Hoi An - Outskirts of Town

After a lazy morning in the pool, we had to go to the tailor for Ang's final fitting of her custom couture clothes as well as pick up a painting I commissioned at the Arts Centre. 

It was hot as balls out, so of course at high noon it was time for our bicycle tour of Hoi An and the rice fields. 

Despite the crushing heat and my slowly converting to a liquid form from excessive sweat, it was really fun. We visited a small farm growing herbs and had a chance to try traditional watering methods. 

We cycled through rice fields and fish farms. 

Cattle egret

Then we stopped to ride a water buffalo! One brave guy and a few of the gals rode Akka the buffalo. 

I was given the chance to stand up on him like a real rice farmer. I'm pleased to report that I successfully stood and didn't bail into the water.

Buffalo kisses! And also nose picking.

Here's Ang braving riding aboard the broad back of the buffalo.

 

After some buffalo kisses, it was back on the bike and on to a boat for the short ferry back to Hoi An. 

Getting off the ferry five of us had to race directly to our cooking class. A little essence of buffalo in your rice? Ha ha!

The cooking course was taught at the Green Mango. We learned to make mango sticky rice, fancy salad, chicken and mushroom in lettuce cup, Bun Cha (mini pork burgers), and spring rolls. 

Tomato rose

Fancy pineapple slicing

And by learned to make, I mean drank mojitos and poorly chopped while our instructor really made the food. In that regard, I am an excellent chef. Hooray for cooking!

Off to bed and then off to the airport for our short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.