t dampen the mood. Hoi An with its lanterns is even better in the rain

I am linking this to Jo’s Monday Walk

Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge

Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Pepper’s One step at a Time