January 13, 2026
The water in Rangiroa is so spectacular, I wanted to spend more time drift snorkeling and checking out the area called "The Aquarium". So today I went back out for a 3 hour session to do 3 drift passes in Tiputa pass and then spent an hour in an area with wonderful healthy corals and tons of fish, earning it the nickname "The Aquarium".
Again not sure what is giving me these colorful photo images, but I love the images. Below are some of the fish I saw - looked them up on the Fishy Encyclopedia for French Polynesia. The orangespine unicorn is my new favorite. So pretty, has delicate puckered pink lips and the orange rings at the tail, actually look like tied bows. The Moray was massive. The Triggers can be aggressive. I took video but not loving images of everything going by so quick.
Next stop on the VIETNAM FUN TOUR is HOI'AN - The City of Laterns! I had arranged a private car to take us between all the major locations and towns for the 5 days we were touring the interior. He delivered us to Hoi'An in just about an hour from Ba Na Hills . Here we stayed 2 nights and had lots of relaxing time built in. Again the heat was oppressive! The driver recommended below tailor to me as I mentioned I might want to have a dress custom made as that is another thing the town is known for with 24 hour turn around.
Coconut Boat Tour sounds perfect to keep the Fun rolling! The hotel offered a tour, with pick up and return, so easy peasy!
I had dubbed this the Fun Tour of Vietnam! We could have gone to all the historic war memorials and museums, and I totally respect and am grateful to All those who gave so much. I just didn't want that, to be my only insight into Vietnam and it's lovely people. In the morning, we again explored more of the village and our room stay included a huge buffet breakfast. We checked out by 10:30 am and took the cable car back down by 11 am to meet our driver and head to our next stop.