Cooking Class, Making Lanterns, and releasing Lanterns, Pub and Night Market

1/29 HoiAn 

We got laundry done, well Lynn did, last night and crashed. Up early having coffee and enjoying our room. 

The breakfast buffet here is expansive with many many choices. It was interesting to see a sign advising one if the left more than 100 grams of food on their plate there would be a charge. 

After breakfast we boarded a bus to go into Hoi An. Here we met Ngok (sp?) a local chef who guided us through the local market to get food for our cooking class lunch. 

I personally enjoy these markets as you can see what the local people eat daily. Here we found lots of fresh vegetables, meats, and even some cooking utensils. I did buy a shredding knife while there.  The smells for me are wonderful and here the vendors were very friendly. 

Ngok was a great instructor and very entertaining as well as informative. 

After lunch we were taken to a local tailor where several people were measured for garments, such as shirts, dresses, suits etc. These items will be created over night, just amazing. 

Lynn and I returned to the market to buy some gifts. 

Next we were taken to a Lantern Factory where we got to make lanterns. This was a rather fun activity. I was intrigued in that every piece of the lantern was made in this shop. All woodwork, metal work, and the adding of the fabric was done right there. 

Neat Lanterns

We were next given some down time so I am catching up with the blog. 

Nice laundry lady with much of our groups laundry 

This evening we went back to town, boarded a boat on the Thu Bon River. We then lit paper lanterns, made wishes and released them into the river. 

When we arrived back on shore we were turned loose for the evening. Everyone else went back to the tailor shop for a second fitting. Then they had the option of returning on the bus or staying in town for their dinner.  

Lynn and I struck out on a quest for the Irish Pub. Yes, we did find it and had a snack of Fish and Chips. They were not to bad the fish tasted good but it was very very thin, with corn meal breading rather than a beer batter. The Irish Stout was good, so that was worth the effort to locate The Shamrock Pub. It was easy to find as their lanterns were green and white. 

Japanese Bridge 

Our Dessert Doughnut Maker 

Kermit!!!

We then made our way to the Hoi An Night Market, this was very nice, lots of activity. Several food offerings were found and we opted for a doughnut for our dessert.  

From the night market we made our way down the waterfront to a taxi stand for a cab ride to the hotel.