Rainy days, Facials, Massage on a Monday never get me down.

A rainy day in Hoi An. Normally, when you are on holiday in a tropical environment and it rains, it is a disaster. This is not the case for Michael and I. Michael has not been feeling so good, especially at night and we chose today to be a stay inside day.

They have a small gym at the hotel, which is incredible considering it is not a major western hotel like Hyatt or Sheraton. Gyms are not something that are popular or considered necessary in Vietnam. It is becoming more acceptable with the younger ones that desire the western look of muscles and the fitness lifestyle seen in movies as a status. The hotel gym is very, very small, but had what I needed and it felt good to get some exercise other than walking. As I was finishing there was a downpour and fulfilled one of my favorite, rare activities which is to go swimming in the pool with heavy rain…..wonderful.

We have been anxiously waiting for the opportunity for a massage and now we have it at our hotel. The prices are so inexpensive we decided to get a facial, manicure and pedicure. I also got a massage. Back home I would be fine with paying $60 for an hour massage. I got one of the best massages I have ever had, it was two hours with aromatherapy, a facial…amazing…and a mani/pedi with leg and arm massage…oy vay…total cost….$80.00. We are now so cheap that for us that was a splurge. Oh, and you would normally tip 20% in the U.S. and there is no tipping here in Vietnam.

Though I do not mind the rain for a few days, I am concerned the forecast has rain most of the week while we are here. If it is anything like Hanoi, or Seattle, never look at the weather forecast, due to the likely hood of it not being accurate. There are exceptions when a typhoon is coming of course. I will check next time.

I am writing on the deck as we speak and have had to inch closer to the door as the rain gets heavier and heavier. The view at night from our room is a pool that is lit with cobalt blue lights, white lanterns hanging from every balcony and long strings of red lanterns from the palm trees. As lovely as it is, I cannot help but see an American or French inspiration. It is definitely not Vietnamese and sure it is coincidental.