So since the last blog, we did a cookery class in Hanoi. It was REALLY FUN. First, the teacher took us round the market and pointed out the names of different Vietnamese ingredients: some very strange vegetables, and very fresh seafood. We took the food back to the restaurant, and the chef taught us how to chop vegetables really finely using large scary knives. We learnt to make vietnamese spring rolls and dipping sauce to go with them (which is the best sauce EVER), some vegetabley prawney rice, marinated fish in rice wrappers, and a traditional dessert made of sweet potato and ginger. The assistants were really cute and helpful, and we took the class with a really friendly middle aged Canadian guy who was a project manager- he recommended us a good hotel to stay on our return to Hanoi.

Later that day, we flew from Hanoi to Da Nang, but the flight was severely delayed which was annoying. We arrived at our hotel in Hoi An late last night. Luckily it was sunny today, so we spent all day by the pool trying to get some sort of tan! went into hoi an for dinner tonight and ate at one of the lonely planet recommended restaurants: bar 96 (good food but strange decor- very "rustic"). met a guy from liverpool on the table next to us, who gave us career advice. think i insulted him by mistaking him for an american! whoopsy!

tomorrow we're getting the train to nha trang: bring on the beach!

Sarah xxx