Did a cookery course on Friday. Met at local restaurant at 8am (no lie ins on this holiday!) and our guide took us to local Market which was great. We'd wandered through it before but was better having a local with us to tell us all about the unusual fruit and veg and where everything came from. No idea when these people sleep - the farmers/fishermen work all day and late into the night then take their stuff to Market at 5.30 am, usually starting their journey way before that.
After the Market tour we got on boat for a half hour ride down the river to the red bridge cookery school. Some really nice people on the trip, about 14 of us altogether so was a good laugh.
At Red Bridge the chef did a demonstration of various Hoi An and Vietnamese specialities. His English was fantastic and he threw in quite a few jokes and funny comments which kept the kids entertained.
After each demonstration we then moved to our own little kitchen stations (was very like Master Chef!) and try the dishes ourselves. We had paid for 2 people as I didn't think Lewie or Tess would manage the whole thing on their own but turned out they were great cooks so I never really got the chance to have a go! They made fresh rice pancakes (very tricky to make and takes about a day to prepare the mix but well worth it) filled with mixed salad, shrimp and a peanut dipping sauce, Hoi An pancakes which are similar but this time fried and served slightly differently, egg plant cooked in clay pot and various decorations for the dishes. It was really good fun and after making all the food we got to sit down for a lovely lunch of all the things we made and some other dishes made by the chef.
Got on boat for return journey and driver decides to give Lewie and Tess a quick lesson on steering the boat then left them to it - they literally drove us the whole way back for half an hour having to go through bridges, round other boats and out and in of shallow/deep water. Massive round of applause when we made it back (probably from relief!)
went to Treat for dinner and a game of pool. Met south African couple who we had chatted to a few nights ago. They took Lewie and tess off for a few games while I got to sit and relax, much as the kids are being great and having no time away from them hasn't bothered me at all it was really nice to have an hour where I didnt have to speak or listen to them!
Karen and Willie (SA couple) have 4 kids in their late 20's and are desperate for grand children so really loved spending time with Lewie and Tess - Willie is turning Lewie into a real pool shark, the place we're staying for 3 weeks in Siem Reap has a pool table so they are really looking forward to playing every night there!
Finally decides to tackle the crazy roads yesterday and hired bikes to cycle the 10km to the beach. Discovered that wider roads just mean more room for the scooters and few cars to randomly drive where they want. Was quite scary at first but quickly got used to it and it wasn't that bad. Everyone drives pretty slowly and always beep their horns when about to over/under/sideways take you. Tess just sat on back of my bike as most kids do here - the bikes all have luggage racks which can be transformed into seats (ie stick a cushion on it).
Beach was lovely, really White sand and blue sea but very very hot yesterday. Met New Zealand couple from our hotel so the kids played in the sea for a while. They'd played with the girls (georgia, 9 and sienna, 5) at the hotel for a wee while yesterday and had hoped to see them again - first time they've had other children to play with so they had a great time. Cycled home early afternoon as it really was far too hot so came back to lovely cool pool at hotel.
Back to Cafe 43 for dinner last night and warm welcome as usual. The walk there is getting longer every night as we meet more and more locals who we have to stop and say hello to! Went to Cargo for cake before heading home. Nicest cakes we have every seen and the cafe/restaurant is gorgeous and ideally situated for people watching!
Just sitting in hotel while Lewie watches a wee bit of last nights football. Really hot again today, kids been in pool already. Planning a quiet day, may head out for a wander soon but it's world cup final tonight and it doesn't start here til 1 30am. Going to watch it on big screen in square again - Lewie has decided to take a Spain and a Holland top out with him and change into one depending on whether we meet Spanish guys again or not. He has a bet on at home that Holland will win but would go with Spain if we meet seem crowd!